Commercial Motor Insurance for Tradies | Utes, Vans & Work Vehicles
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Built for the Trades

Commercial Motor Insurance, sorted.

Your ute, van or trailer is your mobile workshop. When it is off the road, getting to jobs becomes a problem fast. We help arrange commercial motor insurance for tradies, including cover for accidents, theft, fire, storm and third-party property damage — with tools, racks, signage and hire vehicle options reviewed properly.

Ute, Van & Truck Single or Fleet Hire Vehicle Options Tools Cover Reviewed Separately
Quick Check

Is Your Work Vehicle Actually Covered?

  • Insured for business use, not just private use?
  • Hire vehicle options reviewed in case your ute is off the road?
  • Tools and contents checked separately from the vehicle?
  • Signage, racks, trays, canopies and mods declared?
  • Business and private use both disclosed properly?
  • A broker who picks up when you need help?
If you cannot confidently tick at least five, it is worth a review. The most common gaps we see are tools, accessories and vehicle modifications that were never declared properly.
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The Straight Answer

What is commercial motor insurance?

Commercial motor insurance covers vehicles used for business or work purposes — including utes, vans, trucks and trailers. Depending on the policy selected, it can cover accidental damage, theft, fire, storm and your legal liability for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles or property.

For a tradie, commercial vehicle insurance is the cover that keeps the work vehicle protected. Standard private car insurance may not respond properly to a vehicle used for business, trade work, towing, carrying materials, or fitted with racks, trays, canopies and signage. Commercial motor cover is designed around the way the vehicle is actually used.

Important: injury liability from road accidents is generally handled separately through compulsory third party schemes such as CTP or TAC, depending on the state or territory. Commercial motor property cover is not the same thing as compulsory third party injury cover.

What's Inside

What Does Commercial Motor Insurance Cover?

A commercial motor policy can cover the vehicle risks you face on the road, with optional benefits available depending on the insurer and policy selected.

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Accidental Damage

Damage to your insured vehicle after an accident or collision.

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Theft & Attempted Theft

Vehicle stolen or damaged during an attempted theft.

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Fire & Storm

Fire, storm, hail and weather-related damage where covered.

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Hire Vehicle Options

Options to help keep you moving after an insured incident.

🛡️

Third-Party Property

Damage you cause to other vehicles or property.

📋

CTP / TAC Reminder

Injury liability is generally handled separately through compulsory third party schemes.

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Tools Cover Reviewed

Tools are usually not automatically covered by the motor policy.

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Signage & Mods

Racks, trays, canopies, wraps and accessories should be declared.

Cover features vary by insurer and policy wording. We will talk you through what is included, optional or excluded before you commit.

Real-World Risks

What Actually Costs Tradies on the Road

These are realistic examples of the types of claims tradies can face. Dollar figures are illustrative only and actual claim costs vary depending on the vehicle, incident, insurer and policy wording.

$45K+Example claim cost

Work Ute Written Off

A single-vehicle accident or head-on collision can write off a late-model dual-cab. Comprehensive cover may help replace or repair the vehicle depending on the policy.

$12K+Example claim cost

Tools Gone With the Van

A stolen van can also mean stolen tools. The vehicle may be covered, but the tools inside generally need separate tools cover or an accepted optional extension.

$30K+Example claim cost

Rear-Ended a Prestige Car

A low-speed accident involving an expensive vehicle can quickly become a serious third-party property bill. That is where third-party property liability matters.

$8K+Example claim cost

Hail Storm Damage

A single hailstorm can damage every panel on a work ute. Storm damage may be covered under comprehensive cover depending on the policy terms.

$6K+Example claim cost

Racks & Signage Damage

Ladder racks, canopies, trays and vinyl wraps can cost real money to replace. They should be declared and specified where required.

Lost weeksDowntime risk

No Hire Vehicle Option

If your ute is off the road and you have no hire vehicle option, the real cost may be the work you cannot get to while it is being repaired.

Coverage Levels

Pick the Cover That Fits Your Setup

Whether you are a sole trader with one ute or a business running multiple vehicles, the right setup depends on how the vehicles are used, who drives them and what they carry.

Standard Work Use

The One Ute

Sole traders & apprentices
  • Comprehensive cover for one work vehicle
  • Theft, damage and third-party property cover
  • Tool and trailer cover reviewed separately
  • Private use can often be included where declared
Professional Use

The Small Crew

Subcontractors & growing teams
  • Cover for multiple trade vehicles
  • Signage, racks and modifications declared
  • Hire vehicle options reviewed
  • Tools cover checked separately
  • Flexible payment options may be available
Fleet & Director

The Full Yard

Builders & established businesses
  • Tailored fleet cover for multiple vehicles
  • Single renewal and simpler admin
  • Driver and management options reviewed
  • Accessories and fit-outs declared properly
  • Claims support when vehicles are off the road
Straight Talk

What Affects Your Premium?

There is no flat rate for commercial motor insurance. It is priced on the vehicle, how it is used, who drives it and what cover you select.

The vehicleMake, model, age and value. A new dual-cab rates differently to an older van.
How it is usedBusiness kilometres, trade type, towing, materials carried and private use.
Where it livesWhere it is garaged and operated, including metro, regional or remote work.
Drivers & historyDriver age, experience, licence history, claims history and regular users.
Added coverHire vehicle options, accessories, modifications and tools cover reviewed separately.
Excess & securityThe excess you choose and any immobilisers, alarms, GPS or secure storage fitted.

Real talk: the fastest way to get a real number is a proper quote. Tell us the vehicle and how you use it, and we will give you a price in writing.

Dead Simple

How to Get Covered

1

Tell Us About the Vehicle

Send through the vehicle details, driver details and how it is used via the quote form or a quick phone call.

2

We Find the Right Cover

Our broking team reviews suitable options and checks key items like business use, accessories, hire vehicle options and tools exposure.

3

Get on the Road

Lock it in and receive your policy documents and certificate of currency once cover is arranged.

Why ProTrades

Why Tradies Choose Us

We are not a comparison site and we are not a call centre. We are Aussie brokers who focus on tradie insurance, so we know what a work vehicle actually needs to be checked for.

01

Trade Specialists

We understand business use, accessories, tools, racks, canopies, towing and dual business-and-private use.

02

Clear Options

We explain what is included, optional and excluded before you choose a policy.

03

Fast Certificates

Need proof of cover for a job, contract or finance company? Same-day certificates are available in many straightforward cases.

04

Claims Support

When your vehicle is off the road, we help manage the claim process and keep you updated.

Common Questions

Commercial Motor Insurance FAQs

What is commercial motor insurance?
Commercial motor insurance covers vehicles used for business or work purposes, including utes, vans, trucks and trailers. Depending on the cover selected, it can protect against accidental damage, theft, fire, storm and third-party property damage. Injury liability from road accidents is generally handled separately through compulsory third party schemes such as CTP or TAC.
Does commercial motor insurance cover the tools in my ute?
Not automatically. Standard motor insurance usually covers the vehicle itself, not the tools inside it. Tools and equipment generally need separate tools insurance or a specific accepted extension where available. Limits and storage conditions vary by insurer.
Can I insure multiple work vehicles under one policy?
Yes. Multiple utes, vans, trucks or trailers can often be combined under a business motor or fleet policy. This can make renewals, claims, driver management and admin much simpler.
Does the policy include a hire car while my vehicle is repaired?
Some comprehensive policies include or offer hire vehicle options after an insured accident or theft. The number of days, vehicle type, limits and conditions vary by insurer. We will confirm what your policy includes before you commit.
Can I use the vehicle for both business and personal trips?
Many commercial motor policies can allow private use as well as business use. You need to tell your broker exactly how the vehicle is used, who drives it and where it is kept so the policy is rated correctly.
Do you cover signage, racks, trays and modifications?
Signage, ladder racks, trays, canopies and trade fit-out modifications may be covered if they are declared, accepted and valued correctly. Tell us about all modifications and accessories before cover is arranged.
Do you cover trade vehicles used in remote or FIFO work?
Vehicles used in remote, regional or FIFO work may be coverable, but location, road conditions, site use and off-road exposure can affect insurer appetite and pricing. Tell your broker where and how the vehicle operates.
How fast can I get a certificate of currency?
Same-day certificates are available in many straightforward cases, especially for existing clients with active policies. New policies may take longer depending on the vehicle details, insurer questions and cover required.

Keep the Rig Rolling. No Call Centres.

One ute, one van, one trailer or a whole fleet — we can help arrange commercial motor insurance that suits the way your trade business actually works.

SK Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd as trustee for the SK Insurance Brokers Trust T/as ProTrades Insurance ABN 84 475 254 500 is an Authorised Representative (No 1292732) of SMS Insurance Pty Ltd T/as repX ABN 32 361 928 456 AFSL No. 425573.

The information on this page is general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Motor vehicle insurance is a designated retail product. You should consider whether this information is appropriate for you and refer to our Financial Services Guide. Before making any decision about a financial product, you should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) available from the insurer. Injury liability from road accidents may be handled separately through compulsory third party schemes such as CTP or TAC, depending on the state or territory.