Quick answer
Three things shape goods in transit (GIT) insurance for South African road hauliers in 2026: hijacking and cargo theft, long delays at borders and ports, and the rising cost of security. Reported truck hijackings fell in the second quarter of 2026, but the industry warns that many are never reported, and insurers still price theft risk carefully. The practical response is to set the right load limit, meet your security conditions every day, and keep your documents ready for claims and for clients who ask for proof of cover.
2026 at a glance
| Trend | What the numbers say | What it means for your GIT cover |
|---|---|---|
| Truck hijackings | 327 from April to June 2026, down from 414 a year earlier; 219 in Gauteng (SAPS, via Freight News) | Theft and hijacking conditions remain central to every quote |
| Under-reporting | The Road Freight Association says many hijackings are reported only because insurers need a case number | Always report to SAPS and keep the case number |
| Security costs | About 0.3% of operating costs a decade ago, 2.3% by 2025, and up to 4.1% for high-value goods | Proven security supports insurability and better terms |
| Border delays | Beitbridge averaged 46 hours per crossing in late July 2026, with worst cases near four days | Check cover for loaded trucks waiting at borders |
| Cargo losses | R577 million in recorded direct losses across 2,670 incidents over 18 months, described as a fraction of the real figure | Under-insurance is expensive; check your load limit |
Hijacking: fewer reported cases, no less caution
SAPS recorded 327 truck hijackings between April and June 2026, compared with 414 in the same quarter of 2025, a drop of about 21%. Gauteng accounted for 219, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (31) and Mpumalanga (27). Over the longer term, Business Report puts the total at 9,068 truck hijackings from 2021 to 2025.
Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly has cautioned that a lower count does not mean less crime, because many operators only report when an insurer asks for a case number. For hauliers, the message is simple: insurers will keep asking about routes, stops and tracking. See our truck hijacking trends article for the hotspots.
Borders and ports: waiting time is exposure
Freight News reported an average crossing time of 46 hours at Beitbridge in the week of 20 to 26 July 2026, with the worst waits approaching four days, and congestion at Martin’s Drift as well. Every hour a loaded truck waits is time the load is exposed to theft and, for perishables, to spoiling.
Check whether your policy covers loads while a truck is stationary at a border post or port, and ask about deterioration cover for refrigerated goods. Our article on Durban port delays covers the same issue at the harbour.
Security costs are part of the premium equation
The Road Freight Association estimates that security grew from about 0.3% of operators’ costs a decade ago to 2.3% by 2025, and Business Report puts it at up to 4.1% for high-value goods. That money is not wasted from an insurance point of view. Insurers give better terms to risks they can see are well protected, so keep records of your tracking, parking and driver vetting.
What insurers are asking in 2026
Expect these questions when you ask for a quote or renew:
- Your maximum load value and the goods you usually carry
- Your main routes, overnight stops and any cross-border work
- Tracking, immobilisers and how quickly a control room responds
- How you vet and train drivers
- Your claims history, including the most recent claim
- Your current and previous insurers
A 2026 action plan for transport operators
- Review your load limit against what your loads are worth today. Cross-Cover’s minimum is R300,000.
- Check your theft and hijacking conditions, and make sure every driver knows them.
- Confirm cover for waits at borders and ports.
- Add riot and strike (SASRIA) cover for loads if it is not already in place.
- Keep your GIT certificate current for clients who ask for proof.
- Report every incident to SAPS and to your broker without delay.
Frequently asked questions
There is no general law that requires it, but many cargo owners, freight brokers and load platforms will not give you work without proof of GIT cover.
Reported truck hijackings fell to 327 from April to June 2026, from 414 a year earlier. The Road Freight Association warns that under-reporting means the real number is likely higher.
Gauteng, by a wide margin. It accounted for 219 of the 327 truck hijackings SAPS recorded from April to June 2026.
It depends on the wording. Some policies limit cover while a vehicle is stationary or unattended, so ask your broker to confirm cover for border and port waits.
Complete the online quote form with your load value, goods, vehicles and routes, or call Justin Cripps on 083 357 5553.
Related reading
- How much is GIT insurance? What transport operators pay
- Comprehensive GIT insurance: a cover checklist
- Cargo theft in South Africa in 2026
Sources
- Freight News: Truck hijacking decline masks under-reporting (RFA), 1 September 2026
- Business Report: The truck hijacking crisis costs the economy billions a year, 5 June 2026
- Freight News: Beitbridge delays worsen, 29 July 2026
This article is general information, not financial advice. Cover depends on underwriting and the policy wording. Cross-Cover Insurance Brokers is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 14628).