Insurers may share the cost of transport industry clients installing telematics or in-cab monitoring systems, Gallagher says.

Roz Shaw, the broker’s Head of Transport, says the cost of installation is significant, but it’s worth it in the long run for large fleet operators.

“Telematics have been gaining traction for some years, but in-cab driver monitoring systems in particular have been gathering pace and take-up this year,” Ms Shaw said.

“This technology can be expensive and, as a result, some transport companies are reluctant to make the investment.

“However, we have been able to facilitate productive conversations between our clients and insurers to offset some of these costs.

“Insurers may even be willing to share costs with transport operators, or reduce insurance premiums for those that have installed in-cab monitoring systems.

“It’s certainly a question transport operators should raise with their broker if they are weighing up whether to implement the technology.”

Ms Shaw says as well as the obvious human element, reducing heavy vehicle accidents makes good business sense.

She says fully autonomous trucks are still years away, so in-cab monitoring systems “represent a tangible means of improving safety records and fleet efficiency”.