As a courier, you are charged with transporting valuable goods safely and spend the majority of your time on the road, both of which expose you to a unique set of risks.

Should the goods your are transporting be damaged while in your possession, the recipient can claim damages from you which could run into thousands of pounds depending on the items in question, while the risks of being on the road for long periods are self-explanatory.

As you are exposed to a unique set of risks, you need to invest in protection that is also unique.

There are various insurance policies designed to safeguard couriers in the event that they crash or damage the items in their possession, which include courier insurance and goods-in-transit insurance.

As these policies are designed specifically for couriers, it is vital that you explore each option and look at whether you would benefit from investing in them.

They may represent extra costs, but the protection they provide could prove invaluable in the future.

Goods-in-transit insurance

Goods-in-transit insurance is an essential purchase if you transport goods, tools or materials belonging to you or a client.

These items are at risk of being stolen, lost while in your care, damaged in accidents or damaged while you are transporting them to their destination.

You are therefore exposed to considerable risks which could cost you thousands of pounds unless you have adequate protection in place.

A good policy will protect you in these circumstances, giving you peace of mind while you are going about your work.

It is important to note that a standard commercial van insurance policy will not extend to cover you for these risks, so you should not assume you are automatically protected.

Van insurance

Courier van insurance is designed specifically for those who transport goods for a living.

As van insurance is a legal requirement, you have no choice but to take out a policy. However, some policies cover more than others so it is important that you shop around and explore options from various companies before you buy.

Liability insurance

Liability insurance is another product you may want to take into consideration. This type of cover is designed to protect you in the event a customer launches a compensation claim against you if you break an item or at fault for somebody's injuries.

Such cover can work in situations where a member of the public injures themselves by falling over a box or other item you have unloaded form the van or if you break a client's possession while moving furniture or other items.

Given these difficult economic times, it is understandable that businesses are looking for ways to save money wherever they can but cutting back on insurance cover is something you as a courier need to think carefully about.

While insurance represents an extra expense, what you are purchasing is a safety net that gives you peace of mind that should goods be damaged while in your possession, your will be protected against expensive compensation claims.

As these claims can be significant, having no insurance in place could see you having to pay thousands of pounds.

When looking at the various options available to you, shopping around with constructaquote.com and comparing policies from different providers could help you save money and find the right policies at the right price.