Do you deliver medical equipment, pharmaceutical supplies, medicines, surgical goods, blood or other human organs?
just like all other drivers who make deliveries in exchange for payment, medical equipment delivery drivers need, by law, to have hire and reward insurance. The vast majority of insurers will not issue policies of this kind, but there are still a number of specialist insurers who are happy to do so and you can get quotes to compare by filling in the application form above.
Why do medical equipment delivery drivers need this insurance?
Statistics show that drivers that make deliveries are involved in more claims than the average motorist. There are several reasons for this including:
- Sometimes having to park on busy or hazardous roads
- Deliveries to unfamiliar addresses, whilst possibly being distracted by Satnavs
- Time pressures to complete delivery schedules
- Obligations to make deliveries despite bad weather or road conditions
- Longer than average hours spent on the road.
All of these factors add up to increased costs for insurers which is why the majority will not cover this type of usage.
Are all hire and reward policies the same?
Not at all. drivers carrying goods could transport anything from pizzas to heavy building equipment and every consignment carries its own risks. Policies usually specify exactly what could be carried, so one which covered, for instance, furniture removal, would not cover carrying medical equipment.
What do hire and reward policies insure?
Whilst every policy is of course different, in general you would have the choice of third-party cover only, which would cover claims against you by other people only, but not damage to your own vehicle; third party fire and theft which would cover third-party claims as well as loss of your own vehicle if it was stolen or damaged by fire; or a comprehensive policy which would have a range of additional benefits including repair or replacement of your own vehicle if it was damaged or destroyed in an accident, even if that accident was judged to be your fault.
However; none of these policies would, usually, cover loss or damage to any goods being carried in the vehicle. A goods in transit policy could cover these, and if you regularly carry expensive goods this may be a sound investment.
Is hire and reward insurance expensive?
Owing to the extra risks that delivering goods create for the insurers these policies are usually more expensive than standard social domestic and pleasure or even business class insurance. However by being a delivery driver you are in business, and every business has overheads. Insurance is just one of them. Delivery drivers are much in demand and earnings can be excellent so it can still be a good business to be in!
How can I reduce the cost of this insurance?
Many of the factors that affect your insurance premium cannot be changed easily, such as your age, driving record and postcode. However you may be able to reduce your insurance costs considerably by driving a low insurance group vehicle, and by comparing quotations - something you can do by getting quotes now.
