Taxi Driver Online

I've asked some knowledgable underwriters for a precise definition and will post when I have something. On thinking about it, the request for insurance comes in as "can I have a courier insurance quote please" or "I run a haulage busines, can I have a quote please". On reflection people seem to self catagorise and we probably take the easy route and respond accordingly. However if someone asked me for a "haulage insurance" quote on a Ford Focus van or even a Transit, I would probably ask more questions.

eddie stobarts own small vans and sprinters

haulage or courier?

the simple fact is they all carry goods for H&R (of different sized loads)

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

White flag waving! No one can give me a precise "line" between courier and haulage! General opinion is that if it is a vehicle up to about 3.5 ton GVW doing mainly multiple drops then it is a courier risk. Well we all knew that.

Higher cost seems to be justified by the fact that the combination of multiple drops with tight time schedules. Pulling away from kerbs, U turns etc.

Oh well.

so what does a ad-hoc whitevanman do cos he doesnt know day to day if he has 1 drop for palletways or 40 for businesspost, anyway, i had neither, mine was BUSINEES USE and business stated as HAULIER on my 3 van fleet....and they did 1-40 drops per day as required, i also had a Norwich Union freight ops GIT schedule insurance, about 100 pages long

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Final thoughts on courier vs haulier. Insurance is based on "utmost good faith" and a duty of disclosure. Odd as it sounds it seems if you describe yourself as a haulier, that is how your premium will be rated. If however you describe yourself as a courier, you will pay more. I think common sense will intervene. If the only vehicle insured is say a Fiat Doblo van and you need cover for the carriage of goods for hire and reward you would probably be labled a courier.

If I get a real life test case on this I'll report back.

a haulier hauls goods for reward (by definition)

a courier carries goods for reward


nope, cant see the difference myself

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most