Forklift Safety Starts with the Right Insurance

Did you know that over 8,000 accidents involving forklift trucks happen in the UK every year, with around 10 resulting in fatalities? According to Aviva, these accidents show just how important it is to make sure your forklifts are correctly insured.

If you include the value of your forklifts in your insurance policy, they are covered for any damage to the forklift itself. That means if one gets damaged on your business premises, your policy can help pay for repairs. However, this type of cover does not protect you if someone is hurt or their property is damaged.

This is where Public Liability insurance can help. It can protect you if someone outside your business is injured or their property is damaged while on or near your premises. But it’s important to know that Public Liability cover does not cover accidents that happen when a forklift is used on a public road, because in that case it is treated as a motor vehicle under the law.

So what if your forklifts are ever on a public road, even for a short time? The law says they must be insured, registered, and taxed. If they aren’t, you could face heavy fines or even have your forklift taken away. There is an exception under the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Act 2022 for vehicles used only on private land. But here’s the important part: if the public could access that land eg a car park, then third-party insurance should still be in place. This ensures you’re protected from claims if someone is hurt or their property is damaged, even if they were technically trespassing.

What can you do?

If you own, manage, lease, or use forklifts (or other mobile equipment), it’s a good idea to check whether any of them are ever used in public spaces. Keeping a simple list of these vehicles will make it much easier to arrange the right insurance.  

How can we help get the right insurance for you?

Getting third-party cover is straightforward and can cost as little as £80 plus Insurance Premium Tax per vehicle. However, these costs may differ depending on the insurer. 

Vehicles can be added to your existing fleet policy, or we can create a new policy tailored to meet your needs. If you’re unsure whether you need this cover, contact us to discuss your situation and make sure you’re fully protected. 

By taking a few simple steps, we can help you keep your forklifts, and your business, safe, while giving you peace of mind that you’re covered if an accident happens.