Insurance For Trucks Weekly Transport News Update

Each week, Insurance For Trucks brings a concise, trustworthy wrap of Australian transport and heavy-vehicle news. We sift industry headlines to highlight regulatory changes, NHVR updates, safety initiatives, claims and legal developments, market trends, and practical risk management insights. Expect a clear recap in minutes, context on what it means for operators and fleets, and pointers to stay compliant and minimise downtime. Stay informed, make better decisions, and keep your business moving—without wading through endless articles.

This Week:

This week: NHVR launches the Freight PASS web app to compare safety, productivity, pavement wear and emissions across heavy vehicle configurations; proposed federal unfair‑trading laws aim to curb “dodgy” claims operators, so call your insurer or broker first after a crash; the Insurance Council urges more risk education for SMEs amid underinsurance and rising costs—review sums insured, downtime and cyber; and a local cold‑chain trial shows solar‑charged, battery‑electric refrigeration on a B‑double, highlighting the need to list new tech and values on policies. Clear, practical steps to keep fleets protected and claims efficient.

EPISODE 1335 | Insurance For Trucks Weekly Transport News Update | Fri, 27th Feb 2026

28 Feb 2026 | Paige Estritori

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Read Full Transcript:

Hello and welcome to Insurance For Trucks Weekly Transport News Update, Im Paige Estritori, and its Friday, 27 February 2026. First up, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, or NHVR, has launched a new web app called Freight PASS. It lets road managers and operators compare the safety, productivity, pavement wear and emissions impacts of different heavy vehicle set‑ups, including Performance‑Based Standards, or PBS, combinations. For fleets, that means clearer evidence when planning vehicle upgrades or access applications. Use it to test scenarios—then align any configuration changes with your insurance schedule so your cover matches the real risk on the road. Next, draft federal laws proposing a general ban on unfair trading practices would target “dodgy” claims operators, including some credit‑hire and accident‑management outfits. Why it matters: after a crash, third parties can pressure drivers into services that inflate costs and complicate recovery. Keep it simple—contact your insurer or broker first, document the scene, and dont sign anything you dont understand. It helps claims move faster and keeps premiums more stable over time. Meanwhile, the Insurance Council of Australia, or ICA, has urged Canberra to boost risk education for SMEs—small and medium enterprises—as part of a parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance. Rising rebuild costs and complex risks are pushing underinsurance. Practical step: revisit sums insured for trucks, trailers and depots, check downtime and business interruption limits, and consider add‑ons like cyber if youre telematics‑reliant. A tailored policy can protect cash flow when vehicles or sites are offline. And a local sustainability note: an Australian cold‑chain trial completed a Sydney–Brisbane return using a solar‑charged, battery‑electric refrigeration system on a B‑double, with no diesel burned for the fridge unit. Its early days, but it shows whats coming for fuel and emissions savings. If youre piloting low‑emission reefers, batteries or power‑packs, confirm those modifications and values are listed on your policy, and ask about coverage for fire, theft and downtime while equipment is repaired. Thats the wrap. For tools, guides and to compare options on insurance for trucks, head to insurance-for-trucks.com.au. Drive safe, and Ill see you next week.

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

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