Compare cheap van insurance quotes with Money Expert
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Whether your current policy is approaching its renewal date, or you’ve just bought a new van and need cover so you can drive it, you could save up to £590* by comparing van insurance policies with Money Expert.
Tell us about you and your van
We’ll need some basic personal information, as well as details on the make, model, and age of your van.
Tell us what type of cover you need
Let us know what type of policy you’re after, and provide some detail about how you use your van.
Choose the right policy
We’ll show you a bespoke list of policies, generated based on your requirements. All you need to do is pick the one that’s right for you.
We'll show you quotes from a hand-picked list of over 60 different providers, including:
Types of Commercial Van Insurance
Two-thirds of the vans on the UK’s roads are used for commercial purposes. These vehicles will need van insurance policies that offer more coverage than a van used solely for personal purposes will. There are several types of commercial van insurance on the market. Select the one that matches the way you use your vehicle and what you transport to ensure your cover is adequate and your premiums are affordable.
Own Goods Van Insurance
These policies cover both the vehicle and your personal contents stored in the van. For example the tools and equipment you need for your trade will be covered, but not other people’s goods or cargo. Some insurance policies will require you to remove the contents from the van overnight and advertise on the vehicle that you do so. This is to prevent the goods from being stolen and the vehicle from being damaged or stolen. Own goods policies will be the most appropriate insurance for tradespeople who need to shuttle their own equipment from job site to job site. However, it won’t be sufficient for couriers or anyone hauling goods.
Courier Van Insurance
If you use your van to transport shipments and items directly to customers, making successive short trips in a localised area, you’ll need courier insurance. Vans used for couriering are typically on the road longer than other vehicles, especially during the daytime and in urban areas. They also carry products such as online orders that may be of interest to thieves. These vans will need specialised and more expensive cover. However, courier insurance policies typically only cover the vehicle itself and not the goods stored in it. For that, you’ll need goods in transit cover.
Haulage Insurance
If you use your van to make long journeys to drop off goods in one location—generally from suppliers to businesses and not directly to customers—you’ll need haulage insurance. These policies are effectively the same as the ones extended to HGVs, addressing the risks of high motorway mileage. Depending on your policy, your van may be covered across Europe. But again, haulage policies only cover the vehicle itself and not the goods stored within it.
Goods in Transit Van Insurance
Goods in Transit (GIT) policies cover the cargo stored and carried for commercial purposes within your van—goods owned by your clients and not your business itself. When obtaining quotes, you’ll need to supply information about the type and value of the products you’re transporting. Carrying hazardous or expensive materials will increase your premiums.
What affects my van insurance premiums?
Where you live affects insurance premiums, so if you have recently moved house or business premises, take the time to investigate the market rate for van insurance in that new area. Additionally, your premium should reduce with experience, and as you get older, you may find a different policy provider will focus on insurance especially for this group which may be more beneficial for at you a different time in your life.
Check What is Actually Covered
The cheapest van insurance deals are not always the best so make sure you look past the price and understand what the insurance is covering and if you should have an accident whether it would be enough or if you are prepared to take the risk. Be sure to compare the excess you will be required to pay when claiming as these can be quite pricey especially if the insurance is cheap
Choice of Van
If you are in the process of purchasing a van, check out the premiums for each type of van you are considering. For example, if you need the van for only small deliveries opt for a vehicle which can carry just that as the insurance will be cheaper than a larger one.
Also if you already own another vehicle then be sure to mention this to the policy provider as most include a replacement vehicle service and this could reduce your payments if you do not require it
Know your vehicle category
You will be offered an insurance policy depending on the type of van you own, there are car-derived vans, micro vans, small/light vans, medium/panel vans and large vans.
Just as with car insurance groups, prices for cover will vary depending on your van's category. Knowing which category your van fits is vital in obtaining the right level of cover.
Look Out For Discounts
Discounts are available on different policies. These can be acquired if you apply online with the same insurers or by adding extra security features to your van to make it safer on the road. Most insurers also provide a reduced rate for additional driving training such as motorway tests or lessens, or specific van driving training.
What add-ons should I consider for my van insurance?
Legal Cover
Legal cover is a good option if you want to protect yourself from any legal fees that may arise after an accident. If you drive your van for business reasons, then you should seriously consider adding legal cover to your van insurance policy, as you could also face legal costs if any goods you were carrying were damaged, lost or stolen.
Breakdown Cover
If your van breaks down in the middle of a job it can be disastrous for your business. Adding breakdown cover to your van insurance policy will offer you varying levels of assistance. Depending on the policy you take out, you can receive roadside assistance, towing, repairs and even replacement hire vehicles or accommodation.
Tool Insurance
While most van insurance policies will protect you against any damages to your van itself, often the contents of your van are just as important, if not more important, than the vehicle. Add tool cover to your insurance policy to protect your goods and equipment from damage or theft.
Public Liability Insurance
Accidents happen at the workplace and on the road. To protect your business against any claims made by members of the public following an accident, you should consider adding public liability insurance to your policy.
Courtesy Cover
If your van is involved in an accident and you can no longer drive it, your business may depend on the availability of a replacement vehicle. Some policies will offer you a courtesy car to drive while you wait for repairs, depending on your level of cover, although many van insurance policies will only allow this if the accident was not your fault.
Employers' Liability Insurance
Another important add-on for any sensible business owner, employers’ liability insurance covers you and your business for any claims made against you by your employees as a result of your negligence.
Van Insurance FAQs
Why should I get van insurance?
Van insurance is not just a choice – it’s a legal requirement. Just like with your car, your van needs to be insured before you can drive it on UK roads. But your van will not usually be covered by your car insurance policy, so you’ll need to take out a separate van insurance policy. Even if your van’s not currently in use, it needs to be insured constantly, unless you get a statutory off-road notice (SORN) from the DVLA.
Is van insurance more expensive than car insurance?
Generally, you would have to pay more to insure your van than your car. This is because vans are typically larger and with more powerful engines than cars. Also, vans are seen as higher risk to your insurance provider as they have an increased risk of theft as they are often used to transport and store valuable items.
What makes van insurance so expensive?
As mentioned before, because vans are usually bigger and more powerful than cars, they typically cost more to insure. The fact that vans are normally driven for commercial purposes also inflates the price. You’re also likely to be quoted higher premiums if you’re a young driver, especially under the age of 25. Young drivers have less road experience and are also statistically more likely to be involved in an accident, so as a result they typically pay more for van insurance. The area you live/work in and the nature of your occupation will also affect your van insurance price.
Can I insure my van for personal use?
Yes. Although the majority of vans in the UK are used for commercial purposes, many of us still drive a van to get from A to B. But instead of paying over the odds to insure a commercial vehicle, you can take out a private van insurance policy if you can prove that you drive it purely for your own personal use. However, when taking out private van insurance you need to be very careful. If you are found to be driving your van for any other reason than for social or personal use then your policy could be invalidated when it comes to making a claim.
Can I get multiple vehicles on my van insurance policy?
Many of us own a business that requires more than one van to be on the roads. If you have multiple vans, you can get multi-van insurance, sometimes known as fleet cover. Different insurance providers will have different limits to the number of vehicles you can cover in your fleet, but it’s worth getting – it usually always works out cheaper than getting separate insurance policies for each vehicle, let alone less hassle.
How can I get cheap van insurance?
There are many ways you can get cheaper van insurance, from selecting a lower level of cover, excluding add-ons or group your vehicles together under a multi-van insurance policy. But by far the easiest and most effective way of getting cheap van insurance is to compare policies. Compare van insurance policies today with Money Expert – we offer a free, impartial and comprehensive search of the market to bring you the best deals in a matter of minutes.
To find the best van insurance policy for you or your business, compare van insurance with Money Expert today. All you have to do is answer a few questions about yourself, the type of van you drive and what you drive your van for (personal, business or haulage). You will then choose the level of cover you require, and you will be presented with a list of the best van insurance quotes on the market, of which you can choose the one that suits you best
*51% of consumers could save £590.37 on their Van Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next four cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd’s insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from August 2023. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances.
The following quotation is offered in partnership with ME Expert LTD and SEOPA LTD, in order to effectively offer this service information may be passed between both providers, all information in handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016. Both parties act as licenced Data-Controllers as defined by the ICO and act as such. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, please be aware that information entered may also be subject to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service of SEOPA LTD.ME Expert is an appointed representative of Money Expert Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN679652
Last reviewed: 1 April 2024
Next review: 1 May 2024