Delivery Driver Insurance Australia: Complete Guide & Costs

A single knock to your bumper while the boot is full of hot meals can cost far more than a door-panel repair. The moment you accept money to move food, parcels or groceries, Australian law treats your run as “hire & reward” work, and standard car insurance no longer has your back. Without a policy written for commercial delivery use, any accident may leave you personally liable for vehicle repairs, damaged goods, third-party injuries and eye-watering fines.

This guide unpacks everything you need to protect your income on the road. You’ll see the exact cover types available, the price drivers are really paying in 2025, state legal requirements, cost-cutting tactics, and a side-by-side comparison of leading insurers—plus a clear checklist for buying or switching policies and step-by-step claim advice. Grab your next coffee order, queue the sat-nav and read on; five minutes here could save you thousands this year.

What Counts as Delivery Driver Insurance in Australia?

Not every “commercial” policy automatically protects you when you’re shuttling Big Macs at 11 pm or dropping medication to a retiree before breakfast. Delivery driver insurance is a purpose-built motor policy that recognises hire & reward use: you are being paid to transport goods, not people, and the risk profile is very different from private motoring. The cover can be taken out on cars, vans, utes, motorcycles, scooters, e-bikes and even pushbikes fitted with delivery boxes. If that vehicle (or bike) is the tool that earns you a fee per trip, it needs this specialist protection.

Australia’s gig-economy roster is broad. Uber Eats, DoorDash, Menulog, Amazon Flex, GoPeople, Sendle subcontractors, Fastway drivers, florist couriers, local bottle-shop runners and same-day pharmacy services all fall under the “goods for reward” umbrella. Because pickups and drop-offs happen dozens of times a shift—often in tight streets, busy car parks and after dark—the odds of a scrape, theft or injury spike compared with ordinary commuting. Insurers price that extra exposure into a delivery-grade policy; in return, they agree to pay out when something goes wrong on the clock.

A quick rule of thumb is this: if the app or dispatcher is paying you per parcel, bag or kilometre, a normal comprehensive or third-party policy will almost certainly exclude the trip. Dual-use drivers who also carry passengers for Uber or Ola can either (a) arrange one multi-use commercial policy that lists both “rideshare” and “courier” use, or (b) hold separate policies and switch apps only when the correct cover is active.

Everyday Scenarios Covered

Another motorist rear-ends your hatch while 15 food orders are in the boot; your insurer pays for bumper repairs and reimburses the restaurant for spoiled meals.
You brake suddenly to avoid a dog; parcels slide, smashing $2 000 of tech gear—goods-in-transit cover refunds the sender.
A pedestrian steps into a laneway as you ride an e-bike; they fracture a wrist and sue—public liability picks up medical costs and legal defence.
Someone nicks your insulated backpack and phone while you sign for a drop—property theft sections respond, minus the agreed excess.

These day-to-day mishaps are precisely why delivery driver insurance exists; private car or home policies would reject every one of them.

How It Differs From Rideshare and Taxi Policies

Feature	Delivery Driver Cover	Rideshare/Taxi Cover
Primary exposure	Goods damage & theft	Passenger injury & assault
Core add-ons	Goods-in-transit, public liability	Passenger liability, lost fares
Typical risk pattern	Frequent stops, unattended vehicle, high parcel turnover	Continuous occupancy, fewer stops
Theft rating	Higher (open boots/doors)	Lower
Insurer view	“Courier” class loading	“Passenger transport” class loading

Because cargo cannot buckle a seatbelt or give a statement, insurers focus on contents value, stop frequency and unattended vehicle time rather than seat-belt compliance or assault risks. That nuance matters when comparing premiums.

Legal Framework: National and State Rules

Federally, the ACCC requires clear disclosure that a motor policy does or does not cover commercial delivery use. Beyond that, each state layers its own obligations:

NSW – Point to Point Transport (Taxis & Hire Vehicles) Act 2016: While drafted for passenger services, it flags that vehicles working for reward must hold adequate third-party property and public liability—couriers are routinely asked to show proof when renewing business registrations.
VIC – Commercial Passenger Vehicle Regulations 2018: Similar wording; WorkSafe inspectors can request evidence of appropriate insurance if you transport goods.
QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT: No courier-specific acts, but vehicle registration forms ask you to declare commercial use. If ticked, CTP premiums jump and insurers expect a matching comprehensive policy.

Driving uninsured breaches each state’s road safety legislation and may attract fines from $500 to over $5 000, plus potential licence suspension. Holding a dedicated delivery driver insurance certificate keeps you on the right side of both the law and your bank balance.

Why Your Private Car Policy May Void Claims During Delivery Runs

A lot of drivers assume “comprehensive” means covered for anything that can happen on the road. Unfortunately, that confidence unravels the minute you accept a ping from DoorDash or agree to drop parcels for a mate’s online store. Almost every private-use car or motorbike policy in Australia contains a hire-and-reward exclusion. The moment your trip is classed as commercial delivery, the insurer’s obligation to pay can evaporate—even if you’ve been a loyal customer for years and the premium is fully paid.

Why does it matter? Because claims staff will dig. They look at police reports, dash-cam timestamps, delivery-app logs and sometimes telematics data fitted to newer vehicles. If they spot a single clue that you were earning money, they’ll quote the exclusion clause and shut the claim. That leaves you footing repair bills, third-party damage, medical costs and possibly the cost of spoiled goods. Below is how those exclusions read and the real-world fallout they cause.

Exclusions in Standard Comprehensive & Third-Party Policies

Open any Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and you’ll see variations of these lines:

We do not cover the vehicle while it is being used to carry goods for payment, hire or reward.
No cover applies when the vehicle is used for delivery or courier purposes, including [food delivery services](https://nationalcover.com.au/food-delivery-insurance/) such as Uber Eats or Menulog.
We will not pay a claim if the vehicle is used for any business or commercial activity that earns income, unless we agree in writing.

The catch? Even “occasional” jobs count. One Friday-night pizza run is enough to trigger the exclusion. Some insurers further tighten the net by refusing cover if the vehicle displays delivery signage or has a fitted phone mount linked to a gig-economy app. In short, if money changes hands, a private policy is almost certainly out.

The Risk of Driving Uninsured: Fines, Liability & Income Loss

Running deliveries without purpose-built insurance compounds three separate financial hits:

Government penalties – Each state imposes fines for driving uninsured. Expect roughly $900 in Queensland, up to $2 200 in Victoria and north of $5 000 plus licence suspension in New South Wales for repeat offenders.
Civil liability – Crash into a $120 000 Tesla and you could be sued personally for repairs, hire-car costs and diminished value. Third-party injury payouts can breach the million-dollar mark.
Lost earnings – While your car waits for an out-of-pocket repair, you earn nothing. If you’re sidelined by injury, the income gap widens unless you hold separate personal-accident or downtime cover.

Add it up and a single uninsured accident can wipe out years of side-hustle income.

Real-World Examples of Claim Rejections

Reddit case (Sydney, 2024): A Corolla driver’s $8 000 rear-end repair was knocked back after investigators pulled Menulog screenshots from his phone. The post amassed 600 comments warning others.
Insurer complaint to AFCA (Melbourne, 2023): A rider contested a $15 000 bike write-off denial. The ruling sided with the insurer because the PDS plainly excluded “food courier activity”.
Small-claims court filing (Brisbane, 2022): A homeowner sued a freelance courier personally for $19 500 in wall and gate damage. The courier’s private policy declined involvement; judgement was entered against the driver, who now pays $90 a week under a garnishee order.

The pattern is stark: when a dispute reaches an ombudsman or courtroom, the exclusion holds firm. Protect yourself with a delivery driver insurance policy that explicitly lists “hire & reward” use—before your next shift, not after the tow truck arrives.

Core Cover Types You Might Need

Before you start comparing quotes, it helps to know the building-blocks of a solid delivery driver insurance package. Think of the following covers as menu items: you can order one or stack several until the risk gaps are closed. The mix that works for a Sydney Uber Eats cyclist won’t suit a Brisbane Amazon Flex van, so use the table below as a rough guide, then read the deeper dives that follow.

Vehicle & Typical Use	Minimum Recommended Cover	Nice-to-Have Extras
Car ‑ Food/Grocery runs (metro)	Commercial Motor Comprehensive	Goods in Transit ($5k+), Hire Car, Roadside
Van ‑ Parcel courier (interstate)	Commercial Motor + Public Liability	Increased Transit Limit ($20k+), Downtime Cover
Motorcycle/Scooter ‑ Fast-food (urban)	Third-Party Property + Public Liability	Personal Accident, Gear Cover
E-Bike/Pedal Bike ‑ CBD lunch delivery	Public Liability + Personal Accident	Goods in Transit (meals), Theft of Bike
Dual-use Rideshare/Delivery Car	Multi-Use Commercial Motor	Passenger Liability, Goods in Transit

Commercial Motor (Comprehensive) Cover

Commercial Motor is the flagship insurance for most professional drivers. It mirrors private comprehensive cover—paying for accidental damage to your own vehicle, theft, fire, hail and malicious acts—but is priced and worded for “hire & reward” use.

Key points

Covers repairs or write-off payout on agreed or market value (agreed locks in a dollar figure; market fluctuates).
Includes Third-Party Property Damage up to $20 million as standard.
May come with higher standard excess ($750–$1 500) than a private policy, but some insurers waive the excess if you’re not at fault and can identify the other driver.
Option to list multiple drivers—handy for couples or fleet subcontractors.
National Cover policies bundle 24×7 towing and lifetime repair warranty, reducing downtime.

Who buys it?
Cars and vans worth more than $7 000, drivers clocking 25 000 km+ a year, anyone financing a vehicle (lenders generally demand comprehensive).

Third-Party Property Damage Only

If you deliver using a 2005 Barina or 125 cc scooter that’s worth less than a grand, you may decide the maths doesn’t stack up for full comprehensive. Third-party property damage (TPPD) only pays for what you break—not what you ride or drive.

Pros

Premiums can start under $900 a year for motorcycles in regional areas.
Prevents six-figure lawsuits if you sideswipe a luxury car or hit a brick wall.

Cons

You’ll pay to fix or replace your own wheels.
Theft, fire and weather losses are on you (some insurers offer a middle-tier “fire & theft” extension).

Who buys it?
Gig riders on tight budgets, start-ups waiting for stable cash-flow, experienced bikers who can DIY minor repairs.

Public Liability & Goods in Transit

Vehicle cover stops at the bumper. Step onto a customer’s driveway and different risks surface.

Public Liability

Pays legal costs and compensation if your actions injure someone or damage their property while you’re working away from the vehicle.
Common limits are $5 million, $10 million or $20 million; large e-commerce clients often stipulate $10 million minimum.
Covers slips, trips, dog bites, dropped parcels shattering expensive tiles, etc.

Goods in Transit

Reimburses the sender (or platform) for lost, stolen or damaged cargo.
Food-delivery versions focus on spill or spoilage ($1 k–$5 k sub-limits per load). Parcel couriers can buy higher bands—$20 k, $50 k or even all risks declarations for high-value electronics.
Claims usually require a signed consignment note or in-app proof that goods were in your custody.

These covers are often packaged together because liability claims frequently involve damaged goods and injured people in the same incident.

Personal Accident & Income Protection

Self-employed delivery drivers don’t get sick leave. If you can’t twist a throttle or steer a wheel, earnings dry up fast.

Personal Accident

Weekly benefit (say 85 % of average income up to $1 500) if you’re temporarily disabled.
Lump-sum payouts for permanent injury or death; a requirement for many mortgage or loan contracts.

Income Protection

Broader cover that can include non-work injuries or illnesses.
Waiting periods as short as 14 days for gig-economy riders, with benefit periods from 6 months to 5 years.

Tip: Some Commercial Motor insurers offer a modest weekly “downtime” add-on that covers vehicle repairs but not medical leave—make sure you know the difference.

Add-Ons Worth Considering

Windscreen/Window Glass – Excess-free replacement keeps you on the road; cracked windscreens are common on highway courier routes.
Hire Car / Replacement Vehicle – Crucial if you rely on one car for all income; National Cover supplies a like-for-like vehicle when you’re not at fault.
Excess-Free Repairs via Preferred Repairer – Faster turnaround, lifetime workmanship warranty.
Roadside Assistance & 24×7 Towing – Flat batteries and punctures happen; after-hours call-outs can otherwise cost $250+.
Telematics/Safe-Driver Discounts – Some insurers shave 5–15 % off premiums for drivers who install an app or OBD device proving smooth acceleration and low-risk routes.
Contents/Theft of Delivery Gear – Protects phone holders, thermal bags, scanners and uniforms up to a set limit.

Selecting the right combination of these cover types ensures your delivery driver insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all contract but a tailored safety net that matches your wheels, wallet and workload. Spend five minutes mapping the risks you actually face, then pick policies that kill those specific worries—nothing more, nothing less.

Delivery Driver Insurance Costs in 2025

How much will you actually hand over for delivery driver insurance this year? The short answer is “it depends”, but we can narrow the window. Insurers have now priced in three full years of post-COVID gig-economy data: more cars on the road at odd hours, higher claim frequency in dense suburbs, and an uptick in theft of unattended vehicles. Premiums rose around 6 % nationally in 2024, then stabilised, so 2025 quotes feel predictable—providing your record is clean and you shop around.

The figures below combine live quotes from National Cover’s ASIC-licensed database, public rate-cards from major insurers and broker feedback gathered in July 2025. They assume no at-fault claims in the past five years, an unrestricted licence and garaging in a metro postcode unless stated.

Typical Premium Ranges by Vehicle Type & State

Vehicle & Use Case	NSW (Metro)	VIC (Metro)	QLD (Metro)	WA (Metro)	Regional Average*
Car – Food/Grocery (Comprehensive)	$1,800 – $3,200	$1,650 – $2,900	$1,500 – $2,700	$1,400 – $2,600	↓15 %
Van – Parcel Courier up to 1 t	$2,200 – $4,000	$2,000 – $3,600	$1,900 – $3,400	$1,800 – $3,200	↓12 %
Motorcycle/Scooter – Fast-Food	$850 – $1,600	$800 – $1,500	$750 – $1,400	$700 – $1,350	↓10 %
E-Bike – CBD Lunch Runs (PLI + Theft)	$420 – $750	$400 – $720	$380 – $700	$370 – $680	↓8 %
Dual-Use Car (Rideshare + Delivery)	$2,100 – $3,600	$1,950 – $3,300	$1,800 – $3,100	$1,700 – $2,900	↓14 %

*Regional premiums are lower on average but can spike in high-theft tourist towns. Prices exclude CTP and stamp duty; those add roughly $415 in NSW and as little as $270 in Tasmania.

A few observations:

NSW still leads the pack for cost thanks to the state’s highest frequency of delivery-related collisions and the separate CTP Green Slip system.
Van rates jump sharply once payload tops one tonne or if you bolt on refrigeration units—expect another $250–$600.
E-bike cover remains the bargain of the bunch, yet claims data show rising theft; locking devices and GPS trackers are becoming a rating factor.

Key Factors That Affect Pricing

Even within the ranges above, two otherwise identical drivers can see a $1,000 gap. Insurers crunch dozens of variables, but the big levers are:

Driver age & licence tenure – Under-25s pay up to 40 % more and face higher excesses.
Postcode risk score – High-density postcodes with lots of rear-end shunts (Sydney 2000, Melbourne 3000) attract premiums up to 25 % above the state mean.
Vehicle value & modifications – Advert-wrapped cars and roof-mounted cargo pods raise theft and impact risk; premiums follow.
Average kilometres & delivery hours – Declaring >40 hours a week or regular shifts past midnight can add $200–$500.
Claims & demerit history – One at-fault accident or >3 demerit points in 3 years triggers a loading of 10–25 %.
Goods type & value – Tech parcels worth $5k each cost more to insure than burgers; the insurer either loads the motor premium or nudges you toward a higher goods-in-transit limit.

Cost-Saving Strategies

Delivery driver insurance isn’t set in stone. Use these tactics to push your quote toward the bottom of the range:

Pay annually, not monthly
Most underwriters add 8–12 % for instalments. If cash-flow allows, swipe once and forget.
Accept a higher excess
Lifting the standard excess from $750 to $1,250 can shave 10 % off the premium. Just bank the difference so you’re ready if the worst happens.
Install telematics or a safe-driver app
National Cover’s “SmartDrive” discount is up to 15 % for smooth acceleration and no harsh cornering during peak times.
Bundle policies
Combine your home contents, second car or even business public liability with the same insurer and ask for a multi-policy rebate.
Compare every renewal
Loyalty rarely pays. Use price-beat guarantees and put your expiring schedule in front of at least two rivals. A 7-minute phone call often uncovers $200-plus savings.
Secure the vehicle
Steering-wheel locks, GPS trackers and secure overnight parking reduce theft loadings. Send photos when you quote—some underwriters insist on proof.
Specify actual delivery hours
If you only work weekends, don’t let the quote default to “full-time”. Limited-use declarations can cut premiums by 5–8 %.

Add these levers together and it’s realistic to trim $400–$1,000 a year off a mid-tier comprehensive policy. Just be honest; inaccurate declarations can void cover and land you exactly where you started—paying for repairs out of your own pocket.

Armed with realistic numbers and insider savings tips, you’re better placed to judge whether a quote is fair or fatty. Next up: how to assess the insurers themselves before you part with a single dollar.

Comparing Delivery Driver Insurance Providers in Australia

Before you pull the trigger on a policy it helps to know how the market players stack up. In broad strokes you have four camps: specialist gig-economy insurers such as National Cover, big household brands that let you bolt commercial use onto a private policy, niche courier underwriters that only talk to couriers, and the cover supplied (in part) by the delivery apps themselves. A fifth option—going through a broker—cuts across the first four.

The table gives an at-a-glance feel for what you can expect on a typical metro-NSW car used for food and grocery deliveries (comprehensive cover, 30-year-old driver, no claims):

Provider Type	Example Brands	Indicative Premium	Stand-out Features
Gig-Economy Specialist	National Cover	$1,850–$2,600	Price-beat guarantee, 24 × 7 towing, lifetime repair warranty
Major General Insurer (add-on use)	NRMA, GIO, AAMI, Allianz	$2,200–$3,300	Easy online self-service, multi-policy discounts
Courier-Only Underwriter	GSK, CourierCover, OnCover, AUZi	$1,950–$3,100	Public liability bundles, higher goods-in-transit limits
Platform Partnership (contingent)	Uber, DoorDash	$0 (included)	Covers third-party injury while on trip—vehicle damage is driver’s problem

National Cover: Price-Beat Guarantee & Gig-Economy Expertise

National Cover was built around the delivery and rideshare sector, so its risk models are sharper than the majors’. Quoting is quick—most drivers complete it on a phone in under five minutes—and every quote is benchmarked by ASIC-licensed analysts against rival rate cards. If you flash a cheaper written offer, they’ll beat it or pay your first month elsewhere.

Policies are clearly worded: “hire & reward” is listed on page one, and dual-use (passenger + goods) is allowed with no kilometre cap. The extras hit pain points gig drivers feel daily:

Replacement car when you’re not at fault, so income keeps flowing
Excess discount if you choose a preferred repairer with a lifetime workmanship warranty
24 × 7 towing nationwide, handy for late-night breakdowns

Claims are lodged by email—no 40-minute hold music—and a dedicated handler shepherds the file. In short, it’s a boutique service at mass-market prices.

Major Insurers Offering Add-On Commercial Use

The big four—NRMA, GIO, AAMI and Allianz—let existing customers upgrade their private comprehensive policy to “business/class 1 commercial”. The uplift is usually 20–35 % and bumps the excess by $200–$400. It’s convenient if you already bundle home and contents with them, but read the fine print:

Some limit delivery kilometres to 20 000 a year or 2 days a week.
Goods in transit is often excluded entirely; you must buy a separate marine or cargo extension.
If you drive for multiple apps, declare every platform—undisclosed ones can void a claim.

That said, these brands excel at online self-service: modify drivers, update rego details, pay monthly—no paperwork required.

Niche Courier Specialists

Firms like GSK Insurance, CourierCover, OnCover and AUZi live and breathe parcels. Policies typically bundle:

Commercial motor comprehensive
Public liability up to $20 million
Goods-in-transit from $5 k to $50 k, sometimes “all risks”

Because they underwrite fewer vehicle classes, underwriting questions can be granular—expect queries on cargo type, warehouse security and hand-held scanner use. Premiums aren’t always cheaper than National Cover, but the high transit limits can be decisive if you haul electronics or fragile goods.

Rideshare & Delivery Platform Partnerships

Uber’s contingent motor cover and DoorDash’s accident assistance are often misunderstood. They provide:

Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) injury protection (required by law)
Limited third-party property cover while an order is “live”

What they do not cover is damage to your own car, theft while waiting for an order, or any off-app driving. Think of it as a legal back-stop, not a replacement for proper delivery driver insurance. If you rely solely on the platform’s policy, expect to self-fund your repairs and downtime.

Broker vs Direct Purchase: Pros and Cons

Going through an insurance broker can unearth niche policies and off-menu discounts, plus you gain an advocate at claim time. Fees vary from $0 (commission only) to a flat $250 per policy year; for high-value vans it can pay for itself.

Direct specialists—National Cover is the obvious example—skip the middle layer. Savings come from lower acquisition costs and scale, and are passed on through price-beat guarantees. You manage the quote and, in many cases, the claim yourself, but a 365-day call centre cushions the DIY feel.

Which route wins? If your driving situation is straightforward—one vehicle, mainstream cargo—direct is usually faster and cheaper. Complex fleets or bespoke cargo (e.g., medical specimens) often warrant a broker’s negotiating muscle and risk advice.

By matching your own risk profile and service expectations to these provider types, you’ll narrow the shortlist fast and avoid decision fatigue. Next up: how to actually buy the right policy without missing a clause or overpaying by a cent.

Step-by-Step Guide to Buying the Right Policy

Comparing quotes is only half the battle; the real skill is pairing the numbers with cover that genuinely fits your run. Use the four-step framework below and you’ll avoid the classic traps—missing a hidden excess, understating kilometres, or paying twice for the same protection.

Gather Information Insurers Will Ask For

Before you click “get quote” have these details at your fingertips:

Registration, VIN and current odometer reading
Vehicle mods (roof racks, refrigeration pods, vinyl wraps)
Your ABN and GST status (if you invoice platforms directly)
Average weekly delivery hours and projected annual kilometres
All apps or clients you’ll work for (Uber Eats, DoorDash, local florist, etc.)
Overnight parking address and security devices (alarm, GPS tracker)
Prior claims and licence points from the past five years
Estimated maximum value of goods carried at any one time

Having complete, honest data up-front keeps the quote accurate and prevents “post-bind” premium hikes.

Compare Apples with Apples: Reading PDS, Excesses & Limits

Price means nothing if the fine print guts the payout. When the quotes land, open each Product Disclosure Statement and line up the following:

Item to Check	Why It Matters	Red Flag
Hire & reward clause	Must explicitly include delivery use	Wording like “private or occasional business only”
Own-damage excess	What you’ll pay per claim	Young-driver or night-time surcharges hidden in footnotes
Goods-in-transit limit	Covers spoiled or broken cargo	Sub-limit under $1 000 for food or $5 000 for parcels
Downtime/hire car	Keeps income flowing	Only available if “not at fault”
Driver restrictions	Friends or partners borrowing the car	“Named drivers only” policies

Create a simple spreadsheet and colour-code green/amber/red; the winner usually reveals itself in minutes.

Question Checklist to Ask Providers

Ring or live-chat the shortlist and fire off these deal-clinchers:

Am I covered while waiting for orders or only during active trips?
Is personal use (school run, shopping) allowed without higher excess?
Can multiple delivery apps be listed with no extra fee?
Do you cap annual kilometres or late-night driving?
What’s the process and cost to add a temporary replacement vehicle?
Are repairs guaranteed for life, and can I choose my own workshop?
How is no-claim discount protected after a not-at-fault smash?
Do telematics or dash-cams unlock any premium discount?

If an insurer stumbles on clear answers, park the quote and move on.

Switching Mid-Policy: How Refunds & Cancellation Work

Found a better deal halfway through the year? Switching is easier than you think:

Cooling-off period – All Australian motor policies carry a 14-day money-back window if no claim has been lodged.
Pro-rata refund – After that, most insurers refund unused months minus a cancellation fee (typically $30–$80).
Letter of experience – Request this from the outgoing insurer; it proves your claim-free history and can shave 5 – 10 % off the new premium.
Seamless cover – Overlap the old and new policies by a day to avoid any uninsured gap; email both certificates to the delivery platforms you use.

Follow the steps above and you’ll lock in delivery driver insurance that’s sharp on price, watertight in coverage, and ready before your next ping.

Making a Claim: What to Do After an Accident or Loss

Filing a claim is never fun, but handling it well keeps the payout fast and the stress low. The golden rule is to treat every incident as if an assessor is already watching: secure people first, capture evidence second, notify your insurer third. The steps below reflect how most Australian delivery driver insurance policies—including National Cover—expect you to act.

Immediate Safety and Reporting Obligations

Move vehicles out of traffic if safe to do so and switch on hazards.
Check for injuries. Call 000 for any medical need.
Dial police if anyone is hurt, a third-party driver refuses details, or damage appears to exceed $3,000 (NSW and VIC) / $2,500 (QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT).
Exchange names, addresses, licence numbers, rego plates and insurer details.
Contact your delivery platform to cancel pending orders—continuing to drive may breach the policy’s duty-of-care clause.

Collecting Evidence: Photos, Dash Cam, Delivery App Logs

Solid evidence stops disputes before they start. Gather:

Smartphone or dash-cam images of damage, road markings, street signs and weather.
A wide-angle shot showing vehicle positions before tow trucks shuffle the scene.
Screenshots of the delivery app showing pickup/drop-off times, order number and GPS route.
Contact details for witnesses and the attending officer’s event number.
If goods are damaged, photograph packaging and keep receipts or manifests.

Back everything up to cloud storage in case the phone is lost or seized.

Lodgement Process: Typical Timelines & Documentation

Most insurers want notice within 24–48 hours even if the fault is unclear. Miss that window and you risk a late-notification penalty or outright denial.

Have these documents ready:

Completed claim form or online wizard reference number
Driver’s licence and rego certificate
Police event or accident report (if applicable)
Repair quotes or tow invoice (if already obtained)
Proof of earnings for downtime cover—last four weeks of app income reports or bank statements

National Cover sends a claim acknowledgment within one business day and appoints a handler who remains your single point of contact until settlement.

How Excess & No-Claim Discounts Are Applied

Single excess per event: pay once, even if both your car and cargo are damaged.
Unlisted or young-driver excess: added on top if someone else was at the wheel.
Recovery of excess: refunded if the insurer recovers costs from an at-fault third party.
No-claim discount (NCD): generally lost after an at-fault claim; protected NCD options freeze it for one claim every policy year.

Tip: lodge minor windscreen or theft claims only if the repair exceeds your excess; otherwise you’re trading future premium hikes for a tiny payout.

What Happens to Your Delivery Income During Repairs

Downtime can be costlier than panel-beating. Coverage depends on the extras you picked:

Hire car / replacement vehicle: kicks in for not-at-fault accidents immediately, or after 48–72 hours for at-fault incidents (policy-specific).
Downtime allowance: pays a weekly sum (e.g., $500 up to 14 days) once the vehicle is off the road.
Personal accident or income protection: takes over if you’re medically unfit to drive.

Upload your repair booking confirmation or medical certificate promptly; insurers won’t pay retrospective loss-of-income claims without dated proof.

Handle these steps methodically and your delivery driver insurance should switch from fine print to financial lifeline in a matter of days, not months.

FAQs About Delivery Driver Insurance

Still scratching your head about one or two details? Below are the questions we hear most often from couriers, riders and part-time side-hustlers. Tick them off and you’ll be clearer on what you must have, what’s optional and where the sneaky gaps hide.

Do I Need Commercial Insurance for Part-Time Food Delivery?

Yes. Australian insurers make no distinction between full-time and Saturday-night shifts; the moment you accept payment for a run, it’s “hire & reward” use. If you crash on your first job of the week, a private policy can reject the claim in full. A scaled-back commercial policy or per-kilometre plan still counts as commercial and keeps you legal.

Is Hire & Reward Insurance Compulsory in Australia?

While federal law doesn’t spell it out, state road-transport acts require every vehicle to be covered for third-party liability while operating commercially. Practically, the only way to meet that duty is to hold a policy that lists hire & reward. If you’re stopped at a roadside inspection without proof, fines range from about $900 to more than $5,000 depending on the state.

Does My Delivery Platform Provide Any Cover?

Platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash supply limited “contingent” cover—mainly compulsory third-party injury and, in some cases, third-party property—only while an order is live. They don’t pay for damage to your own car or bike, theft while waiting, or income loss after a smash. You still need separate delivery driver insurance to plug those gaps.

Can I Pause My Policy If I Stop Delivering?

Many commercial motor insurers allow you to switch to “private use only” mid-term or temporarily suspend cover if the vehicle is garaged. Expect a small admin fee and a pro-rata premium adjustment. Keep in mind that public liability and goods-in-transit sections usually halt at the same time, so reactivate the policy before your next shift.

What If I Use a Motorbike or E-Bike?

Motorbikes and scooters need the same hire & reward endorsement as cars, though premiums are lower. For e-bikes and pedal cycles, insurers focus on public liability and theft rather than vehicle damage. Look for a policy that bundles at least $10 million liability with optional gear and battery cover; some providers throw in personal-accident benefits as well.

Next Steps for Securing Your Cover Today

Ready to draw a line under the “what-ifs” and get back to earning? Tick off these three quick actions:

Audit your risk. List your vehicle, delivery hours, platforms and the highest-value load you carry. That tells you the cover types you can’t skip.
Compare at least two quotes. Use the tables above as a price sense-check and make sure each quote explicitly says hire & reward or courier use—no wiggle room.
Lock it in before your next shift. A single uninsured run is all it takes to void a claim.

Delivery driver insurance isn’t a luxury; it’s the cost of staying on the road and in business. Beat tomorrow’s price rise and grab an instant quote in under five minutes at National Cover. Safe driving and happy delivering!