What are the key risks in the transport and logistics industry?
Transport and logistics businesses face a broad range of risks depending on the area of operations they specialise in, but a shortage of skilled workers and work health and safety concerns are among the long-standing risks facing all operators.
Newer risks are also emerging driven by operational changes such as the emergence of new technologies in the form of tracking, automation and autonomous vehicles. Population growth and the associated rise in demand, congestion and infrastructure pressures, and environmental concerns linked to climate change, are also redefining the risk landscape for transport and logistics companies.
Who should consider insurance?
Whether you operate a large national fleet or are an owner-driver, and whether you store goods or only transport them, you should have a range of insurance covers to protect your workers, safety and commercial risks.
What insurance should you take out - and what can it cover?
In this sector, insurances fall into three broad categories - those that protect your commercial and business risks, your people and safety.
| Type of cover | |
|---|---|
| Commercial vehicle | Protects cars, trucks, buses, utes and other vehicles that you use in the day-to-day operations of your business. |
| Property | Protects your buildings, such as office facilities, and other premises, such as vehicle yards, from damage caused by events like fires, storms, explosions, falling trees or malicious damage. |
| Public Liability | This is the risk to the business for liability to third parties for personal injury or property damage liability arising out of the business. |
| Warehousing | Provides specialised coverage for businesses operating warehouse facilities (including cold storage), protecting against risks from property and stock damage to public liability. |
| Goods in transit | Protects your business against financial loss if goods are lost, damaged, or destroyed while off premises and in transit. |
| Management liability | Covers your liability to third parties as businesses managers, for such things as Employment Practice Liabilities for wrongful dismissal or discrimination, Statutory Liabilities for breaches of Corporations Law, breaches of Fair trading law etc |
| Cyber | Safeguards you and your business against expenses and legal costs if your website or other systems are hacked. |
| Business interruption | Covers the costs of operating your business, like paying staff and covering bills while you recover and rebuild. |
| Workers’ compensation | Covers the cost of your employees’ wages, rehabilitation and medication if they become injured or sick through their work. |
Did you know?
14.5%
Freight logistics accounts for around 14.5% of Australian GDP.
(The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport website, 2020)
4B
Each year 4 billion tonnes of freight is transported across Australia.
(National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, 2019)
35%
A 35% increase in freight volumes is predicted across Australia between 2018 and 2040.
(National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, 2019)