Core Insurance Covers for Logistics Businesses

A comprehensive transport and logistics insurance program in Queensland may include:

1️⃣ Heavy Vehicle & Fleet Insurance

Covering:

• Prime movers

• Rigid trucks

• B-Doubles

• Trailers

• Refrigerated units

(See our dedicated Truck, Prime Mover and Fleet Insurance pages for deeper detail.)

Vehicle insurance is the foundation — but not the entire structure.

2️⃣ Marine Transit Insurance (Goods in Transit)

Marine transit insurance covers physical loss or damage to goods while being transported.

This is critical for:

• High-value freight

• Refrigerated goods

• Consumer products

• Machinery and equipment

• Contract freight obligations

Without marine transit insurance, cargo damage may leave your business financially exposed.

Common claims include:

• Load shift damage

• Refrigeration failure

• Theft of goods

• Collision-related cargo loss

• Water damage during severe storms

Queensland’s long freight corridors increase cargo exposure duration — increasing risk.

3️⃣ Carrier’s Liability Insurance

Carrier’s liability protects you where you are legally liable for loss or damage to goods under carriage contracts.

Many logistics operators sign contracts requiring minimum liability limits.

Carrier’s liability is particularly important if you operate between:

• Brisbane and Far North Queensland

• Sunshine Coast distribution hubs

• Regional agricultural corridors

• Interstate freight routes

Failure to structure correct liability limits can breach contract conditions.

4️⃣ Public & Products Liability Insurance

Covers third-party personal injury or property damage arising from your business operations.

Examples include:

• Injury during loading/unloading

• Damage to customer premises

• Forklift incidents in warehouses

• Third-party injury at depots

As your operation grows, your liability exposure grows with it.

5️⃣ Warehouse & Property Insurance

If you store goods, property exposure becomes significant.

Warehouse insurance can cover:

• Buildings

• Office contents

• Customer goods in storage

• Refrigeration systems

• Racking systems

• Forklifts

• Business interruption

In Queensland, warehouse exposure includes:

• Flood risk

• Storm damage

• Cyclone exposure (North Queensland)

• Fire risk in industrial estates

Correct flood and catastrophe structuring is critical.

6️⃣ Business Interruption Insurance

If a fire, flood or cyclone damages your premises, revenue may stop.

Business interruption insurance can provide:

• Loss of gross profit

• Ongoing expense coverage

• Temporary relocation costs

For logistics businesses with tight supply chain schedules, downtime can have severe contractual consequences.

7️⃣ Cyber Insurance for Logistics Businesses

Modern logistics businesses rely heavily on:

• Freight management systems

• GPS tracking

• Electronic delivery confirmations

• Customer databases

• Online booking systems

A cyber event can halt operations instantly.

Cyber insurance can cover:

• Ransomware response

• System restoration

• Data breach liability

• Business interruption from cyber events

As logistics becomes more technology-driven, cyber risk becomes increasingly important.

Common Claims in Queensland Logistics Businesses

Logistics operators commonly face:

• Multi-vehicle collision claims

• Cargo spoilage due to refrigeration failure

• Flood-damaged warehouses

• Cyclone damage in North Queensland

• Forklift-related third-party injury

• Warehouse fire damaging customer stock

• Contractual disputes over cargo liability

• Cyber breach disrupting scheduling systems

Without coordinated insurance structuring, these claims can create significant uninsured gaps.

Geographic Risk Considerations Across Queensland

Queensland’s size creates unique risk variation:

South East Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)

• Dense freight activity

• High delivery frequency

• Severe hail events

• Industrial estate fire exposure

Darling Downs & Toowoomba

• Agricultural and bulk freight

• Seasonal freight variation

• Regional flood exposure

Central & North Queensland (Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns)

• Cyclone exposure

• Long-haul fatigue risk

• Remote highway conditions

• Supply chain disruption during severe weather

Insurance programs must reflect true operating geography.

What Affects Transport & Logistics Insurance Premiums?

Insurers assess:

• Fleet size and composition

• Claims history

• Freight types

• Storage values

• Warehouse construction

• Flood mapping

• Driver experience

• Subcontractor arrangements

• Contract terms

• Risk management systems

Well-prepared submissions significantly influence insurer appetite and pricing.

Subcontractor & Contractual Risk

Many logistics businesses engage subcontract drivers.

This introduces exposure around:

• Vicarious liability

• Insurance responsibility allocation

• Contract wording

• Indemnity clauses

We assist in reviewing subcontractor arrangements to ensure insurance alignment.

The Risk of Gaps in Transport Insurance Programs

Common gaps include:

• Vehicle cover without cargo cover

• Cargo cover without carrier’s liability

• Warehouse cover without adequate stock limits

• No business interruption

• No cyber cover

• Incorrect contract compliance

Transport insurance should be structured holistically — not pieced together reactively.

Why Work With a Specialist Transport Insurance Broker?

Logistics insurance is highly specialised.

Working with Design Cover means:

• Access to specialist heavy motor insurers

• Coordinated policy structuring

• Contract review guidance

• Claims advocacy support

• Strategic premium planning

• Long-term partnership approach

We structure insurance programs designed to support sustainable growth — not just annual renewals.

Supporting Logistics Businesses Across Queensland

We assist transport and logistics operators servicing:

• Sunshine Coast

• Brisbane

• Gold Coast

• Toowoomba

• Rockhampton

• Mackay

• Townsville

• Cairns

• Regional and interstate freight corridors

Whether you operate locally or nationally, we tailor insurance to your operational footprint.

Protect Your Logistics Operation Properly

Your logistics business depends on vehicles, cargo, contracts, technology and facilities all functioning together.

One uninsured event can disrupt supply chains, damage client relationships and impact long-term profitability.

A properly structured logistics insurance program provides clarity, confidence and stability.

Speak With a Queensland Transport & Logistics Insurance Specialist

Design Cover Insurance Brokers

Sunshine Coast, Queensland

📞 0419 550 677

📧 hello@designcover.com.au

🌐 www.designcover.com.au

Supporting freight, logistics and warehousing businesses across Queensland and Australia.