What types of insurance do delivery riders need?

Delivery riders using a car or motorised scooter need two main types of insurance: Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SD&P) insurance for personal use, and Hire & Reward (H&R) insurance for delivery work.

What is SD&P insurance?

Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SD&P) insurance is the standard insurance required for everyday use of your vehicle. It covers personal driving when not working and is a legal requirement for any vehicle that hasn't been declared off-road.

What additional insurance coverage do I need for delivery work?

For delivery work, you need additional coverage such as Hire & Reward insurance, Fast food delivery insurance, or Carriage of goods insurance. Most delivery platforms require proof of this insurance before you can start accepting orders.

What Insurance Do Delivery Riders Need? | rider support

Q: What insurance do delivery platforms provide?

Some delivery platforms offer additional coverage including personal injury and income protection for all riders, and public liability insurance that covers cyclists at all times and scooter/car riders when they're walking to pick up or drop off an order.

If you're working as a delivery rider using a car or motorised scooter, you'll need two types of insurance: Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SD&P) and Hire & Reward (H&R) insurance. These are essential to ensure you're covered both during personal use and while working.

Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SD&P) Insurance

This is the standard insurance required for everyday use of your vehicle. It covers you for personal driving when you're not working. SD&P insurance is a legal requirement for any vehicle that hasn't been declared off-road.

Hire & Reward (H&R) Insurance

Your SD&P insurance does not cover you for food delivery or courier work. If you're delivering in return for payment, you'll need additional coverage such as:

Hire & Reward insurance
Fast food delivery insurance
Carriage of goods (including food) for hire & reward insurance

This type of insurance ensures that you're covered while using your vehicle for work. Most delivery platforms require proof of this insurance before you can start accepting orders.

Where to Get Insurance?

Many delivery riders use the following providers for their insurance needs:

Zego – Offers pay-as-you-go courier insurance, meaning you only pay for the time you're online.
Inshur – Offers flexible insurance policies specifically designed for delivery drivers.
TradeX – Provides comprehensive food delivery insurance.
Acorn – Specialises in insurance for food couriers.

What Insurance Do Delivery Platforms Provide?

Some delivery platforms offer additional coverage for their riders, such as:

Personal injury and income protection (for all riders)
Public liability insurance (covers cyclists at all times and scooter/car riders when they're walking to pick up or drop off an order)

Before signing up for a delivery service, it's important to check what insurance coverage they provide and ensure you have the required policies in place. Having the right insurance not only protects you legally but also gives you peace of mind while working.