O/T Delivery Driver

[echoz]

A trivial question to many i suspect but stay with me.

I have just started a job as a delivery driver for pizza hut (money doesn't grow on trees ) and have Third Party, Fire & Theft insurance covering Social and commuting.

My query is does this cover me for working as a delivery driver?

My argument being my job is in the transaction of delivering pizza, taking money., so therefore I am commuting to my work place ie. the doorstep.

Or is that a a load of tosh?

Some answers from clever people would be good

Also expecting laughter all in good fun

TIA

[peterg]

Or is that a load of tosh

That, if you have an accident and they discover you are driving for a living your claim will be thrown out and you could be liable for any third party damage and injury  

Tell your insurance company or risk big problems if you ever have an accident - and in this weather and time of year it's more likely than not  :t-up

oh, and just to refine the 'tosh', commuting is defined as travelling to your PERMANENT place of work and therefore driving to a different address every 15 minutes doesn't count

[Jack T]

You maybe suprised how little it costs for business use cover, my transit was only a couple of quid extra and I'm a young driver.  

As Peter says not worth the risk!

Jack

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Most of my time I'm working at either a client's, or sometimes from home, with only very occasionally a trip to the "office", I think the insurance company has it down as "travel in relation to the insure e's business" or something very similar. The key bits they wanted to know, were the approx annual mileage, whether I would be carrying high value goods, (not covered elsewhere), and the key one, would I be selling anything. (As in a rep, I believe).

In my case, there was no additional premium for business use.    

[echoz]

Thanks for the responses guys

Just did a quote on Admiral, with whom i took out my policy 4 months ago, but in this case added business class, and am gutted to see the qoute is 800 pounds cheaper  #

Surely 4 months driving experience which isn't even stated as you can't take 4 months no claims, isn't worth 800 quid? Am thoroughly confused and feeling very muchly ripped off

Phone calls in the morning

[nik9669]

Usually policies also exclude "carriage of goods" so you need to be careful. Value of goods in this instance is not that high (unless it's a f***king big order!) but many business policies aren't that keen on delivery drivers and their loads. You need to be very specific when getting quotes/cover.

It's a b***h, but if you have an accident, and then discover your insurer won't cover you, it becomes an expensive way to save some money.

[Hammy]

as others have said -do make it very clear to the insurance what you are doing (business use often precludes the carrying or delivery of goods) or you won't be covered.

Have a careful look at the sums too  - factor in some wear and tear on the car (tyres ,things going wrong, etc) petrol insurance costs etc, then see how much money you will really make.  

As much pizzas you can eat may not compensate.

[Blatman]

It's not business use you need, it's Hire and Reward.

As a courier, that's what I had to have on my motorcycles, and goods in transit was extra. I had a separate policy for that.

Hire and Reward insurance is gonna be costly...unless things have changed. Last time I insured my K1100LT for H&R insurance, third party only, it was over 600 quid. Same bike, fully comp, SD&P + commuting, 290...

[echoz]

So basically there is a load of kids my age who have found a job at last in being a delivery driver for various fast food places, that aren't covered?

What do I have to do to get a job in this country It's like your taught "Be a good citizen and chose a job that helps the world!" then I can't even get a job to save funds to become a teacher .....

Sorry for the rant and all and cheers for the help am doing quotes and and ringing people as I type.

As much pizzas you can eat may not compensate.

Unfortunately i just get a 25% discount... CRIMINAL I know.....

[Blatman]

Lots of couriers in London don't have the proper insurance. I *know* this for a fact. Courier company's are currently I believe only voluntarilly required to check that their workers (who are all usually self employed) have the appropriate insurance. IMO, it should be law... but I digress...

If you're self employed as a delivery driver, then yes the insurance will be expensive. But it is claimable against your end of year tax bill, as are the majority of your costs for owning and running the vehicle, be it car or motorcycle. And of course, crash helmet, waterproofs, boots, clothes for work are also all claimable as is fuel, oil, servicing costs, parts etc etc. If you get it right and claim all your legitimate expenses correctly, as a self employed person, your tax and NI bill wil lend up being about 10% of your gross income for the year, so there is money to be made. Start up costs are always going hurt though, and proper insurance is, IMO, a start up cost.

I was self employed as a courier for 17 years, so I could bore you to death with all this stuff...

[peterg]

QUOTE

so I could bore you to death with all this stuff...

and lots more besides    

[Blatman]

Thanks dad...

[echoz]

Agreed Blatters, that there is money to be made if you're doing it right, but I'm just trying to deliver pizza to make some money to try enjoy my gap year, and put some money back for when I first start uni in September.

As it stands getting a job at my age working anywhere doing anything is harder than ... well harder than pretty much anything.

           

[cliveboy8]

As it stands getting a job at my age working anywhere doing anything is harder than ... well harder than pretty much anything.

First I do feel for you. Someone who is trying to get a job and earn some money.

I don't know how old you are or where you live but I feel you might want to try a wider field of jobs. I know thats easily said but have you tried job agencies? Supermarkets? DIY stores?

Good luck.

[pistonbroke]

Surely the pizza co have there own  group  policy for all there delivery drivers  

Crappy  firm if not