Truck stolen from overnight parking
Income stops the moment the truck disappears, but the claim takes time. An excess due on top can leave an owner-driver funding both the gap and the deductible.
Excess Cover
Theft & Hijack
Excess Reducer
A stolen or hijacked truck is already a crisis. A large excess on top of it can turn a recoverable loss into a cash-flow emergency. An excess reducer helps fund that excess on eligible claims, so you can focus on getting back on the road.
One loss, many bills
The excess is one of several costs a major loss creates. It is the part a reducer is designed to help with.
- The excess on the insured claim
- A replacement truck or hired capacity
- Finance instalments that keep running
- Missed deliveries and unhappy customers
- Driver wages and idle capacity
A separate add-on
Sits alongside your underlying truck policy. It supports the policy; it does not replace it.
Responds after a claim
Designed for eligible theft, hijack and write-off claims that are accepted under the underlying policy.
Built for cash flow
Targets the out-of-pocket excess so working capital stays in the business while you recover.
Subject to eligibility
Availability, limits and terms depend on underwriting of your vehicles, routes and security controls.
Why it matters
A major loss rarely arrives as a single bill
Truck theft and hijack excesses can be substantial, and they fall due at exactly the moment the vehicle is off the road and revenue has stopped. Standard underlying insurance leaves that excess with you.
Hijacking on a long-haul route
A hijacking involves driver safety, cargo and recovery all at once. The excess is an additional, immediate cost at the point the business is most stretched.
Recovered, but written off
A truck can be recovered and still be beyond economic repair. A total-loss claim still carries its excess, and you still need a vehicle to keep earning.
How it works
From policy to payout, in four steps
- 1
Start with the right underlying policy
A reducer works alongside a truck policy that includes theft and hijack cover. Your policy schedule sets the excess that applies to a claim.
Comprehensive truck insurance - 2
Add the reducer
We review your vehicles, routes, tracking and claims record to see whether a reducer can be arranged, and on what terms.
- 3
If the worst happens, report promptly
Notify the police, your tracking or recovery provider and your insurer or broker as your policy requires, and meet every claim condition.
Claims guidance - 4
Excess support follows an accepted claim
Where the underlying claim is accepted and the reducer terms are met, the reducer helps fund the eligible excess within the limits in your schedule.
Scope of cover
What it helps with, and what it does not
Knowing the limits of a product is as important as knowing its benefits. Always confirm the exact inclusions in your reducer schedule.
Typically helps with
- The excess on an accepted truck theft claim
- The excess on an accepted hijacking claim
- The excess where the vehicle is written off after theft or hijack
- Vehicles and trailers declared and accepted on your schedule
Not usually included
- Claims declined under the underlying policy, for example after a breached tracking warranty
- The value of stolen cargo See goods in transit
- Loss of income or business interruption
- A finance shortfall after a total loss See credit shortfall cover
- Separate penalty or additional excesses See penalty excess cover
- Premiums, or events your policy does not cover
Who it suits
Built for operators who cannot absorb a surprise
Owner-drivers
When one truck is the whole business, a single excess payment can strain everything else.
Fleets with tight working capital
Cash is committed to wages, fuel, finance and tyres. A large unplanned excess competes with all of it.
Financed trucks
Instalments typically continue while a claim is processed, so cash on hand matters more.
Long-haul and cross-border operators
Longer distances, remote stops and known hotspots raise theft and hijack exposure.
Operators running a higher excess
A higher excess can reduce premium but raises what you fund after a claim. A reducer can help bridge that gap.
High-value HCV and trailer owners
The more valuable the vehicle, the more significant the excess is likely to be.
Eligibility
What affects availability and terms
Insurers assess the same factors that drive theft and hijack risk when deciding whether, and on what terms, a reducer can be offered.
- Tracking and recovery systems fitted to the vehicle
- Overnight parking and yard security
- Routes, cargo and cross-border exposure
- Driver vetting, training and check-in practice
- Claims history and corrective action taken
- Vehicle type, age and insured value
Protect your claim
Protect your claim, and your reducer
A reducer generally depends on the underlying claim being accepted. Keeping your policy conditions in force protects both.
- Keep tracking active, serviced and compliant with your policy warranty
- Follow the security and key-control conditions in your schedule
- Report incidents to the police, your tracker provider and insurer straight away
- Keep vehicle, driver and route records up to date
- Tell us about any change in use, route, driver or territory before it happens
Build the full picture
Covers that work alongside it
Theft & Hijack Cover
The underlying cover for stolen and hijacked trucks and trailers.
Learn moreOwn Damage Excess Reducer
Help with the excess on accident and own-damage claims.
Learn moreGoods in Transit Excess Reducer
Help with the excess on an eligible cargo claim.
Learn moreCredit Shortfall Cover
Consider the gap between a total-loss settlement and your finance balance.
Learn moreQuestions and answers
Frequently asked questions
What is a theft and hijack excess reducer?
It is a separate product that helps fund the excess you would otherwise pay out of pocket after an eligible truck theft, hijacking or write-off claim. It works together with your underlying truck insurance policy.
Does it replace my truck insurance?
No. The underlying policy pays the claim. The reducer only addresses the excess that applies to that claim, so you still need a policy that includes theft and hijack cover.
Which claims does it respond to?
It is designed for eligible theft, hijack and related write-off claims that are accepted under the underlying policy. The exact events, limits and conditions are set out in the reducer schedule and wording.
What happens if my theft or hijack claim is declined?
A reducer generally depends on the underlying claim being accepted. If the claim is declined, for example because a tracking warranty was not met, the reducer is unlikely to respond. Read the security conditions in your policy carefully and keep them in force.
I already have comprehensive cover. Do I still need one?
Comprehensive cover pays the claim after the excess is applied. A reducer targets the excess itself. If your business could fund the full excess from reserves without strain, you may not need one. If a large unplanned payment would hurt cash flow, it is worth discussing.
Can I add a reducer to my existing policy?
Possibly. Availability depends on the underlying insurer, the terms of your policy and the vehicles involved. Send us your current schedule and we will check the options.
Does it cover my cargo or trailers?
Cargo is not covered by a vehicle excess reducer and needs goods in transit insurance. Trailers can be considered when they are declared, valued and accepted on your schedule.
What do I need to get a quote?
Have your vehicle and trailer details, current policy schedule and excess, tracking details, regular routes and claims history ready. Submit them through the quote form or speak to an adviser on WhatsApp.
Know your excess before you need it
Is your excess a risk to your cash flow?
Share your current policy schedule and we will help you assess whether a theft and hijack excess reducer fits your vehicles, routes and budget.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice. Excess reducer cover is subject to underwriting, insurer approval, eligibility, the terms of the underlying policy, and the limits, conditions and exclusions of the reducer. Benefits and availability may differ between insurers. Cover does not commence until it has been formally confirmed in writing.