Van insurance

Frequently asked questions

What are the different types of van insurance?

There are 3 types of van insurance for van owners: third party only insurance, third party, fire and theft insurance and comprehensive insurance.

• Third party only – this cover is the minimum required by law (did you know that 4% of all UK motorists are currently driving illegally without insurance?). It covers you for any damage you may cause to other people and their vehicles. However, it won’t cover repairs to your own van, personal medical expenses following an accident, or theft.
• Third party, fire and theft – this offers the same cover as third party with added protection in the case of fire or theft.
• Comprehensive – includes all the cover of a third party, fire and theft policy, along with cover for the repair of your own van in the event of an accident.

It's a common misconception that fully comprehensive is always the most expensive, but this is not always the case, so it’s worth getting a quote for that to compare potential options. With light commercial vehicles doing around 51 billion miles collectively, according to government figures for the year ending March 2018, it could make sense for you to consider making your cover as comprehensive as possible.

Can I get a quote for my unusual van?

If your van weighs less than 3.5 tonnes, you can compare van insurance quotes with us. While the panel van is the most popular van in the UK, we also help insure other van types such as insurance for pick-up vans, insurance for tippers, as well as insurance for crew cabs, transit vans, livestock vans, curtainside or dropside vans and more.  

If you’ve modified your van (for example, the bodywork, engine or exhaust) be sure to mention it, and we’ll help you find a deal that’s right for you.

What information do I need to compare van insurance?

Vehicle details, recent insurance documents and recent conviction details are necessary to accurately compare van insurance quotes:

• Vehicle details – make sure you have the make, model and details of any modifications of your vehicle to hand. If you’re unsure, your V5C document may have this information.
• Recent insurance documents – again, these will contain most of the details required for a quote. They’re also worth referring to for up-to-date claims information, as this could influence the prices you’re quoted.
• Driver's personal details – as well as name and address, age and so on you need to detail any past offences, such as speeding penalties. If you can’t remember, details can be found through the Government’s licence information site.

What factors could affect the cost of my van insurance?

Things like a no-claims discount, driving licence number, voluntary excess and security features will all influence how much you pay for van insurance:

• No claims discount – providers offer a discount based on the number of years you’ve been driving without making a claim. If you’re unsure how many you have, it’s likely to be on a renewal reminder or a cancellation letter from your current insurance provider.
• Voluntary excess – this is how much you choose to pay upfront in the event of a claim. The higher this figure is, the lower your premium may be. Providers usually add an additional compulsory excess on top of this amount, so do check that you can afford the total amount as you’ll have to pay both excesses.
• Locks and immobilisers – vans with extra security features, such as an approved alarm, immobiliser and/or tracker, could be cheaper to insure. But before spending money on improving your van's security, check with your provider to make sure it will be worth while.

What additional cover should I consider alongside standard van insurance?

For total peace of mind, you might want to kit your policy out with some optional extras. You can compare van insurance based on the following extras with us:

• Legal cover could take care of some legal costs (for yourself or others) in the event of an accident that wasn’t your fault.
• Courtesy vans are temporary vehicles that you can use to get back on the road if your van is out of action.
• Breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement, but can save you a lot of hassle and keep you on the job at hand.
• Public liability insurance could cover you against claims from members of the public who’ve been injured as a result of your actions at work.
• Employers’ liability insurance could cover you for claims of negligence made against you by employees.
• Tool insurance could cover the equipment you might keep in your van against theft.