Choosing the right insurance: Motorbike delivery driving

For those working in courier or food delivery, there’s a lot to think about – insurance can sometimes feel like one more thing to sort. Here we explain why having specialist courier insurance is important and, if you’re a motorbike or moped driver, why your standard vehicle insurance may not be enough.

As well as looking at why the different types of policies exist, we’ll explain some of the terms to watch out for when shopping around for a policy, and the things that couriers and food delivery workers need to think about.

Why can’t I rely on normal motorbike insurance?

The first thing to say here is insurance is all about risk. From an insurance company’s point of view, it comes down to how much something is being used – the more it’s used, the more likely it is that it will break or go wrong. That applies whatever it is that’s being insured.

Some insurers choose not to cover people who use their motorbikes in courier or food delivery work because of the higher risk involved, and because they’re out on the road a lot more.

Driving around on motorbikes and mopeds can also mean more risk because of all the stop-starting you have to do. If a certain route or driving in a certain area means a lot of stop-starting, there can be the potential for the mind to wander – looking at your route on your phone for example, or adjusting your music. There is the added risk that drivers may lose their concentration, which is why some companies choose not to provide insurance to people working in courier or food delivery jobs.

At INSHUR, we understand that the risk is higher, but we also know you need insurance too, which is why we have developed flexible insurance options for the way you work.

It’s also worth mentioning that standard insurance policies for motorbikes and other vehicles will usually say you’re covered for ‘social, domestic and pleasure’ use. This relates to normal day-to-day driving. Using your vehicle as a business is likely to fall outside of the standard insurance terms, so you may not be covered in the event of an accident or breakdown.

Click here to read more about our motorcycle insurance.

Things to think about

Carriage of goods for hire and reward

This is the exact term you need to look out for, particularly when it comes to courier insurance. It applies whether you have a van or motorbike, and means you’ll be covered for the work you do.

Service and claims

Hopefully, you never have to make a claim on your insurance. But if something does go wrong, you want to make sure you’re in a safe pair of hands.

Have a look at reviews and what other drivers are saying. For example, if you call to make a claim, how quickly will the phone be answered? How easy is it to apply? Does the insurer seem helpful or difficult to deal with? These are all good questions to ask.

Ultimately, you want to feel that if something does happen, the process to put things right is as smooth and simple as possible. That way, you can get back out on the road and get earning again as quickly as possible. INSHUR drivers rate our service 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot for example.

At INSHUR, we want to help our drivers get the cover they need. To check out our insurance options, visit INSHUR today.