Couriers are in high demand today and many individuals are moving into the profession to profit from this growing market. While this is beneficial both for couriers and the businesses that rely on them, it’s essential that all self-employed couriers are covered by effective courier insurance.
Are you thinking of becoming a self-employed courier?
It is an undeniable fact that the UK needs more couriers. In recent years, the road and transport sector in general has been faced with a lack of drivers to support many of the nation’s businesses that rely on regular courier services for their operations.
Among the emerging trends of our generation is the dominance of e-commerce businesses, along with the evolution of traditional supermarkets and large retailers into fully-integrated online market places, delivering products directly to customers’ doors.
Despite a recent slowdown in non-essential online purchases, reports from the British Retail Consortium indicate that online sales have grown strongly over the last 10 years.
This has greatly increased the demand for couriers, placing significant strain on services that rely on a regular supply of them. Within this context, many drivers are choosing to make the most of this high demand and profit from the sector by becoming self-employed.
While this is all well and good, it’s surprising how many self-employed couriers on the road today are not actually covered for their operations. If you’re a self-employed courier, it’s important that you ensure you’re completely covered for all your business activities!
So read on to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need to protect your business, your vehicle and yourself from claims.
What is courier insurance?
“Courier insurance will protect you, your vehicle, your reputation and your business in the event of an incident occurring during your operations.”
As a self-employed courier, you are essentially a small business. All businesses need effective coverage to protect themselves against unfortunate eventualities, and ensure that a constant revenue stream is maintained.
To carry out courier work, you will first need a vehicle – and this is the first thing that you’ll need to think about insurance for. Cover for your van is on the same basis as any vehicle, with third-party, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive insurance available. Third party is the minimum legal requirement, covering damage to another vehicle, person, animal or property, whereas fully comprehensive insurance also covers your own vehicle. If you’re looking to keep costs down, you might want to think about increasing the excess you pay in the event of a claim, to keep your insurance premium lower.
However, it’s not just your vehicle that needs insurance. There are many different insurances available for couriers and choosing the right options depends on your circumstances. While certain delivery jobs like delivering newspapers may come with lower risk, other jobs may leave you responsible for high value goods or sensitive documents, and you need to make sure you have the right cover in place for the deliveries you make, too.
It’s important that you pay for the insurance that best applies to your circumstances.
Why do you need courier insurance in the first place?
“If you are not effectively covered then you many end up paying the cost of incomplete deliveries from your own pocket even if you are not at fault.”
The goods you transport could vary massively depending on the clients you service. For instance, you could handle mostly commercial and retail products, or perhaps medical supplies for hospitals. Ultimately you must purchase goods in transit cover that takes into account the type and value of the goods you are responsible for.
If you aren’t effectively covered, then you may end up paying the cost of incomplete deliveries from your own pocket, even if you’re not at fault.
This is a particular risk in the case of larger jobs which might form a crucial part of your weekly business operations and revenue. A setback from a job of some scale could set your business back considerably.
With increasing demand for couriers, the industry is also at risk of becoming overworked. This may allow you to charge higher costs for your services, but it also means that more pressure will be placed on you to adhere to tight delivery schedules.
As a result of this pressure, it is possible for a number of things to go wrong such as accidents or natural human error that could result in incomplete deliveries. There could be huge consequences in these situations for those individuals who aren’t covered with the right courier insurance or goods in transit insurance.
To find out more about courier insurance or goods in transit insurance, contact ChoiceQuote today on 01625 885 046 or get a goods in transit quote online.
Courier van and car insurance
“Your vehicle is essentially the lifeblood of your business. Protecting it from potential damage or theft should be a priority for self-employed couriers.”
Many drivers believe that insuring their car or van for business use under a private car policy will cover them for their courier operations. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
It is important that drivers choose the appropriate type of insurance for their specific courier operations, to ensure they are completely covered in the eventuality of an incident or an accident.
Your vehicle is essentially the lifeblood of your business. Protecting it from potential damage or theft should be a priority for self-employed couriers.
You will undoubtedly spend a substantial amount of time on the road and effective coverage will give you that added peace of mind that you and your business are covered if something happens.
Goods in transit insurance
“As a courier, it is important to remember that you are responsible for any loss, damage or theft of your client’s property while it is in your possession.”
As a courier, it is important to remember that you are responsible for any loss, damage or theft of your client’s property while it is in your possession. Effective goods in transit insurance will protect you against such losses.
As goods in transit insurance will dictate a limit on the maximum value per item as well as the maximum total value of your delivery load, it is important to make sure your insurance covers the types of goods you are transporting.
If you have ineffective cover, you may be liable to pay the remaining value of lost goods in the event of damage or loss.
If you are looking for comprehensive goods in transit insurance, contact ChoiceQuote today on 01625 885 046 or receive a free quote online.
Protect your business
“Effective coverage will protect your business and help you avoid any potential liability incurred from your operations as a self-employed courier.”
Whether you’re a self-employed courier for restaurants or a delivery courier for large retailers and online marketplaces, the need for effective cover is equally vital.
Becoming a courier may present fewer loopholes and regulations to navigate than other professions; however, there could be large consequences if you overlook the insurance aspect of your businesses. Taking out the right insurance will protect you and your operations and help you avoid any potential liability incurred from your operations as a self-employed courier.
From cost-effective goods in transit cover to courier car and van insurance, speak to ChoiceQuote about the best value courier insurance for you or check out our website and receive a quick courier insurance quote online.