Written by Michael Foote, Insurance Expert
What insurance do Evri couriers need?
Evri (formerly Hermes) is one of the UK’s largest parcel delivery networks, with thousands of self-employed couriers handling millions of deliveries each year. If you’re delivering for Evri, you need specialist courier insurance that covers your vehicle for hire and reward use.
Standard personal or social, domestic and pleasure (SDP) policies will not cover you when delivering parcels for payment. Using the wrong insurance invalidates your cover entirely, leaving you personally liable for accidents, damage or injury.
The essential cover for Evri drivers
Your insurance must include:
- Hire and reward cover for courier work
- Business use extension for paid delivery activities
- Public liability insurance (typically required by Evri)
- Goods in transit cover for the parcels you carry
Evri couriers work as self-employed contractors, which means arranging and paying for your own insurance is your responsibility. Evri does not provide insurance on your behalf.
What Evri requires from couriers
Evri sets out specific insurance requirements for couriers joining their network:
- Valid motor insurance with hire and reward or courier cover
- Public liability insurance (minimum £2 million)
- Employer’s liability if you employ anyone to help with deliveries
You must provide proof of insurance when you register and again at renewal. Failing to maintain valid cover can result in contract termination.
Evri may also require you to add them as an interested party on your policy. This allows them to receive notification if your insurance is cancelled or lapses.
Our Expert, Michael Foote, Says:
“Many new Evri couriers are caught out by the insurance requirements. Your personal van insurance policy won’t cut it, and if you’re found delivering without the right cover, you could face prosecution, lose your vehicle, and be personally liable for any claims. Always declare your courier work upfront and get a policy that explicitly covers hire and reward.”
Goods in transit cover for Evri parcels
Goods in transit (GIT) insurance protects you if parcels are lost, stolen or damaged while in your care. While not always legally required, it’s strongly recommended and may be a condition of your Evri contract.
Evri parcels vary widely in value. Standard GIT policies typically cover between £1,000 and £10,000 per load, but check what level of cover Evri expects you to carry.
Without GIT cover, you could be personally liable if a customer claims for a lost or damaged parcel, especially high-value items like electronics or jewellery.
Read more in our guide on what is goods in transit insurance and do van drivers need it.
Public liability insurance for Evri couriers
Public liability insurance covers you if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your work. For example:
- A parcel falls from your trolley and injures someone
- You damage a customer’s fence while reversing
- A delivery causes a trip hazard and someone is hurt
Evri requires at least £2 million in public liability cover. Some insurers include this as standard with courier policies, while others offer it as an add-on.
More detail is available in our article on do courier van drivers need public liability cover.
Can you use a car or do you need a van?
Evri offers both car and van delivery routes. The insurance you need depends on the vehicle you use.
If you’re using a car, you still need courier or hire and reward cover. Personal car insurance will not cover you for paid delivery work, regardless of vehicle size.
Van drivers face higher premiums due to increased risk and the value of goods carried. Multi-drop delivery work, which Evri routes typically involve, is considered higher risk than single-drop courier work.
What to check before buying
Before purchasing courier insurance for Evri work, verify:
- The policy explicitly states hire and reward or courier cover is included
- Public liability insurance meets Evri’s minimum requirements (£2 million)
- Goods in transit cover is included or available as an add-on
- You’ve declared the correct vehicle use and mileage
- Evri can be added as an interested party if required
- The policy covers multi-drop delivery work
- You understand any excess amounts and claim procedures
- The insurer is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
How much does Evri courier insurance cost?
Courier insurance costs more than standard personal cover due to increased accident and claim risk. Typical costs for Evri couriers range from £1,200 to £3,000 per year, depending on:
- Your age and driving experience
- Your claims and conviction history
- The type and value of your vehicle
- Your postcode and overnight parking location
- The level of cover (third party, third party fire and theft, or comprehensive)
- Annual mileage and delivery days per week
Younger drivers and those with less experience pay more. Drivers under 25 can expect premiums at the higher end or above.
For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on courier van insurance costs in 2025.
Can you work for Evri part-time?
Many Evri couriers work part-time or fit deliveries around other commitments. However, you still need full courier insurance even if you only deliver a few days per week.
Some insurers offer policies based on working days, which can reduce premiums slightly. Always declare your actual usage accurately to avoid invalidating your cover.
What happens if you deliver without the right insurance?
Delivering parcels without valid courier insurance is illegal and has serious consequences:
- Your insurance is invalid, leaving you personally liable for all costs in an accident
- You could be prosecuted for driving without insurance (6 to 8 penalty points, unlimited fine, possible ban)
- Your vehicle could be seized by police
- Evri will terminate your contract immediately
- You may struggle to get affordable insurance in future
Even if you believe you’re covered, always check your policy documents to confirm courier or hire and reward use is included.
Do you need employer’s liability insurance?
If you employ anyone to help with your Evri deliveries, even a family member or friend who you pay, you legally need employer’s liability insurance.
This covers you if your employee is injured or becomes ill because of their work. It’s a legal requirement if you employ anyone, with fines of up to £2,500 per day for non-compliance.
Most Evri couriers work alone and won’t need this, but if your round grows and you take on help, you must arrange cover.
Getting covered as a new Evri courier
If you’re new to courier work, finding affordable insurance can be challenging. Insurers view new couriers as higher risk, particularly if you:
- Have no previous courier experience
- Are under 25
- Have a newer or more powerful vehicle
- Have points on your licence or previous claims
To improve your chances of affordable cover:
- Compare multiple specialist courier insurers
- Consider a telematics (black box) policy to prove safe driving
- Opt for a higher voluntary excess to reduce premiums
- Keep your vehicle secure with alarms, immobilisers and secure parking
- Build up a no-claims bonus over time
What if you already have a van policy?
If you already insure a van for other business use, it may not automatically cover courier work. Business use policies vary significantly in what they include.
Contact your insurer and declare that you’ll be using the vehicle for paid parcel delivery. They’ll either:
- Confirm you’re already covered (rare)
- Offer to extend your policy to include courier use for an additional premium
- Advise that they can’t cover courier work, requiring you to find a specialist insurer
Never assume you’re covered without written confirmation from your insurer.
Switching between courier networks
If you already deliver for another network like Amazon Flex, DPD or Yodel, you can usually add Evri work to your existing courier policy.
However, you must inform your insurer of the change. Different networks have different requirements, risk profiles and delivery patterns, which can affect your premium.
Be transparent about all courier work you do, even if it’s occasional or across multiple platforms.
Compare quotes and get covered today
Finding the right insurance at the best price takes time, but it’s essential for protecting yourself and meeting Evri’s requirements. Specialist courier insurers understand the unique risks of parcel delivery and can offer tailored cover that general insurers can’t match.
Don’t risk your livelihood by delivering without proper cover. Use the quote button below to compare specialist courier insurance policies and get covered today.