The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has updated its guidance on home delivery, launched late last month, with new information on vehicle insurance requirements.
The guidance aims to help retailers who consider starting a home delivery service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The update provides clarity on using personal vehicles for home delivery service, as the Association of British Insurers have recently confirmed that no update to insurance cover is necessary as long as the delivery is free of charge.
If there’s a charge for deliveries, retailers should contact their insurance provider/broker to check if they can extend the vehicle insurance to cover home delivery.
“We are pleased that the Association of British Insurers have confirmed that there shouldn’t be any barriers to providing home delivery for customers when it comes to insurance cover,” said James Lowman, chief executive of the ACS.
“Thousands of retailers have already viewed our home delivery guidance, and we will continue to work with local shops to help them set up this essential service where it is needed in their community.”
Many local stores are now offering the service to reach local customers that are self-isolating or otherwise unable to travel to their local shop in light of the coronavirus situation.
ACS said the guidance has been endorsed by the UK government and designed in consultation with Surrey/Bucks Trading Standards and Woking Borough Council, who work with ACS on its existing Assured Advice scheme.