Ian Beevis

The fleets that get the worst terms aren't the riskiest. They're the ones whose paperwork doesn't match reality.

A common pattern is a builder with five vans who lists three drivers but lets any labourer move a van around site, or a sales fleet that quietly added two cars nobody declared. When a claim lands and the driver isn't on the policy, the insurer may decline it and the loss could sit with the business. There's also a quieter trap: a vehicle sold but never removed from the Motor Insurance Database, which is a legal duty under Continuous Insurance Enforcement and surfaces at exactly the wrong moment. Specialist brokers read a blended fleet as one risk, which is why a mixed car-and-van schedule places far more easily through them.

Match the schedule to who actually drives. That single habit wins better terms.

Fast food delivery looks simple from the outside, but the insurance reality is the opposite. Every time a rider picks up a paid order, the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires your insurance to cover that hire and reward use - whether the vehicle is a 50cc moped, a 125cc scooter or a family hatchback.

The most common mistake is assuming the app covers the vehicle. It doesn't, and the platforms ask to see proof of the rider's own motor policy that covers delivery work before the first order. Official guidance on motor insurance requirements sits on GOV.UK.

A second common gap is underdeclaring apps. A rider who signs up with a second platform midway through a policy year and forgets to tell the insurer may be carrying food for a use the policy doesn't cover. Tell your insurer or broker before your first shift on the new app, and get the change confirmed in writing.

Riders who also carry parcels alongside food deliveries should check whether a separate goods in transit policy covers their cargo liability, as the motor policy covers the vehicle, not the items inside it.

A lot of DPD drivers assume their personal van insurance is fine once they've signed the franchise agreement. It isn't. Standard policies don't cover paid parcel delivery, and a claim during a DPD run could be declined entirely.

The Road Traffic Act 1988 requires your insurance to cover hire and reward use the moment you accept payment for carrying goods, and driving without the correct cover is a criminal offence. Getting that wrong isn't just an insurance gap - it can mean prosecution.

Passing DPD's insurance check is a floor, not a ceiling. Comprehensive cover is worth comparing if your van is relatively new or carries liveried branding that affects its value. Don't just buy the most competitive option and hope for the best.