GMB, the union for Hermes drivers, is seeking clarification and support from the Association of British Insurers regarding Hermes insurance practices.
Hermes misleads potential drivers by failing to ensure that those drivers have informed their insurance companies that they are using their vehicle for business purposes.
Hermes dodges its responsibility to check proper insurance cover is in place by asking them to acknowledge they ‘understand that motor insurance is required to deliver and collect parcels and/or catalogues on behalf of Hermes.
Additional insurance, on a third party only basis, can be provided at a daily rate to couriers who are undertaking deliveries of collections for Hermes via a QBE scheme.
If a driver does not return an ‘insurance decision letter’ to Hermes then they are automatically included in the QBE scheme and charged, further boosting Hermes profits.
Any drivers who have failed to notify their insurer are likely to find their entire insurance is void.
Drivers who believe that they will be covered by paying for top-up insurance, on a third party basis, at 55p per day are being seriously misled.
Mick Rix, GMB National Officer said:
“Hermes are deliberately dodging their responsibility to make sure their drivers are properly insured for business purposes and are in fact knowingly misleading hard working Hermes drivers into thinking they have proper cover.
“GMB has serious concerns that Hermes is putting their drivers and the public, at serious risk of cutting corners in the interests of profit.
“GMB is calling on the Association of British Insurers to lend their voice to ensure that Hermes behaves responsibly.”
