Forklift Insurance and Technical Safety in Focus

Common Accident Causes Involving Forklifts

The Professional Association for Vehicle Operations has published the most common causes of forklift accidents (sorted by frequency):

1. Persons are rammed or run over by forklifts driving in reverse.

2. Persons are struck by rolling or tipping loads.

3. Workers fall from the loading area of the forklift while loading or unloading.

4. Accidents and falls occur due to the use of unsuitable work platforms.

5. Drivers are hit by their tipping forklift and are often crushed.

6. Employees are struck and run over by forklifts driving forward.

The Right Insurance Coverage for Forklifts

These accident statistics make clear what risks come with using forklifts. Those involved often underestimate the driver's limited field of vision. After all, depending on the situation and position, the driver may only spot people nearby very late – or not at all. Additionally, tipping accidents occur frequently – in some cases even with fatal outcomes. Tragic events like these show that both safety and appropriate insurance coverage are important topics for construction companies.

Safety Standards Have Improved Overall

To improve safety, many measures regarding forklift safety have been implemented. For example, the forklifts available at klarx – Europe's leading digital platform for renting construction equipment – are regularly tested according to FEM 4.004. FEM stands for the European Economic Association "Fédération Européenne de la Manutention". The inspection is based on both the Machinery Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV) and the Professional Association Regulation BGV D27.

The inspection focuses on:

• Integrated lifting mechanisms
• Driver seats and control elements
• Drive system and brakes
• Hydraulic system
• Vehicle frame and on-board safety equipment

When Is Forklift Insurance Required?

Despite these tests and the continuous development of technical safety systems, in most cases a forklift insurance policy is not only highly recommended but – depending on the situation – also legally required. When choosing the appropriate or required insurance, it's important to keep in mind that work accidents involving property or personal damage often result in significant costs. To protect yourself, forklift insurance should not be skipped – even if the law doesn't require it in a particular case.

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Finding the Right Insurance Coverage – 3 Scenarios

1. If the maximum speed of a forklift is below 20 km/h, motor vehicle liability insurance is not required. However, staplers that don't exceed six kilometers per hour are usually covered under standard commercial liability insurance. For faster forklifts (over six to 20 km/h), you should first check whether the commercial liability policy will cover them. If that doesn't work out, a forklift insurance policy is still highly recommended, as accidents cannot be ruled out. Especially when there's time pressure and unclear transport situations, driving and operating errors can happen quickly.

2. If the maximum speed exceeds 20 km/h, the law requires forklift insurance. Failure to provide proof of appropriate insurance coverage can result in prison sentences of up to one year. Commercial liability insurance is generally separate. A commercial liability insurance with integrated forklift insurance is not a legal requirement in this case, unlike a standalone forklift insurance.

3. If a forklift with a maximum speed over 20 km/h operates exclusively on non-public areas, forklift insurance can usually be integrated into commercial liability insurance. The law does not require a standalone forklift insurance in this case.

Coverage Limits, Premiums, and More – Pay Attention to the Details

Generally, forklift insurance covers property damage caused by the forklift itself. Which forklift insurance benefits can be claimed depends on the type of insurance. With commercial liability insurance, it's about settling claims under private law according to legal requirements. With a standalone forklift insurance under motor vehicle insurance, the legal claims of the injured party are satisfied. Additionally, this type of insurance offers unlimited coverage, while commercial liability policies typically range between one and five million euros. Voluntary forklift insurance as part of commercial liability coverage is usually premium-free, while insurance coverage under motor vehicle insurance typically costs between 50 and 100 euros per year – depending on the provider.

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