Whether you’re delivering for Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, or multiple platforms at once, one thing stays the same: you need the right insurance before you start. Standard car insurance won’t cover you for food delivery work. Driving without the correct policy is against the law.
This guide explains exactly what food delivery insurance is, why it’s a legal requirement, what it covers, and how to get a quote that fits the way you work.
What is food delivery insurance?
Food delivery insurance is a specialist type of vehicle insurance designed for drivers and riders who deliver food professionally. It’s also commonly known as hire and reward insurance or carriage of goods insurance.
Your standard social, domestic and pleasure (SD&P) car insurance only covers personal journeys. The moment you start using your vehicle to earn money, whether that’s delivering a curry or a pizza, your personal insurance no longer applies.
Food delivery insurance fills that gap. It covers you during working hours, while still including cover for your everyday driving outside of work.
Is food delivery insurance a legal requirement?
The penalties for driving without the right insurance can be serious:
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A fixed penalty of up to £300 and six points on your licence
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If the case goes to court, fines can reach up to £5,000
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Six penalty points (an IN10 conviction), which stay on your licence for five years
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Your vehicle could be seized by the police
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In serious cases, you could be disqualified from driving
Delivery platforms, including Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat, also require you to hold valid hire and reward insurance as a condition of working with them. You’ll need to provide a copy of your insurance certificate to start delivering.
What does food delivery insurance cover?
INSHUR food delivery insurance comes in two levels: Third Party and Comprehensive. Both include hire and reward cover so you’re legally protected while delivering, as well as Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SD&P) cover for your everyday driving outside of work.
A note on policy excess: With Comprehensive cover, the standard policy excess is £350 for scooters and motorcycles, and £500 for cars and vans. An additional excess may apply if an incident is not reported within 24 hours, if you use a non-approved repairer, or if you are under 25.
Which delivery platforms are covered?
INSHUR food delivery insurance covers multiple delivery platforms under one policy. You don’t need a separate policy for each app you work with. Covered platforms include:
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Deliveroo
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Uber Eats
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Just Eat
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And many more
Simply provide your chosen delivery partner with a copy of your insurance certificate when signing up to deliver.
Can I also deliver parcels?
Yes. If you deliver parcels as well as food, INSHUR can include courier and parcel delivery cover within the same policy. Just let us know when completing your quote, and we’ll add it in. There’s no need to take out a separate policy.
What vehicles are covered?
INSHUR food delivery insurance covers a range of vehicles:
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Cars
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Vans
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Scooters
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Mopeds and motorcycles
Your vehicle must meet INSHUR’s minimum requirements, including its age and condition, the number of seats, and where it is kept when not in use. You can check the requirements when you get your quote.
How much does food delivery insurance cost?
The cost of food delivery insurance varies from person to person. INSHUR calculates your personalised price based on a number of individual factors, including:
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Your age and address
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The type of vehicle you use for deliveries
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Your driving history, including any claims, and your no claims discount (NCD)
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Your licence information
Because of this, the best way to find out your price is to get a quote directly. INSHUR quotes are available entirely online and take just a few minutes to complete.
Flexible policy options
INSHUR food delivery insurance is designed to fit the way you work. You can choose between:
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30-day policies: ideal if you’re new to delivery or want flexibility before committing to an annual policy
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Annual policies: convenient if you deliver regularly throughout the year
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Monthly payment options: spread the cost if you’d prefer not to pay upfront
With a 30-day policy, you can renew month by month and switch to an annual policy whenever it suits you.
Who can get INSHUR food delivery insurance?
To be eligible for INSHUR food delivery insurance, you must be aged 23 or over. Your vehicle must also meet the minimum vehicle requirements, which you can review when completing your online quote.
An optional no claims discount (NCD) protection is available for drivers with four or more years of NCD.
How to get food delivery insurance with INSHUR
Getting covered with INSHUR takes just a few minutes. The entire process is online:
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Sign up and create your account
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Answer the questions about yourself, your vehicle, and your delivery work
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Choose your level of cover and payment terms
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Receive your quote instantly and get covered straight away
You can also manage your policy, access your documents, and make a claim through the INSHUR online dashboard at any time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need insurance to deliver for Uber Eats?
Yes. To deliver for Uber Eats, or any other food delivery platform, you need hire and reward insurance. Standard car insurance does not cover delivery work. INSHUR food delivery insurance covers Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, and more under one policy.
Can I use my own vehicle for food delivery?
Yes, you can use your own car, van, scooter, or moped, provided it meets INSHUR’s minimum vehicle requirements. These include the age and condition of the vehicle, number of seats, and where it’s kept overnight.
Does food delivery insurance cover my everyday driving?
Yes. INSHUR food delivery insurance includes Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SD&P) cover as standard. This means you’re covered for your personal journeys as well as your delivery work, so you can use your vehicle normally outside of working hours.
Can I deliver for multiple platforms on one policy?
Yes. INSHUR food delivery insurance is multi-platform, meaning one policy covers you across multiple delivery apps. You don’t need a separate policy for each platform you work with.
What if I also deliver parcels?
If you deliver parcels as well as food, INSHUR can add courier and parcel delivery cover to your policy. Simply mention this when completing your quote.
Is INSHUR regulated?
Yes. INSHUR is a trading name of Inshur UK Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). FCA firm reference number: 916800.
Sources
Road Traffic Act 1988 (legislation.gov.uk)
INSHUR policies (inshur.com/en-gb)
Motor Insurers’ Bureau / Motor Insurance Database (mib.org.uk)
