Driving for money: Is the courier life right for you?
If you’re thinking about becoming a courier then this article should hopefully help you decide whether or not this driving profession is right for you.
With over ten years’ experience in providing courier insurance, Insure Courier have had the opportunity to speak to some very interesting courier drivers and delivery firm owners in our time. Based on our discussions, we’ve come up with this short list of pro’ and con’s that you might want to consider before finalising your decision;
The pro’s of being a courier;
- Be your own boss! If you decide to become a freelance courier driver or set up your own firm then you’ll enjoy making your own decisions and being in control of your future. You will also see the benefits of your hard work directly as any profit made will be yours.
- It’s no desk job – Lot’s of the customers we spoke to really enjoy driving and being on the open road. If you’re not one for sitting in an office, then being a courier could be right for you as you’ll always be out and about and meeting new people.
- Flexible hours and deliveries – Some of our customers enjoy the fact that they start and finish early or can alter their shift patterns each week to fit around their personal life. If you don’t like the idea of doing long distance runs it’s also possible to do lot’s of local deliveries where you know the roads instead. Many of our customers reported that being able to choose what type of work they did gave them more job on the job.
- Earning potential – With an increase in online shopping and online bussinesses the demand for couriers is increasing. You never need to be out of work and there’s also the potential to earn around £300 a day!
The con’s of being a courier;
- I’m not a morning person! – If you don’t like getting up early then becoming a courier may not be for you. Lot’s of our customers regularly get up before 6.00am. You may also want to think about whether ‘non-routine’ is right for you. Some people thrive off a hectic and varying schedule while others hate it. Some of our customers have vastly different days. For example, one of our clients last week had to pick up some furniture from London and deliver it to Glasgow and then travel all they way back for work the following day. Could you see yourself doing this?
- No guarantee of work – If you do decide to go self-employed rather than work for someone else then it’s up to you to find your own clients. If there’s no work one week then you won’t get paid. You’ll also have to do all your own paperwork, marketing and tax returns etc.
- Rising costs – The cost of both unleaded and diesal has increased significantly over the last few years. This combined with other expenses like vehicle renting, renting your vehicle, road tax etc. all help to chip away at profits.
If you do decide to take the plunge, then please keep Insure Courier in mind when it comes to your courier insurance. We’ll guide you through the process of setting up a policy for the first time by explaining your cover options. We also offer generous discounts for new courier drivers and ventures. Give us a call on 0800 142 2838. Lines are open 9am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri.