A courier's van is the working tool of a trade, and the insurance that sits on it is chosen by the trade rather than by the vehicle. Carrying goods that belong to somebody else, for payment, is a use that an ordinary commercial van policy does not permit.
Hire and reward is a class of use, not an add on
Motor policies are written for a permitted use. Social, domestic and pleasure covers private driving. Carriage of own goods covers a trade carrying its own tools and materials. Hire and reward covers carrying other people's goods or people for payment, which is what a courier does on every job. Driving outside the permitted use leaves the vehicle effectively uninsured for anything other than the statutory third party minimum, and an insurer that discovers it will usually void the policy.
Goods in transit is a separate cover
Hire and reward motor cover answers for the vehicle and for third party injury and damage caused on the road. It does not pay for the parcels. Goods in transit is the policy that insures the load, with a limit per vehicle, conditions about overnight security, and exclusions that commonly catch high value electronics, alcohol, tobacco and money. Couriers who assume the load is covered because the van is insured find that out at the first theft.
Multi drop, courier exchange and what the rating watches
Insurers separate courier work by pattern. Multi drop parcel work involves constant stopping and starting in urban traffic and produces frequent low value claims. Same day and exchange work involves long distances at speed and produces fewer, larger ones. Overnight parking, whether the vehicle is left loaded, the radius worked, and whether other drivers use the van all move the price. So does a period when the van is used for nothing at all, which is why couriers who stop for a season should ask about laid up cover rather than simply cancel.
The other covers a courier trade needs
Public liability answers for damage done at a delivery address, which happens more often than couriers expect on driveways and in loading bays. Employers' liability applies as soon as another driver works for the business. Where a courier subcontracts a run, the same questions about labour only and bona fide status apply as in any other trade, and the subcontractor's own hire and reward certificate is the document to ask for.
Questions people ask about courier van insurance
Can I use a normal van policy for courier work?
No. Carrying goods for payment is hire and reward use, and a carriage of own goods or social use policy does not permit it.
Does courier van insurance cover the parcels?
No. The motor policy covers the vehicle and third party liability. The load needs goods in transit cover, which has its own limit and conditions.
Do I need public liability as a courier?
It is not required by law, but damage caused at a delivery address is a real exposure, and many contracts and platforms require a stated limit.