With more and more consumers getting food delivered now, working as a food delivery person is a popular side job for those looking to earn some extra money. But buying food delivery driver insurance can be a daunting task. You may have been rejected for quotes by the largest UK providers – you’re not the only one, as many of the UK’s top car insurance providers won’t offer quotes to delivery drivers. Finding good insurance from a reputable insurer can be challenging, so here are the three best ways you can find good insurance. Which one works best for you will depend on your personal preferences.
Delivery Insurance at Comparison Sites
Firstly, while many regular car insurance comparison websites won’t offer you delivery insurance quotes from their partnered providers, there are websites out there you can use to compare prices from a few providers of delivery insurance. For example, consumer research site NimbleFins offers food delivery insurance comparison. A benefit of online comparison sites is that they might connect you with both insurers and brokers to provide a wider view of the market.
Keep in mind that you won’t get nearly as many quotes when looking for delivery insurance as you would with traditional car insurance. This makes comparing prices from multiple providers even more important, a task made easier by using a comparison search engine.
Brokers
Brokers are popular in the delivery insurance industry, as they can provide market expertise and a direct link to some of the UK’s top food delivery insurers. While they do charge a small fee for acting as a middleman, they also have access to great deals as a result of their unique relationship with insurers, so you may even find them cheaper than other alternatives. They’re great if you have any questions too – they know the market (and your fellow drivers) as well as anyone. Comparison sites will often connect you with both brokers and direct insurers.
Going Direct
Finally, if you know what it is you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to go directly to your insurer of choice. Cutting out third parties (aggregators, brokers) might allow you to secure the best deal possible, as many insurers save their best deals for customers who shop directly. However, some won’t work directly with customers and require you to go through a broker. Zego is also a popular option for buying top-up cover, although many personal car insurance providers do not permit their policyholders to work as a delivery driver and use top-up insurance.
Securing your quote shouldn’t be any more difficult than usual vehicle insurance. Your insurer will have several simple questions to ask you about your vehicle and driving history, such as your average annual mileage as a delivery driver and your vehicle model and make. Once you’ve answered them and the insurer has approved it, your insurance should be good to go.
It might be tempting to try and deliver without the appropriate insurance. Keep in mind that it’s illegal to be on UK roads without the correct form of insurance coverage, so don’t take the risk.
Compare food delivery quotes
There are a couple of ways to compare food delivery quotes. Firstly, if you have a few companies in mind (perhaps as a result of recommendations from other drivers or good reviews online) then you can contact each insurer directly to find out how much they’d charge. Many have online forms you can fill out that ask mostly similar questions, so if you don’t mind repeating yourself a few times this can be a great way to get quotes from insurers you like the look of.
Otherwise, there are a few (but not as many as regular vehicle insurances) websites offering food delivery insurance comparison, which you can use to gather quotes from multiple providers. Keep in mind some insurers might not offer you quotes automatically through a comparison site and insist you speak to them directly so they can assess your risk level (and eventual price) more accurately.
Both have their benefits and disadvantages – aggregators can be highly time-effective, but you might not get as many quotes as you expected and may pay more as a result. Going direct to a few companies can be time-consuming, but might get you a better price (and some people prefer to work directly with their insurer).
Also, keep in mind that you can fill in details online to initiate a quote with a comparison site, broker, or direct insurer, but you might be required to speak with a representative before a provider can complete your quote. This is because delivery driving is viewed as a risky occupation and companies often need further information before they can offer a price.
Do any car insurance companies cover delivery driving?
Yes, but don’t be surprised if many of the UK’s largest providers shy away from covering delivery drivers. Those delivering food and packages are exposed to far more risks than a typical driver, so many insurers don’t see the possibility for a positive return on investment by covering them. That’s why you typically need to go to a specialist for hire & reward cover.
Compared to regular drivers, delivery drivers are on the road for longer hours and park in more dangerous (often roadside) locations. They’re more likely to make risky decisions to meet tight delivery deadlines, and will probably have to drive on roads they’re not familiar/comfortable with.
The market for delivery driver insurance is generally occupied by smaller, more specialist firms. They know the challenges, regional differences, and typical driver profiles much better, and so can more accurately assess the risk of one driver compared to another – thus offering a more accurate price.
While it’s always great to use a name brand you recognise, some of the smaller delivery insurers come with excellent reviews and recommendations, so don’t necessarily worry about getting an inferior service just as a result of the company size.
How much is food delivery insurance?
Food delivery insurance for a car will probably set you back between £220-£300 per month. Keep in mind that your quotes may be higher or lower depending on several factors, such as your driver profile, location, and choice of vehicle.
If you’re looking to save, there aren’t a lot of ‘quick fixes’ you can change immediately. Avoiding powerful, large wheelbase vehicles, living in less ‘risky’ locations (away from city centres, airports, etc.), and having more years of driving experience will all help improve the price you receive at the end of the quote process. Also, see if you can save by paying annually instead of in monthly instalments, as these are sometimes subject to a finance charge.
