Over the last year, many people have had their lives altered drastically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns. For some people, their old line of work from a pre-pandemic time has been rendered impossible or inaccessible.
At the same time, there has been an increased demand for delivery and courier drivers, whose work has been essential in keeping the nation moving. As a result, the number of delivery drivers on the UK roads has increased rapidly, as people look for a flexible means of supporting themselves.
At Zego, we think it’s important to highlight the resourcefulness of these new delivery drivers, shining a light on their stories, both before and during the current situation.
We caught up with Abdel, who was studying for his master's degree in the construction industry before he started delivery work.
Hi Abdel, thanks for speaking to us. Could you tell us a bit more about the job you were doing before you started delivery work?
"I was doing my master's degree in the construction industry in Edinburgh, so I was a student in the region.
"I started looking for other jobs, especially in the construction industry where I got my master's from, but things are going down in the current pandemic. So I came across delivering food, met a few people, asked a few questions, and then got started."
How has delivery work compared to your expectations so far?
"My expectations have been met. I was looking to work flexibly, to do the job whenever I want, and hit my targets for the amount of money I make each week. I hit my targets easily so I’m very satisfied."
Did you have any concerns before you started delivery work?
"I had some worries at the beginning. I may get lost. I may not understand the job properly. I may make mistakes, but once I started things it's been fine."
Could you tell us a bit more about why you chose to become a Zego customer?
"I started searching for an insurance company that covers Hire & Reward. I found a lot of companies asking for a deposit and then insurance was very expensive. Then I came across a video on YouTube about how Zego works. Zego asked me simple questions and I got a good quote. It’s very efficient for me to use pay-as-you-go insurance."
Did you get in touch with Zego’s customer support at all?
"I had some issues with my driving license. I phoned them up and they solved the problem immediately, so it was a very positive experience."
Do you see yourself staying in delivery work for a long time?
"Yes. I’m originally a quantity surveyor and my job can be on projects for a couple of months at a time. I have lots of free time and I want to spend it earning more money, so as long as I’m not doing a full-time job, I have a chance to do this. It works perfectly for me."
Thanks for speaking to us, Abdel!
If you’re interested in finding out more about getting started with delivery insurance, you can read our guide here. Or, if you’re looking for more information about Zego’s products, you can visit the Scooter Delivery insurance or Car Delivery insurance pages of our website.
We’re here to support you whenever you need us.