Courier Insurance

Who needs courier insurance?

All couriers must have courier insurance by law. You are legally required to have appropriate cover against the risks you pose to other road users, their vehicles and property while working as a courier in the UK.

Running a courier service involves a unique set of risks, and that’s why a specialist business courier insurance policy is needed. Couriers spend all or most of the working day on the road, stopping and starting frequently, visiting many premises, delivering against the clock. That puts you at a higher risk of accidents than other drivers.

What is included in courier insurance?

Courier insurance is mainly for businesses with up to five vehicles. Standard courier insurance covers the courier driver, vehicle and some of the cargo.

Courier insurance offers the same three levels of protection as standard motor cover:

• Third-party only (TPO)
  • This is the minimum required by law and covers all third-party liabilities should an accident occur. This does not cover damage to your vehicle when an accident is your fault.
• Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT)
  • The next step up provides the same protection as TPO but includes fire and theft cover. This tends to be slightly more expensive than the previous protection.
• Comprehensive
  • This is the highest level of cover you can get and is the most popular. It has all the above protection but includes any accidental damage caused to your vehicle.

Different types of courier insurance include:

• Fleet insurance
  • This cover is likely to be more cost-effective if you run six or more vehicles, because it enables you to protect them all with a single policy.
• Goods in transit insurance
  • Goods in Transit insurance is essential in case of loss, damage or theft of goods or cargo. Many local authorities or businesses insist upon this cover before you work as a courier for them. ChoiceQuote can cover up to £50,000 of goods in transit on a single vehicle. Goods in transit cover is also available for courier fleets.
• Public liability insurance
  • Self-employed couriers are also wise to consider Public Liability Insurance. This offers essential protection in case of claims resulting from accidents involving members of the public – always a possibility when spending so much time on the road. 

What does courier insurance cost?

A courier van policy typically starts at £86.33 per month*.

The cost of goods in transit insurance depends on the level of cover you require. Minimum cover typically costs around £200 a year* – a small price to pay for the level of protection provided.

 *prices include insurance premium tax (IPT) and are correct as of January 2021.

Courier insurance quotes vary as widely as the kinds of business they cover. The policy we find for you will depend on many factors, including:

• the number and type of vehicles requiring insurance
• the age of the driver(s)
• the distances and locations covered.

While we want to keep your premiums down – helping you to maximise your earnings – we also want to ensure that you have the right protection. There is no benefit in having the cheapest insurance if it doesn’t cover you when you need it most.

All the more reason, then, to speak to our experts first.

Who can get courier insurance?

You can get a courier insurance policy if you meet the following criteria:

• You are aged between 25 and 75
• You hold a full driving licence
• You are a permanent UK resident

In some cases, we can provide cover for drivers with motoring convictions, claims and accidents, so it is always worth asking us for a courier insurance quote.

Get your courier insurance quote

Every courier business is different, which is why we recommend getting in touch with our experts and letting them tailor a policy quote and package to your business.

Working with carefully selected major insurers, we compare courier insurance policies to find the right policy for you. This includes making sure you are fully covered and not paying more than you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions