Tipper insurance

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Do I need tipper truck insurance?

Whatever type of tipper truck you use – whether it’s a flatbed, three-way tipper, cage or dropside – you’ll know it’s not a straightforward van.

Tipper trucks are used mainly by construction workers and gardeners to transport all sorts of loose materials like sand, rubble, gravel and topsoil. They’re designed to work on off-road areas such as construction sites, as well as on everyday roads.

The cost to replace or repair a tipper van that’s not properly insured could be extremely high. Tippers may also be at a greater risk of being stolen for their parts, which are often worth a lot of money. So, you’ll want to protect your tipper truck with the right tipper insurance.

We compare prices from 33 trusted van insurance providers^[2], including:

^[2]Correct as of March 2025.

What types of tipper van insurance are available?

If you drive your tipper truck for work, there are two types of commercial van insurance available.

Carriage of own goods allows you to carry the tools of the trade that you need for work. Builders and plumbers, for example, might carry work tools, equipment and materials.
Haulage (carriage of goods for hire and reward) offers cover if you use your tipper truck as a delivery van for someone else’s goods. This could be to shift sand, aggregate, gravel or topsoil for another business. Before taking this kind of insurance out, it’s worth checking whether the company you deliver for already has you covered.

If you carry tools in the back of your tipper truck, make sure you check the policy details. For example, your policy may say that you need to stay with your vehicle while it’s loaded to prevent theft or damage. You might also want to check if you’re covered for parts stolen from your vehicle.

If you have a few tipper trucks to insure, you could save time and money by taking out fleet insurance. This allows you to cover multiple vehicles under one policy.

What level of insurance do I need for my tipper van?

You’ll need to insure your tipper van for business use. As with standard vehicle insurance, there are three main types of cover to choose from:

Third-party only – this provides cover for injury to another person or damage to their vehicle. Third-party tipper insurance won’t cover repairs to your own tipper van or your own medical expenses.
Third-party, fire and theft – this offers the same level of protection as above, plus cover if your van is stolen or damaged by fire. With van break-ins and tool theft being all too common occurrences, it’s a worthwhile consideration. Make sure to check the policy details to see if tools and other contents are included. If not, consider adding extra cover.
Comprehensive – in addition to the above, this also covers you if your tipper is damaged – even if the accident was your fault.

You might also want to consider public liability insurance. This offers cover if you damage someone else’s property while loading or unloading, for example.

And if you employ anyone to drive your tipper van, you’re required by law to have employers’ liability insurance in place.

What do I need to get a tipper insurance quote?

To get a quote, simply give us a few details about:

Your tipper truck and the level of cover you’d like
What you use the vehicle for
Your personal details including your age, where you live, your claims history and any driving convictions
Details of any named drivers you want to add to the policy
The estimated annual mileage of your tipper truck.

Whether you drive a Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Peugeot Boxer, Renault Master or Iveco Daily tipper, we can give you a list of suitable quotes to compare. You’ll have the opportunity to add on any optional extras, so you can tailor your quote to suit your needs.

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Tipper insurance FAQs

How does weight affect tipper truck insurance?

The heavier your vehicle is, the more it’s likely to cost to insure. If your tipper truck has a gross vehicle weight of no more than 3.5 tonnes, it’s classed as a light goods vehicle (LGV) and you’ll be covered by business van insurance.

If it weighs more than this (up to 44 tonnes), you’ll need a specialist licence and insurance for a heavy goods vehicle (HGV).

Here at Compare the Market, we can help you with quotes for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.

Can I get temporary tipper insurance?

Yes, there may be instances when paying for a whole year of insurance isn’t necessary. For example, you might only need cover to move a truck you’ve just bought to a building site or warehouse. Or perhaps you want to insure a new employee so they can get up and running straight away.

Temporary van insurance can last from a few hours up to 28 days and can be renewed if you want. But pay attention to any limits or exclusions on the types of business use covered and make sure it suits your needs.

What extras might I need for my tipper truck?

For an extra cost, you might want to consider these add-ons when comparing tipper insurance:

Breakdown cover – get going again as quickly as possible if a broken-down tipper truck means you can’t work.
Motor legal protection – this could help cover legal expenses and loss of earnings arising from a compensation claim made against you.
Goods in transit cover – this could cover you for any goods that are lost, stolen or damaged while being moved between sites.

How much does tipper van insurance cost?

The price you’ll pay for your tipper van cover depends on several factors, including:

The make and model of your tipper
The level of cover you need
How you’ll be using your tipper
Your estimated annual mileage
Your age and driving history
Where you drive your tipper
Any named drivers you’re adding to the policy.

How do I get a great deal on my tipper van insurance?

There are a few ways to help save money on your tipper insurance. Here are some of them:

Shop around – it’s worth comparing costs for the level of cover you need. Remember, the cheapest policy isn’t necessarily the best tipper insurance for you.
Keep your tipper van secure – some providers may offer you a discount if your tipper is fitted with an immobiliser.
Pay a higher voluntary excess – the excess is the amount you have to pay if you make a claim on your insurance. You can increase this, but make sure you set it at a level you can afford.
Consider any named drivers carefully – insuring inexperienced young drivers or drivers with past motoring convictions could bump up your premium.

See top tips on getting cheaper van insurance

What our expert says...

“Don’t automatically assume that comprehensive cover will be more expensive than third-party or third-party, fire and theft. Many insurance providers consider tipper trucks as high-risk and could charge more for basic cover than comprehensive. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes, as you may be able to find a cheaper deal with a higher level of cover.”

- Julie Daniels, Insurance expert