When it comes to transporting vital business goods from A to B, you’ll no doubt want to ensure you do so with minimal risks. After all, if things should go wrong, it can put your business and reputation at serious risk.
Therefore courier insurance is so important, and it’s vital that you should get a good policy that will have you completely covered. But what do you really need to know before you choose a courier insurance provider?
How do I determine exactly what type of policy I need?
If you drive a van or lorry in the course of your work or business, you’ll need commercial van insurance. There are a few different types of commercial van insurance out they, and they are dependent on the nature of your work. For example; whether the work involves the carriage of own goods, carriage for reward, or hire and haulage. However it’s worth noting that courier work can fall into the haulage or carriage for reward or hire categories, depending on the van insurer in question
Does the size of the vehicle change the price of the policy?
Yes; if your delivery vehicle weighs more than 3.5 tonnes you’ll need HGV haulage insurance. Vans and other vehicles weighing less than this are classed as light goods vehicles (LGVs).
Is breakdown cover included?
This is an important question to ask when you are enquiring from different sources. Breakdown cover for couriers is often hard to find. Some insurance suppliers offer negotiated rates with suppliers of courier breakdown products, and are able to offer them to their clients as a package deal.
Does a personal no-claims bonus affect the rates?
Some suppliers will offer a discount in your premium due to a personal no-claims bonus. However this will be solely dependent on the company you choose, as not all companies offer this. Make sure you check before purchasing if this is something you are interested in.
What support will you have, and how easy is it to make a claim?
You will want to be sure that you will have support should you need it, and that there is always someone on hand to offer you some help throughout the day and night. You should check the hours for phone calls so that you’ll have a good idea of the company’s support levels and availability.