# DP-P05-M-V: I use my car to make a few paid deliveries outside my main job. Do I need to tell my car insurer? Collected 11 October 2026 [Car insurance study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/insurance/car-insurance) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 1e7af86a-042e-4448-b9f4-a1e804f6102b Yes — in New Zealand, you should tell your car insurer if you use your car to make paid deliveries, even if you only do a few deliveries outside your main job. The important distinction is that paid delivery work is often excluded from ordinary private car insurance, even when the work is occasional. The Insurance Council of New Zealand specifically recommends checking your cover, and Consumer Protection NZ warns that using a private car for work such as deliveries may leave you without cover if you have an accident. [Motor Insurance: What You Need to Know](https://www.icnz.org.nz/individuals/motor/)[Car insurance](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/paying-registering-insuring-car/car-insurance) ## Why it matters - An accident during a delivery: Your insurer may decline a claim if your policy excludes delivery work. - Damage to someone else's vehicle or property: Your third-party cover may also be affected, depending on your policy. - Only doing deliveries occasionally: This doesn't automatically mean you're covered. Some insurers explicitly exclude delivery work regardless of how frequently you do it. [Do you cover my car if I use it for food delivery?](https://www.aainsurance.co.nz/help/article/360001235056-Do-you-cover-my-car-if-I-use-it-for-food-delivery)[Distinction Motor Vehicle Insurance / Policy wording](https://www.nzi.co.nz/documents/distinction-car-policy) ## What you should do 1. Contact your insurer before doing any more deliveries, if possible. 2. Explain that you use your personal car for occasional paid deliveries alongside your main job. 3. Ask whether they can cover this activity, whether you need a commercial motor policy, and whether any extra premium or conditions apply. 4. Get confirmation in writing, and check whether cover applies while travelling to collect an order, carrying the delivery, and returning afterwards. You can read the guidance from [Insurance Council of New Zealand](https://www.icnz.org.nz/individuals/motor/) and [Consumer Protection NZ](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/paying-registering-insuring-car/car-insurance/). ## One question that could make a difference What kind of deliveries do you make? - Food deliveries (such as Uber Eats or DoorDash) - Parcels or courier deliveries - Deliveries for a local business or shop The answer will help me explain what type of insurance you may need and what to ask your insurer. ## Gemini Answer ID: ceabf90d-23b6-4715-938a-a7dc0b348205 **Yes, absolutely.** You must inform your car insurer if you are using your vehicle to make paid deliveries (such as food delivery via Uber Eats, Delivereasy, Menulog, or courier work). Failing to notify them can lead to serious consequences regarding your coverage: * **Claim Declination:** Standard private car insurance policies only cover "private, social, and domestic" use. If you are in an accident while logged into a delivery app or carrying paid goods, your insurer has the legal right to **decline your claim** entirely because the vehicle was being used for commercial purposes without disclosure. * **Policy Cancellation:** Not disclosing commercial use can be viewed as withholding material risk information, which may result in your insurer cancelling your policy or refusing to renew it in the future. ### What you should do next: 1. **Contact your insurer:** Let them know the exact nature of the deliveries you are doing (e.g., how often you do them and what you transport). 2. **Check for extensions or commercial policies:** Some insurers offer specific "small business" policy add-ons or extensions that cover light delivery work. If your current provider doesn't cover it, you may need to switch to a provider that offers commercial or business vehicle insurance. Are you currently covered by a standard private policy, or have you already started doing these deliveries? ## AI Overviews Answer ID: 570e1153-5105-4b24-b4b5-c7e6487ebcc3 **Yes, you must tell your car insurer immediately.** In New Zealand, standard private car insurance policies strictly cover social, domestic, and recreational driving, including your regular commute to your main job. They explicitly exclude commercial activities like paid deliveries. Why You Must Notify Your Insurer * **Risk of Denied Claims:** If you have an accident while making a paid delivery—or even while logged into a delivery app waiting for a job—a standard private policy will not cover you. Your insurer can legally decline your claim, leaving you personally liable for damage to your car and any third-party property. * **Policy Cancellation:** Failing to declare business activities changes your risk profile. If your insurer finds out later, they can cancel your policy or void it entirely due to non-disclosure. * **The "Business Use" Fact-Check:** If you declare your delivery income or claim vehicle expenses on your taxes, New Zealand insurers can cross-reference patterns of business use during major claims investigations. How New Zealand Insurers Handle Delivery Driving Different providers manage paid delivery work (such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Delivereasy, or parcel couriers) in distinct ways: * **Strict Exclusions:** Major providers like AA Insurance, initio, and Cove do not cover food or parcel delivery under private policies. If you use your car for these services, they will advise you to move to a commercial provider. * **Commercial Policies or Add-Ons:** Insurers like Tower, AMI, and State offer specific business vehicle insurance policies or commercial add-ons that can extend coverage to delivery driving. What to Do Next Call your current insurance provider before your next delivery shift and ask them: 1. _"Does my current policy cover me if I use my car for occasional food or parcel delivery?"_ 2. _"Can I add a commercial 'business use' extension to this policy?"_ 3. _"If you don't cover deliveries, what commercial vehicle policy options do you have?"_ If you'd like to explore your options further, tell me **which insurance provider you currently use** or **what delivery platform you are driving for** so I can provide more specific guidance. ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: 9af23b6b-a77d-42ad-81ed-6b722f00a465 **Yes, absolutely.** You must inform your car insurer if you use your vehicle to make paid deliveries (such as food delivery via Uber Eats, grocery delivery, or parcel drop-offs). Standard private or personal car insurance policies in New Zealand are strictly designed for social, domestic, pleasure, and standard commuting to a regular place of work. They explicitly exclude commercial activities, business use, or carrying goods for payment or income. [AMI Insurance] What happens if you don't tell them? * * **Declined Claims:** If you get into an accident while making a delivery and you only have a standard private policy, your insurer has the legal right to **decline your claim entirely**. * **Policy Cancellation:** Failing to disclose commercial use can be treated as a breach of your policy terms (nondisclosure), leading your insurer to cancel your policy or refuse future coverage. * What you need to do Contact your insurance provider and let them know the specific type of delivery work you are doing and how often you do it. Depending on the insurer, they may: * * Add an endorsement or extension for occasional business/delivery use to your existing private policy. * Recommend shifting to a commercial or small-business vehicle insurance policy. * If you'd like to share **which company or app you deliver for** (e.g., Uber Eats, a local courier, or private work) and **how many days a week** you do it, I can give you a better idea of what specific type of cover or policy adjustment you might need.