Couriers
You may need separate cover for the goods you carry as well as the vehicle you use for deliveries.
Goods in transit insurance
Compare goods in transit business insurance
What is goods in transit insurance?
Goods in transit insurance (sometimes known as GIT insurance) can cover certain goods against risks like loss, theft and damage while they’re being transported as part of your business. It protects the goods rather than the vehicle carrying them, and depending on the policy, cover can also extend to loading, unloading or temporary storage during a journey.
You may be able to buy it as standalone cover or as part of another business insurance policy.
Do I need goods in transit cover?
Goods in transit insurance isn't legally required for UK businesses, but it can offer useful financial protection for businesses that regularly move stock, equipment or other valuable property.
This means if any of the goods in transit are lost, damaged or stolen, you'll be able to claim for the cost of repairing or replacing them, depending on the specifics of your goods in transit policy.
What does goods in transit insurance cover?
What you’re covered for will depend on your policy and provider, but most goods in transit policies will cover and exclude the following:
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What's usually covered
Theft following an insured incident
Accidental damage during a journey
Loss caused by an insured event
Loading and unloading, if included
Temporary storage during transit, if included
Your own or customer goods where declared
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What's usually not covered
Goods left in an unlocked or unsecured vehicle
Damage caused by poor packing or handling
Wear, deterioration or delays
Cash, jewellery and some valuable goods
Livestock or hazardous goods
Goods, journeys or activities you haven’t declared
Are my own and my customers' goods covered?
What are you carrying? | Cover to look for | What should I check? |
|---|---|---|
Your stock, tools or equipment | Goods in transit cover added to contents or tools insurance | The replacement value of your goods, the maximum load you can carry, and whether you can use third-party carriers |
Customer-owned goods | Courier, hauliers' liability, stock-in-trust or specialist goods cover | Who has contractual liability, how custody works and any item or load limits |
How do haulage contract conditions affect my cover?
If you carry goods for customers, your contract can affect how much you may be liable for if those goods are lost or damaged.
RHA Conditions of Carriage
Road Haulage Association members can incorporate the RHA Conditions of Carriage into customer contracts. Under the 2024 conditions, liability is generally limited to £1,300 per tonne based on the gross weight of goods lost, wrongly delivered or damaged, unless another amount has been agreed.
International road transport
International commercial road haulage may be subject to the CMR Convention, which sets rules around contracts and carrier liability. UK government guidance also requires a CMR consignment note for international commercial road journeys.
Full-value responsibility
If contractual conditions don’t limit your liability, you could potentially be responsible for a much greater proportion of the goods’ value. Check your contractual liability and make sure your insurance limits reflect the risk you’ve accepted.
Who needs goods in transit insurance?
You may want goods in transit cover if your business regularly moves stock, equipment or other valuable property.
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Retailers
Cover can help protect stock you move between shops, warehouses, customers or suppliers
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Tradespeople
Equipment carried between jobs may need protection away from your usual business premises
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Removals
Customer belongings may need specialist cover as the property doesn’t belong to your business
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Manufacturers
Goods may need cover while between your premises, suppliers, warehouses or customers
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Moving stock
You may need cover even if transporting goods is only a small part of your day-to-day work
How much goods in transit cover do I need?
The amount of cover you'll need for your goods in transit policy will depend on a few factors, but you should choose enough cover for the largest realistic loss you could face, rather than the value of an average journey.
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Maximum load value
The highest total value you could transport at once
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Single-item value
The most expensive individual item you carry
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Replacement cost
How much it costs to replace your goods today
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Journey frequency
How often and how far you travel with your goods
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Contract requirements
Any minimum cover requested by customers
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Seasonal changes
Times when your stock or load values increase
How much does goods in transit insurance cost?
The cost of your goods in transit policy will depend on a number of factors, including:
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Goods and values
Higher-value, fragile or specialist goods may be more expensive to insure
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Journeys and vehicles
How frequently you travel, where you go and how many vehicles you use
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Storage and security
Insurers may consider locks, alarms, tracking and where vehicles are kept overnight
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Your policy
Your cover limit, excess, claims history and optional extras can all affect the price
What to look for in goods in transit insurance
When you compare goods in transit insurance, be sure to check the following:
Policy feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
Cover limits | Limits can apply to each item, load or vehicle, so be sure to check the maximum amount you can claim |
How claims are valued | Insurers can calculate payouts differently - look at whether they use the replacement value, market value or another basis |
Loading and unloading | Insurers can calculate payouts differently, so check whether handling at either end is included |
Overnight cover | Extra security conditions may apply when goods are unattended - there may be requirements for parking, locks, alarms and time restrictions |
Excess | A cheaper policy may leave you paying more towards a claim |
Where can I transport my goods?
Insurers might have different territorial limits when it comes to where you're able to transport goods, whether it be just the UK or also in Europe and any other countries abroad that you travel through.
Are goods covered by third-party carriers?
Not always - if you use couriers, hauliers or subcontractors, you should make sure whether goods remain insured while another business is transporting them and whether different limits apply. When you look for goods in transit cover with MoneySuperMarket, you'll be asked if your goods are sent by your own vehicles or by hauliers, post and rail.
Are any goods restricted or excluded?
Some insurers restrict higher-risk goods such as jewellery, artwork, perishables or hazardous materials - you may need to declare them or arrange specialist cover.
What evidence might I need for a claim?
Insurers may ask for evidence of the goods, their value and the journey, which can include receipts, invoices, manifests, delivery records or photographs.
How to compare goods in transit cover with MoneySuperMarket
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Tell us about your business
Enter details including your trade, business structure, address, turnover and when you need cover to start
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See what cover is available
We'll search the market for quotes that meet your requirements so you can compare what's available
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Finalise your cover
Once you've found the quote you want, click through to finalise your purchase and you'll be covered
What do I need to get a quote?
Having a few details ready can make getting a quote easier.
Your business: Your main business activity and any additional trades
Your address: Your trading address and business structure
Your experience: How long you’ve worked in your trade and your annual turnover
Your workforce: Details of employees or subcontractors where relevant
Your policy: When you want cover to begin and how you want to pay
Your goods: What you transport, who owns it, its value, your routes and vehicle security
Our expert says…
When choosing a cover limit, think about the highest-value load you could realistically lose at one time rather than what you usually carry. Seasonal stock, expensive individual items and changing customer contracts can all push that figure higher.
Lucas Mansilla Life & Health Insurance Expert
How do I make a goods in transit claim?
If goods are lost, stolen or damaged, check your policy and contact your insurer as soon as you can.
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Prevent further loss
Secure your vehicle and remaining goods where it’s safe to do so
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Report the incident
Report any crimes to the police and keep the reference number - then contact your insurer
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Gather your evidence
You may need invoices, manifests, photographs, repair estimates and proof of ownership or responsibility
What other types of business cover do I need?
Goods in transit insurance protects the goods you transport, but your business may face other risks too - depending on what you do, you could consider other types of cover.
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Public liability
Helps cover claims if your work injures someone or damages their property
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Professional indemnity
Helps cover claims arising from professional mistakes, advice or services
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Employers' liability
Covers claims if an employee becomes ill or injured because of their work
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Income protection
Pays a regular income if illness or injury leaves you unable to work
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Business interruption
Can replace lost income if an insured event stops your business trading
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Business van insurance
Covers vans used for work, including deliveries, tools and customer visits
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Vehicle fleets
If you want to cover two or more vehicles under one policy
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Business contents
Protects stock, equipment and furniture against insured loss or damage
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Business insurance guides and expert tips
Is goods in transit insurance a legal requirement?
No, goods in transit insurance itself isn’t generally a legal requirement in the UK - but customers or contracts may require you to hold a certain level of cover. You’ll also need any other insurance legally required for your business, such as motor insurance for vehicles used on public roads.
Does goods in transit insurance cover customer-owned goods?
It can, but not every policy does - some policies are designed mainly for property your business owns, while customer goods may need stock-in-trust, courier, hauliers' liability or specialist cargo cover.
Does it cover my own stock, tools or equipment?
It might - some business contents or tools policies can include goods in transit cover, while others restrict cover to declared business premises. Check where your property is insured and any per-item or per-load limits.
Does goods in transit insurance cover loading and unloading?
It can, depending on the policy, so find out exactly when your insurer considers goods to be “in transit”, including where cover starts and ends and whether handling restrictions apply.
Are goods covered if they're left in a vehicle overnight?
Possibly, but insurers commonly apply additional security conditions to unattended vehicles. These can include requirements around locks, alarms, parking locations or secure compounds, so read your policy wording carefully if you regularly leave goods in a vehicle overnight.
Does goods in transit insurance cover my vehicle?
No, goods in transit insurance protects eligible goods rather than the vehicle carrying them - you’ll need appropriate motor insurance for the vehicle and its business use.
Can goods carried by a third-party courier be covered?
Yes, you'll have the option of selecting goods transported by you, or by hauliers, post and rail.
What information do I need to get a quote?
You'll usually need information about your business, trade, turnover and workforce, along with details of the goods you transport and the cover you need. Having your goods' ownership, maximum value, routes and security arrangements ready can help you assess the options offered.
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Who are Simply Business?
Simply Business is one of the largest insurance brokers in the UK. They work with leading and specialist insurers to provide cover for small business owners, landlords and self-employed workers.
MoneySuperMarket has a commercial partnership with Simply Business. They offer various business and landlord insurance policies from different insurers through our platform, allowing our customers to find affordable quotes and policies that suit your specific needs.
Reviewed on 7 Oct 2026 by
Sources and supporting information
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Simply Business is one of the UK's leading providers of business insurance, serving 1 million customers across 1,500 trades.
