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How comparison works

How Comparison works - Step 1
1

You tell us details about yourself and what you're looking to insure

How Comparison works - Step 2
2

We provide instant quotes from a panel of top UK insurers

How Comparison works - Step 3
3

You choose the policy you want, buy it, and job done!

We’ve been helping customers save money on their van insurance for years!

What is van insurance?

Van insurance is a product that can help protect you financially if something happens to your van which is covered under the policy. Precisely what level of financial protection you might receive depends on the type of insurance coverage that you choose to purchase.

You're not allowed to drive your van on public highways unless it is insured, so if you drive your van on the road, you will need to have van insurance in place. The only exceptions to this are if you have declared your van off-road with a statutory off-road notification (SORN) or if it is exempt for another reason.

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What is the average cost of van insurance?

51% of customers who purchased an insurance policy using The Van Insurer’s online quote system paid less than £563 for their van insurance during the period 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023.

● Average van insurance costs

It's worth noting that the price of van insurance can vary widely, with some insurance quotations as little as £150 a year or less, while others can be several thousands of pounds a year. There are a lot of price-affecting factors, some of which we have listed further below.

● Carriage of own goods

If you use your van for your work or trade, then the usage type "carriage of own goods" is typically selected when obtaining van insurance quotes. The average annual premium for this usage type during the period through July to September for customers who purchased their van insurance having used The Van Insurer's online quote system was £800.04, but 51% of these customers paid less than £635.36 during this period.

● Cost for drivers aged 17-24

The cost of van insurance for drivers aged 17-24 in the UK can be considerably higher than for older drivers, as the young are considered a higher-risk group due to their lack of driving experience, and so insurers adjust their quotations accordingly.

Van insurance for young drivers can cost as little as £400 or £500 pounds for an annual policy, but typically the cost of insurance for this age group is much higher. During the period July to September 2023, customers in this age group who purchased their insurance as a result of using The Van Insurer's online quote system paid an average annual premium of £1,946.43.

Many insurers will offer the option to pay in monthly instalments instead, and this is an attractive option for many young drivers facing higher premiums as it means they do not have to find a large lump sum of money to pay an annual premium.

● Social use only

A popular declared usage type for van insurance is social use only, which basically means what it says; that your van is not used for any work purpose or even commuting. The average annual premium for this usage type during the period through April to June 2023 for customers who purchased their van insurance having used The Van Insurer's online quote system was £769.60, but 51% of these customers paid less than £567.22 during this period.

What affects the price I am quoted?

The quotation you receive and the premium you may ultimately pay for your van insurance are determined by a range of different factors, not least the type of van you drive, how you use it, your age and experience, and the type of insurance coverage you need.

Age
Younger drivers, especially those under 25, may be considered higher risk by insurers and therefore could face higher insurance premiums.

Insurance description
Insurance description

Occupation
Certain occupations which involve high mileage being driven, or which require a van to be in areas where there is more risk of collision, like construction sites, may also be considered a higher risk due to the nature of their work.

Location
If the area you reside in has a higher rate of road accidents, vehicle theft or other crime, your insurance could be more expensive.

Intended Purpose
Your van’s intended use is a factor in how much your insurance quotation is. For example, a van for personal or social use only may have a lower risk of accidents or damage than one used for business, such as delivery or haulage.

Driving experience and claims history
Drivers with a history of accidents or claims may also be considered higher risk and therefore may have to pay more for their insurance.

Driving distance
The number of miles driven per year can impact insurance premiums, as higher mileage may increase the risk of accidents or breakdowns.

Vehicle Storage
Keeping your van in a secure overnight lock-up or personal garage can lower your premiums, as the risk of theft is lower.

Van Type
The van's make, model, specification and age can also affect insurance premiums.

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How to reduce the cost of van insurance

There are several things you can do to reduce the cost of your van insurance:

Compare quotes!

Shopping around and comparing provider quotes can help you find the cheapest coverage for your needs. Automatically renewing your policy with your current provider may mean you lose out on cheaper deals available in the wider market.

When you use The Van Insurer’s quotation services; we’ll compare multiple providers to help find the cheapest available coverage for you.

Avoid making claims

Building a no-claims discount, by remaining claim-free over a consecutively insured number of years helps demonstrate to potential insurers that you have a history of safe driving and are a lower risk to insure.

Invest in security features

Properly installing approved security devices such as alarms, immobilisers, or trackers can reduce the risk of theft or damage and may help lower your premium.

Drive less

It may sound simple, but the less time you spend on the roads, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident. Consider putting in place a mileage limit with your insurer but be sure to remember what it is and not to stray over it.

Set a higher voluntary excess

Increasing the voluntary excess that you’re willing to pay upfront in the event of a claim can lower van insurance quotations, but be sure only to choose an amount you can afford and remember that in addition to a voluntary excess, there may be a compulsory excess too.

Only pay for necessities

If you overestimate your van’s value during the process of obtaining a quote for your insurance, you’re likely to get higher quotations. Also, avoid paying for unnecessary add-ons to help keep your insurance costs low.

Choose annual payments

Paying for your van insurance upfront instead of through monthly instalments can assist you in lowering your insurance costs. Insurers often charge interest or fees when customers pay in instalments.

Reduce modifications

Insurers consider modified vans riskier to insure because they may have higher performance capabilities, be more attractive to thieves, or have alterations that could increase the likelihood of an accident.

Modified parts or customisations may be more expensive to repair or replace in the event of an accident as well, so if you're modifying your van, be sure to factor in potentially higher insurance premiums as a result.

Insure a smaller vehicle

Smaller vans are generally less expensive to repair or replace. They tend to have smaller engines, meaning they’re less powerful and less likely to be involved in high-speed accidents.

Use a black box

Installing a telematics device (also known as a black box) that monitors your driving behaviour can help you earn discounts based on safe driving habits.

Limit your drivers

More drivers on your policy can increase the likelihood of an accident or claim.

Insurers consider each driver's age, driving experience, and history when calculating premiums. They may charge higher premiums for policies with more drivers, especially if those drivers are inexperienced or have a history of accidents or claims.

Shop around for policies

Choosing a cheap deal with low levels of coverage could leave you exposed in the event of a claim. Don’t just opt for the lowest prices: compare quotes with The Van Insurer to help find the most suitable coverage for your vehicle and always make sure you read the policy documents so you understand what is and isn’t covered by the insurer.

How do I compare van insurance with The Van Insurer?

1

Personal Details

First, we’ll need to know a bit about you!

This includes your name, address and occupation, as well as your type of driving licence and when you got it.

2

Your driving history

Then we’ll need to know more about your driving history:

❖ Details of any claims or convictions
❖ Your annual mileage and intended van usage
❖ Details of any No Claims Bonus you have earned

3

Vehicle Details

Lastly, we’ll need some details about the van you’re planning to insure, including things like:

❖ The make, model and engine cc of your van
❖ Its year of manufacture and its current value
❖ When you bought your van (if you already own it)

Why use The Van Insurer?

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94% of reviewers would recommend The Van Insurer, based on independent reviews gathered by Reviews.co.uk. **
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What levels of cover can I choose from?

Third-party

Third-party is the UK's minimum legal requirement of insurance that you must hold for your vehicle. It covers damage or injury to another person or property if you cause an accident. However, you and your own vehicle will not be covered, and you cannot claim with your insurance. A third-party-only policy does not cover damage caused by theft or fire.

Insurance description

Third-party, fire and theft

In addition to Third party only, as listed above, insurers will cover you if your van is stolen or damaged by fire.

Comprehensive

Fully comprehensive cover provides everything included under third party, fire and theft and will also cover you if your van is damaged or destroyed in an accident.

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What type of van insurance do I need?

The type of van insurance you need depends on how you use your van. To help determine which one is right for you, here's a brief overview of some of the most common types of van insurance:

Temporary van insurance

Temporary van insurance provides coverage for a short period, usually from one day up to 28 days.

It can be great for owners who do not use their van regularly or need to borrow a van for personal reasons, such as moving house or transporting personal belongings.

One-day

One-day van insurance covers you for a single day: it's a flexible option as it allows drivers to get insured for the exact period they need rather than committing to a longer policy.

Short-term

Similar to temporary van insurance, short-term policies offer drivers coverage for a limited period, ranging between one day to several months.

Pick-up insurance

Pick-up van insurance is specifically designed for pick-up trucks. Pick-ups can be a useful vehicle type, particularly for smaller businesses that still need to transport goods or equipment.

Black box (telematics) van insurance

Black box policies, also known as telematics van insurance, use a small device, known as a black box, to monitor driving behaviour.

The black box in the van records how it's driven, including average speed, braking, acceleration and the time of day the van is active on the roads. The insurance company then uses the collected data to assess your risk as a driver.

If you drive safely and within the parameters set by the insurer, you may be rewarded with a lower insurance premium.

Specialist van insurance

You can take out specialist van insurance if standard policies do not meet your particular needs.

You may need specialist insurance if you use your van for specialised trades, such as construction or catering, or vans transporting valuable or hazardous goods.

Electric van insurance

As the number of electric vans on UK roads increases, more insurers now offer electric van insurance policies.

These policies usually cover the same risks as traditional van insurance, such as theft, accidental damage, and third-party liability. However, electric van insurance policies may provide additional battery and charging equipment coverage.

Courier van insurance

Courier van insurance is a type of van insurance policy for businesses or individuals operating as couriers. It can protect the van's contents against theft, losses or damages during transit.

Business van insurance

Business van insurance seeks to protect your van for work-related incidents. This includes commuting and differs from private van insurance, as business cover protects the goods inside your vehicle as well as the van itself.

Private van insurance

Private van insurance provides coverage for individuals who use their van for personal or non-business-related purposes.

Haulage

If you transport goods in an HGV for work, commercial haulage insurance protects your vehicle and the materials inside it.

Carriage of own goods

A carriage of own goods policy is designed to protect your vehicle if you use your van for work purposes, like travelling to and from offices or building sites while carrying your own tools and materials required to do your work.

Social use

A social use-only van insurance policy covers your van for leisure and domestic use only. If you also want to use your van for business purposes, you must take out an insurance policy that protects you for that usage type.

Any driver van insurance

Any driver van insurance provides insurance coverage for a list of named drivers provided by the policyholder.

Vehicle fleet insurance

This multi-vehicle insurance policy is designed to insure multiple types of vehicles that a business owns and uses for commercial purposes.

Multi van insurance

This allows you to insure multiple vans under one policy.

Classic van cover

Classic van cover is designed to help protect vintage vans (generally, vehicles over the age of 20 years, although insurers may have different criteria for what 'classic' could mean).

Insurance for your minibus

If you own a minibus, you can help protect it with specialist minibus insurance coverage.

Van insurance add-ons and extras

Once you've chosen the right level of coverage, you can customise your policy even further with optional add-ons.

Legal cover

This may help cover any legal expenses that arise from an accident or other incidents involving your van.

Breakdown cover

This assists you if your van breaks down while you're on the road and can cover towing and repairs.

Employers’ liability insurance

Employers’ liability insurance can cover the cost of compensating employees who become ill or are injured during the work they do for you.

Courtesy vans

This add-on is designed to provide you with a replacement vehicle to drive while yours is being repaired.

Public liability insurance

If a member of the public decides to sue you for damages or injuries, public liability insurance helps provide cover for your legal costs as well as any compensation you may be ordered to pay.

Tool insurance

Tool insurance can help cover the replacement cost if your tools are stolen from your van or damaged.

Hire Vehicle Cover

Hire vehicle cover is a type of insurance policy that provides insurance coverage for rental vehicles.

Personal Injury

Personal injury cover helps provide financial protection for the driver and possibly passengers in a van in the event of an accident that results in injury or death.

Van Contents Cover

This can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing any business tools, equipment, or other items stolen or damaged while in your van.

Personal belongings cover

This can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your personal items if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.

It can include items such as jewellery, watches, mobile phones, cameras, and laptops, among others. However, the specific items covered depend on your chosen policy and coverage limits.

Wrong fuel cover

This covers repair costs if you accidentally fill up your vehicle with the wrong fuel type: petrol instead of diesel and vice versa.

No Claim Discount Protection

This protects your no-claims discount (NCD) bonus even if you have to make a claim. There may be an upper limit to the number of claims you can make however.

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Do I need a green card to travel abroad?

There are a number of countries where green cards are required, so you should check at www.gov.uk for the latest information. A green card is not required when UK residents and licence holders are driving abroad in certain countries [2] such as;

  • Countries in the European Union (EU), including Ireland
  • Countries in the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Andorra
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Norway
  • Serbia
  • Switzerland

FAQs

Do I need van insurance?

Yes, to drive on public highways in the UK, you must have the minimum third-party insurance in place.

However, if you’ve already registered your van as being kept off public roads with a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN), you do not need to purchase coverage.

What insurers do you work with?

There are more than 40 insurers on our panel including such names as Admiral, Devitt, Swinton and many more.

Can I add additional vans to my insurance policy?

Possibly yes: this is called multi-van insurance and allows you to insure multiple vans under one policy. Speak to your insurer for further details.

Can I add another driver to my van insurance policy?

Additional drivers can usually be added to existing insurance policies; speak to your insurer about this. You should give your insurer the personal details of each driver you would like to add, including their driving history and experience, age, and any history of claims or accidents. You may need to pay an additional premium.

Can I get a courtesy van or car when mine is being repaired?

If your van is being repaired, you may be able to get a courtesy car or van. However, this depends on your level of coverage. If it’s not included in your policy as standard you may be able to include it as an add-on for an extra fee.

What types of vans do you insure?

The Van Insurer is a provider of insurance price comparison services and we do not sell insurance ourselves. We can provide you with quotations for private and commercial van insurance from the panel of regulated insurance companies we work with. Whether you’re looking to insure your HGV, private van or multiple vans under one policy we should be able to help.

Does my van insurance policy cover me for driving abroad?

This depends on the specific policy and insurer.

In Europe?

All UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third-party cover to drive in:

The EU (including Ireland)

● Andorra

● Bosnia and Herzegovina

● Iceland

● Liechtenstein

● Norway

● Serbia

● Switzerland

If EU protection is not standard in your policy, you may want to pay extra for foreign use coverage.

For business?

If your vehicle is covered by a commercial, third-party coverage policy, your UK insurance should automatically cover you on a third-party basis while travelling through the EU.

However, you may want to purchase add-ons like van content cover to protect any goods, materials or tools inside your van.

Can I get a black box for my van?

Some van insurance providers offer telematics insurance (black box coverage).

Is legal cover worth it?

If you are involved in an accident with your van that wasn’t your fault, legal cover can help cover the cost of legal expenses associated with pursuing legal action.

Does van insurance have any age restrictions?

Age restrictions for van insurance can vary between insurers. Some may not insure drivers under 21, whereas others might have a minimum age of 25. Due to a lack of driving experience, young drivers may often be charged more for their insurance.

Can I transfer my no-claims discount from another vehicle to my van insurance?

Some providers may allow you to use your NCD on any vehicle, whether you’re insuring a motorbike, car or van. However, they may restrict the discount to one policy.

Does my van insurance include protection for my tools/goods?

Whether the contents of your van are covered under your insurance are likely to depend on your specific insurer and type of policy taken out. However, you may be able to purchase add-ons, like van contents cover and personal belongings cover, for extra protection.

Is my van insured?

If you recently purchased a second-hand van and want to check if it's insured, you can use the free ask MID (Motor Insurance Database) service by entering your vehicle's registration plate into the yellow box.

Am I insured to drive other vehicles?

If your van insurance policy includes a ‘drive other vehicles’ clause, you could be insured to drive other vehicles on a third-party basis only. If in doubt, speak to your insurer before driving someone else’s van.

How does modifying my van affect my insurance?

If the modifications significantly alter the van's performance, handling, or value, your insurer may consider it a material change to the policy.

Material changes can affect the level of risk the insurer is covering, and therefore the terms and conditions of the policy may need to be adjusted. Speak to your insurer before making any alterations to your van to ensure continuity of cover.

What is voluntary excess?

A voluntary excess is the fixed amount you agree to pay towards the cost of any insurance claim you make. This amount is agreed upon when you take out an insurance policy and is typically stated in your policy documents.

For example, if you have a van insurance policy with a voluntary excess of £250 and you make a claim for £1,000, you’ll be required to pay the first £250 of the claim.

Please be aware that some policies might also include a compulsory excess, which must be paid by you in the event of claim and this will be in addition to any voluntary excess that you have agreed to.

How do I find out what insurance group my van is in?

All vans are categorised into one of fifty groups that go from 1 to 20 (for vans made before 2016) and from 21 to 50 (for vans made after 2016).

To find out which group your van belongs to you can use the Vehicle Search Tool from Thatcham.

Does car insurance cover me for driving my van?

Check the terms and conditions of your car insurance policy. Some comprehensive car insurance policies may offer third-party cover for your van, but you should always check with your insurer before assuming this applies to your coverage.

Do I need to be the owner of the van to get insurance?

No, you can take out an insurance policy on a van you do not own. However, you must have a valid insurable interest in the van, which means you must have some financial stake in the vehicle.

Is Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) included in the price of my policy?

Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is a tax added to the cost of most insurance policies.

The standard rate is charged as a percentage of the total premium paid for the policy and is collected by insurers on behalf of the UK government. The standard rate is currently set at 12%. [3]

What are Uninsured Losses?

Uninsured losses are expenses or damages that are not covered by your insurance policy. Depending on the coverage you purchase, this could include vehicle repairs, fire damage or the loss of personal property.

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