Lower your Haulage Insurance by Preventing Truck Crime

Trucks can be a high target for thieves as they regularly transport valuable items. Statistics show that over 2,000 trucks are stolen in the UK each year and less than half of these are recovered.

Theft of trucks costs millions of pounds every year and can devastate businesses. Not only can it destroy the livelihood of drivers, owners and operators, it can cause loss of client faith, putting future business in jeopardy.

Here are some useful tips to help prevent you and your business from becoming the latest victim of truck crime:

Before Your Journey

• Check your vehicle to ensure that all security devices are operating correctly.
• Keep the pre-loading of your vehicle to a minimum and ensure that is in a secure place when doing so.
• Do not discuss the nature of your load with anyone unless it is completely necessary.

Truck Security

• Always make sure that your truck is locked when you leave it.
• At all times take your keys with you as thieves could be watching.
• Before leaving your truck check that both the cab and the load compartment are secure.
• If you leave your keys at your work premises make sure that they are locked away and in a secure place.
• Hide any personal belongings out of sight.
• Park in secure parking services rather than lay-bys.
• If possible try to park your vehicle with the loading doors close to a wall or building so that thieves will have more difficulty accessing the inside.
• Upon returning to your truck check for any signs of forced entry and ensure that the security seals have not been touched.

On Your Journey

• Where possible try to refuel your vehicle on site to reduce the need for stops in unsecure places.
• Avoid giving lifts on route.
• If instructed to change the address your delivering to, make sure you check with your transport manager first.
• If you are ever suspicious about any person or situation report it to your transport manager. In an emergency call 999.

Advice For All Employers

• Ensure that your business premises are secure.
• Thoroughly check driver references and criminal records.
• Train your drivers well in security measures and ways to prevent theft of the vehicle they are driving.
• Make sure that you have the right cover of HGV and haulage insurance in case you have to make a claim.