Business van insurance

The type of van insurance you need depends on the way you use your vehicle.

If you only use your van for personal journeys, like driving to the shops or trips to see friends, you'll probably only need social, domestic and pleasure van insurance (SD&P). If you also use your van for work, like delivering goods or carrying tools from one job to another, you'll need a commercial van insurance policy.

When it comes to commercial van insurance, there are three main types to choose from:

1. Carriage of own goods
Carriage of own goods will cover your vehicle while it's being used for work, plus any goods or belongings stored inside the van. If you're a self-employed tradesperson, this will cover your tools and the equipment used to do your job. If you also use your van to regularly commute to work, you'll need this type of cover. It’s sometimes also called carriage of tools cover, and as the name suggests it covers you to transport all the kit you need to do your job.

2. Carriage of goods for hire and reward
Carriage of goods for hire and reward is the type of cover you need if you use your van to make deliveries. It covers you for driving to multiple locations and transporting other people’s goods in return for payment. Takeaway food delivery drivers and self-employed van couriers need this type of cover.

3. Haulage
Haulage cover is used by van drivers who regularly make deliveries to a single destination a long way away (did you know that our van courier insurance includes this as standard?).

Different insurers will categorise deliveries and haulage in different ways. So it's always best to make sure you've got the right level of cover for the work you do.

There are a few things you can do to help reduce your business van insurance cost:

1. Secure your van
Take steps to enhance the security of your van, such as installing alarms, immobilisers, and tracking devices. This helps to lower the risk of theft, which can also help to lower the cost of your commercial van insurance.

2. Check your named drivers
Including only essential drivers on your policy can help to reduce costs. If a driver isn’t likely to use the van, it might be better to leave them off the policy. Also, adding inexperienced or high-risk drivers can increase the amount you pay.

3. Build a No Claims Bonus
By driving safely and maintaining a good claims history, you can help to earn a discount each time you renew.

4. Compare van insurance quotes
Be sure to get quotes from more than one insurance provider. It’ll help you to compare policies and make sure you’re getting the best value for your cover.

5. Pay annually
Paying for your policy annually, instead of monthly, can lead to significantly lower costs over the long run. Keep in mind that while cost is important, you should always look to balance it with the level of protection your business needs.

Yes, if you use a van for a business activity – whether that's making deliveries, commuting or carrying goods – you'll need a commercial van insurance policy. It's a legal requirement in the UK. Business van insurance provides financial protection in case of an accident, damage or theft, or anything else that may happen to you or your vehicle while you're working.

Business van insurance covers you if you're involved in an accident while working, or if you're the victim of theft. Along with cover for you and your van, plus other drivers and their property, our comprehensive van insurance policy also covers you for the loss or damage to your personal belongings, tools and equipment.

This depends on your insurer and the type of business van policy you choose. In some cases, you will be able to specify your business name as the policyholder. But it’s best to check before you apply for your policy.

No, in most cases your personal car insurance policy (known as social, domestic and pleasure) will not cover you while driving other vehicles for work. That's why it's essential to have separate, comprehensive cover for your business van or commercial vehicle.

Yes, with our fully comprehensive business van insurance, you get cover for any tools or equipment being transported in your vehicle.
You're also covered for items stored in your van while it's parked, except any tools and equipment that are:

• stolen when the tailgate, boot, sunroof or any door of the vehicle has been left unlocked
• left in the rear of a pickup or an open-backed vehicle, unless kept in a locked tools chest that's permanently fixed to the vehicle
• left in your vehicle overnight between 10pm—6am, unless your van was parked in an area secured by a locked gate, or in a locked garage.

Before choosing your insurance, it's important to review the details of your policy to make sure you have the right level of cover for your goods.