Business van insurance

If you’re a business owner or self-employed and you use your van for work, you’ll need commercial van insurance. This includes commuting to or from more than one job site.

If you only use your van for social, domestic or pleasure reasons, private van insurance can cover you. That means you won’t need a business van insurance policy for things such as hobbies, shopping, camping trips or taking the dogs out.

If you only use your van to commute to a single place of work and not for business, then you may be covered by a social and commuting policy. But check with the insurance provider.

Many insurance providers insist on a commercial van policy to cover commuting.

If you’re involved in an accident, your claim can be rejected if your insurance provider discovers you haven’t been truthful about how you use your van. That means any business use must be declared.

Compare van insurance in minutes to see if you could save

You can compare business van insurance quotes with us for UK-registered vans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. The type of policy you need depends on how you use your van for work:

Carriage of own goods

A carriage of own goods van policy offers cover if you use your van to carry business goods. For example, tools, equipment or inventory that belong to you, as a sole trader, or your company.

This could be tools if you’re a builder, plumber or carpenter, or lawnmowers or strimmers if you’re a landscape gardener. You’ll also be covered for commuting and private use.

Carriage of goods for hire and reward

A carriage of goods for hire and reward van policy offers cover if you use your van to carry someone else’s goods for payment. It’s typically used by delivery drivers and couriers. You’ll also be covered for private use.

Haulage

If you travel long distances to make a single delivery, you may need a policy that specifically covers haulage. Insurance providers have different definitions of what counts as haulage so check the terms to make sure you get adequate cover.

Goods in transit cover

If you transport goods for customers, check if your van business insurance policy covers the contents of your van if it’s stolen or damaged in an accident. If it doesn’t, you may need additional goods-in-transit insurance.

If you’re delivering for a business, check whether their company van insurance covers you before adding extra cover.

It’s up to you to decide what level of cover to choose, depending on your business needs and your attitude to risk. As with all types of motor insurance, there are three main levels of business van insurance cover you can get:

Third-party only van cover

Third-party only insurance is the minimum legal requirement. It can cover any damage you cause to another vehicle and any injuries you cause to other people. It won’t cover your own van, though.

Some commercial van insurance providers no longer offer third-party only cover.

Third-party, fire and theft van cover

Third-party, fire and theft offers the same level of protection as a third-party policy, but also covers you if your van is stolen or damaged by fire.

It doesn’t cover accidental damage to your own van, and typically does not cover equipment or goods transported inside your van.

Comprehensive van cover

Comprehensive cover includes all the benefits of third-party, fire and theft. It can also protect you as a driver and pay out for any damage to your van, even if the accident was your fault.

You can often tailor your commercial van insurance to cover against other issues that could affect the running of your business. You might want to consider these optional extras (for an additional cost) when comparing business van insurance:

Tools in transit cover

If you need expensive tools and equipment to do your job, you’ll want to make sure they’re covered for theft, fire or damage. If it’s not included as standard, you may be able to add it on to your policy or take out standalone tools in transit cover.

Check the cover limits to make sure it’s enough. And be aware that some policies won’t cover your tools if you leave them in your van overnight.

Windscreen repairs

Windscreen cover can pay for repairs to your windscreen if it’s cracked, chipped or smashed.

Misfuelling cover

Misfuelling cover could protect you from the cost of draining your tank, or repairing the damage caused, if you put the wrong fuel in your van.

Cover for your trailer

A standard business van insurance policy may cover you to legally tow a trailer with your van, but it may not cover the trailer itself. You may be able to add on cover for a stolen or damaged trailer if that’s important to your business.

Breakdown cover

Breakdown cover typically includes roadside assistance and recovery for your work van if it breaks down. It can help get you back on the road and back on the job quickly.

Replacement van

If you rely on your van for work, courtesy van cover can provide a replacement vehicle to use while yours is being repaired after an accident.

Lost keys cover

Lost key cover can cover the cost to get your van keys replaced if they’re lost or stolen.

Protected no claims discount

If you’ve built up a few years of no claims bonus, it could be worth paying a little extra to protect it. It means you won’t lose your hard-earned discount if you need to make a claim.

Some of these might be included with a standard policy, so always check you’re not doubling up on cover. And compare business insurance van quotes to make sure you’re getting the cover you need at a competitive price.