Dry Hire Insurance
Insurance designed for Australian dry hire operators who rent out plant, machinery, tools, vehicles and equipment without an operator. Whether you hire excavators, bobcats, scissor lifts, trailers, compactors or small tools, we help you secure specialist protection built for your risks.
Protect your business when equipment is damaged, misused, stolen or involved in a liability claim
Dry hire operators face unique risks because you are handing expensive machinery or equipment to someone else and you are not onsite to supervise how it’s used. A customer rolls an excavator. A hired machine hits underground services. A skid steer is stolen overnight. A compactor damages a driveway. These events can cost tens of thousands if not insured correctly.
Dry Hire Insurance helps protect your business when hired equipment is damaged, stolen, misused or involved in a liability claim. It can respond to repair costs, replacement value, legal liability, continuing hire charges, and more subject to policy terms.
Coverite Insurance works with hire companies across Australia, including earthmoving hire, civil hire, trailer hire, access hire, tool hire and small operator fleets. We review your equipment list, contract terms, risk profile and customer obligations to ensure your cover matches how you operate not a generic plant policy that leaves gaps.
Dry hire operators renting equipment, machinery and tools to contractors and the public
We support dry hire businesses of all sizes, from one-machine operators to large multi-asset hire fleets. Our insurance programs reflect real-world exposures such as customer misuse, lack of training, theft, breakdowns, transport incidents and contract-specific requirements.
Trusted Support When It Matters Most
Dry hire claims can be complicated especially when operators deny responsibility or when equipment is damaged offsite and without witnesses. Claims often require incident reports, customer statements, recovery coordination, assessor involvement, and evidence of contractual terms.
Coverite supports your business through every stage of the process gathering documentation, coordinating repairs, negotiating with insurers, and ensuring your equipment is back in service quickly.
Why clients choose us:
- Advisers who understand dry hire contracts and risk
- Support during equipment damage, theft, and misuse claims
- Fast communication with repairers, assessors & insurers
- Clear advice on contract wording and liability transfer
- A long-term partnership focused on protecting your assets
Real Feedback from Our Clients
“Excellent service! Michelle from Coverite Insurance Service and her team have gone above and beyond to help me with my insurance needs. Michelle has guided me through every step of the process to help find me the best coverage with the most cost effective premium. I feel confident knowing my insurance needs are being well looked after.”
The Easiest Way to Get the Right Cover.
Tell us about your equipment, hire agreements and customer requirements and we’ll search far and wide to find the right dry hire cover for your business.
We'll present and talk you through the options. You decide which suits you best.
We'll start your cover so your business is protected.
Key dry hire insurance cover we help arrange
Dry Hire Plant & Equipment Damage Cover
Protection for physical damage to equipment while hired out — including impact, rollover, collision, fire, flood, malicious damage and accidental misuse.
This includes:
- Excavators, skid steers, loaders & dumpers
- EWPs, trailers, lighting towers & generators
- Pumps, compactors, concreting gear & attachments
- Small tools and trade machinery
Covers repair & replacement costs, recovery, salvage and transport.
Theft & Unauthorised Use
Protects equipment stolen from job sites, customer premises, trailers or vehicles — including theft without visible forced entry if supported by contract terms.
May include:
- Theft from unsecured locations
- Theft due to customer negligence
- Stolen attachments, GPS units or accessories
Dry Hire Liability Cover
Covers liability when a customer causes damage using your equipment — including property damage, underground service strikes or third-party injuries.
Often required by:
- Builders
- Civil contractors
- Councils
- Industrial sites
- Commercial clients
Hired-Out Plant – Continuing Hire Charges
If your equipment is damaged and unable to be rented, this cover compensates you for lost rental income until it’s repaired or replaced. Essential for businesses relying on steady weekly hire revenue.
Breakdown Cover (Mechanical, Electrical & Hydraulic)
Covers sudden mechanical breakdowns, motor failures, hydraulic issues and electrical faults especially important for high-use equipment.
Road Risk Liability (Registered Equipment)
Protects equipment that is registered and used on public roads or transported between sites.