Courier insurance is absolutely essential for those drivers who use their van, bike or truck to deliver goods.

Whether you are working as a traditional courier (delivering to multiple sites), or as a haulier (travelling long distances with one load), using a van, lorry or car courier insurance is something you simply must take out.

With a few clicks, we can help put you on the right path to specialist courier insurance providers.

Quotes can include:

Courier van insurance

Courier motor cycle insurance

Courier car insurance

Goods In Transit Cover

Public Liability

Employers Liability

UK & European Cover

Breakdown Cover

And by getting a selection of quotes from courier cover specialists you’ll also get the added benefits of:

Monthly Courier Insurance Payment Options

Quick Searches Of Multiple Insurers

Instant Online Courier Insurance Documents

In just a few clicks, you can find the courier insurance that you need.

A Guide to Courier Insurance

What is Courier Insurance

The basics of courier insurance is this: If you are using a vehicle to transport and deliver goods, then courier insurance is something you need.

In this day and age of shopping and buying products online, a courier is a vital cog in the world’s distribution network. Without them, everyone would be paying through the nose for postage!

And despite what you might hear on the news, drones aren’t replacing couriers just yet. Put simply, there is no robot that could replicate the monumental service and work that couriers around the UK currently undertake.

Every single one of these men and women drivers who work as a courier, need to take out specialist courier insurance. This cover enables their vehicle, and the goods in them, to be insured in the event they’re damaged or stolen.

But courier insurance can fall under two different categories – courier and haulage – and it’s vitally important for you to know the difference between the two.

Did you know…? Black Friday is the biggest day of the year for couriers now, with shoppers in the UK forecast to spend £10 billion in 2017. The majority of that money is spent online buying goods, which means plenty of work for courier drivers!

Courier and Haulage Insurance

Typically, if you’re using a van for work you’ll need some kind of courier van insurance. But if you’re using a van to distribute goods, then you’ll need courier or haulage insurance. Here’s a brief description of these two cover types:

Courier Insurance – This is more tailored to allow you to make a number of different drop-offs over the course of your journey. A courier will also have more goods to carry in their vehicle, and courier insurance providers will more likely be aware of this fact.

This is more tailored to allow you to make a number of different drop-offs over the course of your journey. A courier will also have more goods to carry in their vehicle, and courier insurance providers will more likely be aware of this fact. Haulage Insurance – This is slightly different insurance, as it looks at covering singular, larger loads for longer journeys. But some insurance providers may consider someone who may seemingly need haulage insurance, to actually need courier insurance. And sometimes vice-versa, too.

And when you to add to the mix the potential for some insurers to also require hire and reward cover (usually associated with taxi insurance), then the world of courier insurance is not always clear-cut.

But if your insurance provider is aware of all your details from the outset, you should be able to find the right courier cover that you need.

Did you know…? There are three types of insurance for couriers: carriage of own goods, carriage for reward, and hire and haulage. If you have any doubt which is right for you, then speak to your insurance provider.

What does Courier Insurance cover

If you’re after courier insurance, then there are a variety of different options for you to look at.

Here are a few to consider:

Goods in Transit – This is absolutely vital cover for any courier. It will ensure that the contents you are transporting are insured in the event of theft or damage. Without this cover, a courier will be at considerable risk when on the road.

This is absolutely vital cover for any courier. It will ensure that the contents you are transporting are insured in the event of theft or damage. Without this cover, a courier will be at considerable risk when on the road. Fleet Insurance – If you run a courier business, then a fleet insurance option might be right for you. With this cover, you can insure all your vehicles on the road under one single policy and under the same renewal date.

If you run a courier business, then a fleet insurance option might be right for you. With this cover, you can insure all your vehicles on the road under one single policy and under the same renewal date. Motorcycle Courier Insurance – It’s not just vans that are used as courier vehicles, there are plenty of motorbikes out there too! Motorcycle courier insurance is the specialist cover that all bike couriers will need when they’re transporting goods.

It’s not just vans that are used as courier vehicles, there are plenty of motorbikes out there too! Motorcycle courier insurance is the specialist cover that all bike couriers will need when they’re transporting goods. Breakdown Cover – It’s always a good idea to have breakdown assistance when working as a courier driver. No-one wants to be caught out and unable to deliver goods because you’re stuck on the side of the road! Thankfully, most insurance providers will give you the option to have breakdown cover included in your policy for an additional cost.

It’s always a good idea to have breakdown assistance when working as a courier driver. No-one wants to be caught out and unable to deliver goods because you’re stuck on the side of the road! Thankfully, most insurance providers will give you the option to have breakdown cover included in your policy for an additional cost. Fully Comprehensive – Comprehensive cover will protect any named vehicles on the policy for all types of collisions, even those that you or one of your employees might be liable for. Plus, comprehensive insurance can also provide fire and theft damage cover, windscreen cover, personal effects cover and medical costs.

Comprehensive cover will protect any named vehicles on the policy for all types of collisions, even those that you or one of your employees might be liable for. Plus, comprehensive insurance can also provide fire and theft damage cover, windscreen cover, personal effects cover and medical costs. Third Party – Third party cover is the absolute minimum level of cover that courier drivers need in order to be able to drive legally. Although third party only insurance doesn’t provide protection for your own vehicle(s), it is often the cheapest option available.

Saving money on Courier Insurance

Working as a courier and taking out insurance can be expensive, so we’ve got some handy tips to help you cut costs:

Increased Excess – The excess is the amount you must pay in the event of any claim you make. If you offer to pay a higher voluntary excess, an insurer may offer you a lower premium. Try it online with your quotes and see the affect it has on the overall price.

The excess is the amount you must pay in the event of any claim you make. If you offer to pay a higher voluntary excess, an insurer may offer you a lower premium. Try it online with your quotes and see the affect it has on the overall price. Hire Good Drivers – It might seem obvious as no-one wants to hire bad drivers! But if you’re running a courier business, then your drivers need to be of a high-standard. Insurers will likely offer lower prices for drivers with a clean driving licence.

It might seem obvious as no-one wants to hire bad drivers! But if you’re running a courier business, then your drivers need to be of a high-standard. Insurers will likely offer lower prices for drivers with a clean driving licence. Hire Experienced Drivers – In the black-and-white world of insurance, younger drivers are considered much more of a risk. Drivers over the age of 25 will typically attract lower insurance premiums.

In the black-and-white world of insurance, younger drivers are considered much more of a risk. Drivers over the age of 25 will typically attract lower insurance premiums. Shop Around – Shopping around for insurance is a great way to get a good deal. This is even more important at your policy renewal; you can easily compare your renewal price with potentially cheaper new insurance quotes from other providers.

Shopping around for insurance is a great way to get a good deal. This is even more important at your policy renewal; you can easily compare your renewal price with potentially cheaper new insurance quotes from other providers. Pay Annually – If you’re able to pay for your insurance annually, then you should always do this. Paying monthly by direct debit can add extra costs to your insurance premium.

If you’re able to pay for your insurance annually, then you should always do this. Paying monthly by direct debit can add extra costs to your insurance premium. Consider Investing in Green Vehicles – There are many types of green vehicles available now and investing in them for your business could help you save on courier insurance. Eco-friendly vehicles are not only great for the environment, but they can be great for your pocket too!

Courier Insurance FAQ’s

If I already have motor insurance why do I need courier insurance?

As you are carrying goods for “Hire and Reward”, courier insurance is different to normal motor insurance so requires a specialist policy to cover this

Can I use my own vehicle working for companies such as Amazon/Hermes?

Yes, the panel of specialist courier insurance providers offer this cover.

What types of vehicle can I use as a courier?

The choice is yours but many courier firms will use a small or mid-sized van up to 3.5 tonnes. The insurance panel can provide cover for any of these.

Can I use my car NCB on a courier policy?

Yes – Some of the panel of insurance providers will allow private car no claims bonus to be used on a courier policy .

Can I add a driver to my policy?

Yes, you are able to add additional drivers to your insurance policy at any time.

Can I insure my van in a company name?

Yes, you are able to insure your van in your company name and you can name drivers or take out an any driver policy.

Are tools covered whilst in my van?

Most Van Insurance doesn’t cover the tools inside your vehicle, however the insurance panel will usually let you add tool cover to your policy for an additional premium.

Get courier insurance quotes now

Now, you’re hopefully much more clued-up on the complexities of courier insurance. The next step is finding the cover that suits you and your particular needs.

Simply click the button below and find the courier insurance that will deliver the right goods for you!