In a groundbreaking move, two Bradford-based insurers are looking to boost business through a specialist product for haulage firms.

National Breakdown and Donald Insurance, which now share offices in Odsal Road, have teamed up to provide all-embracing cover to cut costs for HGV operators.

The UK haulage sector has been badly hit by the recession through a slump in trade, rising fuel prices and overseas competition.

In 2009, 70 per cent of haulage firms suffered a downturn in business.

The two insurers have moved to fill a gap in the market and launched an innovative insurance policy for the HGV and fleet industry.

The combined fleet and HGV insurance offers cover for goods in transit, property, liability and breakdown in one policy. Such a policy has never been offered as standard before in the UK and the insurers said uptake had been encouraging.

National Breakdown, the first company in the UK to sell insurance online, also offers roadside assistance in the UK and Europe, key insurance, travel insurance, breakdown cover and vehicle inspection and since its launch in 1999, has grown into one of the leading fleet and haulage insurers.

Carolyn Bowe, National Breakdown’s marketing director, said: “The combined acumen of National Breakdown and Donald Insurance is proving to be a winning formula in driving innovation.”

Ian Roper, of National Breakdown, said: “We chose to forge this partnership with Donald Insurance because they have a fantastic track record with the provision of specialist insurance.”