Do I need public liability insurance as a delivery driver?
Public liability insurance is not legally required for UK delivery drivers, but it covers you if you damage property or injure someone while working.
Last checked 25/10/2026.
You do not legally need public liability insurance to work as a delivery driver or courier in the UK. Hire and reward insurance is the only mandatory road insurance you must hold to carry goods or passengers for money.
What public liability insurance actually covers
Hire and reward insurance covers damage caused by your vehicle. Public liability insurance covers incidents that happen outside your vehicle while you are going about your work.
- Tripping over your delivery bag in a customer hallway and injuring them
- Dropping a heavy parcel on a customer's expensive stone floor
- Smashed items inside a customer property if you knock over a lamp while delivering
Do the delivery platforms provide it?
Some apps provide basic accident or injury cover while you are on an active trip, but comprehensive public liability protection is usually left for you to arrange. Check your specific platform agreement to see what protection is active during your shifts.
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