Insurance you need as a courier driver: hire and reward and goods in transit
The two policies every self-employed courier driver must hold, what they cover, typical costs in the West Midlands, and the mistakes that leave drivers uninsured.
Ordinary van insurance does not cover carrying goods for payment. If you deliver for money on a social, domestic and pleasure or even a standard commercial policy, you're uninsured, and a claim will be refused. Here's what you actually need.
1. Hire and reward motor insurance
This is your vehicle policy with 'hire and reward' or 'carriage of goods for hire or reward' class of use. It covers the van, third parties and your liability on the road while you're being paid to carry goods. Expect £1,500–£3,500 a year for a van, depending on your age, record and postcode. Courier-specific insurers (and brokers who specialise in couriers) are usually cheaper than mainstream ones for this.
2. Goods in transit insurance
Covers the customer's goods while they're in your vehicle: theft, damage, loss. Our minimum for partner drivers is £10,000 per load, which matches our standard cover; £25,000 opens up higher-value work. Costs £250–£600 a year. Check the policy wording for overnight exclusions (goods left in a van overnight are often excluded unless garaged) and for excluded goods (cash, jewellery, electronics limits).
3. Public liability
Covers injury to people or damage to property while you're loading and unloading: a dropped pallet on a customer's floor, a trolley into a glass door. Often bundled with goods in transit for £50–£150 extra. Required by most B2B customers and by us.
Mistakes that leave drivers uninsured
- Declaring 'own goods' use to get a cheaper quote. The first claim ends the policy and often brings a fraud marker.
- Letting goods in transit lapse at renewal. We check expiry dates and suspend accounts automatically; customers' insurers check too.
- Carrying goods that are excluded by the policy (high-value electronics, cash) without telling anyone.
- Using a second vehicle that isn't on the policy.
Uploading your documents
During registration you upload the certificate or schedule for each policy with its expiry date. We verify them before approval, remind you 30 days before expiry, and the app blocks new jobs if a policy lapses. It protects you, the customer and us.
Prices quoted are our published rates at the time of writing, with no VAT added. Enter your postcodes for a fixed price today.