Compare Courier Insurance
From delivering parcels to transporting medical supplies, compare courier insurance quotes from leading UK insurance providers.
- One short quote form
- Suitable for all types of courier
- Rated 4.8/5 - 97% Recommend Us
How comparing works
Courier insurance is a collection of covers in one policy, so talking your requirements through with specialist insurers on a panel is the simplest way to find the correct cover.Compare Prices In 3 Steps
Complete the form
Provide details about you & your vehicle
Compare prices
Receive quotes from trusted providers
Purchase cover
Purchase cover from your preferred provider
What is courier insurance?
Courier insurance is a form of hire and reward insurance. It is a specialist commercial policy that protects people who make multiple deliveries each day. It typically covers three areas: your vehicle, your liability and the goods you are transporting.
A standard van or car insurance policy will usually not permit the vehicle to be used for courier work. Courier work involves a lot of miles, frequent stopping and starting, driving in populated areas and tight deadlines, all of which increase the risk of an accident. Using your vehicle for courier work without the correct insurance can invalidate your policy.
Courier insurance should not be confused with haulage insurance. Courier cover is for delivery drivers making multiple drop-offs per day, while haulage insurance is typically for lorries or drivers making one or two longer, pre-arranged deliveries per day.
How much does courier insurance cost?
There is no single price for courier insurance. The cost depends on the covers you include, the type of vehicle you use, your age, your no claims history, how you drive, where your vehicle is parked overnight and whether you pay annually or monthly.
Age is an important factor. A number of insurers will not cover drivers under 25, although the panel does include insurers able to offer cover to drivers aged 17 or older. Paying monthly is normally more expensive than paying annually because of interest charges, and drivers with longer no claims periods are usually rewarded with cheaper premiums.
What does a courier insurance policy include?
Courier insurance is a package of covers. Some are a legal requirement, others are optional, and you can choose which to include when you speak to the insurers on the panel.
Motor insurance
As with standard van or car insurance, you can choose third party only (which covers damage to other people's property but not your own vehicle), third party, fire and theft (which adds protection if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire) or comprehensive (which covers third parties and your own vehicle in an accident).
Hire and reward insurance
Also known as class 3 business insurance, this is a legal requirement for anyone delivering goods in return for payment. It does not cover the items you are delivering. Taxi drivers and food delivery drivers also need it.
Goods in transit insurance
Protects the goods you are delivering if they are lost or damaged. It is not legally required, but some employers will insist you have it before you work with them.
Public liability insurance
Not a legal requirement, but it protects you if you damage property or injure a member of the public while at work, for example knocking a parked car with a package you are delivering.
Employers' liability insurance
If you run a courier business with employees, you are required by law to have employers' liability insurance in place.
How can I find cheaper courier insurance?
Whether you are a self-employed courier or run a courier business, these steps can help keep the cost of your cover down.
Compare quotes from several insurers
Comparing quotes from multiple specialist providers is one of the best ways to save money. Our form lets you do this in one place.
Opt for a black box
A telematics policy lets your insurer monitor your driving and usage. Safer drivers are rewarded with lower premiums.
Build up a no claims bonus
No claims bonuses on both your personal vehicle and your courier cover affect the price. Longer no claims periods usually mean cheaper premiums.
Avoid unwanted extras
Only include the covers you need. Check the policy wording carefully before you buy so you are not paying for add-ons you do not want.
Consider your overnight parking
If you can, park your vehicle off road overnight. This reduces the likelihood of vandalism or theft.
Pay annually
Paying your premium annually avoids the interest charges that normally apply if you pay monthly.
What details do I need to get a quote?
Have these to hand before you start.
Your vehicle
Whether you deliver by van, car, motorbike or bicycle, and whether you need cover for a single vehicle or a fleet.
Your courier work
Whether you are self-employed or run a courier business, and the kind of goods you deliver.
Your driving history
Your age and any no claims bonus you have built up.
The cover you need
The level of motor cover you want and any extras such as goods in transit or public liability.
Who do we work with?
The insurers on the panel cover a wide range of courier work.
- Van couriers: furniture removals, antiques, business goods, car parts, pallets, parcels, plant equipment, waste and more.
- Car couriers: Amazon deliveries, parcels, food deliveries, newspapers, medication, electrical equipment and more.
- Motorbike couriers: fast food apps such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo, takeaway restaurants, parcels, packages, newspapers and more.
- Bicycle couriers: fast food delivery apps such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo, takeaway restaurants, packages and more.
What optional extras can I add?
Some policies include these as standard while others charge for them, so it is worth keeping them in mind when deciding where to buy your cover.
- Breakdown cover: assistance if your vehicle breaks down.
- Windscreen cover: if your windscreen is damaged or needs replacing.
- No claims bonus protection: keeps your no claims bonus if you need to make a claim.
- Courtesy van or car: lets you carry on working while yours is repaired.
- Legal protection: cover for the cost of legal fees.
Ready to get courier insurance quotes?
One short form, then specialist insurers come back to you with tailored quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Is courier insurance a legal requirement?
Yes. If you deliver goods in return for payment you are legally required to have hire and reward cover, which is the basis of a courier insurance policy. Goods in transit and public liability cover are optional, but employers' liability insurance is required by law if you have employees.
Will standard van insurance cover my courier work?
No, most standard van policies will not cover courier work because it involves a different level of risk to normal van use. If your van insurer permits it, you may be able to take out a hire and reward policy alongside your standard van insurance.
Can I get courier insurance for a car?
Yes. The panel includes insurers who offer courier insurance for cars. A standard personal or business use car policy will often not allow you to use the car for courier work.
Is food delivery covered by courier insurance?
If you deliver food, for example for a food delivery app, you need hire and reward insurance. You can use the courier insurance form to search for this cover, or visit our food delivery insurance page for more information.
Can I arrange cover for multiple vehicles?
Yes. The service can be used by self-employed couriers with a single vehicle right through to businesses running a fleet of courier vehicles.
I'm under 25, can I buy courier insurance?
Age is an important factor in the risk of insuring a courier, so a number of insurers will not cover drivers under 25. However, the panel does include insurers able to offer cover to drivers aged 17 or older.
Can I pay monthly for courier insurance?
Yes. Most insurers allow monthly payments, although this is normally more expensive than paying annually for your cover.
Can I be covered for driving abroad?
This depends on your policy. If you need European cover, check with the insurers who contact you before you take out a policy.
Courier Insurance for your situation
Other pages that may fit your business, and guides on this topic.
Written by Michael Foote, Insurance & Finance Expert
Founder of Quote Goat, with over 20 years' experience in finance and insurance. He has appeared on TV and in Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro.
Get courier insurance quotes
Free and no obligation.
Quote Goat passes your details to a specialist courier insurance partner, who will contact you with quotes. This page is general information, not advice. Always check the policy documents to make sure the cover meets your needs.