I cant get car insurance because I do courier work

diamondgeezr

I'm trying to renew my car insurance this week. When I was in conversation with the girl from my current insurer, I mentioned about my work (I deliver Next parcels etc. for Hermes in my own car). She asked me to hold the line, spoke to her supervisor, came back on and informed me they could not renew my car insurance as the Underwriters wont allow it.
I have been on a couple of comparison websites and all the good priced companies are the same. They check my occupation on the form and ask me "are you paid per delivery?" When I say "yes", thats the end of the conversation...
I'm looking at specialist companies for couriers, but they are quoting very expensive prices. Any ideas anyone?

dacouch

Insurance for couriers is very expensive as it's high risk.

Keep shopping around and also try a local broker but avoid Swinton

arcon5

Operating as a courier on a normal policy will see you with points on your license if caught.

Do Hermes offer any kind of insurance you can utilise?

diamondgeezr

They do a "top-up" insurance through QBE that provides 3rd party cover whilst you are working for them. But you still need to have your car insured.

Stephb1986_2

Try the co-op our van is insured by them

Steph x

diamondgeezr

Thanks, I've got a quote from the co-op.
I'm now trying to get quotes on the providers own sites - most say "unable to quote due to the information provided" i.e. they dont quote couriers.
They all quote on price comparison sites, but wont proceed when you ring them.

Joe_Horner

diamondgeezr wrote: »

They do a "top-up" insurance through QBE that provides 3rd party cover whilst you are working for them. But you still need to have your car insured.

If they provide cover for while you're working then try getting quotes for social, domestic and pleasure only (ie: not including commuting / work). It would mean that you're only covered third party while working, but at least you'll be legal and able to work without getting stung for a risk that your insurers won't be covering anyway!

skivenov

diamondgeezr wrote: »

They do a "top-up" insurance through QBE that provides 3rd party cover whilst you are working for them. But you still need to have your car insured.

Get a van, insure it for your gardenning business (you know, that one you've got ), then use the top-up insurance whilst courierring.

Then just insure your car for SD&P

TrickyWicky

diamondgeezr wrote: »

came back on and informed me they could not renew my car insurance as the Underwriters wont allow it.

You'll need to think carefully next time you take out a policy and they ask you "Have you ever been refused insurance or had a policy cancelled?"

Yes is the truthful answer. No is the potentially fraudulent one

Unfortunately the truthful one will cost you more..

skivenov

TrickyWicky wrote: »

You'll need to think carefully next time you take out a policy and they ask you "Have you ever been refused insurance or had a policy cancelled?"

Yes is the truthful answer. No is the potentially fraudulent one

Unfortunately the truthful one will cost you more..

They generally "decline" to offer a quote rather than "refuse to insure", so you're ok there.

diamondgeezr

Thanks for all the comments fellow members. This thread has a fairly happy ending...
I decided against the two company approach - felt it was a bit messy.
So it was a case of seeing who would quote me. I had several (very expensive) quotes from specialist companies who deal with couriers - all binned.
Of the main-stream companies, very few would quote from their web questionaires - it appears couriers are not the type of people they want to insure, no matter the type.
Tesco and the Co-op were kind enough to quote - Co-op got my business on this occasion.