Modern mobile plant and equipment (MPE) cover is raising the bar, combining broader protection with practical support that helps businesses manage risk and minimise downtime.
MPE are critical assets. They are expensive, often specialised, and when one goes down, productivity can stall quickly.
Insurance is not about having a policy in place – it’s about what happens before and after something goes wrong.
For nearly 50 years, NTI has been a leader in supporting Australia’s supply chain, and over the past decade has expanded across construction, civil engineering, mining, agriculture, and landscaping sectors with its Yellow Cover insurance product. It continues to evolve alongside industry, with recent enhancements strengthening protection and improving outcomes on site.
One of the most significant updates is theft by hirer, now included as an automatic benefit*.
NTI’s National Product Manager – Mobile Plant, David Kidd, said the competitive context made this a genuine point of difference.
“A lot of our competitors appear to be silent on it and do not offer cover for theft by hirer. Historically it has been an outright decline or placed on as a policy option; but by understanding the exposure and placing the right conditions into the policy, we can offer it as an automatic benefit,” he said.
A new optional work tools extension gives SME customers peace of mind when their portable tools get stolen, which complements NTI’s existing downtime and liability options*.
This allows businesses to structure cover around how they operate, closing gaps in cover rather than adapting operations to suit a policy.
However, policy wording is only part of the equation when it comes to raising the bar. Customers also have access to NTI’s dedicated MPE risk engineering service.
NTI’s Mobile Plant and Equipment Risk Engineer, Steven Alexander, works directly with businesses to identify operational risks and opportunities for improvement.
“We meet with customers to analyse, understand, and assist them to further develop their focus on areas of improvement in their risk management space,” he said.
“The service is complementary for NTI customers and takes about 60 to 90 minutes. It’s then supported with a written report with key recommendations and potential solutions to further support them.”
The results are measurable. According to NTI’s Risk Engineering Impact Review comparing FY24 and FY25 data, businesses that engaged with the service saw productivity loss days drop by 52 per cent, with 30 per cent eliminating them entirely. Total off-road days fell by 73 per cent, claim numbers reduced by 45 per cent, and claim costs fell by 12 per cent. Fourteen clients recorded zero claims over the period.
When incidents do occur, response time is critical. Claims are typically activated within the day, with NTI Repair Managers in contact within 48 hours after the claim has been assessed. Customers are connected directly to NTI’s authorised MPE repair network.
“We only use OEM parts where possible. First protocol is straight to the OEM. We don’t use aftermarket parts like some others will. We have our repair guarantee as well, so we have to warrant what part we fit. That’s why we always go straight to the OEM in the first instance,” Steven said.
For David, the reason Yellow Cover continues to be a market leader is straightforward.
“Service is our differentiator. We can put ourselves in our customers shoes because many of our people have firsthand industry experience. We work hand-in-glove, and we don’t sit back on our laurels. That’s how NTI’s Yellow Cover has continued to be a leader for over 10 years now,” he said.
For businesses running mobile plant and machinery, the value lies in protection that keeps evolving, supported by people who understand how work gets done on site.
For more information, visit www.nti.com.au/insurance/mobile-plant-equipment or speak to your broker.
*Limits and exclusion apply. Any statements regarding claims response times, repair timeframes, productivity outcomes or comparative performance are based on internal analysis or commissioned research and are indicative only.
This article contains general information only and you should obtain your own professional advice based on your personal and business circumstances. When making decisions about our insurance, consider the PDS and TMD at https://www.nti.com.au/. NTI bears no responsibility, and shall not be held liable, for any loss, damage or injury arising directly or indirectly from your use of or reliance on the information in this article. National Transport Insurance is administered on behalf of the insurers by its manager NTI Limited ABN 84 000 746 109 AFSL 237246
