--- title: "Forklift Insurance and Technical Safety in Focus" description: "Over 30,000 workplace accidents involving forklifts are registered. Is forklift insurance worthwhile?" url: "/en/blog/forklift-technical-safety-and-individual-insurance-coverage-in-focus" lang: en --- # Forklift Insurance and Technical Safety in Focus Forklifts – Safety while driving and insurance against possible accidents. We provide clarity Ramming, tipping and falling: Over 30,000 workplace accidents involving forklifts, pallet jacks and similar equipment are registered every year. This means forklifts and other industrial trucks are involved in approximately 15% of all reported transport accidents. Find out why this happens and how to protect yourself against potential accident costs ## Accident Causes Involving Forklifts The employers' liability insurance association for vehicle operators has published the most common causes of forklift accidents (sorted by frequency): 1. People are rammed or run over by forklifts reversing. 2. People are struck by rolling or tipping loads. 3. Workers fall from the loading surface of the forklift while unloading or loading. 4. Accidents and falls occur due to the use of unsuitable work platforms. 5. Drivers are struck and often crushed by their tipping forklift. 6. Employees are struck and run over by forklifts moving forward. ## The Right Insurance Coverage for Forklifts The accident figures make clear what **dangers forklift handling actually poses**. Those involved often underestimate the operator's restricted field of vision. The driver sees people in the immediate vicinity late or sometimes not at all, depending on the situation and position. Additionally, tipping accidents frequently occur – in some cases even with fatal consequences. Tragic events of this kind show that both **safety** and **appropriate insurance coverage** are important topics for construction companies. ## Safety Standards Have Generally Improved To improve safety, many measures have been implemented regarding **forklift safety**. For example, forklifts available at [klarx](/) – Europe's leading digital platform for construction machinery rental – are regularly inspected according to FEM 4.004. FEM stands for the European business association "Fédération Européenne de la Manutention". The **inspection** is based on both the Operating Safety Regulation ([BetrSichV](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/betrsichv_2015/__10.html)) and the employers' liability insurance association regulation [BGV D27](https://www.bgw-online.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Medientypen/DGUV_vorschrift-regel/DGUV-Vorschrift68_Flurfoerderfahrzeuge_Download.pdf?__blob=publicationFile). **The inspection focuses on:** - The integrated lifting mechanisms - The operator seats and control elements - The drive system and brakes - The hydraulic system - The vehicle frame and carried safety equipment ## When Is Forklift Insurance Required? Despite these inspections 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 must always be considered that workplace accidents involving property or personal damage often incur high costs. To protect against this, forklift insurance should not be neglected **– even if** **the law does not require insurance in a particular case**. [Request a rental quote now](/en/mieten) ## Finding the Right Insurance Coverage – 3 Scenarios 1. If the **maximum speed** of a forklift is below 20 km/h, no motor vehicle liability insurance needs to be obtained. **However, forklifts that do not exceed six kilometers per hour are generally covered by standard commercial liability insurance.** For faster forklifts (over six to 20 km/h), such coverage under commercial liability must first be confirmed with your insurer. If inclusion is not possible, **forklift insurance** is still strongly recommended, as accidents cannot be ruled out. Especially when time is tight and transport situations are unclear, driving and operating errors can quickly occur. 2. At a **maximum speed exceeding 20 km/h**, the law requires forklift insurance. **Failure to provide proof of appropriate insurance coverage threatens imprisonment of up to one year.** Commercial liability insurance remains excluded as a general rule. A **commercial liability insurance policy** with integrated **forklift insurance** is, unlike a standalone **forklift insurance**, not a legal requirement in this case. 3. **If a** [forklift](/en/mieten/hebetechnik/stapler-lagertechnik/gabelstapler/s) **with a maximum speed exceeding 20 km/h operates exclusively in non-public areas**, forklift insurance can usually be integrated into commercial liability insurance. The law does not require a standalone **forklift insurance** here. ## 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. If it is **commercial liability insurance**, it involves settlement of claims under the law with corresponding civil law content. With standalone **forklift insurance** under motor vehicle insurance, the legal claims of the injured party are satisfied. Additionally, such insurance offers unlimited coverage limits, while commercial liability limits range between one and five million euros. Voluntary forklift insurance under commercial liability insurance is typically premium-free, while **insurance coverage under motor vehicle insurance costs between 50 and 100 euros per year – depending on the provider**. [Rent a forklift](/en/mieten/hebetechnik/stapler-lagertechnik/gabelstapler)