Young driver van insurance

Yes, you can get van insurance as a young driver, whether you drive your van for personal use or work. But if you’re under 25, van insurance can be more expensive because insurers typically see younger drivers as a higher risk.

The good news is that there are still ways you could reduce the cost of cover.

Comparing quotes, improving your van’s security and considering telematics, or black box, insurance could all help you find cheaper van insurance.

Regardless of age, there are three main types of policies when it comes to van insurance:

Comprehensive

This type of insurance offers the most thorough cover. A comprehensive policy insures both you and your vehicle in the event of an accident, even if you’re responsible for causing it. It also covers other types of damage, for example, damage caused by a fire or flood. You’ll also be covered if your van is stolen. As a young van driver, this may be your best option, as young drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident, which makes this cover even more valuable.

Third party, fire and theft

With this type of van insurance, you’re covered for any claims made against you by a third party (another person), in the event of an accident that you caused. However, you won’t be covered for damage to your own vehicle, unless the damage was caused by fire or theft.

Third party only

These policies only cover claims made by third parties against damage caused by you while driving your van. There’s no additional cover for you or your vehicle. This is the minimum level of cover required by law to use your vehicle on public roads. Remember, even if your vehicle isn’t in use, you’re still legally required to have insurance, unless you’ve successfully submitted a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) declaration to the DVLA.

The type of van insurance you’ll need will depend on how you use your vehicle.

If you plan on using a van for social, domestic or pleasure reasons, you’ll need private van insurance.

If you use your van to make money, you’ll need business or commercial van insurance. You’ll need this type of cover even if you only use your van to commute to work, as it’s considered a business-related activity.

To compare van insurance quotes, you’ll need to give us your:

• Vehicle details – including the make, model, number plate and information on any modifications

• Personal details – including your name, address, date of birth and information on any driving offences and penalty points

• Recent insurance documents – for up-to-date claims information.

The average cost of van insurance for young drivers is £1,595 per year².

Regardless of your age, different insurance providers are likely to give you different quotes, which is why it’s important to compare policies from a range of providers.

Annual premiums are calculated based on how risky you are to insure (how likely you are to make a claim). The higher the risk you pose, the more you’re likely to have to pay.

The cost of van insurance depends on several things, including:

• Your age – younger drivers are less experienced and statistically a higher risk. This means you can expect to pay more as a younger driver.

• Your driving history – if you’ve made claims in the past, you’ll likely pay more, whereas a no claims bonus of several years will start to make your van insurance cheaper. Likewise, any driving convictions will likely make your insurance more expensive.

• Your address – if you live in an area with a high crime rate, your insurance could cost more.

• Your job – if you work in a high-risk job, or use your van for your work, your insurance could cost more.

The UK’s young drivers can potentially reduce the cost of their van insurance by comparing van insurance quotes, adding a low-risk (experienced and safe) named driver to their policy, installing extra security features, reducing annual mileage and adjusting their voluntary excess:

• Compare van insurance quotes. By shopping around, you can nearly always find competitive young van driver insurance. You can compare van insurance policies with us. Enter your details and we’ll provide you with a range of quotes, listed in price order, starting with the cheapest.

• Add a low-risk driver as a named driver on your policy. By adding another named driver, for example a parent or relative, you may be able to lower your premium. Just remember that any named drivers you add will genuinely need to drive your van – otherwise you may be guilty of ‘fronting’, which is illegal. (Fronting is when you dishonestly name a more experienced driver as the main driver on your policy, in an attempt to lower the cost of your cover.)

• Reduce your annual mileage. Fewer miles on the clock means there’s less chance of an accident. But make sure you’re not underestimating your annual mileage on purpose. Doing more miles than you’ve stated could invalidate your policy.

• Adjust your voluntary excess. Voluntary excess is the amount you contribute (in addition to the compulsory excess) towards any claim. If you’re prepared to increase the voluntary excess on your policy, it could lower your premium. Just make sure you can comfortably pay the total excess if you do need to make a claim.

• Get telematics insurance. Also known as ‘black box insurance’, data about your driving habits is sent from a small ‘box’ that’s fitted inside your vehicle, to your insurance provider. If you’re deemed to be a safe driver, you could be awarded lower future premiums. However, keep in mind that reckless driving or speeding is sure to have the opposite effect.

In general, younger and less experienced drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, which can lead to higher premiums.

According to Brake, the road safety charity, one in five young drivers crash within the first year of passing their driving test.

Other factors also contribute to the cost, including:

• Limited driving experience

• Fewer years of no-claims discount

• Higher annual mileage

• The type and value of the van

• Where the van is kept overnight

• Whether it’s used for work

• Previous claims or motoring convictions.

Some makes and models of vans are cheaper to insure than others, so if you haven’t invested in a vehicle already, it’s useful to shop around and compare costs.

Along with the make and model you choose, there are other ways to potentially reduce the cost of your young driver’s van insurance. For example, smaller vans are typically cheaper to insure than larger ones. This is especially true when it comes to the size of the engine.

It’s also essential to investigate whether a used van has been modified before buying it. Most insurance policies will be pricier for modified vans.

There are plenty of add-ons you might want to add to your van insurance policy. From breakdown cover to legal cover, and more optional extras that you can request from your provider.

Find out more about policy add-ons for private van insurance.

If you use your van for work, you might want to add cover for your tools, too.

Find out more about van insurance and tools.

While it’s inevitable that van insurance for young drivers is more expensive, it’s possible to find an attractive deal. The secret is to check the market before selecting an insurance provider. We can help you with that.

Compare van insurance today.