The Courier Shop

You may think as you are fit and healthy that medical repatriation insurance is something you do not need as a courier.

You may think you don’t need it at all if you deliver only inside the UK.

You may have to stop and think again, you could find it’s vital.

Imagine the scenario where unfortunately the courier is involved in an accident. They need to be airlifted to the nearest specialist hospital but the county in question has only one air ambulance and whilst that is out at the scene of another accident, it’s you laying in an ambulance waiting on the decision of the paramedics as to the best course of action.

Sometimes a delay can mean a big difference in your recovery, and thats just in the uk. What happens if you sleep in your van as some couriers do when abroad (to keep their costs down) and you have an attack. It doesn’t have to be fatal to put you out of business, and if you haven’t got medical insurance you may find it’s going to be very difficult to get back to the UK. What happend if you are tragically in an accident and break both your legs? Do you have someone who can come and collect you, no matter what country you are in?

If you are working abroad as a courier consider getting some medical repatriation insurance, if you have medical insurance see if it brings you back to the UK if the worst happens.

Of all the insurances you have, this could be the one you never claim on, but gives your family peace of mind, so it’s worth considering.

Sarah
The Complete Courier guide is an essential guide for self employed couriers looking to start their own courier business.

Any type of vehicle can be used to deliver cargo, freight or precious items.  Most commonly you will see small vans. What happens if someone causes you to have an accident? or you hit another vehicle? How will your business operate if your main tool for work is out of action?

When starting a courier business insurance can seem like a big expenditure. People know exactly what they are getting when they buy a van, but insurance can be a bit fuzzier. For example, do you really need insurance at all to be a courier?

The answer to that question is a resounding yes, it’s essential for a courier business to have insurance. What type of insurance is down to the business owner. Insurance for couriers comes in several types-

Goods in Transit Insurance covers the potential damage of goods on the vehicle whilst in transit. Goods in Transit doesn’t cover all goods, check what your policy covers.

Light Haulage Insurance offers similar cover to courier insurance and goods in transit but for a limited amount of drops per day, often 3.

Hire and Reward Insurance covers you for the carrying of other parties goods.

At the very least you need hire and reward insurance. It may not give you as much ‘cover’ as the other options but to be without insurance is a situation that may cost you business. Customer are reluctant to let their goods be transported and delivered without insurance no matter how safe you think you are!

It’s quite common for glass, fine arts, ceramic, antiques to be uninsured under the ‘goods in transit’ or courier  insurance policies. These need to be specied as add ons to your policy. Make sure you find out what is excluded and whether it is financially beneficial to have these added on before you buy your insurance policy.

If you decide to trade without insurance, stop for a moment and think… How will you pay if your clients goods are damaged in an accident? How will you continue with your business?

Sarah
The Complete Courier guide is an essential guide for self employed couriers looking to start their own courier business.