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What is Van Insurance?

Van insurance is simply a type of insurance specifically designed to protect your van, whether you use it for business or pleasure.

At its core, van insurance cover is about providing protection for your vehicle so that you can continue to use it without worrying about the financial burden of an accident or other incident. By having adequate coverage, you're also helping to ensure that everyone stays protected while out on the roads.

Whether you're a small business owner who needs to transport goods around town or simply someone who enjoys taking weekend trips in their van, having the right coverage can make all the difference.

Is van insurance different to Car Insurance?

The short answer is yes – they are two distinct types of insurance policies that have their own unique coverage and requirements.

While car insurance covers personal vehicles, van insurance is designed specifically for vehicles that are used for commercial purposes, such as deliveries, transportation of goods, or as part of a business fleet. As such, van insurance policies may include additional, or specific, types of coverage that aren't found in car insurance policies, such as covering the contents of your van during transportation.

What is a Van Insurance broker?

A van insurance broker is a professional who specialises in helping individuals and businesses find the right van insurance policy. We should know, we’re a broker ourselves!

Van insurance brokers are knowledgeable about the different types of policies available and can help you compare quotes from multiple providers to get the best deal.

A broker will also be able to explain any exclusions or restrictions that may apply to your policy and make sure that you’re fully protected in case of an accident.

  

What does Van Insurance cover?

What’s covered on a van insurance policy is very similar to what’s covered on car insurance policies.

Depending on what level of van insurance you’ve opted for, a policy is there to cover your liability to others in the event of a road accident, and if your van is damaged, stolen, or vandalised.

However, this only describes what a standard van insurance policy would look like. Van owners have the luxury of choosing to tailor their cover whichever way they like, adding optional extras or even buying more specialist van insurance policies, to ensure they are protected based on their own personal requirements.

What level of Van Insurance do I need?

Similarly to car insurance, we have three different levels of van insurance from which you can choose from. The level of coverage you’ll need will depend on what you deem to be adequate to protect you and your van.

Fully comprehensive

The highest level of cover we offer is fully comprehensive van insurance. This protects you and your van – as well as third parties – in the event of an accident. At this level, your vehicle would also be protected against fire and theft.

Third party, fire and theft

The next level down provides protection for your van in case it’s destroyed by a fire, an explosion, lightning, or self-ignition. At this level, you’ll also be covered for injury or damage to third parties, and if your van is stolen or damaged as a result of attempted theft.

Third party cover only

Required by law, third party cover is the minimum level of cover we offer. It only covers your liability for injury or damage you may cause to third parties, meaning you and your van are unprotected.

Types of Howden Van Insurance

We know there’s no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to van insurance. Van owners can select from a range of different types of van insurance depending on what they use their van for:

Business van insurance

Business van insurance, which is also often called “commercial van insurance”, is for drivers who use their van for business purposes, even if it’s just being driven to work. Commercial van insurance can then be broken down into three different categories:

Haulage Cover

This type of cover is designed for van drivers who travel long distances to deliver large loads. Under this insurance you can only deliver to one destination per job.

Courier Van Insurance

Van owners purchase this protection if they are delivering other people’s property or goods to several different destinations.

Carriage of own goods

Also called “carriage of tools cover”, this van policy is essential for self-employed tradespeople or drivers who use their van to get to work. This cover can protect all items in your van, including both personal belongings and work equipment.

Private van insurance

This type of van insurance is for drivers who only use their van for personal reasons, such as transporting sporting equipment, visiting family and friends, or even just popping to the shops.

This does however mean that under this cover, which is also known as “social, domestic and pleasure cover” or “social use only”, you’d not be protected for commutes to a place of work. Ultimately, private van insurance can’t be used to support generating a regular income.

Pickup van insurance

Due to pickup vans typically being open-backed, these vehicles need insuring under a different, specialist cover. Pickup van insurance is also available to cover for both business and personal uses.

Optional van insurance add-ons

Each van owner and their circumstances are different, so we know how important it is that we provide comprehensive insurance which is tailorable and adaptable. A way we can do this is by offering various optional additional add-ons or upgrades, which can complement a standard van insurance policy.

Our insurers allow you to select from the following optional extras:  

• Personal belongings cover
• Public liability insurance
• Tools cover
• Legal expenses cover
• Multi-van cover
• Additional drivers
• Any driver insurance
• Breakdown cover
• Employers’ liability insurance
• Foreign use cover
• Wrong fuel cover
• No-claims discount protection

Just be aware that some insurers include some of these add-ons as standard, so make sure to double-check your policy’s terms and condition so you know you’re covered for everything you need.

What isn’t covered?

Being fully aware of exactly what isn’t included in your policy is crucial to ensure you don’t feel unexpectedly out of pocket, because each van insurer is different and has their own terms and conditions.

However, typically, fully comprehensive van insurance policies will not cover you for:

• Any general wear or tear.
• Any damage or injuries caused as a result of the driver being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Theft resulting from carelessness.

How to get cheaper Van Insurance

Everyone wants to save money and receive a cheap van insurance quote, and who can blame them? It’s hard to say exactly how much your van insurance will cost without speaking to you, because each policy premium depends on the type of van being insured, what it’ll be used for, and the van owner’s driving history.

However, we do know of some ways that could potentially make your van insurance cheaper. These include:

Change the way you pay

You could consider paying upfront for your van insurance rather than in monthly instalments. This way you could avoid the additional interest charges that comes with monthly payments.

Only get the cover you really need

It may seem obvious, but by initially understanding exactly what’s included in your policy, you might be able to prevent paying for cover you don’t really need. Stay away from optional extras that don’t benefit you or wouldn’t protect you based on your personal circumstances.

Shop around and compare

A great way to do this is to go through a broker like Howden. We have access to a panel of insurers who can compare van insurance options and find great value that suits you.

Remember that just because a van insurance quote is cheap, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option, as you might not be getting all the cover you require.

Try to drive less and with more care

It’s not always possible but limiting how much you drive could lower the price of your premium, because ultimately the less time you spend on the road, the less likely you are to have an accident. The less claims you make the better too, as someone with a no-claims history is more likely to benefit from a no claims discount on their next van insurance premium.

Increase your van’s security

Keeping your van more secure puts your property at less risk. Van owners do this by locking their vehicle away overnight in a garage, instead of parking it on a driveway, using specialist locking devices, or installing CCTV and alarms to monitor and protect their van.

Your insurer can always provide you with ways you can improve your van security.

Is it cheaper to use a van insurance broker?

It's always a good idea to shop around for the best deal when it comes to van insurance cover, and using a broker can help you do just that.

Van insurance brokers, such as us, can compare policies from different insurers and find the one that best suits your needs, while also offering tailored advice based on your individual circumstances, helping you to get the best value for your money.

What do I need to compare Van Insurance quotes?

So that we can begin sourcing you the perfect van insurance cover, you’ll need to have the following information to hand:

• Your personal details – your name, your age, where you live, your job title etc.
• Van information – the registration number, its make and model, how old the van is.
• How you’ll use your van - will you be driving the van for pleasure or business? What is your annual mileage? Have you got more than one van?
• Your driving history – we’ll need your driving license number, how long you’ve been driving for, whether you’ve had any penalty points, or whether you’ve made any claims in the past.

We can start comparing policies on your behalf as soon as you get in touch with us! You can pop into a branch at a time to suit you, visit us in branch or just give us a call and we’ll take a few details from you. We’ll then put together a van insurance quote that’s right for you.

Who we work with

The brilliant relationships we have with a wide range of trusted van insurance providers allows us to provide a service which supports each and every one of our clients sufficiently.

The years of experience our team have working in the insurance industry, has meant that Howden continues to be rated highly by our clients. 

Claims

We’re here to assist you when it matters most.

Whatever’s happened to you or your van, we’re here to help. It’s part of our service to make sure that your claim is dealt with as quickly as possible and without any hassle.

MAKE A CLAIM

Van Insurance-related articles you could also read:

• The ultimate guide to van insurance
• 20 ways to reduce your van insurance premiums
• Your van’s essential vitamins this winter!
• The UK’s most stolen work van!
• Van Insurance Groups Explained [Full Guide]

Do I need van insurance?

It's important to have van insurance if you own and drive a van. Not only is it a legal requirement in the UK, but it can also provide you with valuable protection in the event of an accident or other unforeseen circumstances. Without insurance, you could be faced with exorbitant expenses, including the cost of damage to your van, other vehicles, and property, as well as potential legal fees.

Can I drive a van on my car insurance?

Some car insurance policies will include coverage for vans and other types of vehicles, while others may have restrictions.

However, it's important to note that driving a van on your car insurance may not provide you with the level of coverage you need, particularly if you’re using the van for business-related purposes. In these cases, it's generally recommended to purchase a separate van insurance policy that is specifically designed to cover the unique needs and risks associated with van ownership and operation.

Can I cancel my van insurance policy?

Yes, you can cancel your van insurance at any time. However, it's important to understand that cancelling your policy could leave you exposed to financial risks if you're involved in an accident or have a claim made against you. It's also possible that you may have to pay a cancellation fee depending on the terms of your policy.

It's always best to speak with your insurer before making any changes to your policy so they can explain the implications and answer any questions you may have.

What’s the difference between private and commercial van insurance?

Private van insurance is designed for individuals who use their vans for personal use, such as commuting to work, running errands, or going on road trips. This type of policy covers you for social, domestic, and pleasure purposes.

On the other hand, commercial van insurance is designed for businesses that use a company van for work-related purposes, such as delivering goods or transporting tools and equipment between job sites.

What are van insurance groups?

Van insurance groups are a way for insurers to get an understanding of the relative risk associated with a particular van model. Motor safety organisation Thatcham Research is responsible for assigning vans to one of 20 different groups, ranging from group 1 (the cheapest to insure) to group 20 (the most expensive).

The groups are based on factors such as the cost of parts and repair time, as well as how secure the van is against theft and other types of damage. This means that even if two vans look similar on the outside, they may be assigned different insurance groups depending on their security features or other internal factors.

What is black box van insurance?

Black box insurance offers a way for, young and new drivers in particular, save money on their van insurance policy.

How it works is that a small device called a 'black box' is installed in your van, which monitors your driving habits by collecting data based on your driving behaviour. This means that if you drive safely and responsibly, your van insurance premiums could be lower than they would be with a traditional insurance policy. However, if you drive recklessly or engage in unsafe driving habits, your premiums may increase.

Can I take my van abroad for business?

Fortunately, yes, many of our trusted van insurers provide coverage which would allow you to take your van abroad. With the right policy, including Foreign Use cover, you can rest assured that your van and cargo will be protected no matter where your business takes you.

Will modifying my van invalidate my insurance?

The answer is, it depends. Some modified vans are perfectly fine and are eligible under certain insurance policies, while others might be ineligible.

It's always best to consult with your insurance provider before making any modifications to your van, just to make sure that you're still covered in the event of an accident or other issue. However, many insurance providers understand that owning a modified van is a personal choice and can even help improve the safety and performance of your van.