Any driver van insurance
There are lots of reasons why you might want to add a driver to a van insurance policy. Here’s what you need to know to help you get the right cover at a competitive price.
There are lots of reasons why you might want to add a driver to a van insurance policy. Here’s what you need to know to help you get the right cover at a competitive price.
What does ‘any driver’ van insurance mean?
The term ‘any driver’ doesn’t literally mean that any person with a driving licence can drive your van.
When you take out ‘any driver’ van insurance, you’ll usually need to list anyone who drives your van as a named driver. You’ll need to give added details about each driver like their age, occupation, driving history, past claims and any driving convictions.
Some insurance providers won’t need you to name every driver, but will usually have restrictions, such as no drivers under the age of 21 or 25, or rules saying everyone must have a clean driving licence for at least a year.
Currently, you can’t compare ‘any driver’ van insurance with us.
Do I need any driver van insurance?
Van insurance for ‘any driver’ can be useful if you want others to drive your van or fleet of vans. This applies whether you’re a business owner with several employees, or you have a private van you’d like a few friends or family members to drive.
Typically, the ‘any driver’ option will give you more flexibility, but it tends to be more expensive than a standard van insurance policy. With more people driving the van, there’s more chance of something going wrong.
However, if you need van insurance for several drivers, ‘any driver’ cover could work out cheaper than individual policies for every person who drives the van.
If your company has a high turnover of staff, ‘any driver’ insurance could also be useful as it might reduce the costs and admin of frequently adding or removing people from a policy.
Just remember to keep an eye out for any cover limits or restrictions, like a minimum age requirement.
Will an any-driver policy be suitable for personal use?
Any-driver policies are often taken out by business users, but private van drivers may appreciate their versatility too. If you travel across the country to attend sports events, for example, an any-driver policy would allow you to share the driving with others.
How many drivers can I add to an any-driver policy?
It depends on the insurance provider. Some let you add as many drivers as you want, while others may restrict you to, say, five drivers per van.
What are the restrictions on an any-driver policy?
You should always check your policy for specific restrictions. You’re not allowed to name anyone as the primary driver on a van insurance policy if they’re not going to be the person at the wheel the most – this is known as ‘fronting’. It’s most common with young car drivers, as our guide to car insurance fronting explains but the rules are no different for people driving vans.
As mentioned, there are often minimum age limits for any driver van insurance. Some providers don’t cover drivers aged under 25, and for others it’s 21. Some policies might also have an upper age limit and won’t cover older drivers over the age of 70.
Always read the terms and conditions carefully so you can decide whether an any-driver policy is right for you before you buy.
How much does any-driver van insurance cost?
Any-driver van insurance is usually more expensive than adding named drivers to a regular van policy. But it does mean that more people can drive the van. The price of premiums can also vary between insurance providers, that’s why it’s a good idea to shop around and compare a range of quotes.
Other things that can affect the cost of any driver van insurance include:
- Drivers’ ages – you’ll likely pay more for young drivers under 25, while more experienced drivers with clean driving records could help balance out the cost of your premium.
- Business or personal use – business van insurance is often more expensive than cover for private use because a van is likely to be driven a lot more for work purposes, and by more people.
- Van size – heavier, more powerful vans will typically be more expensive to insure than smaller, lighter models.
- What you’re transporting – you’ll typically pay a higher premium if you use the van to transport goods and/or machinery, as there’s a risk of them being stolen or damaged.
Top tipTake time to compare the cost of adding named drivers to a standard van policy with the cost of an any-driver policy. That way you can weigh up the options and make an informed decision when choosing the best type of van insurance for you. |
What are the alternatives to any-driver van insurance?
If you’re not sure if an any-driver van policy is right for you, there are other options to consider:
- Temporary van insurance – short-term van insurance might be a better option if you need people to drive your van for a short period of time. Cover can range from one hour up to 84 days.
- Named driver van insurance – you can typically name up to four drivers on a single-van policy, so it might work out cheaper if you only need insurance for a few, especially if they are experienced drivers over 25.
- Multi-van insurance – if you have a number of vans to insure, a multi-van policy could work out cheaper than insuring each vehicle individually. Most multi-van policies are arranged on an any driver basis, so any named employee can drive any vehicle included in the policy. Again, the drivers’ ages and driving histories will have an impact on the cost of your premium, as will the type of vans you want to add.
How else could I get cheaper van insurance?
There are other ways to get cheaper van cover, including:
- Increasing your voluntary excess: Paying a higher voluntary excess could reduce your premium. However, if you make a claim, you’ll have to pay that excess plus the compulsory excess, so think carefully about whether this makes financial sense for you.
- Paying annually: By paying your full insurance premium upfront each year (if possible), you could avoid paying the interest that’s likely to be charged on monthly instalments.
- Shopping around: The most competitive premiums tend to be offered about three weeks ahead of your policy’s end date. This is typically when the highest number of insurance providers will offer you quotes, and the increased competition tends to drive down the cost of cover.
Why should I buy through Compare the Market?
Our comparison services makes it easy to find van insurance from a wide range of providers. But please note, currently you can’t compare ‘any driver’ van insurance with us.
