Food Delivery Insurance

Why choose Howden for food delivery insurance?

We're an insurance broker that specialises in business insurance, and we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting so our clients don’t have to. Courtesy of the great relationships we have with our selected panel of standard and specialist insurers, we make the process of comparing various food delivery insurance policies on your behalf simple and easy.

Here at Howden, our team of industry experts recognise that each food delivery policy needs to be as individual as its owner and their business, and that’s why we provide a tailored, personalised service, focused on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your insurance.

Ultimately, whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new food insurance policy, or renew an existing one, just know that we’re here to help.

Benefits of working with Howden:

• You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
• We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
• Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
• Speak with your local branch, within your community.
• We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.

Who needs food delivery insurance?

If you’re a food delivery driver, the responsibility for having the correct vehicle insurance ultimately falls to you. However, there are different scenarios that might apply, depending on how you work:

• Self-employed drivers: If you work as a self-employed driver for platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat, you’re responsible for arranging and paying for your own delivery insurance. These companies require you to prove you have appropriate insurance before accepting you as a driver.

• Employed drivers: If you’re directly employed by a restaurant or takeaway as a delivery driver, your employer might provide insurance coverage through a fleet policy. However, it’s a good idea to check the details of this coverage carefully and get written confirmation that you’re properly covered.

• Third-party platforms: Some delivery platforms provide limited insurance, but this insurance doesn’t replace the need for proper hire and reward insurance (more on this in a minute). You still need to arrange this yourself, even if the platform you’re working for provides other types of coverage.

What insurance do you need for food delivery?

Your standard car insurance policy won’t cover you for delivery work — even if your car has commercial insurance cover. To deliver food in a van, car, motorbike, or scooter, you need a separate policy or an add-on that specifically covers these services. Your policy should include some or all of the following:

• Hire and reward insurance: This is the most important insurance for food delivery drivers, and is also known as “food delivery insurance” or “courier insurance”. If you’re earning money by transporting any goods that aren’t your own, including food, you’re legally obliged to have this insurance in place. It also offers peace of mind, since it covers you in case your vehicle is damaged or causes damage to another vehicle while you’re out running deliveries.

• Public liability insurance: Public liability insurance protects you if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while making deliveries. Since you’re regularly engaging with members of the public, this is an important type of insurance to have.

• Personal injury insurance: Delivery work is physically demanding and comes with some risk to your personal health and safety. Personal injury insurance provides financial protection if you’re unable to work because you sustain an injury while you’re out making deliveries.

• Vehicle breakdown cover: Breakdown cover is essential for delivery drivers. Being stranded with customers’ orders isn't just inconvenient — it could damage your reputation and income.

• Goods in transit insurance: Goods in transit insurance covers the goods you’re delivering against theft, loss, or damage. While some delivery platforms provide this, you might want to consider adding it to your policy if you’re self-employed.

It’s worth noting that delivering food on a bicycle works slightly differently for insurance purposes, since bicycles aren’t covered by the same laws as cars. While you don’t need to have vehicle insurance, you should still have public liability and personal accident insurance as a minimum. If you’re unsure, chat to the delivery platform you work for, or an insurer or broker. They’ll be able to advise you.

Does my normal car insurance cover food delivery?

This point is important and worth reiterating. Standard car insurance doesn’t protect you if you’re providing food delivery services. Even if you have comprehensive insurance, you won’t be covered.

Standard car insurance only covers you for “social, domestic and pleasure” use, and usually for commuting to a single place of work. The moment you start using your vehicle to deliver food, you're using it for “hire and reward”, which we discussed above. Since this is a commercial activity, it requires dedicated insurance.

Can I deliver food without delivery insurance?

No, you can’t legally deliver food without proper delivery insurance. It’s against the law and could have both legal and financial ramifications. If you're caught delivering food without the correct insurance, you could:

• Receive points on your licence 
• Be fined
• Have your vehicle seized by the police
• Have your policy invalidated
• Be disqualified from driving

If you have an accident while making deliveries but don’t have the right insurance in place, you’ll also be personally liable for:

• Repair costs to your own vehicle
• Damage to other vehicles or property
• Medical expenses and compensation if someone is injured
• Legal costs if you’re taken to court

Ultimately, it’s just not worth the risk. If you’re delivering food in your vehicle, you have to have proper food delivery insurance in place.

How much is food delivery insurance?

There isn’t a standard cost for food delivery insurance — policies vary depending on a number of different factors, including:

• Your age and experience: If you’re under 25 or only have two years’ experience, you’ll likely pay more than drivers who have a little more experience to their name.
• Your vehicle: Cars generally cost more to insure than motorcycles.
• Your driving history: A clean driving record will almost always help to lower your premiums. Having a good no-claims bonus will also be in your favour.
• How you work: Full-time cover typically costs more than part-time insurance. Some insurers offer pay-as-you-go options for more informal workers.
• Where you work: You’re likely to pay higher premiums in London and other major cities. Delivery drivers in rural areas will almost always pay less for insurance.

Remember that while food delivery insurance might seem expensive, the cost of driving without proper cover could be far higher if something goes wrong.

If you’re looking for ways to reduce the fees you’re charged, you can try to:

• Pay for your policy annually rather than monthly
• Install a dashcam
• Choose a smaller or older vehicle
• Opt for a higher excess
• Consider pay-as-you-go insurance if you only deliver occasionally
• Compare quotes from multiple insurers

How to get food delivery insurance: 4 steps

Finally, let’s look into the practicalities of finding the right insurance:

1. Firstly, gather your information: You’ll need to submit the following documents to your insurer, so it’s good to have them on hand:

1. Your driving licence details
2. Your vehicle registration number
3. Details of any driving convictions or claims
4. Estimated weekly delivery hours
5. Which delivery platforms or companies you’ll work for
6. Any existing vehicle insurance details

2. Compare insurance options: One of the most important steps in any insurance process is to shop around. Don’t accept the first deal you come across — there could well be better options on the market. Using the expertise of a specialist broker can be helpful here. At Howden, we facilitate this process by contacting several insurers to see which one provides the best coverage for your needs.

3. Review your policy details: Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure that the policy you’re agreeing to covers:

1. The specific type of delivery work you do
2. All the platforms you plan to work for
3. Any time periods you need to work
4. The correct level of cover (third-party; third-party, fire and theft; or fully comprehensive)

3. Keep on top of your policy: Make sure you keep both digital and physical copies of your insurance certificate, and provide proof of it to any delivery platforms you work for. It’s also a good idea to set a reminder to renew your insurance every year, since it can be worthwhile switching providers rather than letting your policy auto-renew.

The team at Howden is here to help. Chat to us, tell us about your specific needs, and we’ll source the right food delivery insurance to ensure you’re properly protected. Our team is available today.

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