When it comes to insuring your van, knowing about insurance groups can make all the difference.
That’s because insurers use them to work out how much you pay for your cover.
Whether you're looking for a brand new van or buying a second-hand model, here’s your guide to understanding van insurance groups and how they can save you money.
What are van insurance groups?
Every van in the UK is categorised into a specific insurance group. Generally speaking, the lower the van insurance group, the lower the cost of your commerical business van insurance.
When you’re deciding to buy a van or a car, the insurance group it falls into can really affect the cost of your cover.
Insurance groups are set by a governing panel, which includes members from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Lloyds Market Association (LMA).
Vans are placed into groups based on lots of different factors. Usually, vans that are smaller, less powerful and less expensive fall into lower insurance groups. For instance, a Citroen Nemo 610 Van with a small engine might be in group 3, while a Mercedes Sprinter 313 HR might find itself in group 15 or higher.
How are van insurance groups determined?
There are a few things that can influence the insurance group of your van:
- Parts cost: Vans with cheaper parts are likely to be in a lower insurance group.
- Overall repair cost: Directly linked to parts cost, the overall cost to repair the vehicle also determines its group.
- Performance: Vans with higher top speeds are more likely to be involved in claims, placing them in higher groups.
- Engine size: Larger engines mean more power, increasing the chance of an accident.
- Weight: Heavier vans can cause more damage in an accident, and are generally more expensive to repair.
- Security: Vans with better security features are less likely to be stolen, which can make them cheaper to insure.
The table below shows some example van models and the insurance groups they typically fall into:
How van insurance groups have changed
Van insurance groups have evolved over time. Before 2016, there were only 20 insurance groups, ranging from 1 to 20. But, from 2016 onwards, the industry adopted a 30-group system for newly registered vans. These new groups were numbered 21-50. So:
- Vans registered before 2016 fall into groups 1-20.
- Vans registered from 2016 onwards are categorised into groups 21-50.
What do the letters after a van insurance group mean?
In many cases, you might notice a letter after your van insurance group number (for example, 23E). This is the Thatcham's security rating for the van. It’s an industry recognised number that tells you the level of security that’s fitted to your van as standard.
There are 6 security rating numbers. Here’s what each one means:
A: This shows that the van’s security is acceptable for its group.
E: The van exceeds the security requirement for a vehicle of its type, so the group rating has been lowered.
D: The van doesn’t meet the security rating, so the insurance group rating has been increased.
P: This stands for provisional, and tells us that the information for the group rating wasn’t available when the van model was released.
U: The security standard is unacceptable (some insurers can require you to upgrade or improve the van’s security before they’ll insure it).
G: This is used for imported vehicles (insurance group ratings are only used for vehicles built for the UK market).
When you buy van insurance, you don’t need to tell your insurer about your van’s insurance group — they’ll already have access to that information.
Other things that can affect van insurance costs
While the insurance group is an important factor in determining how much you’ll pay for van cover, there are other things that can affect your insurance premium:
- Your driver profile: Your age, driving record and experience can influence the cost.
- Use of vehicle: Whether you use your van for heavy-duty trade work, courier deliveries, or just personal driving can affect how much you pay.
- Location: Where the van is parked overnight can affect your insurance risk, and therefore your insurance costs.
- Modifications: Certain changes you make to your van, unless they boost its security, can increase your insurance premiums.
Frequently asked questions
What insurance group is a van?
Vans are categorised into insurance groups ranging from 1-50. For vans manufactured before 2016, the groups range from 1-20, with group 20 being the most expensive. For vans made after 2016, the groups span from 21-50, with group 21 being the least expensive.
What insurance group is a Sprinter van?
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van typically falls between insurance groups 5-18. The specific group depends on the van's specifications and features.
What insurance group is a Ford Transit van?
The Ford Transit van's insurance group varies depending on the model and specifications. For Ford vans registered from 2016 onwards, the Fiesta model can fall into groups 23-29, the Ranger between 34-42, the Transit from 23-50, and the Transit Connect from 24-33.
Can I drive a van with a Category B licence?
Yes, a standard UK driver’s licence displaying a category ‘B’ classification allows you to drive vans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. For vans weighing more than that, up to a maximum of 7.5 tonnes, you’ll need a C1 licence.
Are vans cheap to insure?
The amount it costs to insure a van depends on many different things, including its insurance group. Vans in lower insurance groups, which often have less powerful engines and cheaper repair costs, are generally the cheapest vans to insure. On the other hand, vans in higher groups, with powerful engines and more expensive parts, tend to cost more to insure.
