When it comes to making a claim, you might be thinking of phone calls, emails, and complicated processes. For delivery drivers who rely on their vehicles for their livelihood, this can be a daunting and frustrating experience.
To support you through the process, we’ve created this simple guide on making a claim as a delivery driver.
Of course, we hope you’ll never have to make a claim, but in case you do, we’ll arm you with clear, step-by-step processes on what to do if you're involved in an accident or incident while covered.
Let’s get going.
What to Do Immediately After an Incident
The moments immediately following an incident are crucial. Your priority should always be your safety, followed by gathering essential information.
Ensure Safety
First and foremost, check for injuries to yourself, any passengers, or anyone else involved. If there are injuries or if the road is blocked, call emergency services immediately. Move to a safe location if possible and if your vehicle is drivable.
Don’t Admit Fault
It’s important not to admit fault at the scene of the accident, even if you think you’re responsible. This could complicate your insurance claim later on.
Gather Information
Collect as much detail as you can while at the scene. This information will not only be vital when reporting your claim, but can also help the process go much quicker.
- People’s details
Details of other people involved - drivers, pedestrians etc. If you can, get their contact details (phone number, email), vehicle registration number, and insurance provider of anyone else involved. - Passenger Count
Note the number of passengers in your vehicle and any other vehicles involved. - Witness Information
If there are any witnesses, get their full names and contact details. Their information could be invaluable. - Incident Details
Document the date, time, and location of the incident. Describe what happened, including damage to vehicles, property, or any reported injuries. - Emergency Services
If the police or other emergency services attended, get the name and number of any officers, along with any incident or reference numbers.
Collecting Evidence
- Photos: Take clear photos of all vehicles involved, including their number plates, the extent of the damage, and the overall scene. If safe, you can also photograph any road signs, traffic signals, and road conditions that could be relevant.
- Damage to your vehicle: Take images during the daylight, including all four corners of vehicle with whole vehicle in view. Take one of your dashboard clocks showing the mileage while the engine is running, a front image of the interior and dashboard with the driver’s door open showing us the specification level and the same showing the rear interior. Plus one image of the entire damage from afar, and another image of the damage close up and in as much detail as possible.
- Dashcam Footage: If you have a dashcam, ensure the footage is saved immediately. This can provide further evidence of the incident.
Reporting Your Claim to INSHUR
It is critical to report any incident to INSHUR as soon as possible. Delaying your report beyond 24 hours could result in a higher policy excess.
Report your claim as soon as possible. The sooner you report, the smoother the claims process tends to be.
Report a claim by calling us or by emailing UK Claims
What happens after I make a claim?
Once you’ve made a claim, a member of our Claims team will contact you to ask whether you’re looking to claim for damages. If you are, you’ll be advised of any excess and how the repairs or total loss process will progress.
You’ll then be given a claims reference number (keep this handy as you’ll be asked for it when you call or email us). At this point, you’ll be asked to provide any evidence you’ve collected ie photos, videos.
Next, you’ll be assigned a Claims Handler. They’ll give you a call to introduce themselves and to get any extra information they might need. This is why it’s important to submit as much evidence as you can to make the claims process quicker.
Once the handler is satisfied they have the information they need, they’ll begin making the decision regarding who is liable, based on the information you’ve provided. The outcome will be communicated to you as soon as possible, along with relevant milestones as the case progresses.
If you have another insurer, we will need to know what the purpose of the coverage is for. Under the terms of that policy, they could be partially, or sometimes fully, responsible for the cost of the claim.
What happens if I’m found to be at fault?
If you’re at fault, a claims handler will let you know as soon as possible. Next, they’ll review the affected parties' claims costs and pay what we’re liable for. A letter will be sent to you, explaining that we’ll assess the claim made against the policy and will deal with it on your behalf. We’ll advise you further if we feel that we should deal with the other person's claim. We’ll also advise of the fault decision. Remember, providing as much information as possible when you make your claim will help us challenge the third party if they have a different version of events.
What happens if I’m not at fault?
If you’re found not to be at fault, you’ll be notified as soon as possible, and our recovery team will look to recover monies from the third-party insurer. Notifying us as soon as possible, even if the claim is small, will help us get your claim sorted and recover any costs from the other party’s insurers.
How do I make a claim as an Amazon Flex delivery partner?
The process is the same as previously explained: call us or email us.
However, we will need evidence of your existing Social, Domestic & Pleasure cover for your vehicle, as well as proof that the vehicle was being used for the purpose of delivering parcels for Amazon Flex through Block data from your logged shifts.
Getting Updates and Support
Our claims team is here to support you through the process. For any questions about an ongoing claim or to receive updates on its progress, INSHUR has a dedicated team of claims specialists ready to assist you.
- Email: You can reach our claims specialists by emailing ukclaims@inshur.com.
- Phone: Alternatively, call us to discuss your claim directly. Call 0808 164 6545 with your claim reference number to hand. Opening hours are 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
Key Takeaways for New and Existing Drivers
- For New Drivers: Familiarise yourself with these steps before you start your first shift. Knowing what to do in advance can reduce stress during an actual incident.
- For Existing Customers: Even if you've been driving for years, refreshing your memory on these steps is beneficial. Remember the importance of prompt reporting to avoid higher excesses and ensure a swift resolution. Keep INSHUR's claims contact details easily accessible.
By following this guide, delivery drivers can confidently navigate the claims process, ensuring that any disruption to their livelihood is minimised.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a claim?
Report any claim, accident or loss as soon as possible.
Email us at ukclaims@inshur.com, or call our claims team on 0808 164 6545 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
How long will my claim take to resolve?
Every claim is different, so it’s difficult to put an exact timeframe on how long a claim will take to resolve. However, we strive to make your experience as simple and stress-free as possible.
You can help us move things along by providing as much information as possible at the start of your claim.
Why should I report my claim within 24 hours?
If you, or any named drivers register your claim more than 24 hours after an incident, you will be liable for an additional Excess of £500. Reporting within 24 hours allows us to review your case as quickly as possible to get the best outcome for you.