If you earn money using your vehicle, whether you’re delivering food, dropping off parcels or driving passengers, you need hire and reward insurance. Standard car insurance won’t cover you for this kind of work, and getting behind the wheel without the right policy is against the law.
This guide covers everything you need to know about hire and reward insurance in 2026: what it is, who needs it, what it covers, how it differs from standard car insurance, and how to get the right policy for your work.
What is hire and reward insurance?
Hire and reward insurance is a type of commercial vehicle insurance that covers you when you use your vehicle to transport passengers or goods in exchange for payment. It’s the use class required by law under the Road Traffic Act 1988 for any driver earning money from their vehicle.
It’s sometimes referred to as:
- H&R insurance
- Carriage of goods insurance (when carrying goods or parcels)
- Commercial vehicle insurance
- Courier insurance
Who needs hire and reward insurance?
You need hire and reward insurance if you use your vehicle to earn money in any of the following ways:
- Food delivery: working for apps like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat
- Parcel and courier delivery: working for companies like Amazon Flex, Evri, or DPD
- Private hire: driving passengers with apps like Uber or Bolt
- Taxi driving: including licensed hackney carriages
- Any other paid transportation of goods or passengers
This applies whether you work full-time, part-time, or occasionally. Even a single delivery without the correct insurance means you are technically driving uninsured.
Is hire and reward insurance a legal requirement?
Yes! Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is a criminal offence to drive without insurance that covers the use you’re making of your vehicle. If you’re being paid to transport goods or passengers, your standard car insurance policy will not meet this legal requirement.
The penalties for driving without the correct insurance include:
- A fixed penalty of up to £300 and six points on your driving licence
- If the case goes to court: fines of up to £5,000
- Six penalty points, recorded as an IN10 conviction, which stays on your licence for five years
- Your vehicle could be seized by the police
- In serious cases, disqualification from driving
Delivery platforms also require hire and reward insurance as a condition of signing up. Before you can start delivering, you’ll need to provide a copy of your insurance certificate to the platform.
Hire and reward insurance vs standard car insurance
Many new delivery drivers assume their existing car insurance covers them for work. It doesn’t. Here’s how the two compare:
Personal driving (SD&P)
Standard car insurance
✓ Covered
Hire & reward insurance
✓ Covered
Delivering food for payment
Standard car insurance
✗ Not covered
Hire & reward insurance
✓ Covered
Carrying passengers for payment
Standard car insurance
✗ Not covered
Hire & reward insurance
✓ Covered (private hire)
Courier/parcel delivery
Standard car insurance
✗ Not covered
Hire & reward insurance
✓ Covered (courier)
Legal requirement for gig work
Standard car insurance
✗ Does not satisfy
Hire & reward insurance
✓ Satisfies requirement
Even a comprehensive car insurance policy with business use added will not cover you for hire and reward work unless hire and reward is specifically declared on the policy.
Types of hire and reward insurance from INSHUR
INSHUR offers five hire and reward insurance policies, each designed for a specific type of gig economy work:
Policy type
Best for
Key features
Uber drivers
Personalised quote based on driving score & Uber Pro status. Private hire work for other platforms and fast-food cover are included.
Private hire & taxi drivers
Covers a range of private hire platforms. Additional coverage for EVs and plug-in hybrids. Fast food delivery included.
Amazon Flex drivers
Pay only for the hours you drive. Includes 15 minutes of travel to/from Amazon pick-up locations.
Couriers & parcel delivery
Works with a car, van, moped, or motorbike. Covers multiple companies. Fast food can be included.
Food delivery drivers
Covers Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats & Amazon Fresh. Parcel delivery can be included.
Each policy is available on a 30-day or annual basis, with monthly payment options available. Most INSHUR policies let you work across multiple apps and services under one policy, so you’re not locked into a single platform.
Which platforms are covered?
INSHUR hire and reward insurance covers a wide range of gig economy platforms, including:
- Uber
- Bolt
- Amazon Flex
- Deliveroo
- Uber Eats
- Just Eat
- Whoosh
- And many more
Coverage can typically span multiple platforms, so you’re not locked into working for just one app.
What does hire and reward insurance cover?
The exact cover included depends on the level of policy you choose, either Third Party or Comprehensive. As a general guide:
Both Third Party and Comprehensive include:
- Hire and reward cover (legal protection for paid transport work)
- Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SD&P) cover, so you’re covered for everyday driving outside of work
- Third-party liability
Comprehensive cover also includes:
- Accidental or malicious damage to your vehicle
- Fire, flood, theft, and vandalism
- Windscreen cover (cars and vans)
- Courtesy car where available (car and van policies)
How much does hire and reward insurance cost?
There is no single fixed price for hire and reward insurance. Your quote is calculated based on your individual circumstances, including:
- Your age and address
- The vehicle you use, including type, age, and condition
- Your driving history, including any previous claims and your no claims discount (NCD)
- The type of work you do and which platforms you use
- Your licence information
Because of this, the most reliable way to find out what you’ll pay is to get a personalised quote online. INSHUR quotes take just a few minutes and give you an instant price.
What to look for when choosing hire and reward insurance
When comparing hire and reward insurance providers, here are the key things to consider:
- Cover type: third party or comprehensive? Consider what level of protection you need if you’re involved in an accident.
- Platform compatibility: does the policy cover all the platforms you work with? Some policies restrict you to a single platform.
- Flexibility: can you choose between 30-day and annual policies? Is monthly payment available?
- SD&P cover: does the policy cover your everyday driving as well as your work? Most good policies include this as standard.
- Claims support: is 24/7 claims support available?
- Regulation: is the insurer authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)?
It’s also worth checking review platforms such as Trustpilot for real feedback from other gig economy drivers.
How to get hire and reward insurance with INSHUR
INSHUR is trusted by over one million on-demand drivers across the UK. Getting a quote is quick, simple, and entirely online:
- Choose the policy that matches your work (private hire, courier, food delivery, etc.)
- Create an account and enter your vehicle and driver details
- Choose your level of cover and payment terms
- Get your quote instantly and receive cover straight away
- Access your policy documents and manage your cover through the INSHUR online dashboard
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between hire and reward, and courier insurance?
Courier insurance is a type of hire and reward insurance specifically for drivers who deliver goods or parcels. Both terms describe commercial use cover for paid vehicle work. Hire and reward is the broader term that also covers passenger transport (such as private hire and taxis).
Can I use my personal car for hire and reward work?
Yes, provided your vehicle meets the insurer’s requirements. You’ll need hire and reward insurance in place before you start any paid delivery or passenger work. Your standard personal car insurance will not be sufficient.
Do I need a separate policy for each platform I work with?
No. INSHUR hire and reward insurance is designed to cover multiple platforms under one policy. You don’t need a separate policy for each app you deliver or drive for.
Is hire and reward insurance available on a 30-day basis?
Yes. INSHUR offers both 30-day and annual hire and reward insurance policies. A 30-day policy gives you flexibility if you’re new to delivery work or prefer to manage your cover month by month. You can switch to an annual policy at any time.
Does hire and reward insurance cover me when I’m not working?
Yes. INSHUR hire and reward policies include Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SD&P) cover as standard. This means you’re also covered for everyday personal driving when you’re not on a delivery or shift.
Is INSHUR authorised and 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 product pages and policy documentation (inshur.com)
Financial Conduct Authority (fca.org.uk)
Motor Insurers’ Bureau (mib.org.uk)
