- Delivery couriers pay the most for van insurance, with an average premium of £1,689 per year
- Handymen pay just £382 annually – nearly 80% less than delivery drivers
- The courier services sector has the highest insurance costs overall, at £1,711 on average
Delivery couriers are paying the most expensive van insurance premiums in the UK, as new data reveals these workers must fork out an average of £1,689 per year. That’s £1,307 more than a handyman, who has the cheapest median policy price at just £382.[1]
The findings are based on internal data from Go.Compare business van insurance, which analysed comprehensive van insurance policies purchased in 2024. The figures show that jobs involving more time on the road, tight delivery schedules and valuable cargo tend to push premiums up. Delivery couriers face by far the highest median prices, followed by scaffolders, construction workers and carpet fitters.
Jobs with the most expensive van insurance premiums:[1]
| Occupation | Median van insurance premium |
| Delivery courier | £1,689 |
| Scaffolder | £603 |
| Construction worker | £582 |
| Carpet fitter | £541 |
| Electrical fitter | £518 |
| Dog trainer | £516 |
| Mobile service engineer | £508 |
| Electrician | £507 |
| Dog walker | £506 |
| Plumber | £499 |
Courier professionals pay four times as much as painters and decorators for their van insurance, whose average premium is just £383. This difference reflects the risk factors that couriers face, including higher annual mileage to frequent stops and valuable items in transit. In comparison, prices for several van-driving roles (like gardeners or painters and decorators) sit at less than £400 per year.
The courier industry as a whole is also the most expensive by more than £1,100. With a median van insurance cost of £1,711, the courier services sector tops the table by a wide margin.
Most expensive business types:
| Business type | Median van insurance costs |
| Courier services | £1,711 |
| Corporate hospitality | £606 |
| Transport – road | £564 |
| Hairdressing | £559 |
| Waste disposal | £531 |
While courier work tops the list, other industries that involve travelling between customers or transporting tools and specialist equipment also tend to attract higher premiums. Corporate hospitality, which can include mobile caterers or event set-ups, comes with increased risk due to equipment and logistics.
Tom Banks, motoring expert at Go.Compare, said: “Insurance is all about weighing risks and the more time you spend on the road, the more that risk increases. Couriers are constantly on the move, often working to tight deadlines and carrying valuable parcels, so it’s no surprise that they pay more for cover.
“But even within industries that seem lower risk at first glance, like mobile hairdressing or dog walking, these workers need to travel between clients, which can bump up premiums.
“No matter your profession, the best way to get a good deal is to compare quotes every year, make sure your mileage estimate is accurate, and consider things like security devices or paying annually, which can all help cut the cost of your insurance.”
[1] Based on all comprehensive van insurance sales through GoCompare between 01 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, using sales premiums to calculate the median. The dataset includes only policies paid annually and is limited to sales where the proposer is also the main driver and is aged between 18 and 70 (inclusive). Only full-time occupations are considered.
