Pay As You Go Food Delivery Insurance
Compare PAYG Food Delivery Insurance
Compare pay-as-you-go delivery insurance quotes and buy online.
Compare pay-as-you-go food delivery insurance quotes from trusted UK providers, including:
What Is Pay-As-You-Go Food Delivery Insurance?
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) food delivery insurance is a flexible form of hire and reward cover that you activate only when making deliveries.
You switch it on through an app at the start of a shift and off when you finish, so you only pay for the hours you work. The ABI classifies this as hire and reward insurance, meaning it satisfies the legal requirement for carrying food for payment.
PAYG suits part-time drivers who deliver fewer than 20 hours per week. Full-time couriers who deliver every day are usually better off with an annual food delivery insurance policy at a fixed yearly premium.
How To Compare Pay-As-You-Go Food Delivery Insurance Quotes?
Comparing PAYG food delivery insurance takes less than five minutes through the online tool. Follow these four steps to find the best rate for your vehicle.
Enter your details
Provide your name, address, vehicle registration, and the platform you deliver for. You will also need your driving licence number and claims history.
Compare your quotes
The comparison tool returns quotes from multiple UK insurers side by side. Each quote shows the hourly rate, level of cover, and any add-ons included.
Check policy details
Review the excess amount, exclusions, and whether the insurer uses app-based or device-based telematics. Check that the policy covers your specific vehicle type and delivery platform.
Buy online
Select the policy that fits your budget and delivery schedule. Most PAYG insurers activate cover within minutes of purchase.
What Does Pay-As-You-Go Food Delivery Insurance Cover?
PAYG food delivery insurance covers third-party liability while you are actively making deliveries, with optional extras depending on your policy level.
| Cover Type | Included | Typical Limit |
| Third-party liability | All policies | Unlimited |
| Fire and theft | TPFT and comprehensive | Market value |
| Own vehicle damage | Comprehensive only | Market value |
| Public liability | Optional add-on | £1m–£5m |
| Products liability | Optional add-on | £1m–£5m |
| Personal accident | Optional add-on | Varies by insurer |
| Breakdown cover | Optional add-on | Roadside + recovery |
What’s not covered?
PAYG cover only applies during active deliveries. Driving for personal use, commuting to another job, or carrying passengers is not covered.
Personal belongings left in the vehicle and injuries to you or your passengers are also excluded from standard PAYG policies. Public liability cover for incidents on a customer’s doorstep is only included if you add it.
Related: What Is Food Delivery Insurance?
Who Needs Pay-As-You-Go Food Delivery Insurance?
Any driver who delivers food for a third-party platform on a part-time or casual basis needs PAYG cover if they do not hold an annual hire and reward policy.
Uber Eats Drivers
Uber Eats requires all delivery partners to hold valid hire and reward or food delivery insurance. PAYG is the most popular option for drivers who log fewer than 20 hours per week.
Deliveroo Riders
Deliveroo riders using cars, vans, or motorbikes must show proof of insurance before going online. Bicycle couriers are exempt from motor insurance requirements.
Just Eat Couriers
All Just Eat couriers in the UK now operate as independent contractors after the Scoober employment model was scrapped in 2024. Every courier needs their own insurance.
Amazon Flex Drivers
Amazon Flex drivers deliver parcels rather than food, but the insurance requirement is the same. PAYG cover works for Flex blocks where you only deliver a few hours per week.
Independent Food Couriers
Drivers who deliver for local restaurants or takeaways without using a major platform still need hire and reward cover. PAYG gives independent couriers a low-cost entry point.
What Types Of Pay-As-You-Go Delivery Insurance Are There?
There are two main PAYG models: per hour and per trip. Per hour is the most common and is offered by providers like Zego and Veygo.
Per hour
You pay a fixed hourly rate for every hour your cover is active. Rates start at around £0.50 per hour for scooters and rise to £3.50 for larger vehicles.
This model suits drivers who work regular shifts of two to six hours. You are covered the entire time, including gaps between deliveries during a shift.
Per trip
Some smaller providers charge a set fee per delivery instead of by the hour. This model is far less common, and no major UK insurer currently offers it as a standard product.
If per-trip pricing becomes available, it would suit drivers who pick up just one or two orders a day. For now, per-hour cover from providers like Zego is the default PAYG model.
What Levels Of Cover Can You Get?
PAYG food delivery insurance is available at three levels, matching the same tiers as standard motor insurance: third-party only, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive.
Third-Party Only
This is the minimum legal requirement under the Road Traffic Act 1988. It covers damage or injury you cause to other people and their property, but your own vehicle is not protected.
Third-Party, Fire and Theft
This adds protection if your delivery vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire. It is the most popular level among PAYG drivers because the cost increase is small.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive cover also pays for damage to your own vehicle, even if the accident was your fault. It costs more per hour but gives the most complete protection.
Is Pay-As-You-Go Food Delivery Insurance A Legal Requirement?
Yes. Any driver who carries food or goods for payment must hold valid hire and reward insurance, and PAYG satisfies this requirement while cover is active.
The UK government requires motor insurance that covers the vehicle’s actual use. Standard social, domestic, and pleasure (SDP) car insurance excludes delivery work, so a policy with hire and reward cover is needed.
What happens if you deliver without insurance?
Driving without valid cover can result in a fixed penalty of £300 and six points on your licence. In serious cases, your vehicle could be seized and crushed.
Any claims made during an uninsured delivery will be refused, leaving you personally liable for all costs. The FCA regulates all UK insurance providers, so there is no grey area on this.
How Much Does Pay-As-You-Go Food Delivery Insurance Cost?
PAYG food delivery insurance costs between £0.50 and £3.50 per hour, depending on your vehicle type and level of cover.
| Vehicle Type | Cost Per Hour |
| Scooter | £0.50–£0.70 |
| Motorbike | £0.70–£0.90 |
| Car (low emission) | £0.80–£1.20 |
| Car (standard) | £1.00–£3.00 |
| Small van | £1.50–£2.50 |
| Large van | £2.00–£3.50 |
These figures are based on third-party fire and theft cover, with comprehensive policies adding 20–30% and third-party only being 10–15% cheaper.
Use the comparison tool to get an exact quote for your van or car.
When does an annual policy become cheaper?
PAYG saves money when you deliver fewer than 20 hours per week. Beyond that threshold, a fixed annual premium usually works out cheaper.
| Weekly Delivery Hours | Est. PAYG Annual Cost (car) | Annual Policy (car) | Better Option |
| Under 10 | £520–£1,040 | £1,800–£3,000 | PAYG |
| 10–15 | £1,040–£1,560 | £1,800–£3,000 | PAYG |
| 15–20 | £1,560–£2,080 | £1,800–£3,000 | Either |
| 20+ | £2,080+ | £1,800–£3,000 | Annual |
What Affects The Cost Of Pay-As-You-Go Food Delivery Insurance?
Your hourly rate depends on a combination of vehicle, driver, and delivery factors. Insurers weigh each one differently, so quotes vary between providers.
Vehicle type and value
Scooters and low-emission cars attract the lowest rates because they are cheaper to repair. High-value or high-performance vehicles cost more to insure per hour.
Driver age and experience
Drivers under 25 typically pay more due to higher accident risk. A clean driving record with no claims in the past five years brings the rate down.
Delivery frequency and hours
Delivering during peak hours (Friday and Saturday evenings) can increase your rate. Late-night shifts also carry a higher premium because of reduced visibility and fatigue risk.
Level of cover
Third-party only is the cheapest option per hour. Comprehensive cover adds the most to your rate but provides the widest protection.
Location
Urban areas with heavy traffic and higher crime rates cost more than rural locations. London postcodes attract the highest premiums across all PAYG providers.
How To Get Cheaper Pay-As-You-Go Insurance
PAYG is already one of the most affordable ways to insure delivery work, but there are several ways to reduce your hourly rate even further.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Rates vary widely between providers. Use the food delivery insurance comparison tool to see quotes side by side and pick the lowest rate for your vehicle.
Increase your voluntary excess
A higher excess means you pay more out of pocket if you make a claim. In return, insurers lower your hourly rate because you are less likely to claim for minor damage.
Use a smaller or lower-value vehicle
Switching from a large van to a car, or from a car to a scooter, cuts your hourly rate. A vehicle with a lower market value also costs less to insure.
Use telematics to prove safe driving
Most PAYG providers track your driving through a smartphone app, though some use a black box device instead. Safe driving scores recorded by the telematics system can earn you lower rates over time.
What Do You Need For A Pay-As-You-Go Insurance Quote?
You need a few basic details about yourself, your vehicle, and your delivery work to get a PAYG quote in minutes.
Personal and vehicle details
Have your full name, date of birth, home address, and driving licence number ready. You will also need your vehicle registration, make, model, and estimated value.
Delivery and claims history
Tell the insurer which platform you deliver for, how many hours you work per week, and any accidents, claims, or convictions from the past five years.
Visit our courier insurance page for a full breakdown of what insurers ask for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, PAYG hire and reward cover is accepted by all three major UK food delivery platforms. Upload your insurance certificate to the platform app before you go online.
Yes, standard car insurance only covers social, domestic, and pleasure use. Delivering food for payment requires a separate hire and reward or food delivery policy.
It depends on the provider. Some PAYG policies cover your entire shift including waiting time, while others only cover you while actively carrying food.
Most providers cover cars, motorbikes, mopeds, and scooters. Some also cover small vans, though you may need a separate van policy for larger commercial vehicles.
Yes, many drivers start with PAYG and switch to an annual policy once they deliver more than 20 hours per week. You can cancel PAYG at any time without penalty.
No, PAYG food delivery cover only applies to carrying goods and food. Carrying passengers requires a separate private hire policy.
Most PAYG providers issue cover within minutes of completing the application. You can usually start delivering on the same day.
Most PAYG providers now use smartphone-based telematics instead of a physical black box. Zego, the largest UK PAYG insurer, tracks cover and driving behaviour entirely through its app.
PAYG is a type of hire and reward insurance with a per-hour or per-trip billing model instead of a fixed annual premium. Both satisfy the legal requirement for carrying goods for payment.
You need a valid driving licence, a suitable vehicle, and the correct insurance, then sign up to a platform and complete their onboarding checks. Read our guide on how to become a food delivery driver for a step-by-step walkthrough.
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