Pay-as-you-go food delivery insurance is hire and reward (H&R) cover that charges by the hour rather than the month, so UK delivery drivers only pay for insurance while they're actually working a shift.
The UK food delivery industry is big business. Every day, thousands of drivers carry takeaway food to homes, offices and workplaces across the nation, using cars, vans, motorbikes, scooters, e-bikes and bicycles to sustain the national love for restaurant food without the restaurant.
Driving for a major delivery app like Uber Eats or Deliveroo, or for the local pizza shop, lets drivers earn flexibly. But before getting on the road, they need food delivery insurance – a legal requirement in the UK that's sometimes called hire and reward cover.
One of the more flexible options for food delivery insurance is pay-as-you-go. Here's how it works, what it covers, and who it's for.
What is pay-as-you-go food delivery insurance?
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) food delivery insurance covers drivers who deliver food in return for payment. It allows drivers to buy cover by the hour, instead of monthly or annually, so you only pay for insurance when you're working. That makes it a flexible fit for part-time delivery drivers and gig workers who want to control their costs.
PAYG delivery insurance acts as a hire and reward top-up for your existing social, domestic and pleasure (SD&P) vehicle cover. It allows you to make deliveries in exchange for payment without affecting your standard insurance for personal driving. If hire and reward is a new term, our explainer on hire and reward insurance for UK drivers walks through what it actually is and why commercial driving work legally requires it.
How does pay-as-you-go food delivery insurance work?
With Zego's pay-as-you-go H&R delivery cover, you're charged only when you're working a shift, with a minimum of one hour's cover per session.
Here's what happens step by step:
Starting your shift: as soon as you accept a job with one of Zego's delivery partners (like Deliveroo), your cover starts and you're charged for one hour – the minimum.
While you're working: one hour after you accept your first job, Zego checks whether you're still making deliveries. If you are, you're charged by the minute until you finish your shift.
When you stop delivering: Zego pauses your cover automatically, ends the current PAYG session, and the Zego Flex app deducts the cost from your balance.
What does Zego's pay-as-you-go delivery insurance cover?
Pay-as-you-go delivery insurance offers the same level of cover as your existing SD&P insurance. It acts like a top-up – providing the same level of H&R cover as your underlying standard motor insurance, whether that's Third Party Only or all the way up to Fully Comprehensive.
That means PAYG H&R doesn't change your personal cover. It switches on hire and reward protection during working hours, then drops away when you finish your shift.
What other types of food delivery insurance are there?
Alongside hourly pay-as-you-go, Zego also offers food delivery cover by the month or year:
- 30-day monthly insurance – flexible short-term cover suited to drivers who work seasonally, or who also work in other types of industry.
- Annual insurance – long-term, cost-effective cover for drivers who work in the food and parcel delivery industry full-time.
The right option depends on how often you work. For a fuller picture of how the costs compare across the three terms, our guide to what food delivery insurance typically costs in the UK walks through the typical ranges by cover type and working pattern.
What do I need to get food delivery insurance?
To buy Zego's food delivery insurance you'll typically need:
- A full UK or EU driving licence, or CBT for scooters (maximum engine size 125cc)
- No more than two claims in the last three years, regardless of fault
- To be aged between 21 and 65
- To live and work in England, Scotland, or Wales
- A car worth less than £30,000 at current market value (for car delivery cover)
- To work for one or more of Zego's partnered work providers (for scooter riders)
Eligibility criteria can change over time, so always check the current requirements in the app before you commit.
How can I buy food delivery insurance?
It's straightforward. Download the Zego Delivery app, get a quote in around a minute, and once everything checks out, your cover can start as soon as you accept your first delivery job.
Get covered with Zego
If you're delivering in a car, Zego's food delivery insurance covers Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, Amazon Flex and other partner platforms, with pay-as-you-go, 30-day and annual options. If you're delivering on a scooter or moped, Zego's scooter delivery insurance covers riders on 125cc and under via pay-as-you-go, with combined SD&P + H&R policies available for scooters up to 500cc.
The legal basis for needing commercial cover when delivering for payment is set out by the UK insurance industry itself. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), "If you carry passengers who are charged a fare, you will need to ensure you have the appropriate level of 'hire and reward' insurance" – and the same principle applies to drivers carrying parcels for payment.
Get a quick quote with Zego, it only takes a minute.
References
Association of British Insurers (ABI) – Motor Insurance Guidance (WebFetch-verified). Cited for the UK insurance industry's definition of hire and reward cover and the requirement for drivers carrying passengers or parcels for payment to hold appropriate commercial motor cover. https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/