The biggest road risks facing truck operators today

The challenges facing fleet operators today are very different to those they faced a decade ago. There are more vehicles on the roads creating more congestion,¹ advanced safety technology that can even alert drivers when they’re drifting between lanes, and criminals are using more and more creative techniques to steal your cargo. All the while, fleet managers are juggling the introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles and weighing up the opportunities and challenges they can bring.

For fleet managers, understanding these changes and how they impact your business can help build resilience in the long run. That’s why we’ve pulled together six key risks that we think you need to be aware of.

1. Rising repair costs

Vehicles today use a lot of technology, including cameras, sensors, GPS and more. While this makes driving much easier, it can also make repairs more expensive.²

In the past, a minor collision may have simply needed bodywork done to repair the damage. Now, it could involve specialist repairs including replacing cameras or recalibrating sensors.³

2. The cost of downtime

For fleet operators, the cost of the repair is often only the beginning. If a vehicle is off the road, it could result in missed deliveries and commitments, lost revenue, replacement vehicle hire costs, and more pressure on the rest of your fleet to help pick up the slack. It could also affect your reputation if customers feel it makes you unreliable.

3. Driver shortages

The latest survey from the Department for Transport shows that 26% of HGV businesses had driver vacancies at the end of 2025.⁴

The most common reasons for the vacancies were that existing drivers were leaving the industry to get better pay and benefits, and also due to older drivers reaching retirement age.

For fleet managers, creating long-term career opportunities may play a more important role in attracting and retaining drivers. As will investing in training and supporting driver wellbeing.

4. Rise of cargo theft and organised crime

Cargo theft costs the UK economy £700m per year⁵ and shows no signs of slowing down.⁶ Losing the payload is only part of the problem – often vehicles get damaged and reputations are tainted as customers are unsatisfied with the delivery and disruption.⁷

Cargo theft is evolving. Criminals aren’t just targeting parked vehicles anymore. The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) highlights that criminals are using more sophisticated methods including identity fraud and fake carrier credentials to make the thefts appear legitimate.⁸

5. Technology brings opportunity and risk

The transport industry has embraced technology over the past decade. Today, operators can see exactly where vehicles are and even monitor their drivers’ behaviour in real time.

These advancements in technology can provider operators with better visibility and efficiency than before. But it also makes the fleet more reliant on technology itself. If equipment fails or is involved in a cyberattack, businesses can face a lot of disruption, especially if all the vehicles in the fleet are connected. Fleet operators should having strong contingency plans in place can help them bounce back when issues arise.

6. Climate change and unpredictable road conditions

Extreme weather is becoming something fleet operators need to be mindful of. Heavy rain, flooding, high winds, storms and soaring temperatures can all impact road conditions, journey times and the safety of drivers and vehicles too. Even routes that haven’t posed a problem previously can become vulnerable and cause disruption.

Building a certain degree of flexibility into route planning can help operators respond better when there’s weather-related disruption.

Why regular insurance reviews matter

The transport sector is always evolving, and your insurance arrangements should evolve with it. Over time, fleets get bigger, vehicles get more expensive, new technology is brought to the market, routes change, and business models vary. Before you know it, the cover that once worked for your fleet doesn’t reflect the risks that your business faces today.

Having regular insurance reviews helps make sure your cover is appropriate for your fleet and reduces the chance of gaps in your protection.

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If you're unsure whether your policy still reflects your fleet, reach out to a member of our team or visit our website to find out more.

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The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice and cannot be relied upon as such. Should you have any queries, we recommend that you consult the appropriate professional adviser. The links provided in this document are for reference only. Please note that we are not responsible for the content of any linked site.

Sources:

Chris North FCII

Commercial Vehicle Insurance Technical Manager

Chris is a respected industry leader with over 40 years' experience, who has worked in the insurance industry in a variety of roles, accumulating a wealth of knowledge. He is a longstanding Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute (FCII).

Chris is a respected industry leader with over 40 years' experience, who has worked in the insurance industry in a variety of roles, accumulating a wealth of knowledge. He is a longstanding Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute (FCII). He is currently Technical Manager for Everywhen's motor division, providing expertise on all matters relating to motor fleet insurance, in particular haulage and self-drive hire fleets.

Chris is responsible for providing this specialist team with technical advice, not only about the usual motor, liability, property and goods in transit covers, but also increasingly crucial covers such as directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and cyber threat insurance. His role also includes bringing forwards new initiatives for transport-related businesses, in particular those of a risk management nature given the importance Everywhen places on the maxim that ‘prevention is better than cure’.

Everywhen combines regional care with national reach, deep sector knowledge and strong insurer relationships to deliver tailored solutions across 55+ schemes. We help our clients navigate everyday and emerging risks with confidence, always and at all times.