Why bother with courier insurance? Really, with bother with it all – even if you are a safe driver and have never had an accident.
With end users driving down the costs of their transport services some couriers are looking at ways of cutting their overheads. Insurance is one area where they think they can make savings.
Lowering the premiums by lowering the the amount they insure.
Instead of a courier carrying £50,000 worth of goods in transit cover, many are lowering their costs by slashing it to £10,000 worth of goods in transit cover instead. As a customer it’s essential you check how much cover you have and as a courier you should be responsible and ethical and let your customers know of any downgrading in the insurances that you have.
Not declaring accidents
There will always be some that don’t declare accidents regardless of what the financial climate is like. It is thought by some, that not declaring any accidents will keep their premiums low and thus their customers happy. These things have a way of coming back and biting you when you least expect it. We recently heard of a courier owner driver being hauled into court for reckless driving, the first account of the incident the police and insurer heard were the alleged victim’s. Honesty would have paid off 10 fold in this case, instead it’s costing lawyers fee’s and increased their premiums anyway.
Not having any insurance at all.
Yes you did read right, there are some couriers finding their jobs are so infrequent and their income is so low, that insurance is a financial liability to them. Never mind that it’s illegal, there are some that are just cutting back wherever they can to save us much money as they can. This is another false economy.
As a courier you shouldn’t put yourself in a vulnerable position and drive illegally – it’s your livelihood you are losing and a criminal record you are close to gaining.
Work safe, secure and legally.
Sarah
