Courier Insurance4 min read

Hire and Reward Insurance: What Food Delivery Drivers Actually Need

If you drive for Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat, or Amazon Flex, standard car insurance, even with business use added, almost certainly does not cover you. Delivery work falls under a specific category called hire and reward insurance, and getting caught without it can mean a claim gets refused entirely, not just reduced.

Why "business use" isn't enough

Business use car insurance covers driving to do your job, visiting a client, moving between sites. It does not cover being paid to carry goods, food, or passengers for someone else. Delivering food for payment counts as hire and reward, full stop, regardless of whether you're full-time or doing a few hours a week around another job.

If your policy doesn't explicitly list hire and reward, food delivery, or courier cover, assume it doesn't include it, don't rely on business use alone.

What it typically costs

Hire and reward and fast food delivery insurance premiums vary by vehicle, area, and delivery platform, but they generally sit above standard business car insurance because the risk profile (more miles, more stops, more urban driving) is higher. Some specialist insurers price by the hour or by the platform you work for, which can work out cheaper than an annual policy if you deliver part-time.

Amazon Flex and app-based insurance

Amazon Flex drivers in the UK are a specific case worth calling out. A number of Flex drivers use Inshur, an app-based insurer built specifically for gig delivery work, because it offers pay-as-you-go and flexible cover matched to shift patterns rather than a fixed annual policy. If you're searching for an Inshur login or trying to work out Inshur Amazon Flex cover, know that it's one option among several, not the only route to valid commercial vehicle insurance for Flex work.

Whichever insurer you use, Amazon Flex requires proof of valid commercial vehicle insurance that specifically covers "hire and reward" or delivery driving before you can start a block. A personal or business-use-only policy will not satisfy Amazon's requirements.

What to check before you sign up to any delivery platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need hire and reward insurance for Deliveroo or Uber Eats?

Yes. Delivering food for payment is hire and reward driving, and standard car insurance including business use does not cover it.

What insurance do I need for Amazon Flex in the UK?

You need commercial vehicle insurance that explicitly covers hire and reward or delivery driving. Amazon requires proof of this before you can accept delivery blocks.

Is Inshur the only insurer for Amazon Flex drivers?

No. Inshur is a popular app-based option built for gig delivery work, but several insurers offer hire and reward cover suitable for Flex drivers, it's worth comparing rather than assuming one is the only route.

How much does hire and reward insurance cost?

It varies by vehicle, location, and delivery platform, and is generally more expensive than standard business car insurance because of the higher mileage and risk involved.

Can I use business car insurance for food delivery instead?

No. Business car insurance covers driving for your own work purposes, not being paid to carry goods for someone else. You need dedicated hire and reward cover.

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This independent CoverMatch guide is based on publicly available information, provider pages, market commentary and general insurance principles available at the time of writing. CoverMatch is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorised to speak on behalf of Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat and Amazon Flex. Product names and brand names are used for identification only. Insurance products, appetite, pricing and policy wording can change, so check current terms before buying cover.