Young driver van insurance
- Buy young driver van insurance for less than £1,908 a year[1]
- Plus, enjoy a year of fantastic rewards*
[1] 51% of our young drivers were quoted less than £1,907.44 for their van insurance in June 2024.
We compare prices from 37 trusted van insurance providers[2], including:
[2] Correct as of June 2024.
Can I get van insurance as a young driver?
Yes, you can get van insurance, although it might be a bit more expensive. From comprehensive to third party policies, if you’re new to the road, you can usually expect to pay more. Many young drivers also need van breakdown cover as they’re probably less likely to own a newer vehicle.
Even so, if you want to drive a van, you need to get insured. Here’s our beginner’s guide to van insurance for a young driver.
What cover level do I need for my 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.
What types of van insurance are available for drivers under 25?
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.
What information do I need to compare van insurance?
To compare van insurance quotes, you’ll need to provide:
- vehicle details – including the make, model, number plate and information on any modifications
- driver’s personal details – including name, address, date of birth and information on any driving offences and penalty points
- recent insurance documents – for up-to-date claims information
How much does van insurance cost for young drivers?
The average cost of van insurance for young drivers is £1,908 per year[1].
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.
[1] 51% of our young drivers were quoted less than £1,907.44 for their van insurance in June 2024.
What affects the cost of van insurance for young drivers?
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.
How to get cheap van insurance for young drivers
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 car, 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.
Why is van insurance so much more expensive for young drivers?
According to Brake, the road safety charity, one in five young drivers are involved in crashes within the first year of passing their driving test. Insurance providers are well aware of these statistics, which is why they view young drivers as high risk – and why they hike up their premiums as a result.
Younger drivers are also less likely to have built up a decent no-claims discount. Drivers with many years on the road may have built up a long-term no-claims discount, which can reward you with significant discounts. The longest no-claims periods offer the greatest rewards, so we’re afraid you’ll have to be patient to earn them.
What are the cheapest vans to insure for young drivers?
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.
Are there any add-ons I might want to consider for my van insurance policy?
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.
Frequently asked questions
How can I improve my safety on the roads as a young driver?
Young van drivers can stay safer on the roads by sticking to speed limits, taking extra care when the weather is bad, and removing distractions such as mobile phones.
You should turn off your mobile phone and store it away in the glove box, before starting your engine and driving. And, of course, you should never drink drive.
Reducing the chance of an accident on the roads is a good thing for you and your van. After all, just because you’re considered ‘high risk’ doesn’t mean you need to drive that way.
What is considered a ‘young driver’ for van insurance?
If you’re under the age of 25, you’re considered to be a young driver by the majority of van insurance providers in the UK.
Is van insurance more expensive than car insurance for young drivers?
Typically, van insurance is more expensive for young drivers than car insurance.
The main reason is that vans tend to have larger engines. That’s why it’s worth considering a van with the smallest engine for your needs. Another reason van insurance tends to be more expensive is because vans have a larger storage capacity, meaning there’s a greater chance they’ll be carrying valuable cargo.
Is there anything else that I need to know about getting van insurance?
Yes. First off, it’s always a good idea to think about any additional cover you may need before signing up for the cheapest policy.
Some policies include extra benefits like a courtesy van, breakdown cover or tools cover. If it’s not automatically included in your policy, you can usually request it as an optional extra for an additional cost.
Also, make sure the details you provide are 100% correct. Don’t be tempted to give inaccurate information in an effort to reduce your insurance premium. If you’re found to have given misleading details, at best, your cover will be invalid and any claims you make rejected. At worst, you could face criminal prosecution.
Is my vehicle definitely classed as a van?
A van can’t be covered by car insurance and vice versa, so it’s important you know the difference to get the right kind of insurance for your vehicle.
The easiest way to check is by looking at your V5C logbook. If it’s classed as M1, it’s a car. If it’s classed as N1 or N2, it’s a van.
What insurance do I need to rent a van?
If you’re renting a van from a van hire company, insurance is often included as part of the deal.
However, you should check to make sure you’re covered and take out insurance if you need it, as it’s illegal to drive on public roads without insurance. Temporary van insurance can cover you from as little as an hour, or up to 28 days.
Compare van insurance quotes for young drivers
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.
What our expert says...
“While it’s inevitable that van insurance for young drivers is more expensive, it’s possible to find an attractive deal. But don’t just sign up to the cheapest quote. Take the time to compare what each of your quotes includes.”
- Julie Daniels, Insurance expert
