You might need GIT insurance if you're delivering or carrying any goods in your vehicle. It can pay to replace these items if anything happens to them.
Here are some examples of who might need it:
"Even if you have courier insurance, don't assume it'll cover the items you're carrying. Most policies will only cover your van itself. You should have both in place if you're making deliveries, otherwise you could be held liable for the cost of the goods you're transporting if something happens to them."
Depending on the company you work for, what you're transporting and where you're transporting it to, you'll be bound by a certain set of conditions of carriage.
Companies often specify their own conditions of carriage, and you'll need a policy that covers those conditions in order to transport goods for them.
Our partner, Quote Me Today, offer policies that cover a wide range of conditions of carriage that you'll need to work for companies including:
Conditions of carriage are rules and regulations around the transport of goods. They usually set out the liabilities each party is responsible for when goods are being moved.
The two most popular are:
This is provided by the Road Haulage Association, and sets out exactly who is responsible for the loading, unloading and transport of goods throughout the UK.
This is a convention that governs the international transportation of goods, and works in a similar way to the RHA rules. It sets out who is responsible for what when transporting goods abroad.
Also known as hire and reward insurance, courier insurance covers your van for delivery driving.
This means that if you crash during work, or your van is stolen while you're on the job, you'll be able to claim for it. It's a legal requirement to have it if you're working as a courier.
Also known as GIT insurance, goods in transit policies insure the actual items you're carrying.
If they're lost, damaged or stolen while you're delivering them, you'll be able to claim. It isn't a legal requirement, but some companies might insist you have it as part of your contract.
Exactly what you pay for your cover depends on a range of factors, from the value of your cargo to the distance you're transporting it. So much of what you pay for your cover is out of your control.
But there are a few things you can do that may get you a better deal:
This depends on your policy. Some goods in transit policies include public liability insurance, but others may only offer it as a paid-for add-on.
Our partner Quote Me Today offers combined policies, so if this is something you're looking for, just say when you're getting a quote and they'll do the rest to find you the right policy for your needs.
While it isn't a legal requirement, many companies insist you have public liability insurance in place to work for them as a courier.
It covers you for any injuries you cause a member of the public, or any damage you do to their property while you're working.
Goods in transit insurance can cover any items left in a vehicle overnight, but not all policies offer this. Always check your policy documents to see exactly what you're covered for.
If your policy does cover overnight storage, you'll usually have to make sure your goods are stored properly, and that the vehicle itself is kept in a safe, secure location overnight.
You don't need goods in transit insurance to move home.
If you have contents insurance, you can use this to cover your possessions while you're moving. Most policies include cover for moving house.
Before you move though, check with your home insurance provider to see exactly what you're covered and also make sure you give them your new address.
If you decide to use a removal company, their GIT insurance should cover your items if they get damaged, lost or stolen.
Before you hire a removal company, it's worth checking how much they're insured for though, particularly if you're moving valuable items.
Yes, it can cover your business equipment if you're moving premises. If you're hiring a removal company, they may already offer this cover. You'll still need to check what level of cover the company has to make sure it meets your needs, though.
If you, or your employees, are moving your business' possessions yourself, then goods in transit insurance can be a good idea.
Page last reviewed: 08 April 2024
Reviewed by: Louise Thomas
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