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If you’re one of the growing number of people who own a van for private use then it’s important that you get the right insurance.
In the UK most vans are used for business purposes. But the number of private vans in the UK is on the rise and more and more people are driving vans instead of traditional family cars.
‘Van insurance private use’ policies are perfect if you don’t use your vehicle for business.
These types of policies that provide van insurance for personal use are widely available but, as with other financial products, it’s advisable to shop around for the best domestic van insurance before you buy.
Personal van insurance
If you use your van purely for your own social and domestic purposes rather than for commercial ones you need to make sure you take out domestic van insurance cover. Take out a commercial van insurance policy by mistake and you'll end up paying out for cover that you don't use.
Policies that provide you with social and domestic van cover are likely to be cheaper as you’re likely to be driving fewer miles and covering fewer named drivers on your policy.
What to look out for when you compare ‘van insurance social domestic’ policies
When you search for the best domestic van insurance make sure you consider:
- Exactly what your van will be used for. If you use it for any business at all you may find that your van insurance for personal use policy may be invalid and you could be left out of pocket if you have to make a claim
- Whether there are any minimum or maximum age limits for the drivers named on the policy
- Whether you are able to transfer a no-claims bonus from a car to the van (if you are planning to switch from a car to a van for the first time)
- Whether you are looking for third party or comprehensive insurance. Third party is likely to be a cheap van insurance social use option, but a comprehensive policy will provide better protection
- Whether European cover is included if you’re planning to take your van abroad (for example on holiday)
- Whether any limits or restrictions are placed on what you can use the van for
- Whether replacement van cover is included – this provides a replacement vehicle if yours is off road after an accident
- Whether you can protect your no claims discount
- Whether personal posessions or audio equipment left in your van are covered
Finding cheap van insurance social use policies
There are lots of private van insurance companies offering different rates for their insurance. To find the best value policy make sure you:
- Compare van insurance quotes from numerous different insurers
- Accurately estimate your annual mileage
- Find out whether there are any additional charges for paying monthly by direct debit and pay up front if this is the case
- Check what ‘no claims’ discounts are available
- Find out what the policy excess is (the amount of any claim that you have to pay yourself) and make sure it's affordable in case you need to claim
