Increased Costs For Couriers Who Offer Same Day Service
Increased costs for Couriers who offer same day service because the e-commerce rising to new heights, the need to deliver the packages so hastily has vastly increased in the UK and other locations in the world. This has placed more demand on the couriers and their business to meet this very short deadline. If this is not curbed the cost of courier insurance and thus the service costs will also see a big increase.
The new gig economy
The new term for e-commerce is gig economy. This is in reference to the transformation that has occurred where people use their computers and cell phones to shop, for which the items purchased must be picked up and delivered instead of going to retail stores.
What is causing the increase in risk that could affect their courier van insurance?
With most courier services offering 30 to 60 minute guaranteed pick up and same-day delivery of those items to anywhere in the UK, the pressure is on. With this type of service guaranteed by many of the courier services the drivers are placed under extreme pressure to make the deadlines.
Because of this increased pressure, the University of London conducted a study on the effects on courier drivers. The results showed that 42% of the courier drivers had damaged their vehicles while performing their duties. Of those involved in an accident, 10% of the accidents resulted in an injury.
The UCL report looked into the increase in risk factors that have lead to more accidents and injuries for courier drivers. These factors included the following;
What are the effects on courier van insurance?
The report stated that recommendations have been made to the Department of Transportation to reduce the risk factors that have been identified. The chances are that courier drivers are involved in more accidents and are receiving more traffic tickets, which will lead to higher courier insurance premiums.
Ways to protect your courier drivers
- 1It has been suggested that the use of time blocks for paying couriers instead of a drop off rate of packages would reduce risky driving habits.
- 2The reduction in pressure that is being applied to drivers when making deliveries should also occur.
- 3Have meetings on safe driving habits.
Courier motorcycle insurance like all other types of insurance rates sets a premium by the risk factors involved. With the increase in risk due to the gig economy, courier insurance will begin to rise unless a company reduces the risk.