Insurance for Delivery Drivers: Are You Properly Covered?

The moment you start transporting a pizza, parcel or bouquet for a fee, the “private use” promise on most car policies evaporates. Standard comprehensive cover is instantly trumped by a clause that excludes any “carriage of goods for hire or reward”, leaving you personally liable for crash repairs, third-party damage and even spoiled cargo. To stay legal – and solvent – every Australian delivery driver needs a form of commercial motor insurance, often paired with goods-in-transit and public liability cover.

App-based gigs have exploded so quickly that many casual drivers still assume their weekend runs fall under normal insurance. They discover the truth only after a prang, a policy rejection and a repair bill they can’t dodge. This guide cuts through the jargon and fine print to show exactly why the old rules don’t fit the new economy. You’ll learn the usage classes insurers recognise, the essential covers each platform expects, what drives premiums up or down, and how to compare specialist policies without overpaying. Read on and protect your income before the next delivery ping.

Why Standard Car Insurance Won’t Protect You on a Delivery Run

Your everyday comprehensive or third-party policy is designed for the school run, Bunnings dash, and weekend footy trip—nothing more. The moment you turn your car into a revenue tool, you shift into a risk category insurers call “commercial travelling”. Unless that use class is declared on your schedule, any damage, theft or liability that arises while you’re on the clock can be flat-out refused.

Here’s the catch: most Product Disclosure Statements (PDS) bury the restriction deep inside pages of definitions, so it’s easy to miss. But claims departments don’t. All it takes is an assessor spotting an Uber Eats delivery bag in the boot or a note on the police report that you were “working” and the file heads straight to the exclusions team.

Imagine this: Jade, a uni student, turns the Uber Eats app on after lectures. Ten minutes in, she nudges the rear of a BMW while queuing for a drive-through. Repair bill: $4,800. Jade’s private-use insurer declines the claim, citing unpaid “carriage of goods” usage. She now owes the BMW driver, her own smash repairs, plus the $89 of Thai takeaway she was carrying—none of which are recoverable under her Compulsory Third Party (CTP) policy because CTP only covers bodily injury to others. One cheap Pad Thai delivery just cost her an entire semester’s tuition.

Below we break down the language, the timing traps and the official usage classes so you can avoid Jade’s nightmare.

The ‘Private Use Only’ Exclusion Explained

Most Australian insurers lift wording straight from industry templates. A typical clause reads:

We do not cover any loss, damage or liability arising while the vehicle is
used to carry passengers, goods or any other item for hire, fare, reward or
other form of payment (including app-based delivery or [rideshare](https://nationalcover.com.au/tag/rideshare-driver-insurance/) services)
unless we have agreed in writing to this use.

Key terms:

• hire, fare, reward = any monetary or non-cash benefit (fuel vouchers, tips, “free” meal)
• carry passengers OR goods = rideshare and courier work are both captured
• unless we have agreed = you must add a business/commercial endorsement beforehand

Grey areas that still void cover:

• “I only deliver on weekends.” Frequency is irrelevant; a single paid trip triggers the exclusion.
• “I’m helping my partner’s florist shop for free.” If the shop benefits financially, it’s still “for reward” in the insurer’s eyes.
• Ferrying charity hampers? Ask the insurer first—some waive the clause for registered charities, most don’t.

The Moment Your Cover Can Be Voided (App On vs. App Off)

Many drivers think they’re safe until they physically accept a job. Insurers disagree. Risk begins the second commercial intent exists, usually when the app is live and you’re available for hire.

Suggested timeline (read left to right):

Private errand → App switched on (commercial) → Job accepted → Goods collected → Goods delivered → App off (private)

Everything in the middle is classed as business use. The technical logic is that you’re positioning yourself for gain even while waiting. If a hailstorm totals the car while you’re idle in a McDonald’s car park with the DoorDash app running, it’s still a commercial loss.

Practical takeaway:

• Turn the platform off before driving home or doing personal trips.
• Keep separate logbooks or screenshots in case the insurer asks for proof of status.
• If you multi-app (e.g. Uber + Menulog), the highest-risk use rules all—don’t assume part-time status lowers the bar.

What Insurers Class as ‘Commercial Travelling’ or ‘Carriage of Goods for Hire’

Insurers split vehicle use into three broad buckets:

Use Class	Typical Description	Example Drivers	Premium Impact
Private / Social & Domestic	Personal errands, commuting to fixed workplace	Teacher driving to school	Base rate
Business Use	Visiting clients, carrying own tools or samples	Sales rep, tradie with ladder	+10–25%
Commercial Travelling (Hire or Reward)	Carrying goods or passengers for payment, unlimited stops	Uber Eats courier, same-day parcel van	+40–120%

Drill-down categories you’ll see on quote forms:

• Rideshare (passengers) – may exclude goods entirely.
• Food Delivery – higher exposure to short-trip city driving, hot-food spill claims.
• Courier / Freight – often weight-based breakpoints (under 1 tonne vs. over).

Declare the wrong tick box and you risk:

1. Post-claim investigation leading to full denial.
2. “Average” payout where the insurer reduces settlement in line with unpaid premium.
3. Future underwriting flags that hike prices even when you move insurers.

Bottom line? If any slice of your income comes from moving items that aren’t yours, you’re in commercial territory. Standard car insurance was never built for that load, and it certainly won’t pick up the bill when things go pear-shaped.

Essential Insurance Types Every Delivery Driver Should Know

Nobody wants to pay for cover they don’t need, but skipping a policy that fills a real-world gap can wipe out a month’s takings in one mishap. Below is the “shopping list” of insurance for delivery drivers that regulators, gig platforms and sensible accountants say belongs in your glove box. Think of these policies as modular: you can bolt on extra protection as your workload, vehicle or cargo value grows.

At-a-Glance Comparison

Insurance Type	What It Protects	Indicative Cost (annual)	Best For
Commercial Motor – Comprehensive	Your vehicle, third-party property, theft, fire, weather	$1,500–$3,500 (metro van used full-time)	Drivers who can’t afford downtime or a total-loss payout
Third-Party Property Damage (TPPD)	Other people’s cars & property only	$600–$900	Budget-conscious or older-vehicle couriers
Goods in Transit / Cargo	Parcels, meals, flowers, tech gear	$200–$600 for $5k–$20k cover	Drivers handling higher-value or fragile items
Public Liability	Injury or property damage you cause away from the car	$400–$800 for $10m limit	Foot & bike couriers; drivers climbing stairs or entering offices
Personal Accident & Income Protection	Your own medical bills & lost income	$25–$40 per week	Independent contractors with no sick leave

(Remember these figures are ballpark 2025 premiums for a 30-year-old driver in Sydney with a clean licence. Your mileage—literally—will vary.)

Commercial Motor (Comprehensive) Cover

Comprehensive commercial motor insurance is the gold-standard backbone of insurance for delivery drivers. It pays for repairs to your vehicle as well as the Bentley you scrape in Woolies’ car park—plus theft, hail, vandalism and storms. Compared with personal comprehensive, the business version:

• assumes higher annual kilometres (often unlimited),
• includes “carriage of goods for hire” endorsement, and
• lets you nominate multiple relief drivers or subcontractors.

Most insurers add extras such as 24×7 towing or a hire car after a not-at-fault smash, but check the excess: commercial policies can start at $1,000. Tip for cost control: choose one approved repairer network to qualify for a discounted excess and lifetime workmanship guarantee.

Third Party Property Damage (TPPD) for Delivery Vehicles

If your van is worth less than the mountain bikes strapped to its roof, full comprehensive may feel overkill. TPPD is the minimum sensible step above CTP: it covers the other person’s repairs when you’re at fault. Example: you reverse into a brand-new Tesla wall connector outside a client’s house—$18,000. A $700 TPPD premium saves you taking out a personal loan.

Caveats:

• It still needs the correct “commercial travelling” notation, or it’s worthless.
• Your own vehicle’s damage is on you; factor that into your risk appetite.

Goods in Transit / Cargo Cover

Your car policy treats pizza and parcels as cargo—and cargo is excluded. Goods in Transit cover steps in when meals leak, bouquets wilt or a phone shipment vanishes after a break-in. Key points:

• Policies can be “specified perils” (theft, collision, fire) or “all risks”; the latter costs more but covers knocks, drops and temperature spoilage.
• Some apps require proof of at least $2,000 cargo cover before they release courier panels.
• Claims are usually settled based on the invoice value, so keep digital receipts handy.

Expect to pay around $350 a year for a $10k all-risks policy with a $250 excess.

Public Liability Insurance for Drivers on Foot or Bike

The moment you step out of the driver’s seat you leave motor insurance territory. Public liability pays when you bulldoze a letterbox with your e-bike or Grandma trips over your delivery bag on the doorstep and breaks a wrist. Platform T&Cs often make this cover “your responsibility”.

• Standard limit is $10 million; large retailers may insist on $20 million.
• Cyclists usually attract lower premiums because their collision energy is lower than a ute’s.
• Claims example: $12,000 vet bill after a dog bolts through an open gate you didn’t close.

Personal Accident and Income Protection

Gig workers don’t get paid sick leave. Personal accident policies replace a chunk of income (e.g. 85%) for up to two years if you’re injured on or off the clock. Typical features:

• Weekly benefit kicks in after a 14-day waiting period.
• Lump sum for permanent disability or accidental death.
• Optional cover for medical gap expenses that Medicare doesn’t absorb.

Cost hovers around 1.5–2% of your annual earnings. If you’re carrying a mortgage, the maths is simple—one broken leg without cover can jeopardise the lot.

Quick FAQ: “What insurance do I need to make deliveries?”

Use this five-point checklist before you hit ‘Go Online’:

• ✅ Commercial motor policy that explicitly states “commercial travelling” or “courier use”.
• ✅ Third-party property damage minimum (can be bundled with comprehensive cover).
• ✅ Goods-in-transit for the value of the packages or meals you routinely carry.
• ✅ Public liability starting at $10 million if you leave the vehicle or ride a bike.
• ✅ Personal accident/income protection so a sprained ankle doesn’t zero your pay cheque.

Tick them all and you’re legally covered, financially shielded and more attractive to platforms that prefer insured drivers.

Platform and State Requirements: Meeting Legislation and App Rules

Getting the right policies is only half the battle; you also need to satisfy the paperwork demands of the apps you drive for and the state you’re registered in. Miss a single upload or pick the wrong CTP class at renewal and you can be de-activated overnight. The sections below spell out what the big food-delivery platforms want, what traditional freight companies expect, and how each state’s registration system treats commercial couriers.

Uber Eats, DoorDash, Menulog, Deliveroo

Most gig platforms operate on a “you carry your own comprehensive cover, we’ll sit behind you with contingent liability” model. Translation: they may step in for third-party injuries or property damage once your own insurance is exhausted—never for your car or the stuff you’re hauling.

Platform	Evidence you must upload	Platform’s own cover	Notable fine print
Uber Eats	Valid rego, state CTP certificate (or Pink Slip in NSW), photo of motor policy showing commercial/courier use	$20 m third-party property & injury while “trip active”	No cover while app on and waiting; only from job acceptance to delivery confirmation
DoorDash	Driver licence, rego, proof of at least TPPD insurance	Contingent $20 m third-party liability	Zero cover for your vehicle; claims excess $2,500 before DoorDash pays
Menulog	Licence, rego, insurance schedule noting delivery use (can be bike PL policy)	$10 m public liability for riders, $20 m for car drivers	Must notify Menulog of any policy lapse within 24 hrs
Deliveroo*	Proof of $20 m public liability and any mandated motor cover	None—riders source all cover themselves	*Service suspended in AU June 2024; rules retained for contractors now with other apps

Quick tips

• Upload clear PDFs, not screenshots with cropped policy wording.
• Re-upload after each renewal; platforms auto-lock accounts close to expiry dates.
• Multi-apping? Ensure every policy carries “commercial travelling” wording so one rejection doesn’t domino across apps.

Traditional Courier & Freight Company Requirements

Big parcel networks (Toll, StarTrack, Aramex) and retail chains that hire owner-drivers layer on extra compliance:

1. Australian Business Number (ABN) and ACN if you run a company.
2. Vehicle signage or magnetic door panels for security gate access.
3. Minimum $20 m public liability plus $5 m product liability if you handle white-goods installs.
4. Goods-in-transit cover equal to declared load value (often $25 k+).
5. Annual safety inspection certificate and photo of odometer at contract start.

Fail to email an updated certificate of currency and your run sheet can vanish from the depot schedule the next morning.

State-Based Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Obligations

Compulsory third-party injury insurance sits inside your vehicle registration, but each state prices couriers differently. Here’s the cheat sheet (Sept 2025 figures):

State/Territory	Who Sells CTP	Courier Class Code	Cost Impact vs Private Car*
NSW	4 private insurers (Green Slip)	Delivery/Courier	+15–35 %
VIC	TAC (built into rego)	Commercial Goods Vehicle	+10 % flat loading
QLD	RACQ, Suncorp, QBE, Allianz	Class 4—Goods Vehicle	+20–30 %
SA	4 approved insurers via EzyReg	Business Use (Code 60)	+18 %
WA	ICWA (government)	G Plate not required; tick “commercial”	+12 %
TAS	MAIB (government)	Class 8—Hire/Reward	+25 %
ACT	4 private insurers	Class 3C—Goods Vehicle	+15–20 %

*Percentage uplift for a 1.5 L hatchback, metropolitan rating.

Key points to remember:

• Rego renewals ask you to declare usage. Tick the wrong box and an at-fault injury claim can be back-charged to you personally.
• NSW drivers switching from private to courier use must obtain a fresh Green Slip quotation before the plate class is changed at Service NSW.
• Relocating interstate? Your CTP class resets—budget for an immediate jump in cost if the new state loads delivery vehicles harder.

Lock these requirements in early and you’ll avoid nasty “account paused” emails and registration fines down the track.

Factors that Drive Your Premium Up or Down

Two drivers can buy the same brand-new van yet receive wildly different quotes. That’s because commercial motor insurers juggle dozens of risk signals, from how many hot laps the vehicle does around the CBD each night to whether the driver has opted for a factory refrigerated pod. Understanding these levers lets you tweak what you can control, budget for what you can’t, and avoid surprise price hikes when renewal time rolls around.

Below are the five variables that have the biggest swing on Australian delivery premiums—and a few insider tips to keep them in check.

Vehicle Type, Age, and Modification

Insurers think in terms of repair cost, theft appeal and crash severity. A five-year-old Hyundai i30 hatch will usually attract a lower base rate than a two-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, simply because the latter is dearer to panel-beat and can cause more damage on impact. Age matters too: once a vehicle tips past 10 years, parts scarcity can nudge premiums back up even though its market value has dropped.

Add-on gear is another trigger. Common load-outs and their typical loadings:

• Refrigerated conversion: +10–15 % (compressor weight and wiring complexity)
• Lift-up tailgate or roof racks: +5 % (structural alterations)
• After-market mags or performance chips: “attracts thieves” loading of 5–8 %

Declare all mods up front; undeclared extras may be excluded from any payout.

Delivery Zone, Kilometres, and Peak-Hour Schedules

The postcode where the vehicle sleeps is only part of the equation. Insurers now request an annual kilometre estimate and main delivery radius:

Risk Band	Typical Use	Cost Loading
< 20 km radius, 25k km p.a.	Suburban florist runs	Base
City & inner ring, 40k km p.a.	CBD food courier	+20 %
State-wide, 70k+ km p.a.	Regional freight	+35–45 %

Night-time and Friday-evening work introduce extra congestion and alcohol-related risk, often another +5 %. If you only moonlight on weekends, a “limited kilometre” endorsement can claw some of that money back—provided telematics or logbooks confirm the claim.

Driver History, Demerit Points, and Claims Record

Actuaries love data, and your licence report is a goldmine. Recent at-fault crashes, speeding fines or mobile-phone infringements can double a premium overnight. Rules of thumb:

• 0–3 demerit points: no change
• 4–7 points: +15 %
• 8+ points or a licence suspension in the past five years: insurer may refuse cover or insist on a $2,500 excess

You can order a driving history extract from each state’s transport department; clear minor offences before shopping around.

Seasonal vs. Full-Time Delivery (Declaring True Usage)

Many gig-economy drivers switch the app on only when the cricket’s not on TV. If that’s you, tell the insurer. Some offer a “part-time courier” class that caps annual kilometres (e.g. 15,000) and shaves 10–20 % off the rate. Just keep odometer photos or app statistics in case of a post-claim audit. Under-declaring mileage to chase a cheaper quote is a false economy—settlements can be reduced in the same proportion the kilometres were understated.

Optional Excess Levels and Repairer Choice

Raising the basic excess from $750 to $1,750 can save up to 12 % a year, but remember commercial vehicles see more car-park dings than family sedans. Make sure the higher excess won’t cripple cash flow. Repairer choice also affects price: choosing the insurer’s preferred network usually comes with a discounted excess and lifetime workmanship guarantee, whereas “own repairer” freedom can add $100–$150 to the annual premium.

Shop each lever thoughtfully, and you’ll land a policy that’s priced for your exact run sheet—not someone else’s.

Comparing Australian Delivery Driver Insurers and Policy Features

“Which insurer is best?” is the perennial question on every courier Facebook group. The honest answer: the one whose policy lines up with how, where and what you deliver. Premium is only one metric; sub-limits, exclusions and claims service can turn a cheap quote into an expensive headache. Use this section as a filter before you start ringing around.

How to Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)

The PDS is not bedtime reading, yet it’s the only document that matters when you’re nose-to-nose with a claims assessor. Give special attention to:

• Use of Vehicle: must state “commercial travelling”, “courier”, “food delivery” or similar.
• Exclusions: watch for “no cover while delivering hot food” or “theft of goods left unattended”.
• Special Conditions: kilometres caps, mandatory immobilisers, driver age restrictions.
• Claims & Repair Process: preferred repairer network vs. own choice; time limits for lodging.

Tip: search the PDF for the words “unless” and “however”. They usually precede carve-outs that could cost you thousands.

Price vs. Coverage: Where the Gaps Usually Hide

Saving $200 a year feels smart until you learn the policy:

• omits sign-written panels (cost to respray: $1,600),
• caps goods-in-transit at $500 per item,
• doubles the excess at night or for drivers under 25,
• excludes water damage—bad news if you park in a Brisbane summer storm.

Run the numbers: if the cheaper policy strips out $2,000 of benefits you’re statistically likely to claim once every four years, the extra $50 per year for the fuller cover is a bargain.

Snapshot Comparison of Leading Specialist Providers

Indicative 2025 data for a 32-year-old Sydney driver, 2018 Toyota Corolla hatch, 30,000 km p.a.

Provider	Policy Name	Key Inclusions	Notable Exclusions	Perks & Discounts	Approx. Annual Premium
National Cover	Delivery Driver Comprehensive	Unlimited km, goods-in-transit $5k, lifetime repair warranty	No cover for dangerous goods	Price-beat guarantee, excess discount if using partner repairer	$1,780
QBE	Commercial Motor Plus	Hire car after theft, windscreen one free claim	Hot food spoilage, driver under 21 excess $3k	Multi-vehicle 10% off	$1,910
GIO	Small Business Car	$20 m liability, optional tools cover	Temperature-sensitive cargo	10% online discount	$1,995
NRMA Business	Courier Comprehensive	Choice of repairer, roadside assist	Goods cover must be purchased separately	Loyalty credit after year 1	$2,120

These figures are ballpark; your own quote will flex based on postcode, licence record and excess choice. Focus less on who tops the price table and more on whether the policy already bundles the bolt-ons you’d otherwise have to buy separately.

The Value of Service: Claims Support, Towing, Replacement Vehicle

When the bumper is hanging off and an irate client is chasing their missing parcel, response time trumps every glossy brochure promise.

• Claims lodgement hours: 24/7 call centres accelerate towing authorisation; online-only portals can delay weekend incidents.
• Towing radius: some policies cap free towing at 50 km, enough in the suburbs but useless on a regional loop.
• Replacement vehicle: look for “not at fault—like for like” wording. National Cover, for instance, supplies a replacement car for as long as the repairer has yours, which keeps your income flowing.
• Dedicated adjusters: a single point of contact prevents the dreaded handball between departments and speeds up payout on goods-in-transit claims.

A decent insurer treats delivery drivers as small businesses, not hobbyists. That means proactive SMS updates, clear excess invoices and repairers that understand you’re back on the road, not polishing a show car. Add those soft benefits to the spreadsheet and the best value choice often becomes obvious.

Common Myths and Costly Mistakes to Avoid

Insurance fine-print rarely goes viral on TikTok, so drivers often trade half-truths in group chats and assume they’re gospel. The trouble is that myths don’t stand up in a claims investigation, and a single wrong belief can blow a year’s profit. Use the reality checks below to spot the traps before they spot you.

“My Insurer Will Never Find Out” and Other Dangerous Assumptions

Myth: If I keep quiet, the insurer won’t know I was working.
Reality: Assessors are professional detectives.

Post-accident, insurers pull phone records, subpoena dash-cam footage and interview witnesses. Several major Australian insurers now cross-reference claim timestamps with gig-platform APIs to verify whether an app was active. One Reddit user learned this the hard way when their policy was voided after the investigator spotted an Uber Eats sticker in panel-shop photos. Honesty at quote time is cheaper than a denied $12,000 repair bill.

Using Rideshare Insurance for Deliveries – Covers or Gaps?

Myth: Any rideshare policy automatically covers food or parcel runs.
Reality: Many rideshare endorsements exclude carriage of goods.

Rideshare insurance is tailored for passengers, not pizzas. Policies often define “commercial use” solely as transporting people; anything else drifts into a different risk pool. If your schedule is 60 % rideshare and 40 % DoorDash, you’ll need either a dual-use endorsement or a separate courier policy. Otherwise, the minute you accept a delivery ping, cover reverts to CTP only—great for injuries, useless for property damage.

Under-Declaring Kilometres to Save Money

Myth: Knock 10,000 km off my quote and I’ll pocket the premium difference.
Reality: Payouts can be reduced pro rata if the odometer tells another story.

Commercial insurers routinely ask for odometer photos at renewal and again at claim time. If you declared 20,000 km but clocked 40,000 km, the insurer may halve the settlement, citing proportionate liability clauses in the PDS. Worse, deliberate misrepresentation can void the policy altogether. Keep a digital logbook or export your app’s weekly distance report; accuracy pays.

Forgetting to Insure the Cargo Itself

Myth: Comprehensive motor cover automatically includes the stuff I carry.
Reality: Most motor policies list cargo as an exclusion.

A Byron Bay florist recently faced a $1,800 replacement cost when a sudden brake sent bouquets flying. Her car insurer covered a cracked bumper—but not the ruined arrangements. Goods-in-transit cover starts at roughly $200 a year and can be claimed as a business expense. If the platform or client sets a contractual minimum (often $2 k–$5 k), skimping isn’t just risky, it’s a breach of contract.

Takeaway: Treat myths like potholes—spot them early, steer around them, and your delivery run stays smooth and profitable.

Practical Steps to Secure the Right Cover Today

Shopping for commercial cover can feel like sorting socks from a tumble-dryer—lots of similar pieces, none quite matching. Follow the eight actions below and you’ll pair each risk with the correct policy first time, saving both admin headaches and premium dollars.

1. Map your driving pattern
2. Tally your annual kilometres
3. Collect your documents
4. Compare quotes two ways
5. Run the right questions past each insurer
6. Double-check excess options and inclusions
7. Lock in policy dates to avoid cover gaps
8. Review and adjust every six months

Document Your Driving Pattern and Annual Kilometres

Insurers price risk in kilometres, not hours online. Before ringing around, export your delivery app’s weekly distance report or use a free logbook app to record odometer readings for two typical weeks. Multiply to get an honest yearly figure. Note the mix of:

• peak vs. off-peak driving
• metro, suburban or regional zones
• vehicle idle time with the app on

Arriving at a confident number now prevents “best-guess” estimates that attract loading later or, worse, a proportionate payout reduction at claim time.

Gather Quotes Online and Over the Phone

Algorithms are handy, but many specialist underwriters don’t list on retail comparison sites. Do both:

• Complete at least two online quote forms to set a price baseline.
• Phone one or two niche brokers who handle courier or rideshare fleets; they often access wholesale rates the public can’t see.

Have your licence, rego, PDS for any existing policy and the kilometre log ready so the consultant can run an accurate risk profile in a single call.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Treat the salesperson like a barista: your order needs to be crystal clear.

1. Is “commercial travelling—courier or food delivery” noted on the schedule?
2. What is the standard and optional excess for:
   • at-fault collision
   • windscreen only
   • theft or fire?
3. Does the policy include goods-in-transit, or is that a stand-alone add-on?
4. Are drivers under 25 covered and, if so, on what excess?
5. Do I get a replacement vehicle while mine is in the panel shop?
6. How far will free towing extend?
7. Does public liability cover incidents off the vehicle (e.g. dog bite at the door)?
8. Are monthly payments interest-free, and is there a fee for mid-term cancellation?

Write the answers down; the cheapest quote often carries the most “except if” caveats.

Switching Mid-Policy: How Refunds and New Covers Overlap

Found a sharper deal halfway through the year? In Australia, you can cancel at any time and receive a pro-rata refund of unused premium—minus a small admin fee (around $30–$50). Key tips:

• Activate the new policy one minute before the old policy ends to avoid a liability vacuum.
• Notify any gig platforms of the fresh certificate straight away; some deactivate profiles within 24 hours of a policy lapse.
• If you’re mid-claim, stay put; switching won’t move an existing repair or liability file.

By closing one policy only after the new one is live, you maintain seamless insurance for delivery drivers—keeping the wheels, and the income, rolling.

When the Worst Happens: Claim Scenarios and How Each Cover Responds

Even the sharpest driver can’t dodge every hazard. What matters is how quickly each layer of insurance springs into action so you can get back earning. Below are four real-world mishaps, a rundown of which policies step up, and any gotchas to watch for.

At-Fault Collision with Third-Party Injuries

The incident
You clip a motorcyclist while merging. The rider breaks an arm; both vehicles are damaged.

Cover response

Policy	What it pays	Typical excess
CTP (state-mandated)	Rider’s medical bills, rehab, loss of earnings	Built into rego
Commercial Motor – Comprehensive	Repairs to your car and the bike	$1,000–$2,000
Public Liability	Not required on-road (CTP covers injuries)	n/a

Watch-out: If your schedule doesn’t list “commercial travelling”, the comprehensive insurer may decline, leaving you to cover > $10k in property damage.

Theft of Vehicle While Waiting for Pick-Up

The incident
You leave the engine running outside an apartment block; a thief drives off with the car and tonight’s parcels.

Cover response

Policy	What it pays	Typical excess
Commercial Motor – Comprehensive	Market/Agreed value of vehicle, towing after recovery	$1,000
Goods-in-Transit	Cost price of stolen parcels (up to policy limit)	$250–$500

Watch-out: Most PDSs require “all reasonable precautions”. Keys in the ignition can void the theft section. Some insurers halve the payout if doors were unlocked.

Damage or Loss of Goods in Transit

The incident
A sudden stop sends a box of smartphones tumbling; half the units arrive cracked.

Cover response

Policy	What it pays	Typical excess
Goods-in-Transit (All Risks)	Repair or replacement of damaged stock	$250
Commercial Motor	Nothing—cargo is excluded	n/a

Watch-out: Many cargo policies impose item sub-limits (e.g. $2,000 per item). If each phone retails at $1,800 you’re fine, but a single $5k laptop may breach the cap.

Slip and Fall While Delivering to Front Door

The incident
You trip on a loose paver, drop the food and fracture your wrist.

Cover response

Policy	What it pays	Typical excess
Public Liability	Repair to customer’s damaged property (front door, tiles)	$0–$750
Personal Accident / Income Protection	Up to 85 % of weekly earnings during recovery	Waiting period 14 days
Commercial Motor	No relevance	n/a

Watch-out: Without personal accident cover, you rely on Medicare alone—no wage replacement. Some platforms offer limited injury support, but payments are usually capped at a few hundred dollars.

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Take-home message: each scenario triggers a different policy, sometimes two. Missing even one layer can turn a routine claim into a financial sinkhole. Cross-check your schedule now so you’re not scrambling later.

Keep Rolling Safely

You’ve seen how one missing policy can torpedo an entire month’s earnings. Staying protected isn’t complicated—just disciplined. Use the checklist below, pin it to the fridge, and revisit it every time your workload or wheels change.

• Double-check the usage class on every policy. If it doesn’t spell out “commercial travelling” or “courier use”, you’re effectively uninsured the moment the app lights up.
• Keep a folder of current platform requirements—CTP, liability limits, proof-of-insurance uploads—and set calendar reminders a week before each document expires to avoid sudden de-activations.
• Compare at least two specialist insurers a year; commercial pricing moves fast and a fresh quote can slice hundreds off premiums without trimming cover.
• Log kilometres honestly and update your insurer when side hustles become full-time grinds (or vice versa). Accurate declarations secure full payouts and stop post-claim audits in their tracks.
• Schedule an annual policy audit—cargo value, excess levels, add-on equipment—to keep cover aligned with how you actually operate today, not last financial year.

Need sharper pricing or a reality check on your existing insurance for delivery drivers? Grab a quick quote or chat with the experts at National Cover and keep those wheels—and earnings—turning.