Takeaway deliveries rise continues despite easing restrictions

MONEY MATTERS Takeaway deliveries rise continues despite easing restrictions

Courier deliveries for takeaway foods, and other online purchases, jumped by 347% from 2019 to 2020 according to new figures from Quotezone.co.uk.

This year then witnessed a further 49% increase up to the end of August, 91% of which is owing to fast food and takeaway deliveries with the top three services noted as Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat, in that order.

Demand for courier insurance shot up 85% from 2019 to 2020 as the pandemic took hold. As lockdown restrictions started to ease in 2021, the surge continued with a further 50% increase from January to August 2021 compared to the same time period in 2020.

The data, sampled from one of the UK’s leading courier insurance comparison websites, Quotezone.co.uk, noted courier insurance demand across sectors also experienced a seasonal spike this time last year, from October to December 2020, increasing 140% in those three months leading up to the Christmas holidays.

Quotezone.co.uk’s Founder Greg Wilson comments: “With furlough ending at the end of September 2021, demand for courier insurance has the potential to surge once again, as people look for new jobs that are in high demand and don’t necessarily require any additional training. Courier jobs also allow for flexibility so those on reduced hours may find it workable to pick up evening deliveries and weekend work – when fast food deliveries are at their peak.

“I would urge anyone who is new to couriering to make sure their policy covers them for ‘hire and reward’ or check with their employers to see if they provide this type of courier insurance for their drivers – with fast food delivery drivers in particular there could be a tendency to assume because they are using their own car for the odd shift that their car insurance will cover them, when in actual fact, it’s illegal to drive without the appropriate insurance, and operating as a courier with only a standard car insurance policy is actually classed as driving without insurance for those journeys.

“Given the incredible demand we witnessed last year across the festive period, it’s likely we’ll also see a similar pattern this year as many covid restrictions still remain in place and empty shop shelves force customers online once again. I would urge anyone who is new to couriering to make sure their policy covers them for ‘hire and reward’ or check with their employers to see if they provide this type of courier insurance for their drivers.”

Courier insurance is suitable for drivers making lots of drop-offs every day within a local area and offers additional protection compared to standard policies, most notably giving cover for the goods themselves when the policy includes ‘goods in transit’ cover.

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products including courier insurance, van insurance and car insurance.

Quotezone.co.uk is recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk.