How niche plant knowledge saves insurance claims

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In an increasingly complex mobile plant and equipment environment, specialists with hands-on knowledge deliver superior outcomes for clients, while generalist approaches create significant risks

QUICK – WHAT'S the difference between a franna and a crawler? How about a drill rig and a telehandler? If you’re scratching your head, you’re not alone. But in the world of mobile plant insurance, knowing the answer isn’t a matter of cocktail trivia for the annual conference after-party – it could mean the difference between a fully protected asset and a catastrophic coverage gap. As machinery becomes more sophisticated and operational environments grow increasingly complex, the need for deep, specialised knowledge in insurance has never been greater. Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA) is bridging this gap by leveraging field-based expertise, working closely with brokers and staying connected to real-

With over 30 years of experience, UAA specialises in innovative insurance solutions for the mobile plant industry. The company emphasises long-term customer relationships founded on mutual respect and reliability. UAA’s experienced claims service team, supported by a network of top industry service providers, efficiently manages claims across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. UAA offers tailored products such as the Industrial Special Plant (ISP), which consolidate multiple cover sections into comprehensive packages. Clients benefit from UAA’s specialist product knowledge and prompt claims handling.

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Franna cranes vs crawler cranes

Franna cranes (pick-and-carry)

“Without that depth of understanding, insurers can either underinsure or misprice risk – and both can have devastating consequences for businesses that depend on their equipment”

Marc Crossman, Underwriting Agencies of Australia

world industry developments. UAA’s approach moves beyond standard checklists, ensuring coverage solutions are built not just on what assets clients own but how, where and under what conditions they operate – offering genuine protection in an industry where a single oversight can have severe consequences.

“Our underwriters know a franna crane – a pick-and-carry – is a completely different risk to a crawler crane that’s designed for rough terrain and heavy lifts,” says Crossman. This granular knowledge directly influences how insurers structure coverage and determines appropriate pricing. “It changes everything – how we assess hazards, how we set cover terms, even how we rate,” says Crossman. “Take franna cranes – they’re much more exposed to road risks. Crawlers, on the other hand, are all about load stability issues on site.” These distinctions represent the level of detail required to properly underwrite plant machinery risks. “One major gap is understanding how plant is operated rather than just what plant is owned,” says Crossman. “For example, whether machinery is used solely on private work sites, used in public road operations or hired out under various agreements can all dramatically change the risk profile and therefore the insurance needs.”

As client expectations increase, brokers face growing pressure to deliver specialised advice. Underwriters with deep industry knowledge can function as extensions of the broker’s advisory team. “We know brokers are facing clients who expect more – they want tailored advice, real industry insights and faster, more flexible solutions,” says Crossman. “We

don’t just sell products. We work as an extension of the broker’s advisory team.” This partnership approach includes various support mechanisms designed to enhance broker capabilities. “We back our brokers with market intelligence – things like industry insights, claim trends, emerging risks,” says Crossman. “It helps brokers spot client needs before they even come up.” Direct collaboration with specialist underwriters represents another key advantage for brokers managing complex risks. “Our underwriters are accessible and empowered. Brokers can deal direct with specialists when they’ve got a complex risk,” says Crossman. “That means faster answers, more flexibility and real technical depth when it counts.”

Maintaining current, practical knowledge requires ongoing connection to industry developments and operational realities – something achieved through active participation in sector organisations. “We stay hands-on and practical by working closely with the top industry bodies across construction, cranes and mobile plant,” says Crossman. This engagement provides underwriters with contemporary understanding of how equipment operates in real-world

conditions. “Being involved in these bodies gives us real-world insights – lifting standards, safety practices, new machinery trends. It keeps our underwriting and claims teams connected to what’s actually happening out there. “This active engagement ensures our underwriting and claims professionals bring not only technical insurance expertise but also an informed, practical understanding of how our clients work, resulting in more relevant coverage, smarter risk advice and better outcomes for brokers and clients alike.”

A construction worker inspecting a crane before use.

Technical nuance that matters

Field-based insights drive better outcomes

Published 19 May 2025

“Our teams don’t just tick asset lists – they dig into how the gear’s used, where, under what conditions, so the cover actually matches real-world operations”

Marc Crossman, Underwriting Agencies of Australia

Crawler cranes

Can be driven on road

Positioned on mobile platforms with a movable track

Lifting capacity 10–25 tonnes

Lifting capacity up to 600 tonnes

Often used for mining, construction, shipping and transportation, shipbuilding, nuclear power plants and ordinary lifting operations

Suitable for everything from minor lifting to heavy-duty tasks in various industries

Do not require outriggers or stabilising legs, which reduces installation time

Can have optional extras like boom extensions

Invented by Australian Dave Francis in 1978; name is a blend of ‘Francis’ and ‘Anna’, his daughter’s first name

No single inventor; cranes mounted on continuous crawler tracks manufactured by various firms from the 1920s

Sources: Kingy’s Diesel Industries, Different Types of Cranes Explained; Premier Cranes and Rigging, What is a Franna Crane and Why Use One?

Source: Marc Crossman, UAA

If machinery is used solely on private work sites

Some operational factors that affect the risk profile of mobile plant and equipment

If machinery is used in public road operations

If machinery is dry hired (hired without an operator, and hirer operates machinery themselves)

If machinery is wet hired (hire company supplies operator)

The differences between equipment types may seem minor to an untrained eye but represent significant risk variations to experts. Understanding these distinctions forms the foundation of accurate underwriting.

When Marc Crossman, executive general manager for distribution strategy at UAA, looks at mobile plant and equipment, he doesn’t just see a piece of heavy machinery. He sees distinct operational profiles, unique risk factors and specific insurance requirements that can make the difference between comprehensive protection and costly coverage gaps. “Mobile plant and machinery today is so much more specialised, and operational environments are way more complex,” says Crossman. “Clients expect more – they expect better cover and better service. It’s why deep, practical industry knowledge is critical. It lets us properly assess risk, structure the right coverage and actually be there when clients need us most.” This specialisation has become increasingly important as equipment grows more technically sophisticated and the environments in which machinery operates present more variables to consider. “Without that depth of understanding, insurers can either underinsure or misprice risk – and both can have devastating consequences for businesses that depend on their equipment,” Crossman explains.

The specialist advantage

The consequences of non-specialist approaches can be severe, with real-world examples demonstrating how easily coverage gaps emerge when industry-specific expertise is lacking. “We’ve seen mobile cranes insured under general commercial motor policies, instead of proper mobile plant policies – and that’s left critical lifting operations completely uncovered,” says Crossman. These scenarios occur with alarming frequency across the industry, often revealed only when clients attempt to make claims. “Another one we see is people not picking up the difference between a dry-hired excavator and a wet-hired one with an operator – and it leads to big claims issues when the wrong liability cover is in place,” says Crossman. “These examples highlight that without specialist knowledge even well-intentioned solutions can leave serious gaps that only become apparent when clients need to claim – by which time it’s too late.”

When generalised knowledge falls short

Specialists address these knowledge gaps through targeted questioning and deeper operational understanding. “We close those gaps by educating brokers and by asking better questions when we underwrite,” says Crossman. “Our teams don’t just tick asset lists – they dig into how the gear’s used, where, under what conditions, so the cover actually matches real-world operations.”

Empowering brokers with expertise

As equipment technology advances through automation, hybrid systems and telematics, specialist knowledge becomes even more valuable in anticipating new risk profiles and coverage requirements. “At UAA, we see ongoing collaboration with manufacturers, brokers and industry associations as critical to staying ahead of technological change in the plant and machinery sector,” says Crossman. These relationships help specialists prepare for emerging risks before they become problematic. “As machinery evolves – with automation, hybrids, telematics – we work closely with industry partners to shape our products, update risk frameworks and stay ahead of new risks.” Active participation in technical discussions ensures insurance solutions remain relevant as technology develops, Crossman explains. “We stay active in technical forums, regulatory talks and operator training,” he says. “It means our underwriting and claims strategies aren’t based on theory; they’re built around real-world changes. This collaborative, forward-looking approach means that brokers and clients can continue to rely on UAA for specialist insurance solutions that keep pace with the operational realities of a rapidly changing industry.” When the fine print on a mobile plant and equipment policy spells the difference between full cover and full regret, brokers need underwriters who know their way around more than a spec sheet. And hey – it never hurts to have a few crane facts ready for your next cocktail party.

Preparing for technological change

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Compact; can navigate small places and height-limited areas

Can work at variable heights

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