URGENT question about commercial car insurance

redned_2

Hi,

Have looked around and this seems to be the best place to ask.

Here is the situation:

Have just bought a new car to tow a trailer. I previously had a van which I understood to be covered by a commercial policy. I kept the policy running under the understanding it would be a straightforward transfer on to the new vehicle. However it turns out that I am not covered to tow the trailer with the new vehicle and am now needing to get insurance before tomorrow morning - does anyone know which companies offer commercial policys which cover cars towing a trailer and the trailer is covered third party?

Thanks in advance.

forgotmyname

I have always asked but have not yet found an insurer that does not cover towing, I always ask if having
a towbar is classed as a modified vehicle also.

Is the vehicle a company car or your personally owned car? Towing for hire and reward the issue?
Or trailer too heavy for the towing vehicle?

redned_2

personal car used for towing catering trailer. thanks
trailer is not too heavy for car

epninety

Haven't checked (as I don't tow commercially) but I think NFU offer trailer cover.

redned_2

thanks will try that

colino

Be very careful on this, talk to a broker and tell them what you are actually doing as a lot of people have come to grief when their burger van has toppled over to find that their cover only extended to pulling a caravan or mini-trailer.

forgotmyname

Do you have business use cover? Catering trailers are very heavy for their size. Even a 10ft one
can weigh 2 tons or more. Especially if has stainless steel surfaces which the local council insisted on to get
a certificate to trade.

Heavy, Short and high sided. Do you know the trailers max loaded weight? and what car is it?

Mate lost his no claims after transferring from private to a trade policy, But could not transfer back afterwards.
They seem to like it all their own way.

Hammyman

If you are towing a trailer and the gross plated weight (not the actual weight with a load on the trailer) for the trailer/car combination is >3.5 tonnes you will have to have a tachograph fitted to the car BY LAW if you are using it for commercial reasons when towing. You will also need to adhere to the EU Drivers Hours regulations as well.

If you get pulled by Police or VOSA and are found to be doing the above without a tacho and/or not conforming to EU Drivers Hours regs, you will be hauled through court and fined £1000's.