Van insurance covers you against the risks you face in being a van owner, just like car insurance. For example, van insurance can cover you if your van gets stolen, damaged, broken into, or if you have an accident.
Most of the time, vans aren’t covered by regular car insurance, especially if it’s a work van.
Just as with car insurance, you can choose how much cover you want. Some people want cheap van insurance so they choose third-party cover, which simply pays for damage to someone else’s vehicle.
Others prefer to get more cover rather than settling for the cheapest van insurance. They want to make sure the costs of damage to their own vehicle would be covered if they had an accident, too.
The best van insurance policies might even cover for other mishaps. This could include putting the wrong fuel in, losing your keys, or having the contents stolen. This could include tools or musical instruments.
How to get the right van insurance quote
When you’re looking for a van insurance quote, make sure you know exactly what policy you need before you start looking. Then you can do a proper van insurance comparison and get the best quotes from a range of insurance companies.
What level of cover should I choose when I insure my van?
Before you compare van insurance, think about what kind of cover you want.
There are three levels of van insurance, UK wide, that you can choose from.
Third party only insurance covers injury to other people, and damage to their property.
Third party, fire and theft insurance covers injury to other people, and damage to their property. But it also covers your van if it’s damaged by fire or is stolen.
Fully comprehensive insurance covers you, your van and anyone else involved in an accident. It also covers vandalism.
To decide which to go for, think about what type of van you have, what you use it for, and what you need from your insurance policy. Here’s some more information on how van insurance works.
Think about how you use your van
When you compare van insurance and get a quote, you’ll need to tell the insurance companies whether you use your van:
For commuting or social driving (you’ll be looking for cheap van insurance – private use)
As a sole trader (you’ll need to look for commercial van insurance)
As part of a business (if you’re an employee, check if the business has company van insurance).
What extras can I get?
When you’ve found cheap van insurance quotes, you might find that you’re offered some extras. You can include extra cover on your policy if you’d like added protection.
Examples of extras include:
Breakdown cover which means you’ll get help if your van breaks down
Legal cover which pays for your legal costs if you have an accident
Protected no claims discount which means you don’t lose your no claims discount even if you make a claim
Foreign use cover which gives protection if you drive your van abroad. If you drive to Europe regularly, it might be worth considering European van insurance.
Most insurers offer these extras. That’s because if you’re buying cheap van insurance, UK wide, the insurer wants you to spend a bit more money. But it’s down to you to decide which extras are worth spending on. Here’s how to work out which extras are worth having.
How do I know if my van is insured under my car insurance?
Most of the time, car and van insurance don’t come together. Although it’s worth a quick check, van insurance is usually a separate policy. A call to your car insurer should clear it up.
What information will I have to share to get van insurance?
When you compare van insurance you’ll probably be asked to answer a few questions. They’ll want to know about:
Your personal details
Your occupation
Your van number plate
What type of driving licence you have
Your annual mileage
Any modifications your van’s had
Any claims you’ve made
Any points on your licence
Any accidents you’ve had
Details of any additional drivers you want on the policy.
How to save on your van insurance
There are a few tips that can help you get cheap van insurance or pick up insurance.
Pay up front in full: Insurers charge interest when you pay monthly, as they treat it like you’re getting a loan from them.
Choose a higher excess: It’ll cost more if you claim but it’ll bring your monthly payments down. Be careful to make sure you can afford to make a claim if you need to.
Cut any extras you don't need: This’ll help you to keep the cost down. You don’t need to over-cover yourself and have more insurance than you need.
Secure your vehicle: Tell your insurer about the security measures you’ve taken to keep your van safe, such as installing anti-theft equipment or parking in a garage.
Use your van less: If you agree to cap the amount you use your van, your insurer might give you a reduced van insurance quote.
Shop around: Doing a van insurance comparison will help you to make sure you’ve got the best deal available. Don’t auto-renew your insurance. The van insurer you currently have might not always offer you the best price. Loyalty doesn’t always pay!
Are there any other types of van insurance?
Yes. In addition to private van insurance and commercial van insurance, there are a few other types. For example:
van insurance for young drivers
multi van insurance
pick up insurance
modified van insurance.
How do I make a claim on my van insurance?
Making a claim on your van insurance is just like any other insurance policy. Make sure you call your insurance provider as soon as possible, gathering any information or evidence that you can provide.
You may also have to fill out a claim form. This may be included in your insurance policy documents, if not you can easily get one from your provider.
Does van insurance cover me when I'm abroad?
There are policies that will cover you when you're abroad. But the list of countries you are covered in an vary depending on which insurance provider you have. You could get European van insurance if you drive abroad often. You can get it as a separate insurance policy or have it as an add-on to your existing van insurance.
