What is Vehicle Collection and Delivery Insurance?
Vehicle Collection and Delivery Insurance is specialist motor trade insurance cover for businesses and drivers who move vehicles they don’t own – between dealerships, auction sites, garages, or direct to customers. Unlike standard car or van insurance, this policy is designed for professionals who handle, drive, or transport a wide range of vehicles as part of their work. It’s also known as delivery and collection agents insurance or trade plate insurance, and it helps keep your business legal and protected every step of the journey.
What the experts say…
"If your business involves moving vehicles you don’t own—whether that’s delivery for dealers, auctions, or private clients—specialist collection and delivery insurance is essential. It keeps you legal, covers vehicles in your care, and gives peace of mind to both you and your customers. Always check what’s included in your policy and tailor your cover to the way you work."
– Ian Beevis, Founder of Clean Green Compare
What’s Covered by Vehicle Collection and Delivery Insurance?
A typical policy is tailored for the collection and delivery trade, with the following core protections:
- Road risks cover – Lets you legally drive, collect, and deliver customer vehicles, including those with trade plates.
- Vehicles in your care – Protects any vehicle you’re moving, whether for a dealer, auction house, or private customer.
- Goods in transit – Covers vehicles against accidental damage, fire, or theft while being transported, including on trailers or recovery trucks.
- Public liability insurance – Covers you if a member of the public or customer is injured, or their property damaged, during a collection or delivery.
- Employers’ liability – A legal must if you employ staff, covering claims from employees injured while working for you.
These features keep your vehicle movement business legal, secure, and ready for anything. For wider options, see motor trade insurance.
Add-ons for Collection and Delivery Professionals
Every business is different, so you can tailor your cover with useful extras:
Roadside assistance for your transporter or for customer vehicles in your care.
Protects ramps, straps, winches, and other essential loading gear.
Helps with legal costs if you need to defend your business from claims or disputes.
Financial support if you or your staff are injured on the job.
Provides a replacement transporter or van if your main vehicle is off the road.
Extends your policy if you deliver or collect vehicles abroad.
Exclusions – What’s Not Covered?
Every policy has limits, so always check the wording. Common exclusions for this trade include:
- Personal use – Only covers business journeys for collection or delivery, not private trips.
- Unlisted drivers – Only named drivers are insured to move customer vehicles.
- Specialist or high-value vehicles – Some luxury, modified, or unusually valuable vehicles may be excluded unless declared.
- Motorsport or competitive use – No cover for vehicle movement linked to racing or track events.
- Theft from unsecured vehicles – Leaving keys inside or failing to lock vehicles can invalidate theft claims.
- Improper loading/unloading – Accidental damage caused by unsafe loading practices may not be covered.
Who Needs Vehicle Collection and Delivery Insurance?
This cover is essential if you or your business:
- Delivers vehicles to or from dealerships, auction houses, or customers’ homes
- Operates as a collection or delivery agent for the motor trade
- Drives vehicles on trade plates (see our trade plate guide)
- Moves multiple vehicles using transporters, trailers, or recovery trucks
- Handles regular handovers for auction, fleet, or lease businesses
- Runs a mobile business that picks up or drops off customer vehicles
If you ever move a vehicle you don’t own as part of your work, specialist cover is a must.
Get Vehicle Collection And Delivery Insurance Quotes Today
How to Get a Vehicle Collection and Delivery Insurance Quote
Getting the right policy is quick and straightforward:
How Much Does Vehicle Collection and Delivery Insurance Cost?
Prices vary based on the vehicles you move, business size, driving record, and extras you need. Insurers will look at:
- Number and type of vehicles – High-value or unusual vehicles may cost more
- Business size and turnover – More drivers or larger operations usually pay higher premiums
- Experience and claims history – Clean records help keep costs down
- Typical routes and areas – Regularly working in high-risk or urban areas can increase your price
- Level of cover and extras – Adding breakdown, tools, or European cover will raise the premium
- Security – Better security and careful key management can reduce what you pay
- How you pay – Annual payment is often cheaper than monthly
Always compare quotes and only pay for what your business really needs. See more tips at motor trade insurance.
Ways to Save Money on Vehicle Collection and Delivery Insurance
Try these tips to cut costs without compromising on cover:
FAQs – Vehicle Collection and Delivery Insurance
Can I get cover for part-time or occasional collection work?
Yes. Even if you move vehicles infrequently or part-time, you’ll need specialist cover. See part-time motor trade insurance.
What’s the difference between trade plate insurance and collection/delivery insurance?
Trade plate insurance is often included in collection/delivery insurance, but always check your policy allows for the way you use trade plates. See our trade plate guide.
Does this cover tools, ramps, and loading equipment?
Only if you add tools and equipment cover – check what’s included as standard.
Can I deliver vehicles to Europe?
Some policies allow European cover as an add-on. Always ask your provider and confirm which countries are included.
How do I get the lowest price?
Update your driver list, build your no-claims bonus, invest in security, and compare several quotes before renewing. For more, see our motor trade insurance tips.
Will my own van or transporter be covered?
No – this insurance is mainly for customer vehicles. Ask about adding your own vehicle or arrange separate commercial cover if needed.
