Courier Insurance or Hire and Reward

My insurance is due for renewal next month and I was wondering, what's the difference between courier and hire and reward? It seems to me that insurance firms put courier on it to charge more. Also, I have loaded 3 pallets for delivery tomorrow. Is that courier work or light haulage? Is it allowed on here for people to recommend a good insurance firm apart from the obvious adverts on here? Just because I'm in a van doesn't make it courier work to me. If I put said pallets on an artic would I still be a courier or haulier? Confused. Com.

What I was told was this: Insurance companies consider the delivery of parcels and small items to multiple destinations to be courier work, deliveries from a single source to a single destination are light haulage. You can ask your insurer to clarify their interpretation. Personally I think most of us are light hauliers.

Thanks for that Andy, I was thinking the same thing.

Have a look at Go Skippy. I was quoted £1020.00 for courier insurance and £195.00 for PL at £2 million and £20k GIT. The courier insurance is probably light haulier and as I don't do multi-drop it will do for me.

www. Goodsintrasit.com... I found this company the best for you git insurance.

So should I renew for light haulage then, gentlemen and will it be cheaper?

Talk to your insurance company as an individual, whats right for one on here may not be right for you. My insurance is a haulage policy that states courier work and talking to them I am covered for one parcel or multiple parcels. Communication is the key and believe me I was on the phone for a long time clarifying the points as one specialized broker insisted that I was being sold the wrong policy just because it was half the price, he was wrong on every point he was raising, so when people say that couriers are being ripped off by specialized courier insurers they are exactly right its a license to print money.

Fastback Parcel Solutions said:

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Talk to your insurance company as an individual, whats right for one on here may not be right for you. My insurance is a haulage policy that states courier work and talking to them I am covered for one parcel or multiple parcels. Communication is the key and believe me I was on the phone for a long time clarifying the points as one specialized broker insisted that I was being sold the wrong policy just because it was half the price, he was wrong on every point he was raising, so when people say that couriers are being ripped off by specialized courier insurers they are exactly right its a license to print money.

Exactly Mike, I know I paid a lot less but I am not covered for multi drop work, 2 or 3 drops yes, multi drop no. Some brokers like to keep you confused, get you to take the maximum cover at the maximum price.

Andy McTighe said:

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Fastback Parcel Solutions said:

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Talk to your insurance company as an individual, whats right for one on here may not be right for you. My insurance is a haulage policy that states courier work and talking to them I am covered for one parcel or multiple parcels. Communication is the key and believe me I was on the phone for a long time clarifying the points as one specialized broker insisted that I was being sold the wrong policy just because it was half the price, he was wrong on every point he was raising, so when people say that couriers are being ripped off by specialized courier insurers they are exactly right its a license to print money.

Exactly Mike, I know I paid a lot less but I am not covered for multi drop work, 2 or 3 drops yes, multi drop no. Some brokers like to keep you confused, get you to take the maximum cover at the maximum price.

This is some very good advice. I also spent a long time on the phone, and got email confirmation so it's in writing, from my broker. I've got light haulage, which states I cannot exceed 5 drops for more than 3 consecutive days. So for example, I could do up to 3 days' multi drop (eg. 6+ or 60+ or whatever) and still be covered. But day 4 at over 5 drops and I'd be uninsured. I also checked what counts as a 'drop'. For me, a drop is just that - so I can do 5 collections AND 5 deliveries the same day, for as many days as I want. However, if one of those 5 pickups had 2 delivery points I'd again be uninsured.

Complicated, but good to know. As mentioned above, it's good to talk!

That sounds like the Cornish policy. I wonder how they would prove that you had exceeded the number of drops, or you would prove that you hadn't?

MyVanCan said:

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That sounds like the Cornish policy. I wonder how they would prove that you had exceeded the number of drops, or you would prove that you hadn't?

You're right about Cornish. If it came to the crunch (no pun intended), I'd use my detailed questioning before taking out the policy, along with communication records, job confirmations, descriptions of where I've been, actual mileage compared to fuel receipts (which I always write the mileage on) etc and any possible GPS logs I could get my hands on to show where I've been. It'd all tally cause it'd all be the truth. If for example, I was offered more than 3 days' work at over 5 drops a day, I'd turn it down. Or if it was worth it, upgrade my insurance.

As this forum is public and any Tom, Knob and Harry can read it I am sure the insurance shark/brokers are as well. So, before you know it they will close the "Light Haulage V Courier Insurance" loophole and start quoting the same for both.

The brokers and insurers are exploiting what you refer to yourself as when you first ask for a quote. "You say I am setting up as ZZZ Courier Services". They think BINGO. If you call yourself ZZZ Transport They think DAMM.

Definition of the word Courier "a company or employee of a company that transports commercial packages and documents".

Definition of the word Haulierr "a person or company employed in the transport of goods or materials by road.

Personally I think courier insurance is for the 150 drops a day brigade.

It's nothing more than exploitation of individuals naivety.

Yet another reason for representation in our industry.

Did you also know there is only one R in Haulier. PMSL. Blame the keyboard not the typissed.

Then maybe it's time for this forum to go private or members only.

Time to shop around then and get phoning, thanks guys. I've been asked to quote on some Germany runs but that will be a whole different ball game as far as insurance is concerned.

Garnham Courier Services said:

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Time to shop around then and get phoning, thanks guys. I've been asked to quote on some Germany runs but that will be a whole different ball game as far as insurance is concerned.

Not really, tell them you want 30 days 'or so' continental cover, mine gave it me for free but make sure your GIT covers CMR conditions.

On this topic, all 4 tabs are now active on the Insurance Details page, so you can now update your H&R/Courier/Haulage insurance as appropriate:

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All insurance details uploaded

Got loads of van insurance quotes on line and then call mustard they will beat your best quote