Accidental damage
May cover collision, impact and overturning damage to the declared vehicle, subject to the selected basis of cover and excess.
Specialist truck-type cover
Lowbed Trailer Insurance in South Africa
Insurance for lowbed and low-loader trailers carrying plant, construction machinery and heavy equipment. Cover is assessed around the vehicle configuration, cargo, operating routes and claims exposure.
Cover options for vehicles, trailers, third-party liability, goods in transit and specialist trucking risks.
Understanding the operation
About lowbed trailer insurance
Lowbed trailers transport excavators, loaders, crushers and other heavy machinery with a lower deck height than standard trailers. The configuration improves clearance but introduces grounding, ramp, concentrated-load and abnormal-load exposure.
The trailer and machinery are separate assets. A motor policy for the towing vehicle does not automatically insure the lowbed or plant carried on it. Loading, hired-in machinery, permits, securing and escort arrangements should all be addressed in the quotation.
TruckCovered helps owner-drivers, transport contractors and fleet businesses present the risk to suitable insurance markets. Cover remains subject to underwriting, insurer approval, the policy schedule and all stated limits, conditions and exclusions.
Potential protection
What the insurance can cover
The cards below describe cover that may be available. Only benefits shown in the final written schedule apply.
Theft and hijacking
May respond to theft, attempted theft or hijacking where security, tracking, key-control and reporting requirements are met.
Third-party liability
May cover legal liability for accidental damage caused to another vehicle or property up to the stated limit.
Towing and recovery
Reasonable towing, recovery and storage after an insured incident may be included within limits and approval requirements.
Scheduled lowbed trailer
The trailer, ramps and declared fitted equipment may be covered for accepted accidental loss or damage.
Plant in transit
Accepted machinery may be covered under separate goods or plant-in-transit terms.
Loading and unloading
Damage while machinery moves onto or off the trailer may be considered when expressly included.
Vehicle-specific underwriting
Risks specific to this truck type
These operating exposures differentiate the page and need to be discussed during the quote process.
High-value machinery damage
One incident can damage expensive plant carried in the operator’s custody.
Ramp failure
Structural, hydraulic or setup failure can drop machinery during loading.
Load movement
Concentrated weight and poor restraint can shift machinery or overload anchor points.
Grounding
The low deck can strike crests, ramps and uneven road surfaces.
Abnormal-load exposure
Width, mass and height may require permits, route surveys and escorts.
Trailer structural stress
Overloading and incorrect weight distribution can damage the frame and running gear.
Get terms based on the real operation
Tell us what the vehicle carries, where it works and which equipment it operates.
Build the policy
Optional cover extensions
Trailer cover
Declare and insure accepted owned, hired or interchangeable trailers correctly.
Goods in transit
Cover accepted cargo types and values under separate goods-in-transit terms.
Operational liability
Review liability that extends beyond ordinary use of the vehicle on the road.
Breakdown assistance
Arrange eligible roadside call-out and towing services within stated limits.
Excess reduction
Manage an eligible own-damage excess under a separate reducer product.
Abnormal-load cover
Coordinate permits, escorts and route-clearance liability.
Who this cover is suitable for
- Plant-hire companies
- Construction contractors
- Mining equipment transporters
- Earthmoving businesses
- Heavy-haulage specialists
- Lowbed owner-operators
Information required for a quote
Accurate answers improve quote quality and reduce the chance of a material mismatch between the policy and operation.
- Vehicle make, model, year, registration and current value
- Estimated annual kilometres and operating radius
- Regular drivers, licence classes and relevant experience
- Tracking, immobilisation and other security measures
- Overnight parking, depot and route-stop arrangements
- Three to five years of detailed claims history
- Finance provider and current settlement information
- Trailer dimensions, axle configuration and value
- Ramp type, capacity and value
- Plant types, maximum individual and total values
- Loading responsibility and operator competence
- Abnormal-load permits, routes and escort arrangements
Avoid material gaps
Why specialist cover matters
Generic wording can fail to describe the work, equipment or liability exposure. These issues should be resolved before cover starts.
Incorrect vehicle use
A policy arranged for ordinary delivery work may not cover specialist lifting, hazardous loads, off-road work or abnormal-load operations.
Undeclared cargo
The goods carried affect theft, fire, contamination and liability exposure and must be described accurately.
Uninsured equipment
Bodies, refrigeration units, cranes, compactors and other fitted machinery require separate values and written acceptance.
Territorial and driver restrictions
Cross-border countries, driver requirements and overnight-security warranties can materially restrict cover.
Plant is separate
The machinery carried does not become insured merely because the trailer is covered.
Loading period
Transit cover may exclude the moment of highest risk unless loading is expressly included.
When an incident occurs
Claims process
- 1
Report the incident
Notify TruckCovered or the insurer as soon as reasonably possible and follow the emergency instructions supplied with the policy.
- 2
Secure the vehicle and cargo
Take reasonable steps to prevent further loss without putting drivers, crew, road users or the environment at risk.
- 3
Collect supporting evidence
Photograph the scene, vehicles, load, equipment, road conditions and visible damage, and preserve tracking or temperature records.
- 4
Provide formal reports
Submit the police, accident, fire, spill or workplace documents required for the particular incident.
- 5
Arrange assessment and recovery
Use authorised towing, recovery, survey and repair providers where the policy or insurer requires prior approval.
- 6
Track the claim
Respond to information requests and keep repair, recovery, cargo-owner and third-party records available for review.
Vehicle-specific questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the machinery on the lowbed covered?
Only under separate accepted plant-in-transit or goods-in-transit cover with suitable limits.
Does cover apply during loading?
It may if loading and unloading are expressly included and approved procedures are followed.
Can hired-in lowbed trailers be insured?
Possibly, subject to the hire agreement, custody, value and insurer acceptance.
Are abnormal loads covered?
They may be when permits, dimensions, routes and escorts are disclosed and accepted.
Does the policy cover loading ramps?
Declared ramps may be covered for accidental damage; mechanical failure and wear are separate.
Can cross-border machinery transport be covered?
Approved countries may be considered with permit, route and recovery details.
Tailored protection
Protect Your Lowbed Trailer
Request a tailored truck insurance quotation based on the vehicle, cargo, operating routes and risks involved.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice. Cover is subject to underwriting, insurer approval, policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. Benefits and availability may differ between insurers. Cover does not commence until it has been formally confirmed in writing.