Courier van insurance for delivery drivers and couriers
Courier van insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
A better way to cover your courier van
Courier van insurance is essential if you use your van to deliver goods or parcels in exchange for payment. Whether you work independently, drive for a platform like Amazon Flex, Evri, or DPD, or run your own delivery operation, a standard van insurance policy won’t cover you, and driving without the right cover could invalidate your policy and leave you personally liable.
At insurd, we’re an FCA-regulated specialist insurance broker with over 50 years of experience. We work with a handpicked panel of leading UK insurers to arrange the right courier van cover for your needs, including hire and reward cover, goods in transit, and flexible policies for both full-time and part-time couriers.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock to keep your courier business running
Fairer prices for all
We compare the market to find you the right courier van deal for your needs.
World-class support
We’re here for you now and as your courier business needs change.
We understand that your courier van is your living and it’s vital that you stay on the road no matter what happens.
What does courier van insurance cover?
Accidental damage to your van
Covered for the costs of repairs
if your van is damaged in an accident*.
Other bad things that could happen
Damage by fire, storm or vandalism
are all covered as standard*.
Broken glass and windscreens
All the glass in your van is covered.
You won’t lose your No Claims Discount*.
If you injure someone
Your cover will pay for any damage to
property or injuries caused by you.
Theft
If your van is stolen, it’ll either be
replaced or you’ll be paid the market value.
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and the prevailing policy excess.
Power up your cover with a host of optional extras
Additional cover options that you can
tailor to your own needs, ensuring
complete peace of mind and keeping you
on the road whatever happens.
- Up to £1,500 excess protection: If you need to make a claim, your policy excess can be a significant unexpected cost. Excess protection covers that amount so you’re not out of pocket.
- Motor legal protection: Covers the legal costs of pursuing a claim against a third party if you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault. Includes compensation for personal injury, loss of earnings, and repair costs.
- RAC breakdown, rescue, and recovery: A van breakdown can bring your courier service to a standstill. Our RAC breakdown cover provides roadside assistance, recovery, and home start cover so you’re never left stranded.
- SmartFob key cover: SmartFob covers the cost of replacement keys and lock replacements if your keys are lost, stolen, or damaged.
What is courier van insurance?
Courier van insurance is a specialist policy for drivers who transport third-party goods in exchange for payment. It includes carriage of goods for hire and reward cover, a legal requirement for any driver being paid to make deliveries, which a standard van insurance policy does not include.
If you deliver for a platform such as Amazon Flex, Evri, DPD, Yodel, or Hermes, or run your own independent delivery operation, you need courier van insurance. The risks involved in courier work, including high daily mileage, multiple stops, and frequent loading and unloading, make it a specialist category that standard insurers won’t cover under a personal or business van policy.
Types of cover
Choosing the right level of cover is crucial. These are the main categories of use:
- Social: For personal use only. Covers leisure activities and private trips but does not include any business-related driving or commuting.
- Social and commuting: Covers personal use plus travel to and from a single permanent place of work. Does not cover using your van for business purposes beyond commuting.
- Own Goods: For drivers who carry their own tools, stock, or materials for work. This does not cover transporting goods belonging to other people and is not sufficient for courier or delivery work.
- Carriage of Goods for Hire and Reward: The correct cover for couriers and delivery drivers transporting third-party goods in exchange for payment. This is the level of cover you need if you work for any delivery platform or run your own courier service.
There are three main types of courier van insurance cover:
- Third Party: The legal minimum. Covers damage or injury to others but not your own van.
- Third Party, Fire and Theft: Adds protection against fire damage and theft of your van.
- Comprehensive: The highest level of cover, including accidental damage to your van even if you’re at fault. Strongly recommended for couriers given the high daily mileage and frequent stops involved.
Since couriers rely on their vans for work, having the right protection is vital. We offer flexible cover options to suit your needs, ensuring you can operate with peace of mind.
What you’ll need to compare the best courier van insurance prices
Our mission is to give you the best courier van insurance deal in the shortest possible time. But we’ll need some information from you to make sure we’re giving you an accurate price.
Your personal information (which is 100% secure)
Apart from the obvious reasons, we’ll need your name, address and date of birth to make sure you are who you say you are. Insurance application fraud is at its highest ever level and our background checks ensure everybody pays a fair price.
Your vehicle registration number and details
We’ll search DVLA and SMMT data to ensure we’ve got accurate information about your vehicle.
Details of any No Claims Bonus you’ve earned
If you’ve been insured as a van driver previously and are accident-free, the chances are you’ve got a No Claims Bonus (“NCB”). Your NCB will usually reduce your premium by 30-70%, so it’s important you know exactly how many years’ entitlement you have.
Full details of any additional drivers you want to drive your vehicle
You’ll need to provide the same information about any other drivers, and you should have their permission to do so before you get a quote.
How much does courier van insurance cost?
Several factors can influence the cost of a van insurance policy:
Usage and mileage
Couriers typically cover high annual mileage, which directly increases your premium. Accurate mileage declarations are essential, underestimating could invalidate your policy.
Value and type of van
Higher-value and larger vans cost more to repair or replace. Modified vans also attract higher premiums and any modifications must be declared accurately.
Goods in transit cover
If you carry high-value goods, adding goods in transit cover as an optional extra will affect your overall premium but ensures you’re fully protected if goods are lost or damaged during delivery.
Driving record
A clean record with a No Claims Bonus can reduce your premium by 30–70%. Previous claims, convictions, or motoring offences will increase costs.
Storage and security
Where your van is kept overnight and the security measures in place both affect your premium. Alarms, immobilisers, trackers, and secure overnight parking can all help reduce costs.
How to reduce your business van insurance premium
Beyond the factors above, there are several practical steps that can help reduce your courier van insurance costs.
- Build and protect your No Claims Bonus — Your NCB is your most effective long-term discount, reducing premiums by 30–70% over time. For couriers who rely on their van for income, NCB protection cover is a worthwhile investment that prevents a single claim from wiping out years of discount.
- Install a dashcam — Dashcams are particularly valuable for couriers given the high daily mileage and frequent stops involved. They provide clear evidence in the event of a disputed claim or staged accident — both of which are disproportionately common for delivery drivers — and many insurers now offer premium discounts for their use.
- Declare your mileage accurately — Courier premiums reflect actual usage. If you deliver part-time, make sure your declared delivery mileage accurately reflects that — overstating courier use when you don’t need to will increase your premium unnecessarily.
- Install Thatcham-approved security devices — Alarms, immobilisers, and GPS trackers reduce theft risk and can attract meaningful premium discounts. A tracker also significantly increases the chances of recovering a stolen van, which matters when your vehicle is your primary source of income.
- Store your van securely overnight — Parking in a locked garage or off the road reduces theft and vandalism risk. Removing any equipment or personal items from the van overnight reduces the incentive for break-ins.
- Pay annually — Monthly payments include finance interest. Paying your full annual premium upfront is one of the simplest ways to reduce your total cost — particularly worthwhile given courier van insurance tends to carry higher premiums than standard van cover.
Courier van insurance frequently asked questions
Do I need courier insurance for Amazon Flex, Evri or DPD?
Yes. If you’re delivering for any platform — including Amazon Flex, Evri, DPD, Yodel, or any other — you need courier van insurance with carriage of goods for hire and reward cover. Some platforms provide limited third-party liability cover while you’re actively on a delivery, but this does not protect your van or the goods in transit. A dedicated courier van insurance policy ensures you’re fully covered both on and off delivery.
What is the difference between courier van insurance and business van insurance?
Business van insurance with own goods cover is designed for tradespeople and business owners who carry their own tools, materials, or stock. Courier van insurance includes carriage of goods for hire and reward cover, which is specifically required for transporting third-party goods in exchange for payment. Using a business van policy for courier work would invalidate your cover. See our business van insurance page if you’re a tradesperson rather than a courier.
Do I need goods in transit insurance as well as courier van insurance?
Courier van insurance covers your van — it does not automatically cover the goods inside it. If goods are lost, stolen, or damaged during delivery, you would not be covered without a separate goods in transit policy. We can arrange both courier van insurance and goods in transit cover — speak to our team on 0345 222 6318 for a combined quote.
Can I get courier insurance if I only deliver part-time?
Yes. We can arrange courier van insurance for both full-time and part-time delivery drivers. If you deliver for a platform alongside other work, it’s essential that your van insurance includes hire and reward cover for every trip you’re making deliveries — even occasional or weekend work. A standard policy without this cover would be invalid for those journeys.
Am I covered if goods are damaged during a delivery?
Courier van insurance covers your van for accidental damage, theft, and fire — but not the goods being carried. To cover the goods themselves, you need a separate goods in transit policy. If goods are damaged or lost during delivery and you don’t have goods in transit cover, you would be personally liable to the platform or client for the value of those goods.
What is hire and reward cover and why do I need it?
Hire and reward cover is a legal requirement for anyone who is paid to transport goods or passengers. If you’re delivering parcels, food, or any other goods in exchange for payment, you’re operating on a hire and reward basis — and a standard van insurance policy will not cover you. Without hire and reward cover, any claim made while you’re on a delivery could be rejected in full, leaving you personally liable for any damage, injury, or loss. All our courier van insurance policies include hire and reward cover as standard.
Can I use my courier van insurance for personal use too?
Yes — courier van insurance covers both your commercial delivery work and personal use of your van. You don’t need a separate policy for each. When getting your quote, your personal use mileage and business delivery mileage will both be taken into account to make sure you’re accurately covered for everything you do with your van.
Do I need courier insurance if the platform I work for already insures me?
Yes — and this is one of the most important points for platform delivery drivers to understand. Platforms like Amazon Flex, Evri, and DPD may provide limited third-party liability cover while you’re actively on a delivery, but this cover is restricted — it doesn’t protect your van, it doesn’t cover you between deliveries, and it often has significant exclusions. A dedicated courier van insurance policy ensures your van is fully protected at all times, whether you’re on a delivery, travelling to a pick-up point, or using the van for personal trips.
Can I get courier insurance with points or convictions on my licence?
Possibly — it depends on the nature and number of any convictions. Some of our panel of insurers will consider courier drivers with points or convictions on their licence. Get in touch with our team on 0345 222 6318 and we’ll check what options are available to you.
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