What are the Different Vehicle Classes you can Insure?


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It is easy to get confused when it comes to the many different categories of heavy goods vehicles.  It is important to know the differences between vehicles and the different vehicle classes as this helps you to better understand the type of HGV insurance you need.

Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are essentially large vehicles, and the definition includes any vehicle that has a gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes. 

The type of HGV and the weight of the HGV determine the category the HGV will fall into.  The different types of licence you need will depend on what category your HGV falls into.

There are many different types of HGV and these include the following:

  • Rigid lorries
  • Flat bed trucks
  • Commercial trucks
  • Tippers
  • Refrigerated wagons
  • Dropsides
  • Tankers
  • Livestock trucks
  • 18 tonne trucks
  • Articulated lorries

This article will help you to understand the different types of HGVs.

HGV Insurance Cover

An important thing to note about HGV insurance policies is that they are often specially tailored to meet the specific demands of the customer and the specific vehicle.  As HGVs can vary in size and strength, the insurance you need to have in place will vary.

Large hauliers often have a policy that covers all of their fleet of vehicles. 

Factors such as the type of HGV, the goods being carried, and the distance covered are all factors when it comes to arranging appropriate HGV insurance cover.

It is important that your HGV insurance policy covers you for the type of vehicle you drive.

Types of Heavy Goods Vehicles

According to the Department for Transport, the three main types of heavy goods vehicles are as follows:

  1. Small 2 axle lorries – these vehicles have a maximum gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes
  2. Big 2 axle lorries – these vehicles have a maximum gross weight of over 7.5 tonnes
  3. Multi axle lorries – these vehicles have three, four, five or six axles. The vehicles themselves can be rigid or articulated and the maximum gross weight for these multi axle lorries can range from 25 to 44 tonnes.

Rigid Lorries

Most of the goods that are transported in the UK are consumer goods and dry goods.  This can include everything from household items, to groceries, to clothing.  The majority of these goods will be transported in rigid or articulated lorries.

Rigid lorries are those vehicles where the trailer is fixed securely to the vehicle.

These vehicles can take on a load range that goes from 25 tonnes to 30 tonnes, this is normally approximately 14 standard palettes.

Rigid lorries are used in many different industries and are extensively used for commercial deliveries.

Articulated Lorries

Articulated lorries are used to transport commodities across the UK and abroad. 

The main difference between articulated and rigid lorries is that articulated lorries have two very distinct parts – the tractor and the trailer.

Flat Bed Truck

This type of heavy goods vehicle does not have a roof or sides.  Flat bed trucks are often used by businesses that require goods to be loaded with a crane or forklift as it makes the loading much easier.

Flat bed trucks are great for maximising space as they are not restricted by sides. 

They are versatile trucks where the load is secured using chains or straps that are fixed to the vehicle.

Dropside Truck

Dropside trucks have short sides that fold.  The sides of the truck are hinged at the bottom, and this enables easy access for the purpose of loading and unloading.

The sides are designed to allow them to drop below the actual level of the deck.  This makes it easier for forklift drivers to load the truck.

Dropside trucks are used a lot in the construction and landscaping industries.

Tipper Heavy Goods Vehicle

Tipper vehicles are classified as heavy goods vehicles.  They come with a tipper on the rear of the vehicle. 

Tipper vehicles are also known as dump trucks as they are designed to dump their load by raising the tipper.

Popular in the construction industry, tipper trucks work by ensuring that the rear platform of the vehicle can be raised at the very front so that the load can be unloaded.  Obviously, tipper trucks are not used for unloading consumer goods, but are great for unloading materials used in construction or gardening projects.

Refrigerated Wagon

Refrigerated wagons are used to transport goods that need to be transported at a consistent temperature.  Examples of the types of goods transported include food items that need to stay cold during transport.

Refrigerated wagons have a chiller unit, and a thermostat that can regulate and monitor the temperature of the vehicle.

There are special rules and regulations relating to transporting chilled produce so make sure you are familiar with them.

Tanker Truck

A tanker truck is most often used to carry and transport liquids or gases.

Tanker trucks can be pressurised and insulated depending on the type of goods being carried.  You will often see tanker trucks on the motorways carrying fuel from major petrol hubs or similar major distribution hubs.

18 Tonne Truck

18 tonne trucks can carry loads of up to 9.5 tonnes and 16 standard palettes.  This is one of the reasons that they are a popular option for many haulage companies who want to transport bulky, large items.

18 tonne trucks have a side curtain that allows for easy loading and unloading.

Livestock Trucks

Livestock trucks are exactly that – trucks that transport livestock.  The livestock usually being transported can include sheep, pigs, cows, and  similar herd animals.

There are specific rules relating to the transportation of livestock and you should always liaise closely with your insurance company to make sure you are fully insured for transporting livestock and driving the appropriate vehicles.

HGV Insurance

Heavy goods vehicles need comprehensive insurance to ensure the vehicle is protected alongside the driver and the goods carried by the vehicle. Depending on the business you work for, you may need a non-standard and bespoke insurance policy.

For flexible and immediate insurance cover for your business and its operations, please contact ISIS Insurance today and our expert advisers will be on hand to advise you further.

ISIS Insurance offers a wide variety of insurance options and quotes that cover everything a HGV might need when it comes to insurance, from skip lorries to refrigerated vehicles.