Self Employed Courier Insurance

Compare Self Employed Courier Insurance

What is self-employed courier insurance?

Insurance for self-employed couriers is designed to protect these delivery drivers against claims if they accidentally cause an injury, death or property damage or loss whilst they carry out their business.

Is insurance mandatory for self-employed couriers?

Yes, as a self-employed courier you legally need this commercial ‘hire and reward’ insurance, because standard motor insurance won’t cover you while you’re driving as a courier.

Why is courier insurance important for self employed couriers?

Having self employed courier insurance is a legal requirement for self-employed delivery drivers in the UK so not having courier insurance could result in fines, legal action and even the loss of your licence.

How much does self employed courier insurance cost?

The cost of self-employed courier insurance varies depending on the insurer and the individual circumstances and coverage needs of the policyholder.

If only commercial vehicle insurance is required it costs less than insurance that includes goods in transit and public liability.

Your driving record affects the cost too, a history of accidents or traffic violations will cost more.

The cost varies on the type of vehicle insured, a larger, expensive vehicle costs more.

The area you operate in affects costs, high crime rates, high traffic congestion increase the likelihood of theft or an accident.

How do I get a self employed courier insurance quote?

To get Self employed courier insurance quotes use your business needs and budget to identify type and level of insurance cover needed.

Identify providers who offer that type and level of insurance then compare policies coverage and prices.

Request a quote from your chosen provider, providing information like: vehicles used, goods transported, area of operation and driving history.

What factors affect the cost of courier insurance for self employed couriers?

Self employed courier insurance cost is affected by the type and level of coverage required, for example a commercial vehicle insurance only policy is cheaper than a policy containing goods in transit and public liability insurance.

The type of vehicle used will affect the cost, a larger or expensive vehicle is more expensive.

The value of goods transported affects costs; high value goods will be more expensive to insure.

A driving history full of accidents or traffic violations is more expensive to insure.

If the business operation area has a high crime rate or lots of traffic congestion it will cost more.

The size of your business will impact the cost of the insurance.

The amount of the excess chosen affects the cost of insurance; a higher excess will cost less.

What are the requirements for courier insurance?

There are a few insurance requirements for couriers.

You are legally required to have commercial vehicle insurance that covers accidents, theft and damage to the vehicle.

Goods in transit insurance to cover goods being transported against theft, loss or damage.

Public liability insurance to cover accidental injury or damage to property.

How do I choose the right courier insurance policy if I’m self employed?

To determine your courier insurance self employed needs, consider factors like types of vehicles, value of goods transported.

Search insurance providers that offer self employed courier van insurance then compare policies, coverage and prices.

Identify insurance providers that provide insurance that meets your needs, compare prices.

Check that the add-ons or benefits are necessary or beneficial.

Carefully review terms and conditions to be sure you understand them.

What should I look for in a self employed courier insurance policy?

When looking for self employed courier insurance you should look for:

1. A policy that provides cover for your business’s specific risks and liabilities.
2. A policy that clearly states its limits of cover and excesses due in the event of a claim.
3. The exclusions like types of goods not covered or travel distance restrictions.
4. Policies with beneficial or necessary extras or add-ons like breakdown cover.
5. A clear and straightforward claims process with access to a 24/7 helpline.
6. An insurer with a good reputation for claims handling and customer service.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when choosing self employed courier insurance?

Common mistakes to avoid when choosing self employed courier insurance include:

1. Simply choosing the cheapest policy or not disclosing all relevant information.
2. Not reading the policy carefully and understanding terms and conditions, cover provided and exclusions or limitations.
3. Choosing a policy because of low premiums and ignoring higher excesses and lower limits of cover.
4. Not comparing policies from multiple insurers.

How do I make a claim on my self employed courier insurance policy?

If you need to make a claim on your self employed insurance policy you should:

1. Notify your insurer as soon as an accident or theft occurs
2. Provide all relevant information of the incident like date, time and location including witness statements or police reports.
3. Supply evidence like photographs of damage or proof of ownership for stolen goods
4. Cooperate by providing additional information requested timeously.
5. Pay your agreed excess as soon as requested.

After an investigation and if the claim is approved you can expect a payout for the claim amount minus the excess.

What should I do if I need to update my self employed courier insurance policy?

If you need to update your self employed courier insurance policy you should:

1. Review your policy checking all details that need changing.
2. Contact your insurer and inform them of the changes.
3. Provide any additional information that is requested.
4. Check the changes  to be sure they are correct, updates could result in an increased premium.

Policy updates should be done as soon as possible so that any claims made will not be rejected by your insurer.

What are the consequences of not having self employed courier insurance?

It is a criminal offence to not have self employed courier insurance in the UK, and can result in you receiving a fine of £5,000, or having points added on your driving licence, or being banned from driving.

Can I get self employed courier insurance if I have a history of claims?

It is possible to get self-employed courier insurance even if you have a history of claims, although it may affect your ability to get certain coverage and your premiums will definitely be higher than if you didn’t have the claims history.