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Goods in transit insurance
Commercial cover for customers’ goods while you carry them. Not a universal legal certificate.
This is general information for UK goods-vehicle operators. It is not legal advice. Use the official source on this page, and your operator licence conditions, before you rely on it.
What it is
Goods in transit cover insures the cargo you carry against loss or damage on the terms of the policy. It is not the same as motor insurance, which covers third-party injury and property from use of the vehicle. There is no general law that every goods operator must hold goods in transit cover. Many contracts, conditions of carriage and customers require it, and trading without the cover your contract promises is a commercial and legal risk of a different kind.
Who holds it
The operator holds the policy schedule, including the limit per vehicle or per consignment, the exclusions, and the conditions of carriage the cover assumes (such as CMR for international work).
At a visit
DVSA will not usually ask for a goods in transit certificate at the roadside. A customer, insurer or court will. Know the limit before you load a high-value consignment, and do not assume motor insurance pays for the freight.