Courier Fleet Insurance

Firstly, it’s a legal requirement for all vehicles to have motorcar insurance – whether for personal or commercial use – to legally drive on UK roads. If your courier business transports goods for a fee from A to B, you’ll generally need hire and reward or haulage insurance in place.

Secondly, you need courier fleet insurance if you manage a fleet of three or more vehicles.

Managing courier vehicles is hard enough as it is. Having courier motor insurance will take fleet vehicles off your plate and put them all under one fleet policy and one renewal date.

You’ll have a clear, manageable insurance plan with the benefit of adding the entire fleet under the same arrangement. If you have less than three vehicles, courier van insurance may be a better option.

Courier fleet insurance typically includes:

• Public liability cover – offers protection from third-party claims should someone (or their vehicle) be injured or damaged by one of your delivery vehicles. While this can be an optional add-on to your courier fleet insurance policy, it’s highly advised to include it.
• Employers’ liability cover – is compulsory for all courier businesses that employ more than one employee in the UK. It covers employee claims should they sustain injuries while on duty.

What’s covered?

A courier fleet insurance policy can also be a flexible option, for instance:

• Add/remove drivers and vehicles to your policy as needed
• Choose from seven days (i.e. temporary) to annual policies
• “Any driver” cover means any employee can drive your vehicle(s)
• Get cover for the transportation of hazardous goods
• Get cover for younger drivers (under the age of 25)
• Some insurance providers may cover drivers with motoring convictions

Are there any exclusions?

• Damages caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Damages caused by negligence (e.g. leaving the keys in the ignition and the vehicle is stolen)
• Uninsured drivers (i.e. unnamed drivers on your insurance policy)
• Uninsured goods in transit
• Electrical or mechanical failure
• General wear and tear of your fleet vehicles (e.g. tyres)

What kind of vehicles does courier fleet insurance cover?

Generally, any vehicle specifically used to transport and deliver goods will be covered by courier fleet insurance.

Fleet insurance covers vehicles, such as vans and lorries, used for delivery purposes only, not company cars used for personal use.

Depending on the insurance company, you may be able to cover different vehicles within your courier fleet policy – as long as you let them know which mode of transport is predominately used.

Other vehicles covered may include:

• Motorcycles
• Scooters
• HGVs
• Single- or double-cab vans

There are several optional extras you can add to your courier fleet van insurance policy, such as:

1. Public liability insurance – as mentioned, you can add this level of cover to your policy but it might be standard as part of fully comprehensive plans. This protects you against third-party claims (i.e. claims made by someone outside your business) should your driver or vehicle be involved in an accident.
2. Goods in transit cover – transported goods will be covered from theft, loss and damage. However, goods in transit insurance have different terms and conditions per provider, so it’s important to read all of these carefully before making a decision.
3. Telematics equipment cover – if you have a ‘black box’ device installed in your courier vehicles, you’ll want to add telematics insurance to your policy.
4. Windscreen cover – add this cover onto basic TPO and TPFT plans to repair or replace broken/damaged windscreens without you having to foot the bill.
5. Breakdown cover – if you break down and need recovery, this policy will cover that and may even replace lost keys. 
6. Courtesy van cover – don’t be left stranded when your courier vehicles are in for repairs; opt for a courtesy van to keep business operations running smoothly.
7. Legal expense cover – is handy to have, especially if someone is taking you to court; this will cover the fleet’s legal expenses. 
8. Claims discount cover – protect your no-claims bonus when claims are made.
9. EU cover – if you frequently deliver goods, parcels and packages across the UK border. EU courier cover ensures you, your drivers and delivery vans are legally compliant and covered within foreign regions.