HGV and Lorry Accident Claims
A vehicle off the road is a contract not being fulfilled. Here is how these claims work and what is recoverable.
You claim for the vehicle, the load, and the work you could not do while it was off the road.
Downtime is usually the largest part. A commercial vehicle standing still is a contract not being fulfilled, and that loss is recoverable with the right evidence.
What is different about an HGV claim
The vehicle values are higher, the downtime costs more, and there is often a load involved. Insurers scrutinise these claims more closely because of the sums involved.
That is not a reason to accept less. It is a reason to evidence the claim properly from day one - contracts, schedules, tachograph records and invoices you could not raise.
What you can claim
The vehicle
Repair, or pre-accident value where it is written off.
The load
Goods damaged in the collision, and any liability to your customer.
Downtime
Contracts and work lost while the vehicle was unavailable.
A replacement
A comparable vehicle so the work continues.
Vehicle off the road?
The downtime is the real cost. Tell us what is booked and we will move.
What you would normally be charged - and what you pay us
These charges are rarely explained up front, and the first many people hear about the daily rate is when an invoice arrives.
Here is what they typically look like against what you pay with us:
| Charge | Typical provider | PTH Claims |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery from the scene | £150 - £350 | FREE |
| Secure storage, per day | £15 - £40 | FREE |
| Replacement vehicle, per day | £40 - £150 | FREE |
| Total cost to you | Often four figures | £0 |
Terms and conditions apply. Typical provider figures are industry ranges and vary by provider, location and circumstances. All claims are subject to identity, fraud and anti-money laundering checks.
With PTH Claims that figure is zero. We carry the cost and recover it from the at-fault driver’s insurer. It never reaches you, and it never depends on how your claim ends.
Why people use us
Nothing to pay
No cost to you, whatever the outcome of your claim.
No claim on your policy
Run against the other driver’s insurer, so no excess and no effect on your no-claims.
One point of contact
We deal with the insurers, the engineer and the compound. You deal with us.
Nationwide, 24/7
Recovery and replacement vehicles arranged anywhere in the UK, day or night.
Common questions
Often yes, depending on class and availability. Tell us the specification and what it is used for as early as you can.
Goods damaged in the accident are claimable, as is liability to your customer. Keep the delivery paperwork.
From what the vehicle normally earns - contracts, schedules and invoicing history over a representative period before the accident.
You recover a proportion. Even a split finding usually leaves a substantial claim worth pursuing.
Yes. It evidences speed, hours and position, and it is often decisive on liability.
Terms and conditions apply to all services described on this page. Free recovery, storage and replacement vehicles are provided on the basis that the charges are recovered from the at-fault party’s insurer. We will explain the terms in plain English before anything is arranged.
Before we act for you we are required to verify your identity and to carry out fraud and anti-money laundering checks. This may include checks with credit reference and fraud prevention agencies, which will leave a record on your file.
Where fraud is suspected, information may be shared with fraud prevention agencies, insurers and law enforcement. Providing false or misleading information in support of a claim may mean your claim is refused, and can be a criminal offence.