Do you need different van insurance for occasional paid deliveries? Usually you need to tell the insurer and obtain cover for carrying other people’s goods for payment. Ordinary business use or carriage of your own goods may not cover even an occasional delivery job.
Own goods and customers’ goods
A florist delivering its own arrangements is not doing exactly the same activity as a driver paid to carry parcels for several businesses. Describe who owns the goods, who pays you and how often the work happens.
Hire and reward
Paid carriage is commonly called hire and reward. Courier work, multi-drop deliveries and food delivery can have different acceptance rules. The label on a comparison form is only useful if it matches the actual work.
Goods in transit is separate
Motor insurance deals mainly with liabilities arising from use of the van and any insured vehicle damage. It does not automatically repay a customer for lost, stolen or damaged goods. Ask whether goods-in-transit cover is needed.
Tell every relevant provider
If work comes through an app or subcontractor, its insurance may be limited to certain jobs or times. Check your own motor insurer and the platform terms rather than assuming one policy fills every gap.
Useful official guidance: vehicle insurance, SORN, MOTs and driving abroad.