Compare Short-Term Courier Van Insurance

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Tip: Think about the type of goods you will be taking. Some items may need special insurance.

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Short-term courier van insurance is a temporary hire and reward insurance policy for delivery drivers who only need cover for a few days or weeks. It’s ideal for drivers working with Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Amazon Flex, or short courier contracts that don’t require a full annual van insurance policy.

It helps drivers stay insured for courier work, food delivery, or parcel jobs without committing to long contracts or paying for unused days.

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What Is Short-Term Courier Van Insurance?

Short-term courier van insurance is a temporary van insurance policy that allows you to carry parcels, food, or other goods for payment. It includes hire and reward insurance, which is a legal requirement for any paid delivery work.

Policies can last from one day up to thirty days, covering:

  • Parcel and same-day courier services
  • Fast food and grocery delivery
  • Gig-economy courier work and seasonal shifts

Once payment is made, the insurer adds your details to the Motor Insurance Database (MID) so your van is legally insured for courier services straight away.

Legal Requirements for UK Courier Drivers

All courier drivers in the UK must hold hire and reward cover under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and have their policy listed on the Motor Insurance Database.
Driving without suitable insurance can lead to:

  • Vehicle seizure by police
  • Fines and penalty points
  • Policy cancellation
  • Rejected claims

How Does Temporary Courier Van Insurance Work?

This type of van insurance charges for a short, fixed period of cover rather than a year. You choose the duration that suits your courier work:

  • Daily van insurance
  • Weekly van insurance
  • 14-day or monthly courier cover

When the period ends, the policy stops automatically. You can renew later without being tied into a contract.

How Does Temporary Courier Van Insurance Work

What Does Short-Term Courier Insurance Cover?

Most courier insurance policies include:

  • Hire and reward insurance – required for paid courier work
  • Accidental damage – repairs after a collision or impact
  • Third-party liability – injury or property damage to others
  • Comprehensive cover – damage to your own van as well
  • Legal expenses – optional add-on for claim disputes
  • Breakdown cover – roadside assistance and recovery options

Some insurers include transit insurance for goods you carry, though high-value loads usually need separate protection.

Compare courier insurance cover options

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What Is Goods in Transit Insurance?

Goods in transit insurance protects parcels, stock, or food items while being delivered. It pays out if goods are lost, damaged, or stolen during carriage.
Many short-term courier policies offer it as an optional add-on for extra peace of mind.

What’s Not Covered Under Short-Term Courier Insurance?

Not Covered Why It’s Excluded
Carriage of passengers Not classed as courier work
Hazardous or refrigerated goods Specialist licence required
Overseas deliveries UK-only cover applies
Undeclared fast-food delivery Must be declared at purchase
How Much Does Short-Term Courier Van Insurance Cost

How Much Does Short-Term Courier Van Insurance Cost?

Short-term courier insurance costs more per day than standard van cover but is cheaper overall for occasional use.

Period of Cover Typical Cost Range Notes
1 Day Courier Cover £25 – £60 For one-off delivery shifts
1 Week Courier Cover £120 – £250 For short-term contracts
1 Month Courier Cover £300 – £700 For seasonal drivers
Weekend Food Delivery Cover £50 – £90 Common for fast-food delivery

Prices vary by driving history, type of vehicle, and level of cover.

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Who Can Apply for Temporary Courier Insurance?

You can apply if you:

  • Are 21 to 75 with a full UK driving licence
  • Have no serious driving convictions
  • Drive a van with a valid MOT certificate
  • Use the van for courier services or food delivery
  • Can show proof of residence and current permanent address

Foreign licences and LPG conversions may need review by specialist providers.

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Which Types of Courier Work Are Covered?

Courier Type Covered by Temporary Courier Van Insurance?
Parcel Delivery (Amazon Flex, Evri, DPD) ✅ Yes
Food Delivery (Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat) ✅ Yes
Same-Day Local Courier Work ✅ Yes
Furniture or Large Item Delivery ⚠️ Sometimes
Carriage of Passengers ❌ No
Hazardous or Refrigerated Goods ❌ No

Always confirm your vehicle usage section before starting courier work.

What Factors Affect Temporary Courier Insurance Costs?

Insurance costs depend on:

  • Type of vehicle and engine size
  • Driving history and claims record
  • Type of courier work (food or parcels)
  • Period of cover
  • Valid MOT and roadworthiness
  • Vehicle modifications or signwriting

Even small differences, such as declaring fast food delivery, affect risk rating and final cost.

Documents Needed to Buy Temporary Courier Cover

Before activation, insurers normally ask for:

  • Driving licence
  • Proof of address or residence
  • Vehicle registration details
  • Valid MOT certificate
  • Proof of permission if van is borrowed
  • Evidence of self-employment (for courier work)
  • Proof of no outstanding finance on the vehicle

These checks ensure the policy appears correctly on the Motor Insurance Database.

Documents Needed to Buy Temporary Courier Cover

What Happens in the Event of a Claim?

If you need to claim, the insurer will check:

  • That hire and reward was declared
  • The policy was active for that time period
  • The correct type of insurance was chosen
  • Details of the delivery and vehicle usage

Valid claims are settled under the chosen insurance coverage (third party, fire and theft, or comprehensive insurance).
Claims handling follows Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and UK motor insurance standards.

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Optional Extras for Courier Drivers

  • Breakdown cover and roadside assistance
  • Legal expenses cover
  • Personal belongings protection
  • Courtesy van hire
  • Windscreen replacement

These options give drivers extra peace of mind, especially for long-distance or night routes.

When Is Temporary Courier Insurance Worth It?

It’s worth considering if you:

  • Deliver food or parcels part-time
  • Need cover between annual policies
  • Use a borrowed or rented van for courier work
  • Drive seasonally in the gig economy

Drivers who deliver full-time usually save more with annual courier van insurance because they build up a longer claims history.

How Does Short-Term Courier Insurance Compare With Annual Courier Insurance?

Short-term and annual courier policies both include hire and reward cover, but they serve different purposes.

Feature Temporary Courier Van Insurance Annual Courier Policy
Time period Days to weeks Full year
Upfront cost Lower Higher
Flexibility High Low
Insurance costs Higher per day Lower per year
Best for Short contracts or gig work Full-time couriers

Drivers working year-round often benefit from an annual policy that builds a consistent claims bonus, while short-term cover offers quick, flexible protection for occasional work.

Compare short-term and annual courier insurance

What Tools Can Couriers Use to Manage Costs?

Before choosing a courier policy, it’s worth checking the tools that can help you manage costs and compare essential services.

Use the van insurance calculator to estimate your running and insurance costs based on driving habits, mileage, and vehicle type. This helps you understand how short-term courier insurance compares with standard van cover.

If you drive an electric or hybrid delivery van, you can also compare energy prices to find cheaper electricity rates for charging. Lower energy costs can make a noticeable difference for full-time or fleet courier drivers.

FAQs About Short-Term Courier Van Insurance

Most policies start within minutes once payment and checks are complete.

Not always. You must declare food delivery when buying cover.

Some insurers offer short-term car insurance with hire and reward, but most restrict courier work to vans.

Yes. It’s uploaded to the MID like any other motor insurance policy.

Some do, but it’s often an optional extra for high-value goods.

No. Short-term policies cover a fixed period in advance.

Yes. A clean driving record lowers the risk rating and reduces cost.

It’s illegal and invalidates your policy. You must have hire and reward cover.

Yes. Many insurers let you add breakdown cover or roadside assistance.

Yes, provided the hire company allows courier use and you’re named as the insured driver.

Yes. Most insurers issue documents instantly and update the MID shortly after payment.

You can get a quote online by entering your driving licence details, van registration, type of courier work and delivery area. The insurer then confirms your eligibility and gives an exact price for the chosen time period before activating cover on the Motor Insurance Database.

Yes. Some UK insurers offer pay-as-you-go courier insurance, where you only pay for the hours or miles driven. It’s ideal for part-time or gig-economy drivers who want short, flexible hire and reward cover instead of a fixed-term policy.

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Page last updated on: 17/12/2025

Page reviewed by: Tim Bailey

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