Why Compare Hire And Reward Insurance?
Prices Vary Between Brokers
H&R cover isn't a standard product. Rates differ a lot between specialist brokers. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who price this cover every day.
Standard Policies Don't Cut It
Your everyday motor policy almost certainly excludes hire and reward use. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialists who know exactly what the Road Traffic Act 1988 demands for hire and reward use.
Skip The Runaround
Finding H&R cover by calling insurers one at a time wastes hours. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers from a panel who already cover couriers, taxi drivers, and food delivery workers.
Hire And Reward Insurance At A Glance
- Your standard motor policy may not cover you if you're paid to carry goods or passengers.
- The Road Traffic Act 1988 requires your insurance to cover hire and reward use.
- Pay-as-you-go options could suit you if your delivery work is occasional.
- Cover can extend to couriers, taxi drivers, food delivery, and Amazon Flex drivers.
Do I Need Hire And Reward Insurance?
You need hire and reward cover if any of the following apply:
- Paid for Transport - you're paid to carry passengers or goods using your own vehicle
- Standard Policy Holder - your current motor policy is a standard social domestic pleasurable policy
- courier Work - you deliver parcels, food, or freight for a courier firm or via an app
- Taxi or Private Hire - you work as a taxi driver, private hire driver, or chauffeur
- Policy Declined - your insurer has confirmed your standard policy excludes paid carriage
Cover Levels Explained
Pick third party only on a paid delivery run and a repair or injury claim becomes personal. Here's what each level of hire and reward insurance could include.
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire and Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to your vehicle | Yes | No | No |
| Fire and theft protection | Yes | Yes | No |
| Damage to other people's property | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Injury to other people | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hire and reward use | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Goods in transit cover | Often included | Sometimes | Rarely |
| Windscreen repair | Often included | Rarely | No |
| Courtesy vehicle | Often included | Sometimes | No |
| Personal accident cover | Often included | Rarely | No |
Policy features, benefits, terms and conditions vary among insurance providers.
Tip: Check your policy schedule confirms hire and reward use is included. If your work type changes, tell your broker or your cover may not apply.
What May Not Be Covered
A single exclusion can mean a routine claim becomes an out-of-pocket expense. Here's what hire and reward insurance usually may not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Non-H&R Policy Used - Using a standard social or commuting policy for paid delivery work could invalidate your cover entirely. Your insurer may decline a claim if they find out you were carrying goods or passengers for payment.
- Unlicensed Driver - If the driver at the time of a claim doesn't hold the correct licence for the vehicle and use type, your insurer may decline a claim. Taxi drivers need the right private or public hire licence.
- Undeclared Business Use - Failing to tell your insurer that your vehicle is used for paid commercial work could invalidate your cover. Declaring your use type correctly is essential when you take out the policy.
Important Limitations
- Goods in Transit Limit - Many H&R policies apply a limit on the value of goods covered per trip. If you're carrying high-value parcels, you may need extra Goods in Transit (GIT) cover on top of your motor policy.
- Vehicle Weight Restrictions - Some policies only cover vehicles up to a set weight. If your van or vehicle exceeds that limit, your insurer could decline a claim. Check the schedule before you drive.
- Driver Age Limits - Many H&R policies apply minimum and maximum driver age limits, often around 21 to 70 depending on the insurer. If your age falls outside those limits, your insurer may apply extra conditions or decline to cover you.
Add-Ons Worth Considering
Miss an add-on and one on-road incident could leave costs your core H&R policy may not pay. These optional extras could be worth considering.
May be needed if you carry goods for payment and want protection beyond your motor policy limits, subject to policy terms.
May help cover the cost of roadside recovery if your vehicle breaks down during a delivery run, depending on your policy terms.
May be needed if you face a legal dispute after an accident, helping cover legal costs, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May help cover lost income if you're injured and can't drive, depending on the terms of your hire and reward cover.
May be needed if your policy carries a high excess and you want to limit your out-of-pocket cost after a claim, subject to policy limits.
What Affects The Cost Of Hire And Reward Insurance?
Declare the wrong use type and your cover may be invalid from day one. Here are the key factors that could affect your hire and reward cost.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Driver age | Younger drivers could pay more. Many insurers apply higher rates for drivers under 25. |
| Claims history | Previous at-fault claims could push your price up. A clean record often helps bring it down. |
| Vehicle type and age | Older or high-mileage vehicles may cost more to cover. Van type and load capacity both matter. |
| Annual mileage | Higher mileage means more time on the road and could increase your quote. |
| Cover level | Comprehensive cover typically costs more than Third Party Only, though that's not always the case. |
| Use type | Taxi and private hire use is often rated differently from parcel or food delivery work. |
| Licence type | Holding the correct licence for your work type could help you access more competitive rates. |
| Conviction history | Points or convictions on your licence could increase your price, depending on the offence type and age of the conviction. |
| Pay-as-you-go vs annual | Occasional drivers might pay less overall on hourly cover. Full-time drivers often find annual cover works out cheaper. |
Price Insight: Declaring your use type accurately from the start could help you avoid being under-insured and may give you access to more appropriate rates from specialist H&R brokers.
Your quote depends on the details you declare, so accurate information gives you the most useful comparison.
How To Pay Less For Hire And Reward Insurance
Choose The Right Use Type
Declaring the correct use type - parcel delivery, taxi, or food delivery - helps brokers match you to appropriate cover and could avoid over-pricing.
Build Your No-Claims Record
A clean claims history could bring your price down at renewal. Even one claim-free year can make a difference.
Consider A Higher Excess
Accepting a higher voluntary excess could lower your premium. Make sure you can afford to pay it if you need to claim.
Limit Your Mileage Accurately
Overestimating your mileage could push your price up. Give your broker an accurate annual figure when you get quotes.
Look At Pay-As-You-Go Cover
If your delivery work is occasional, hourly or short-term temporary van insurance with H&R use could cost less than a full annual policy.
Compare At Renewal
Don't auto-renew. Compare above to find a better deal at renewal.
Saving Tip: Compare quotes above. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who already know what courier and delivery drivers need.
How To Compare Hire And Reward Insurance Quotes
Getting hire and reward cover usually takes a few minutes. Get started above when you are ready.
Start Your Quote
Use the button above to enter your vehicle and cover details.
Enter Your Vehicle Details
Add your vehicle registration, type, and the age of the vehicle.
Select Your Use Type
Choose your H&R use type - parcel courier, taxi, food delivery, or private hire.
Add Your Driver Details
Enter your licence type, years held, and any points or convictions.
Review Your Options
Compare cover levels and prices from specialist brokers who know H&R cover.
What Our Expert Says
A lot of delivery drivers don't realise their standard motor policy is useless the moment they accept a paid job. That gap in cover is the single biggest risk in the gig economy right now.
The Road Traffic Act 1988 requires your insurance to cover hire and reward use, and driving without the correct cover is a criminal offence for any commercial carrying of people or goods. Getting this wrong isn't just an insurance issue - it can mean prosecution.
Pay-as-you-go policies have improved a lot. For occasional drivers, hourly H&R cover is now genuinely practical. But full-time couriers usually find annual cover works out cheaper and simpler. It's worth running the numbers before you commit.
Drivers using their vehicle for multiple courier platforms may find that comparing a general courier insurance policy covers more of their work under one arrangement.
Insurance Expert & Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common Hire And Reward Insurance Questions
What Is Hire And Reward Insurance?
It's a type of courier cover that lets you legally carry goods or passengers for payment. Standard policies exclude this type of commercial use, and the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires your insurance to cover how you actually use the vehicle.
Do I Need Hire And Reward Insurance For Food Delivery?
Yes. If you're paid to deliver food by car, van, or motorcycle, you legally need H&R cover. Your social or commuting policy may not cover you for paid delivery runs.
Does Amazon Flex Require Hire And Reward Cover?
Yes. Amazon Flex drivers use their own vehicle for paid deliveries, which counts as hire and reward use. You'll need an H&R policy to stay legal on the road. Check the Amazon Flex insurance page for more detail.
Can I Get Pay-As-You-Go Hire And Reward Insurance?
Yes. Hourly or short-term H&R policies are available for occasional use. They could suit drivers who only take paid jobs now and then rather than working full time.
Is Hire And Reward Insurance The Same As Courier Insurance?
Not exactly. Courier insurance is a product built for delivery drivers and often includes H&R use. H&R is the legal use class, not a policy type. Check GOV.UK vehicle insurance guidance for the legal position.
Does A Taxi Driver Need Hire And Reward Cover?
Yes. All taxi and private hire drivers legally need H&R cover. Your local licensing authority will usually check you have it before issuing a licence.
What Happens If I Drive Without Hire And Reward Cover?
Driving without the correct H&R cover could mean prosecution for driving without insurance. Your insurer may also decline any claim that arises from uninsured commercial use.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
Your details go to specialist brokers who match your cover needs. You may be contacted by phone or email with quote options.
Search & Compare Quotes From UK Hire And Reward Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK - Vehicle Insurance - Official guidance confirming your insurance must cover how you actually use the vehicle, and that driving without the correct cover is a criminal offence.
- GOV.UK - Penalties for Driving Without Insurance - Official guidance on the fines, points, and prosecution risk if your cover does not match how you use the vehicle.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI) - Industry body with guidance on motor cover types and consumer rights.
