Where would we be without couriers? Keeping deliveries moving across the country, courier drivers connect companies to their customers and serve as a crucial cog in the machine of businesses, both large and small. From delivering the packages of leading online retailers to transporting furniture for a house move, couriers need to keep themselves protected as they work. Courier insurance gives a courier driver or business owners the reassurance that – should the unexpected happen – they’ll be financially protected and ready to get back on the road, delivering goods and keeping the economy flowing.
Our courier insurance gives you the protection you need at an affordable price, without the hassle of searching through comparison sites. A family business with over 20 years’ experience finding specialist policies for couriers, we have a unique understanding of the industry that allows us to source affordable cover that gives you total peace of mind at a price you can afford.
What is courier insurance?
Courier insurance is a specialist policy used by individuals who are paid to transport other people’s goods or belongings. It is a package of covers that reflects the unique risks a courier faces.
This type of insurance can be used not only by self-employed courier drivers but also by courier businesses.
Why is courier car insurance important?
Couriering is a fast-paced and time-sensitive operation, and things can go wrong when you spend your days on the road delivering goods and belongings. From road traffic accidents and thefts to delays and damages, you could face a significant financial burden if you don’t have the right insurance for your courier work. Specialist courier vehicle insurance is vital because standard car or van insurance will not provide the necessary coverage.
If you’re involved in a road traffic accident, you could be left without a vehicle to perform your deliveries. If you’re found to be at fault, you’ll also be liable to pay for losses incurred by the other party.
Should a delay in deliveries leave the business or individual you’re delivering for out of pocket, they could pursue a claim against you.
Courier drivers spend all day moving to and from people’s properties. Should they accidentally damage the property or its contents during a delivery, again, you are responsible for the financial consequences.
Members of the public – including those you aren’t making a delivery to – could make a claim against you for personal injury or property damage, so be prepared with a comprehensive courier car insurance policy.
What is covered by courier insurance?
Courier insurance is a collection of covers that consider the unique risks faced by courier drivers and companies. This specialist policy may include the following covers as standard:
- Public liability – When working around members of the public, this cover is crucial as it will cover any claims made for injury or property damage attributable to your courier work.
- Vehicle cover – It can spell disaster for your deliveries if your car or van is damaged or stolen. Choose between comprehensive, third-party, fire, and theft or third-party cover to ensure you’re financially protected, whatever happens.
- Employer’s liability – In the UK, it is a statutory requirement to take out at least £5 million in employer’s liability coverage if you employ staff. You must include this cover if you own a courier business and hire drivers.
- Goods in transit – This coverage protects the goods or belongings you transport in your courier vehicle. You will need to take out enough to cover the value of the goods in your vehicle, and your insurer can help you calculate this.
In addition to these critical covers, courier insurance can be enhanced by:
- Breakdown cover – To ensure you’re not kept off the road for too long if your courier van breaks down.
- Tools and equipment cover – If you carry tools and equipment cover in your vehicle, such as your barcode scanner, make sure you’re protected should they be stolen or damaged.
- Business and office equipment – Courier company owners can benefit from protecting their office equipment, especially the computers and technology used to coordinate deliveries.
- Personal accident cover – If you’re hurt at or outside of work, this could have a major impact on your ability to work. As a self-employed courier, you can take out personal accident cover for yourself or for key members of your courier business team.
Freelance couriers
If you are a freelance courier working full or part-time you’ll need to:
- Specify that you use your car or van for courier deliveries or your insurance could be invalidated.
- Make sure you’re covered for the contents of your vehicle.
- Consider legal cover which will pay for expensive legal fees if you injure someone or cause damage to property.
- Consider personal accident cover in case you have an accident that stops you from working for a period of time.
- And, if you rely on your wheels for your work, quick and reliable breakdown cover with the option of a similar vehicle as a replacement whilst yours is being fixed, can make life easier and ensure you keep on the road working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is courier insurance expensive?
Courier insurance is more expensive than standard car or van insurance. This is because couriers spend more hours on the road and interact with members of the public in the course of their work. Furthermore, they’ll probably add public liability and goods in transit cover.
Do self-employed courier drivers need courier vehicle insurance?
Yes! If you work as a self-employed courier driver, you must protect your vehicle, the goods you’re carrying, and your finances by taking out sufficient cover. Though it may be tempting to cut back on specific covers to bring down the cost of the premium, think carefully about all eventualities and make sure you safeguard yourself.
Is standard motor insurance sufficient for a courier driver?
No, standard motor vehicle insurance will not offer enough protection as it does not reflect the risks you face as a courier driver. Furthermore, if you only have standard cover, your policy may be deemed invalid if you’re in an accident, leaving you to shoulder the associated costs.
Chartered Insurance Brokers
Park Insurance’s Chartered Insurance Broker status means we’ve been recognised by the CII as delivering not just a valuable service to customers, but to staff as well. It is a public declaration of a brokerage’s commitment to professional standards, and also demonstrates that the business is adaptive to changing market demands – a particularly important consideration in the current climate.
Let us compare courier insurance quotes for you
When it comes to insurance, it pays to shop around. As an independent broker, we can quickly access a range of specialist policies tailored to your needs to ensure premiums are affordable and won’t leave you with any unexpected surprises if the worst does happen.