Couriers Income Protection Insurance Quotes > 15 Secs (2025)*

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Income Protection Insurance for Self-Employed Couriers?

Being a Courier Driver whether agency, employed or self employed can be both a mentally & physically challenging choice in 2025, given the long hours often worked travelling & delivering packages across the UK's town & cities.

Also, you have to contend daily with busy traffic & people not always being in or available when you are delivering their parcels.

Many of these package delivery job roles are now self employed or freelance - albeit you maybe contracted directly to a large company.

So whether you work via companies like Evri, Yodel, DPD, Amazon, DHL, AO, Parcelforce, Royal Mail or the food industry via Just Eat, Dominos or Deliveroo.

As such, you will usually find here that you may not get any full comprehensive employee benefits like pensions and sickpay if you are off work through sickness or accident - therefore the buck stops with you financially.

This front line job role however has often been under valued & was also under increasing pressure after Brexit and the Pandemic to help keep the country moving as 'key workers'. So a big thank you.

Let's examine various issues of the job role as a self-employed courier driver & then how it may effect taking out income protection, critical illness or life insurance.

Day in the Life of a Courier Delivery Driver

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Are Courier Drivers entitled to Sick Pay?

If you are directly employed and your employer generously provides you employee sickpay terms, then check how much and for how long eg; Basic salary paid for 2 months, 1/2 pay 2 months & then SSP.

However, if your employment contract terms are far less generous, it could mean the answer is ‘No’ (other than maybe SSP or Government Employment & Support Allowance which usually amounts to less than £100pw).

Note: SSP is usually not paid for the first 3 days that you are on sick leave. These are called ‘waiting days’ (the rules on this changed temporarily for some employees in the duration of the pandemic). 

Naturally, if your contract stipulates only that you are just self employed - then any state benefits re sickness and days off from work due - will all be upto you to claim directly.

This is also politically under debate in the 2020's re sick note culture & underlying the importance of income protection.

HGV Lorry Drivers Income Protection Insurance.

Agency Drivers & Couriers

However, if you are an agency delivery courier, then it is unlikely you will be entitled to also receive any long term employee sickness benefits other than maybe SSP.

In this instance, you may need to look into having a back up insurance plan like income protection.

So let's have a look at the typical key features of these insurance policy types.

One that may help cover you if you're off work long term sick, have an accident or hospitalized.

Insurance that may help provide a vital monthly financial lifeline to you and your family to cover your regular bills and expenses.

Income Protection PHI | Courier Drivers Insurance

Typical Key Features

• Designed to pay out 💯 100% Tax Free Income to cover lost salary/wages as a Delivery Courier Driver
• Usually has an initial waiting or deferred / waiting period usually from 1/4/8/13/26/52 weeks 
• Some Insurers may also not allow Courier & Delivery Drivers access to their shortest term waiting periods
• PHI benefits are currently paid out tax free on claim until you return to work or plan end date
• Insurers Plans can usually run upto state pension ages or some upto age 70
• This Insurance for Courier drivers benefit may be level or inflation linked from outset or claim
• Medical evidence is usually required for underwritten insurance before any terms offered
• Cover may be based on maximum of say 50% upto 65% of your gross annual earnings
• Waiver of Premium so you do not have to pay the premiums in claim
• Death benefits (if included) may just mean a lump sum sufficient for funeral costs or return of some premiums

Note: Insurers will also need you to either proof of your monthly / annual income re this driver couriers insurance (as you cannot be better off sick than well).

Or request that you were working more than a set numbers of hours to fully qualify for their income insurance cover. 

During Pandemic 2020’s, some Insurers had also removed their shorter 1 day / 1 week deferral periods re their income protection couriers insurance cost benefits.

2 Types of Courier Drivers Income Sick Pay Insurance

Comprehensive Income Cover

• Covers you until you either go back to work …or maybe never go back to work
• Protects you on an ‘own occupation basis’
• Premiums may be fixed none-reviewable

Budget Income Cover

• Budget cover may only payout per claim for upto say 12 | 24 | 60 months (ie; limited term)
• Premiums may be annually age costed / 5 yearly reviewable
• Invariably this type of plan is initially alot cheaper but will cost more into the future.
• May only cover you if unable to perform 'work tasks' not 'own occupation'

Sickness Insurance For Courier Driver | Underwriting & Health Issues

You pay a monthly premium for Couriers Drivers Income Protection during the term of the policy. Cost for this insurance cover depends mainly on:

# Your Age – at the time you start the policy ie; older people are more likely to suffer an illness, so pay more.
# Your Gender – being male or female no longer affects rates wef 2012 via income providers.
# Your Health – at the time you start the policy. If your health is poor eg; raised BMI kg, blood pressure or cholesterol you may have to pay more, have exclusions or even be refused sickness cover.
# Your Occupation – Courier Drivers working role & mileage travelled being more likely than others to contribute towards illness
# Hobbies and lifestyle – for example, rock climbing is high risk, so you’ll pay more re average courier insurance cost uk here.
# Smoker Status – for example, smoking makes you more likely to make a claim, so you’ll pay more than a none smoker.
# Waiting period – once you claim, there is a delay before payments start.

You can choose how long this 'wait period' is eg; from 1 or 4 weeks if you may have a savings net to fall back on anyway short term ?

The longer this waiting period, eg; 8 or 13 weeks, the less you pay on this for your couriers insurance quotes re sickpay.

The main heart conditions that are associated with many driver type roles or indeed taxi drivers are heart disease and heart failure, maybe due to the role of driving all day long.

What does Couriers Income Protection Cost?

Well, that's the million pound question ! If you earned £30,000pa then worked for the next 35 years until retirement, you could potentially earn over £1 million gross ie; £30,000pa x 35 years [or more with any future inflation wage rises].

As such, feel free to do you own income protection quote - to then value what your Delivery Courier drivers income is worth to your family lifestyle and bills if off sick?

HGV Lorry Drivers Income Protection Quotes Online 15 secs.

• The cost of average Car Insurance bill is @ £40pm+
• The cost of average Mobile Phone bill is @ £45pm+
• The cost of average Broadband Package bill is @ £44pm+
• The cost of average Fuel and Gas Electric bill is @ £100pm+

Martin Lewis comments on the value of having income protection insurance vs critical illness. MSE says YES 100% it’s worth looking at PHI Income Protection Insurance. 

He points out that it pays you an income if you're unable to work due to illness or disability for a set period (generally a year or two).

Unsure if the Money Expert meant here, if you could be off sick for a year or two (like accident sickness / unemployment ASU plans)

...Because as brokers we find many Insurers also offer full term in claim income protection (not just for 1 or 2 years in claim like ASU style policies).

Income protection he comments will usually pay a proportion of your salary, for example two-thirds, so that essential spending is covered.

He say income protection generally includes a greater range of illnesses in comparison to critical illness cover, but it can also be more expensive.

MSE also says income insurance is a cheap financial lifeline but the ultimate choice is always yours.

The MoneySavingExpert also says when it comes to deciding between the two types of insurance, it could be worth speaking to a financial adviser.

In general, Martin Lewis says you will often find the "Cheapest Quotes by going to a Broker" & NOT via Comparison Sites.

Martin Lewis suggests being the Money Expert "NEVER BLINDLY BUY DIRECT" expensive policy offers either via a Bank or One Insurer ie; Shop around or use a Broker.

Lastly, the MoneySavingExpert also said generally remember, not all insurers income protection plans are featured on insurance comparison sites. We would agree here as brokers - so let's help you shop around for your best broker deals.

In terms of the large range of income protection insurance products available for Courier Drivers, Money Saving Expert are always fully impartial with all their best buy reviews. As you maybe aware, neither Martin nor MSE never endorse products.

Note: Yes, they mention individual products & services on MSE site, but they make it very clear don't 'support' them.

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Income Protection Insurance Claims & Return to Courier?

• Policy monthly claim benefits stop after you go back to normal Courier Delivery driving jobs, as will any premium waiver
• The insurance plan is still active & you will continue to pay your normal usual premiums
• Some Insurers may then pay a reduced or proportional benefit if you cannot do exactly what job you were doing before as a Courier Delivery driver
• This takes account of any earnings loss or reduction due to your illness or injury affecting family life
• It could be you are in a different occupation also because of your incapacity. Or have to do reduced work hours or restricted your duties.
• Note: there is usually no limit to the number of claims you can make during your working life on income protection

HGV Lorry Drivers Income Protection Quotes in 15 Secs. Broker help.

Courier Drivers 'Critical Illness' instead?

Critical illness insurance cover pays out a tax-free sum if you are diagnosed with various life-threatening conditions eg; specified cancers, heart attack, stroke, ms etc; as listed in the insurers policy.

For some, it is a different alternative to Couriers Insurance Income Protection – as it usually gives Lump Sums or Family Income Benefits style options.

But there are lots of common situations when it would not pay out. For example, if you had back problems or maybe a stress-related illness.

Additionally, not all occurrences of the critical illnesses listed are covered eg; some lesser forms / early stages of cancer maybe not covered by Insurers as Martin Lewis points out.

Note: Lifecover and critical illness cover should not be confused with terminal illness, for quoting on truck drivers health insurance.

Terminal illness benefit is usually automatically included within a life insurance policy and this means you will not survive, as you cannot be cured.

After each 4.5 hours spent on the road, drivers must usually take a 45-minute break. (despite legal time breaks).

It is claimed 1 in 8 drivers admitting to falling asleep at the wheel, so legal restrictions aren’t just legal, they could be are life-saving.

This less active role of long distance driving, combined with the unhealthy lifestyle commonly associated with the profession, puts long-distance Courier drivers at risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, according to latest academic research.

Symptoms of heart related issues can include fainting, dizziness and even black-outs. All these could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, putting themselves & other road users in danger.

Couriers Salary & Insurance for Income Protection?

The average Courier driver uk salary is around £38k gross (or more for longer hours or night shifts) and dependant upon your location in the UK.

You could be typically working from 38 to 52 hours per week and maybe evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

But for Income Protection Insurance purposes, Couriers drivers are also considered by some Insurers to be a higher risk insurance group ie; may require alot of daily physical activity lifting packages or heavy items - and that annual business mileage driven could be higher than the norm.

So if you are a Delivery Van Driver Courier etc; perhaps not having access to any employee comprehensive sick pay arrangements could be a financial problem.

For Income Protection, Insurers will usually therefore take into account your previous 12 months NET trading salary and NOT your Gross Turnover.

ie; You may earn £38k but after all legitimate taxable deductions - this figure could be now say around £25k.

As such - it's this amount that Insurers will use to calculate their insurance terms & then base this around 2/3rds ie; The income protection policy may insure you for around £1,400 pm tax free.

Note: If you over-insure your annual salary, then Insurers may only payout their insurance claims based upon your net HMRC official tax return figures for the preceeding tax year claim.

For example, you had a bad year for say personal reasons and were only earning £20k net - but your policy was originally setup based on £25k net (Some Insurers maybe flexible)

There are Insurers that may also offer income protection insurance for self employed courier drivers who can't yet proove their salary [but these are generally more expensive].

Life Insurance for Couriers?

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Concerned about Life Insurance to help protect your Family or Mortgage? Note; Smaller employers may not offer you automatically any Life Insurance for Couriers.

If you are fully employed, often some employers may give their staff some death in service benefits, which pays out a multiple x of their annual salary.

However, if you're only self employed or agency staff you are probably not entitled to any life cover at all - alongside any lack of sickpay.

Unsure how much Life Insurance Couriers may need?

As a pointer, Martin Lewis on life insurance suggests after repayment of any mortgages, loans or any debts using their money saving expert guidance of 'THE 10 x RULE’

He says aim at least to cover 10 x the Annual income of the highest earner or the main breadwinner until at least any kids have finished their full-time education.

As Life Insurance Brokers in an ideal world – we may suggest this simple formula;

• LUMP SUM > Repay any mortgage & debts, cover funeral costs
• INCOME  >  Help cover your monthly bills
• LUMP SUM > Back up for holidays, education, emergencies

Can Couriers get a Mortgage?

Alongside sickpay cover, one question we often also get asked in 2025 as brokers is 'Can Couriers Delivery Drivers get Mortgages'?

The question is asked because of the nature of your irregular income being sometimes variable between hours worked or contracts.

As such, you may be required to contribute a bigger deposit down payment, than those maybe in full-time permanent employment.

Therefore, some mortgage lenders are willing to only offer upto maximum loans to value of 75/80%. Unsure, please contact us - Mortgage Broker support >

Conclusion: Couriers Insurance Income Protection

Ideally you should consider having both insurance plans ie; income protection & critical illness cover, alongside life insurance if your monthly budget maybe allows for this.

Unsure about your options or for more information on this & costs - talk us about your couriers insurance for income protection brokers deals.

Article on 'Couriers Insurance Income Protection' by Martyn Spencer Financial Adviser (2025)

For reassurance re health for men & women - we review many of the best brands selling Income Protection & Life Insurance in UK (inc NI)