Overview
Sherpa provides Personal Accident Insurance for eligible drivers while completing jobs during a Sherpa Slot.
This cover applies only to eligible jobs completed as part of a Sherpa Slot. A Sherpa Slot is a pre-determined time frame where you accept a Slot, remain available during that period, and complete jobs assigned to you during the Slot.
You can read more about how Sherpa Slots work in our Slots Guide.
What is Personal Accident Insurance?
Personal Accident Insurance is a type of insurance that may provide benefits if you suffer an accidental injury while performing eligible covered work.
Sherpa’s policy is a Group Personal Accident policy. It is intended to provide cover for eligible drivers if they suffer an accident or injury while completing eligible Sherpa Slot work, subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy.
It is not workers compensation, comprehensive vehicle insurance, compulsory third party insurance, private health insurance, or general income protection for all work you perform. Weekly injury benefits may be available only where the policy responds to a covered injury.
When does the cover apply?
Sherpa’s Personal Accident Insurance applies when:
- you have accepted a Sherpa Slot;
- the Slot has started;
- you are completing jobs assigned to you during that Slot; and
- the incident occurs while you are performing eligible Slot work.
Cover may also apply while you are directly on route to an eligible Sherpa Slot job and for a limited period after completing that job, subject to the policy terms.
If you complete both Slot and non-Slot jobs, only eligible jobs completed during a Sherpa Slot are covered by Sherpa’s Personal Accident Insurance.
What may the policy cover?
Depending on the circumstances of the incident and the policy terms, the policy may provide benefits for certain accidental injuries sustained while performing eligible covered work.
Examples of benefits that may be available under the policy include:
- accidental death and capital benefits;
- weekly injury benefits if you are unable to work because of a covered injury;
- fractured bones benefits;
- dental injury benefits;
- accommodation and transport expenses;
- out-of-pocket expenses;
- funeral expenses;
- return to work assistance; and
- other listed benefits in the policy schedule.
The availability and amount of any benefit depends on the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. The insurer is responsible for assessing claims and deciding whether a benefit is payable.
What is not covered?
Sherpa’s Personal Accident Insurance does not apply to all work completed through the Sherpa platform.
It does not apply to:
- standard marketplace jobs completed outside a Sherpa Slot;
- jobs accepted individually outside the Slot structure;
- work completed before your Sherpa Slot starts, unless covered by the policy terms;
- work completed after your Sherpa Slot ends, unless covered by the policy terms;
- personal travel unrelated to eligible Slot work;
- time when you are not actively completing eligible Slot work; or
- any non-Sherpa work.
Standard marketplace jobs remain outside this insurance cover.
Why does the policy only apply to Sherpa Slots?
Sherpa Slots are different from standard marketplace jobs. When you accept a Sherpa Slot, you are committing to be available for a set period of time and complete jobs assigned to you during that period.
Because Sherpa Slots involve retained time and assigned work during a scheduled period, this is the part of the platform where Sherpa provides Personal Accident Insurance.
What if I want cover outside Sherpa Slots?
If you want insurance coverage for work outside Sherpa Slots, including standard marketplace jobs or other courier work, you should consider arranging your own private insurance.
This may include cover for:
- personal accident or injury;
- income protection;
- lump sum injury benefits;
- travel to and from work; and
- work performed across multiple platforms or clients.
You may wish to speak with an independent insurance broker or compare providers online to find a policy that suits your circumstances.
What should I do if I am injured during a Sherpa Slot?
If you are injured while completing eligible work during a Sherpa Slot:
- Call 000 immediately if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency.
- Once safe, notify the Sherpa Support Team support@sherpa.net.au so we can assist and log the incident.
- If another party is involved, such as in a motor accident, exchange contact details and take clear photos if it is safe to do so.
- Sherpa will provide details of the claim process, including the claim form, policy number and how to notify the insurer.
When contacting Sherpa Support, please include as much detail as possible, including:
- the date and time of the incident;
- your Sherpa Slot details;
- the job or delivery involved;
- where the incident occurred;
- what happened;
- photos or supporting information, if available; and
- any medical or emergency service details.
How does the claim process work?
Sherpa will record the incident and report it to our insurer.
Sherpa will also provide eligible drivers with the relevant claim details, including:
- the insurer’s claim form;
- the policy number;
- instructions on how to notify or contact the insurer; and
- any other information reasonably required to help start the claim process.
Once the incident has been reported, eligible drivers will be referred to the insurer. The insurer will then manage the claim directly with you. This means the insurer may contact you to request further information, supporting documents, medical certificates or other details needed to assess the claim.
Sherpa is not responsible for deciding whether a claim is accepted or declined. Claim decisions, benefit payments, timeframes and requests for additional information are managed by the insurer in accordance with the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy.
What will I need to do?
If you are referred to the insurer, you should:
- complete the insurer’s claim form;
- provide accurate details about the incident;
- respond to any requests from the insurer;
- provide medical certificates or reports if requested;
- keep copies of any documents you submit; and
- let Sherpa know if you need platform-related information to support your claim.
What if I am injured outside a Sherpa Slot?
If you are injured while completing a job that is not part of a Sherpa Slot, Sherpa’s Personal Accident Insurance will not apply.
You should seek medical assistance if required and contact your own insurer if you have private insurance cover.
You should still notify Sherpa Support if the incident relates to a Sherpa delivery so we can log the incident and provide any platform support that may be available.
Important note
This article provides a general summary of Sherpa’s Personal Accident Insurance arrangements for Sherpa Slots. Insurance coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy.
If there is any inconsistency between this article and the insurance policy, the policy terms will apply.