Courier insurance: Insurance that keeps the parcels moving.

Hire-and-reward cover for couriers and delivery drivers, from brokers who know the difference. Start with the reg.

Hire and reward as standard
Self-employed and multi-drop
No obligation

Start with your reg

What courier insurance can cover

Courier work needs hire-and-reward cover, not ordinary van insurance. The brokers we work with arrange exactly that.

Hire and reward
Multi-drop and same-day
Amazon Flex, Evri, DPD and similar
Goods in transit
Public liability
Any-driver policies
Fleet options

How it works

Start with the reg. We look up the van from the plate, so there's less to type.
We match you with specialists. Your details go to UK brokers who arrange this kind of cover every day.
They call you with quotes. Compare what comes back, ask questions, and only go ahead if it's right.

Do I need hire and reward insurance for courier work?

Yes. If you are paid to carry other people's goods, you need a policy that covers hire and reward. Ordinary van insurance for personal use or for carrying your own goods does not cover courier work. If you drive with the wrong class of use, your insurer can refuse a claim and you may be treated as uninsured.

The law says any vehicle used on a public road must have at least third-party cover under the Road Traffic Act. Courier insurance is van insurance with the right class of use for delivery work, so it meets that legal minimum and matches what you actually do.

Driving without valid insurance is a criminal offence. It can mean points on your licence, a fine, a possible ban and the vehicle being seized.

What is the difference between hire and reward and carriage of own goods?

Carriage of own goods covers you for carrying your own tools, materials or stock for your own business. Hire and reward covers you for carrying goods that belong to someone else in return for payment. Couriers, parcel drivers and multi-drop delivery drivers need hire and reward.

Class of use	Who it suits	Covers paid parcel delivery?
Social, domestic and pleasure	Personal use only	No
Carriage of own goods	Tradespeople carrying their own kit or stock	No
Hire and reward	Couriers and delivery drivers	Yes
Haulage	Longer-distance contract work, often bigger vehicles	Ask the broker

What does courier insurance usually cover?

The van policy itself covers your legal liability to other people and, depending on the level you choose, fire, theft and damage to your own van. Cover for the parcels you carry and for injury or damage you cause while delivering are usually separate policies, so check what you have.

Goods in transit and public liability are not legal requirements for a self-employed courier, but many delivery firms and contracts ask to see them before you start. Check your contract.

Van cover: third party only, third party fire and theft, or comprehensive, with hire and reward use.
Goods in transit: covers the goods you carry against loss, theft or damage, up to a limit you choose.
Public liability: covers claims if you injure someone or damage their property while working, for example on a customer's doorstep.
Employers' liability: a legal requirement for most employers, with a minimum of £5 million cover, if you take on staff.
Optional extras: breakdown cover, motor legal expenses, a replacement vehicle.

What does courier insurance not cover?

Exclusions depend on the insurer, but common ones include wear and tear, mechanical failure, theft when the van is left unlocked or with the keys in it, and use the policy wasn't set up for. Goods in transit often has its own conditions, such as limits on high-value items or goods left in the van overnight.

Goods that are excluded or limited, such as cash, jewellery or electronics above a set value.
Goods left in an unattended van that isn't locked, or left overnight without the right security.
Work outside your class of use, such as haulage on a hire and reward policy that doesn't include it.
Drivers who aren't named on the policy, unless it's an any-driver policy.

Is multi-drop courier insurance different from single-drop?

Yes. Multi-drop means many deliveries on one route, such as parcel rounds. Single-drop means one load taken from one place to another, such as a same-day or dedicated delivery. Insurers see the two differently, so tell the broker which you do, and roughly how many drops you make in a day.

Many couriers do a mix of both. That's fine, but say so. A policy set up for one type of work may not cover the other.

Am I covered by the delivery platform I work for?

It depends on the platform and your agreement with them. Some platforms arrange cover that only applies while you are logged in or on a delivery, and some expect you to have your own. Read your own terms carefully, and make sure you are covered for any time the platform's cover doesn't apply.

If you work for more than one platform or firm, tell the broker. They can quote a policy that covers all your courier work, not just one contract.

What affects the price of courier insurance?

Insurers price on how likely a claim is and how much it might cost. For couriers, the main factors are the van, the type of delivery work, how many miles and drops you do, where the van is kept, the drivers on the policy, and your claims and convictions history.

The van: make, model, value, size and any modifications.
The work: multi-drop or single-drop, and what kind of goods you carry.
Mileage: courier work often means high mileage, so give a realistic figure.
Where the van is kept overnight and your postcode.
The drivers: ages, licence history and how many are named.
Claims and motoring convictions, usually over the last five years.
Security, no-claims bonus, voluntary excess and how you pay.

How can I bring down the cost of courier insurance?

Start with accurate details, then look at what you control. Good security, off-road parking overnight, keeping the driver list short and choosing a sensible excess can all help. Set goods in transit at a limit that fits what you really carry. A broker can quote a few options so you can compare.

Fit approved security such as deadlocks, an alarm or a tracker, and tell the insurer.
Park on a drive or in a garage overnight if you can.
Only name drivers who really drive the van.
Choose a goods in transit limit that matches your typical load.
Consider a higher voluntary excess, but only one you could afford if you claim.
Pay annually if you can. Paying monthly is often a credit agreement and can cost more overall.
Build and protect your no-claims bonus.

What do I need to get a courier insurance quote?

Have the van's registration and your driving licence details ready. The broker will ask what delivery work you do, who you work for, your rough annual mileage, where the van is kept overnight and about any claims or convictions. If you need goods in transit or public liability, know the limits your contract asks for.

Registration number, or make, model and year.
Driving licence details for you and any other drivers.
The type of work: multi-drop, single-drop, same-day or a mix.
Any limits your contract sets for goods in transit or public liability.
Claims and convictions, usually for the last five years.
Your no-claims bonus and when you want cover to start.

Courier insurance questions

What happens after I submit?

Your details go to specialist brokers who deal with courier insurance every day. One of them will call you to run through your options and quotes.

Is there any obligation?

None. You can take a quote, ask for changes, or walk away. Nothing is bought until you say so.

Who are the brokers?

UK-based insurance brokers authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Kompare Limited (FCA reference 794660) is an appointed representative of Rainbow Connected Limited (FRN 749881).

How long does it take?

The form takes about two minutes. Brokers usually call back during working hours.

What if I don't know the reg?

Tap "Don't know your reg?" under the plate and tell us the make, model and year instead.

I deliver food in a car. Is that covered here?

This page is for van couriers. Fast-food delivery in a car is a different policy and isn't quoted through this form.

Do I need courier insurance if I only deliver part-time?

Yes. If you are paid to carry other people's goods, even for a few hours a week, you need hire and reward cover for that time. Tell the broker how often you do it.

Is goods in transit insurance a legal requirement?

No, it isn't required by law. Many delivery firms and contracts ask for it, though, so check what your contract says before you start.

Can I use my own car for courier work?

Only with the right cover. A car used to deliver goods for payment needs hire and reward use, just like a van. This form is for van couriers, so tell the broker if your situation is different.

Does courier insurance cover me if I hire someone to help?

Not automatically. If you employ anyone, even part-time, employers' liability is usually a legal requirement. Anyone driving the van also needs to be covered on the policy.

Can I switch my van insurance to courier cover mid-policy?

Often you can change your class of use with your current insurer, which may change the price. Don't start courier work until the change is confirmed in writing.

Will one courier policy cover work for several firms?

It can. Tell the broker every firm or platform you deliver for, so the policy covers all of your courier work.

Written and checked by the Kompare team · Last updated October 2026

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