Courier Insurance Quotes

Courier Insurance

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Compare courier insurance quotes for cars, vans, bikes and lorries with Quotezone.co.uk

What is courier insurance?

Courier insurance will offer coverage to those who make deliveries for hire and reward. This essentially means motorists who make deliveries of goods and parcels for payment or compensation, regardless of whether or not they are self-employed. Food delivery drivers can also be classified as couriers and so will also benefit from having courier insurance.

Here at Quotezone.co.uk you can quickly compare courier insurance from our large panel of UK-based insurance providers. Why choose us? – We can help you compare multiple insurers in moments without any bias or preferences. This will help you in your search for the cheapest courier insurance and significantly increase your chances of finding the best courier insurance deals for you. Simply specify your requirements and details and start saving on your courier insurance today.

What does courier insurance cover?

Most courier insurance policies will cover you for public liability and goods in transit cover as well as insuring your actual delivery vehicle whilst you are working. The amount of coverage for your delivery vehicle will be dependent on the level of coverage you decide to take out. Whilst vans are typically most associated with couriers, many motorists opt to use their cars, bikes, mopeds, and even bicycles to make deliveries, particularly those who are self-employed.

Regardless of the type of vehicle you use to carry out your deliveries, standard motor insurance will not be sufficient to cover you as a courier – That’s why it’s even more important to make sure you have the right coverage when transporting goods.

With so many options it can be tricky to work out exactly what type of courier insurance you need, so here’s what to think about.

How much does courier insurance cost?

Courier insurance is typically more expensive than regular motor insurance in the UK by a considerable amount. Prices for courier insurance can also differ greatly depending on the type of vehicle you use and the nature of the goods you deliver. Typically, you will not find courier insurance for less than £1000 per annum in 2024. The best way of finding the cheapest possible coverage for your circumstances is to do a courier insurance comparison with as many quotes as possible. This will increase your chances of finding the best deals and cheapest courier insurance.

What affects the cost of courier insurance?

The cost of your courier insurance will depend on factors such as:

• Your location
• Type of vehicle
• Level of coverage
• Any extra add-ons

Premiums will also take into account your own driving history and whether you’ve recently had any road accidents or claims made against you. Because of this, the cost of insurance for couriers can vary significantly.

Your vehicle

The type of vehicle you wish to insure for courier work will have a significant influence on the total price of your courier insurance cost. In general, insuring a car for courier work was more expensive on average than insuring a van or motorcycle.

Courier insurance car

Cars are a common choice for many self-employed couriers as they are readily available and don’t require the purchase of a new vehicle. They generally sit in between the price of insuring a motorcycle and a van for courier insurance. You can typically expect to pay around £3000 on average for comprehensive courier car insurance as of January 2024.

Courier insurance motorbike

Motorbikes are typically cheaper than cars to insure as a courier with an average annual cost of around insurance being around £2000 for comprehensive coverage.

Courier van insurance

Comprehensive van insurance for couriers typically averages at under £2000 as of January 2024. This makes them currently the cheapest motor vehicle to insure for courier work In the UK.

Other things to know

When it comes to choosing a policy, it’s vital to ensure you’ve got the correct coverage. Cheap courier insurance might seem a good deal but read any terms and conditions in place and have a good look at what’s included – there could be numerous exclusions.

If you are including cover for your delivery goods then this can also influence your premiums, particularly if you usually deliver higher-value goods.

It may not seem surprising to those who have dealt with insurance companies before but policies that initially appear expensive might actually have fewer limitations and exclusions, offering you better value for money. The best course of action for finding the cheapest, yet still comprehensive, courier insurance policies is to compare courier insurance quotes from multiple insurers and see who can give you the best value for your requirements.

Which insurance is best for couriers?

It’s important to remember that the courier insurance policy which works best for you will depend on your individual requirements. In general, couriers benefit most from the following coverage.

• Public liability insurance – Courier liability insurance can be included in your insurance package. This compensates other people if you cause injury or damage to property whilst working. For example, if someone tripped over delivery boxes you unloaded and suffered an injury which you are deemed liable for.
• Goods in transit insurance – This is crucial coverage for couriers as it will insure you against loss and damage of goods.
• Comprehensive courier cover – This will insure your vehicle as well as third-party vehicles in the event of an accident whilst working. Many comprehensive packages will also include cover for goods, breakdown cover, legal expenses, personal injury and coverage against fire and theft.

Who needs courier insurance?

If you work delivering goods and parcels either as an employee or self-employed in return for payment, then you’ll need a form of courier insurance to insure yourself for the time when you are making deliveries. These policies differ from standard motor insurance as they take into account the extra miles you’ll do because of your job, and also the fact that you’re more likely to be driving through heavily built-up areas as well as carrying goods.

Do I need special insurance to be a courier?

If you don’t have the appropriate cover, your vehicle and the goods you’re transporting may not be insured. If you had an accident or someone broke into your courier vehicle, you may not be compensated for damage or stolen items. This can lead to additional issues if your customers seek compensation for undelivered or damaged goods, depending on your employment type and if you are liable.

Many potential drivers believe they may be able to carry out deliveries as a side hustle using their pre-existing personal insurance. This personal or standard insurance is referred to as social, domestic and pleasure insurance (SD&P) and carrying out commercial activities on this coverage could lead to your insurance being made invalid and you being left out of pocket in the event of an accident.

Courier insurance also isn’t quite the same as haulage insurance which is aimed at long-distance lorry drivers making just one or two big deliveries over a large distance. Insuring yourself with the right coverage for your specific needs is key to avoiding being left uninsured in the event of an accident. Compare courier insurance today with Quotezone and find the right coverage with our large panel of specialist UK-based providers.

What is Hire and Reward Insurance

Hire and reward insurance, sometimes referred to as ‘class 3 business insurance’ or  ‘carriage of goods for hire and reward’ is a type of courier insurance. It’s a specific type of insurance that covers you if you transport items or make a number of deliveries to different people within a particular area – for instance if you’re a furniture remover or courier.

Hire and reward delivery insurance isn’t the same as haulage insurance although it’s easy to confuse the two. Haulage insurance is only suitable if you’re covering long distances making one or two deliveries, like HGV driver insurance travelling across the UK or Europe.

What type of insurance covers food delivery?

If you do not have the appropriate food delivery insurance in place, you run the risk of voiding your insurance cover should you be involved in an accident. You also potential run the risk of incurring penalty points to your license as well as fines if you are stopped by police without proper Hire and reward insurance.

Hire and reward insurance, or food delivery insurance, Is a joining requirement for most food delivery companies operating in the UK. It is sometimes also referred to as class 3 business insurance and is distinct from other standard motor insurance policies.

As the name suggests, this type of cover is designed for those operating their vehicles for business purposes inorder to receive reward, aka payment. Unlike amazon drivers and those who work for similar companies, food delivery drivers are usually not required to have goods in transit insurance. This is due to the value of food goods being considerably lower than other commercial delivery goods such as electronics, household goods and so on.

Hire and Reward is distinct from other insurance types as it is essentially motor insurance for your vehicle while you operate as a food delivery driver. This is in contrast to standard Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SDP) purposes such as day-to-day driving, shopping, transporting family and so on. Since you will not be covered for the time when you are not making deliveries, you will need you own separate SDP insurance coverage in place for the time you are not delivering but still driving on the road.

Do I need insurance when delivering for Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo ?

If you’re delivering takeaway food then you’ll need food delivery insurance. These policies reflect the hazards you face that are unique to your job, because:

• You’ll be covering more miles than the average driver
• You’ll typically be driving at night and in all weathers
• You’ll be working to a tight timetable making multiple drop offs.

As far as insurers are concerned, all these factors can increase the risk of an accident happening, which is something your Uber Eats insurance policy will take into account.

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What our experts say:

“There could be thousands of delivery drivers working across the UK without realising their insurance is not valid.  With the cost-of-living soaring, millions of people are taking a hard look at their finances and seeking additional ways to earn a little extra cash” – Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk

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What does courier insurance in the UK include?

Courier insurance is typically made up of several types of insurance, allowing you to tailor your policy to fit the exact needs of your courier service.

At the most basic level, you’ll need to decide whether you want:

• Third-party only cover – This covers the costs of damage done to other people and their property in case of an accident. Crucially, it doesn’t cover you for any damage done to your vehicle or you.
• Third-party, fire and theft – This includes third-party only cover and will also compensate you if your van is stolen or damaged by fire. Parking your van in a secure location when not in use is always recommended. 
• Comprehensive cover – This is the highest level of protection you can get for your van. It includes third-party, fire and theft cover and will also pay to fix your van in the event of an accident (even if it’s your fault).

As well as choosing the level of cover, you’ll be able to add on other types of insurance, including:

• Carriage of goods for hire and reward – this is a type of goods in transit insurance and it’s vital if you’re a courier. It covers the items you’re delivering and will compensate you for loss, damage and theft. Bear in mind that policies will have different terms and conditions so check beforehand to avoid any surprises. For instance, you may not be covered if goods are damaged because they weren’t packed properly at source.
• Employers’ liability – if you own a fleet of courier vehicles and employ several drivers, then this covers the cost of compensation if they become ill or are injured because of work. You’ll need employers’ liability by law if you have any employees, even part-time and temporary workers.

What is goods in transit insurance?

Goods In Transit insurance is available as an add-on for other insurance types which are designed as cover for drivers delivering goods. Typical insurance policies that have goods in transit as an add-on include courier, haulage and tradesman insurance policy. Adding goods in transport to your courier insurance can greatly benefit your business, as it will protect property against losses and damage whilst you are transporting these goods from one place to another. You can take this insurance out for goods being distributed in your own vehicle or by a third-party carrier, and can be used in the UK or abroad.

A goods-in-transit insurance policy will offer you the following protection:

• Theft while in transit – If your van or delivery bike is robbed while you are on a delivery and you lose your cargo, this will cover the losses due to theft.
• Damage caused by accidents during transit – If you are involved in an accident whilst making your deliveries, having goods in transit cover will insure you for the cargo value which is damaged.
• Loss during transit – If your package goes missing during a delivery run and you can’t determine the cause, this will still give you cover for the value of the lost packages.
• Damage caused during transit – Accidents happen, and if you damage a package by mistake to the point the recipient won’t accept it, you can still be insured under this coverage.

What other features should I look for with courier insurance?

While it’s crucial to protect your van and the contents you’re carrying, there are other features worth considering to ensure you protect your vehicle and your livelihood as best you can – for instance:

• Breakdown cover – This covers the breakdown and recovery of your delivery vehicle on the road. This cover can also include replacements for lost keys.
• Courtesy vehicle – This provides you with a replacement vehicle if yours is being repaired.
• Personal possessions cover – This compensates you for personal items that are stolen or damaged but only up to a certain amount. For example, things like glasses, sunglasses, a phone or built-in stereo.
• Legal expenses – pays for legal advice if you need to claim for damages or if someone takes you to court.

Does courier insurance cover the goods I deliver?

If you choose to add carriage of goods for hire and reward, then your policy should cover the items being delivered. If you don’t opt for this, then those items probably won’t be insured, and you run the risk of having to foot the bill for damage or theft yourself. If you wish to be reimbursed for the costs of lost merchandise in the event of an accident involving the courier vehicle, be sure to check your policy details and include this coverage.

If you’re carrying tools and materials that belong to you and that you use for work, then you’ll need a type of insurance called ‘carriage of own goods’. If you work solely as a courier you may not need this coverage however, it can be useful for those with secondary employment. For example, if your side job means you keep tools or equipment in the van you use for your courier deliveries, it’s worth speaking to your insurer about cover for these items too.

What is “Pay as You Go” insurance?

Pay as You Go, or PAYG food delivery insurance, is a type of food delivery insurance that allows for you to be flexible with your insurance coverage. With many drivers opting to take on food delivery as a side hustle or part time gig, opting for a yearly insurance premium doesn’t always make the most sense. But a number of specialist courier insurance providers do offer more flexible options to cater to such drivers. With a PAYG policy, you only pay for your delivery insurance when you actually work. This can sometimes be charged on an hourly basis, with other options including 30 day or one month coverage. This usually works out as a more cost effective option for part time drivers than simply taking out a standard food delivery insurance policy.

How can I save on my courier insurance?

There are some practical steps you can take to get those premiums down today:

• Opt for higher excess – This will directly reduce your premiums as insurers tend to view those who elect to pay more excess as more careful drivers.
• Take out a fleet insurance policy – If you have multiple vehicles you could save on a fleet insurance policy, many insurers will also offer discounts for each additional vehicle added to your cover. Not only does it help you save money but it also provides you with the convenience of having all your vehicles under one policy.
• Invest in security systems – Making sure your vehicles are well secured with up to date security systems is a great practical step to keeping your insurance policies down. Internal CCTV cameras as well as alarm systems are all likely to drive your premiums down as the more secure a vehicle, the less likely it is to be stolen or broken into.
• Train your drivers – Making a claim will drive up your premiums more than anything else, if your drivers are better trained and have a lot of experience behind the wheel, you can reduce the risk of a claim. Many businesses develop training  programmes for their driver to ensure they meet the required standard of safe driving before independently making deliveries.

Compare courier insurance today!

At Quotezone.co.uk, we take the guesswork out of searching for cheaper courier insurance. Just tell us what you’re looking for by answering a few simple questions, and we’ll bring back suitable hire and reward insurance quotes from a large range of trusted UK-based insurance providers.

Get Courier Insurance here