Courier insurance

Hi guys,

I am new to courier work. Recently made arrangements to rent a van from Northgate to try out courier work for a few weeks before leasing or buying a van and diving into the deep end. I found out that i could not even get a courier insurance quote because i have only had a full UK driver's license for less than a year.

Sorry, i guess i need to give you a bit of background. I am from London. Got my UK provisional license about 20 years ago but moved to Japan. Got my full Japanese driver's license 11 years ago and did some temp courier work in Japan for 4 years. Because the UK and Japan have identical driving rules and regulations you can change a UK license for a Japanese one and vice versa which i did early last year when i relocated.

Now I am in a bit of a pickle. I have been offered courier work (self employed) but I can't get insurance. It is really doing my head in. Any ADVICE? Really desperate to get off the dole.

My advice would be, if you have another skill use that for employment, as you are in a position where you will find it difficult to get insurance as a new license holder for this kind of work especially in London.

Compensation culture is partly to blame for the high rates.

Thanks. Just got advised this morning that it would cost in excess of £7000, if lucky.

You got your UK license early last year? It can't be long until you'll have a year then.

Can't do courier work without insurance, and paying over the odds for insurance isn't a good idea. I'd suggest you just explain to whoever it is that wants to work with you that you'll be available in 2 months time (or whenever it is) and explain your situation. In the mean time find something else to keep you busy until then.

Thanks for the reply. I guess you are right. Before i left for Japan, i was a Chef and doing my ACCA so the first jobs i went for were in these fields but I had been away for 13 years and needless to say the system is changed so much. I could not even get a job as a labourer without a certificate and experience. I have started doing a bunch of relevant free courses like forklift,food and hygiene and starting my HGV (C) next week which i was going to partly fund with the proceeds from courier work. I still go out looking for work everyday because i have 3 mouths to feed. No employer wants to train you to work for a minimum of 6 months and i maybe naive but i feel bad not telling them i may not be with them long.