Top 5 UK courier insurance providers
The best courier insurance providers in the UK are Admiral, Zego, Freedom Brokers, Kingsbridge and Quotezone, with Admiral ranked first for its competitive pricing, strong commercial cover options and suitability for tradespeople, delivery drivers and small businesses.
Courier driving creates higher risks than everyday use, with constant stop-start movement, tighter delivery windows and heavier urban traffic. This means the insurer you choose must provide more than competitive pricing. Claims handling, excess levels and onboarding speed all influence how workable a policy feels once you’re earning on the road.
Our ranking focuses on the factors couriers rely on most: how quickly policies activate, how well insurers support cars, vans, scooters and mopeds, and how they handle drivers with non-standard histories. Admiral leads for its blend of competitive pricing, commercial suitability and strong claims performance, while Zego offers the most flexible digital-first options for couriers who vary their hours.
These five insurers consistently perform well across the UK, giving couriers a dependable starting point when choosing hire and reward cover.
Best UK courier insurance providers
1. Admiral
Admiral is the strongest overall choice for UK couriers because it offers affordable commercial van and car delivery cover, clear policy options and dependable protection for tradespeople, parcel couriers and multi-drop drivers.
Admiral appeals to businesses and individual couriers who want a straightforward commercial policy without complex underwriting. Its pricing tends to be competitive for both car-based couriers and van drivers, and many tradespeople choose Admiral because it supports daily business use alongside optional tool and equipment cover.
Couriers often choose Admiral because:
- Pricing is competitive for courier and trade-based commercial use
- Simple policy documentation makes onboarding with platforms easier
- Optional tool and equipment cover supports trades and parcel delivery
- Multi-vehicle options work well for small or growing businesses
Admiral is a strong fit for couriers who want predictable cover, strong customer support and commercial protection that suits both urban and regional delivery routes.
2. Zego
Zego is one of the strongest UK options for courier insurance because it covers both car delivery and van courier work, with a quick digital setup and policy options that suit drivers who switch platforms (Evri, DPD, Amazon Flex, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat) or change their hours week to week.
Zego offers two main hire & reward products depending on what you drive: Delivery Car Insurance (for car-based delivery drivers) and Courier Van Insurance (for van couriers doing parcel and multi-drop work). Both are built for delivery from the ground up, rather than trying to squeeze delivery drivers into standard SDP cover.
Delivery Car Insurance suits couriers using a car, especially if they work irregular patterns or mix delivery with another job. Pay as you go works best for occasional shifts because cover is tracked around the hours you work, while monthly cover suits drivers doing part-time to near full-time hours who want more consistency without committing to a full annual setup.
Courier Van Insurance suits van couriers working more regular routes, higher mileage, and multi-drop parcel deliveries for platforms like Evri and DPD. It’s aimed at drivers delivering most weeks who want a more stable courier-van policy structure that reflects the realities of van work.
Couriers often choose Zego because:
- Flexible options across pay as you go and monthly (car delivery)
- Quick activation and an easy app-led/digital experience
- Works well for drivers who switch platforms (Evri, DPD, Amazon Flex, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat) or vary hours
- Built specifically around hire & reward, so it’s designed for delivery work (not standard SDP)
Zego is particularly popular with drivers who want cover that stays simple to manage and adapts to how they actually work, whether that’s flexible car delivery shifts or consistent van courier routes.
3. Freedom Brokers
Freedom Brokers is a solid choice for couriers who want traditional hire and reward underwriting, clear policy wording and support for scooters, mopeds and cars used in daily delivery work.
Freedom Brokers has long served the courier industry, which makes it a familiar option for drivers who prefer established insurers over app-based models. Its policies are designed for consistent commercial use, offering clarity around what is and isn’t covered, which is useful for couriers working full shifts in busy urban areas.
Couriers often choose Freedom Brokers because:
- Policies are built specifically around courier and delivery risks
- Documentation is straightforward and easy to verify with platforms
- It supports a wide range of delivery vehicles, including mopeds and smaller bikes
- Customer service suits drivers who prefer speaking to a human over managing everything digitally
Freedom Brokers tends to be favoured by full-time couriers who value predictable terms and long-standing industry experience. While it may not have the instant activation of digital-first providers, its stability and specialist underwriting make it a dependable option.
4. Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge is a strong option for couriers who want professional-grade cover, the ability to add public liability insurance and support from an insurer experienced in working with contractors and self-employed drivers.
Kingsbridge approaches courier insurance with a focus on professionalism. Its policies tend to go beyond basic hire and reward cover, appealing to drivers who want more robust protection, especially when working around busy commercial areas or handling multiple deliveries under time pressure. It suits those who treat courier work as a long-term occupation rather than an occasional side job.
Couriers often choose Kingsbridge because:
- It offers courier insurance with optional liability cover
- Policies suit car drivers, van couriers and mixed-vehicle use
- The insurer has a strong reputation in the wider contractor market
- Cover is structured for drivers who work consistently throughout the year
Kingsbridge may not be the cheapest provider, but it remains a good fit for full-time couriers who prioritise depth of cover and the reassurance of working with a long-established insurer.
5. Quotezone
Quotezone is useful for couriers who want to compare multiple hire and reward insurers, filter policies by vehicle type and understand typical pricing before choosing a provider.
Quotezone operates as a comparison platform rather than an insurer. Its strength is visibility. Couriers can see a wider range of hire and reward options in one place, which helps when entering the sector or checking whether better value exists elsewhere. This is especially helpful for drivers unsure which insurer will accept their profile.
Couriers often turn to Quotezone for:
- Quick comparisons of courier H&R insurers without contacting each individually
- Filters for vans, cars, mopeds and other delivery vehicles
- A sense of pricing trends across both part-time and full-time courier work
- A clearer starting point for new drivers who want to understand the market
Quotezone works particularly well for couriers who want reassurance before committing. It does not replace an insurer, but it helps drivers make informed decisions about costs and acceptance criteria.
What is courier insurance?
Courier insurance is hire and reward cover that allows drivers to legally transport parcels, packages and goods for payment. It is required for anyone earning money through courier work.
Standard motor insurance does not cover commercial delivery activity. Courier insurance reflects the higher risks of frequent stops, tight delivery deadlines and heavier mileage, and is required by courier firms and logistics companies before drivers can start work.
How much does courier insurance cost?
Courier insurance usually costs more than standard car cover because it insures commercial driving, with prices shaped by vehicle type, location and driver history.
Van couriers often pay more due to larger vehicles and longer routes. Car couriers sit mid-range, while moped and small-bike couriers typically pay less. Full-time couriers usually choose annual hire and reward policies, while part-time drivers sometimes prefer flexible monthly options.
A simple overview:
| Courier Type | Typical Pricing Trend |
|---|---|
| Moped/Scooter | Generally the lowest |
| Car Courier | Mid-range |
| Van Courier | Highest due to vehicle size and mileage |
Related Read: How Much Does Courier Insurance Cost In The UK?
Why do couriers need specialist cover?
Couriers need specialist hire and reward insurance because standard motor cover does not apply when transporting goods for payment, leaving drivers uninsured if an incident occurs during delivery work.
Courier driving exposes a vehicle to very different risks compared with everyday use. Routes are often tight and time-sensitive, mileage builds quickly, and drivers make repeated stops in unfamiliar locations. These patterns increase the likelihood of collisions, minor scrapes and theft, which is why insurers classify courier work as a higher-risk category.
Specialist cover reflects these realities. It protects the driver while carrying parcels or goods, provides the necessary legal foundation for commercial use, and ensures claims are honoured when incidents happen during multi-drop work. Many platforms also require proof of valid hire and reward insurance before allowing drivers to work. Without specialist cover, any accident, even a small one, could lead to rejected claims and penalties for operating commercially without valid insurance.
How to choose a courier insurance provider
The right courier insurer depends on your vehicle type, working pattern and whether you need flexibility or long-term stability in your cover.
Couriers who work irregular hours or switch between multiple platforms often gravitate toward digital-first insurers that offer quick activation and monthly options. These policies support variable incomes and seasonal workloads. Full-time couriers, on the other hand, typically prefer annual hire and reward cover for its predictable cost structure and stronger long-term value.
The type of courier work also matters. Car and van couriers completing regional parcel routes may prioritise strong claims performance and breakdown support, while scooter and moped couriers often look for affordability, simple documentation and quick onboarding. Drivers working in dense city environments may also benefit from insurers that offer clear excess terms and responsive customer support, given the higher likelihood of low-impact accidents in urban areas.
Choosing the right insurer ultimately means selecting one whose structure and support align with the realities of your daily work, rather than focusing on price alone.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right courier insurance provider depends on how your business operates, the hours you work and the type of vehicle you rely on. Admiral leads this list for its balance of strong commercial features, competitive pricing and suitability for both trades and delivery routes.
Zego remains the most flexible option for drivers who vary their hours or work across multiple platforms, while Freedom Brokers and Kingsbridge provide the stability and clarity expected from traditional underwriting. Quotezone offers visibility over the wider market, making it easier for couriers to compare policies before choosing.
Together, these providers give UK couriers a dependable foundation for securing the hire and reward cover needed to work legally, confidently and without unnecessary downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Many courier policies combine SD&P with hire and reward, allowing you to use the same vehicle for everyday driving and paid delivery work.
Yes. Goods-in-transit protects the parcels, not your driving activity. You still need hire and reward insurance to operate legally on the road.
Generally yes. Vans cover longer routes, carry heavier loads and cost more to repair, which increases premiums compared with cars and mopeds.
You can, but you must maintain uninterrupted hire and reward cover. Any gap in insurance can cause compliance issues with courier companies.
Most policies do, but some insurers restrict mileage or delivery zones. Always check territorial limits if you plan to cover long-distance routes.
Yes, but options are limited. Some insurers require a minimum age or licence duration, while others specialise in accepting newer drivers.
Yes. Most major courier firms verify hire and reward cover during onboarding and may conduct periodic checks to ensure your policy remains valid.
Yes. Hire and reward policies are designed for multi-drop deliveries, frequent stops and high-mileage routes typical of courier operations.
