Deliveroo to provide free accident insurance for all its riders

Gig economy food delivery service Deliveroo will provide all its riders with accident insurance and will offer public liability cover, as part of a global package.

The cover is expected to cost Deliveroo £10m, according to the company.

In the UK, the insurance will be provided through Bikmo, which currently provides sickness and accident cover for the delivery service’s riders for £1.85 a week.

In Europe, Qover and AXA will supply cover.

Chubb and Berkley will be the insurers in Singapore and Hong Kong.

In the case that they sustain an injury while working for the company, Deliveroo’s 35,000 riders will be able to claim for any loss of income as a result of it, in addition to medical expenses.

Public liability insurance will be available to cyclists. It will cover them for up to £1m.

Scooter riders will be covered by the public liability insurance when they are not on their vehicles.

Riders’ substitutes – people nominated by a rider to perform deliveries for them – will be included in the public liability cover.

Will Shu, Deliveroo chief executive and founder, commented: “It’s important that Deliveroo riders are protected whilst out on the road, so we’re delighted that this leading insurance package will be available to all riders completely free.

“We know riders value the flexibility of being able to fit their work around their life, but they also deserve security if they’re involved in an accident. This insurance gives riders security whilst they’re out delivering great food and maintains the flexible work they value.

“This is just one way we are working to increase riders’ security. We would like to go further, but are currently constrained by the law. Deliveroo will continue arguing for the law to be updated so on-demand companies can offer both flexibility and security.”