VAN INSURANCE

When it comes to van insurance, the type of policy you need depends on the way you use your vehicle. Here are the two main types we offer:

1. Business van use
Van for business use (also known as carriage of own goods), is cover for vehicles used for work or business purposes. It typically covers you for commuting, carrying goods, and transporting tools and equipment from one place to another.

2. Courier van use
Van for courier use is cover for drivers and couriers who use a van to deliver goods. It’s sometimes referred to as carriage of goods for hire and reward. Whether you deliver packages or documents, van for courier use keeps you protected while you’re working.

3. Van for personal use
Van for personal use, also known as private van use, covers you and your van for everyday driving. You might hear it referred to as social, domestic and pleasure (or SDP for short). With this policy, you’re covered for all types of social driving, but you’re not covered for work or business use.

To work as a courier, you need a type of van insurance called hire and reward (H&R). It covers you for making deliveries in your own vehicle.

You’ll also need a social, domestic and pleasure (SD&P) policy — that’s the usual type of private van insurance you have for personal driving, like trips to the shops or visiting friends.

Make sure that your H&R policy includes legal and public liability insurance (ours does). That will keep you protected if you’re involved in an accident and found to be at fault.

Courier insurance can be a bit more expensive than regular car insurance, as the risk of being involved in an accident is higher.

As a courier or delivery driver, you’re likely to drive more miles than a regular driver, and at busier times of the day, too. This increases your risk of being involved in a collision, which pushes the cost up.

As with any motor insurance, it’s good to get a few quotes before you buy. It’ll help you to find the right courier van insurance for your budget.

The private van insurance you use for personal driving (known as social, domestic and pleasure, or SD&P) won’t cover you for courier or delivery work. It only covers you for personal trips, like weekends away or driving to the shops. Most SD&P policies also don’t cover you for commuting to a regular place of work, like a delivery depot or building site.

To make deliveries in your vehicle, you’ll need a hire and reward policy. You might hear this referred to as delivery insurance, courier insurance, or courier van insurance.

If you're only planning to work as a courier for a short time, say over the summer or between jobs, you might be able to buy temporary van insurance by choosing our 30-day comprehensive or pay-as-you-go cover for Car or Scooter. It keeps you protected for a month at a time, so it can be more flexible than a longer term annual policy.

If you're a tradesperson using a van to carry out your job, you'll need a type of van insurance called carriage of own goods. It covers you for carrying and storing tools, goods and equipment in your van, and for travelling between more than one business location. It will also cover you for commuting to and from your place of work.

If you also use your van for personal driving, like weekends away or trips to the shops, you’ll also need a type of private van insurance called social, domestic and pleasure. It covers you for driving when you’re not working. (Our comprehensive business van insurance policy includes all of this as standard.)

Finally, as a self-employed tradesperson or contractor, it’s a good idea to take out public liability insurance. It protects you against claims from customers, clients and members of the public. So, if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while you’re working, you’ll be financially protected against any legal fees or compensation payouts if you’re sued.

While the cost of van insurance quotes will vary depending on lots of different factors, here are a few things you can do to help reduce the cost of yours:

1. Check your named drivers
Including only essential drivers on your policy can help to reduce the cost. 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.

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

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

4. Pay annually
Paying for your policy annually instead of monthly can result in significantly lower costs over the long run.

Keep in mind that while cost is important, buying a cheap van insurance policy might not give you the cover you need. So try to balance price with the level of protection that your business needs.

The cost of van insurance usually differs from car insurance, and can sometimes be more expensive. The actual cost you’ll pay depends on a few things, including the type and value of your van, the way you use it, and your driving history.

As vans are often used for business or work purposes, the cost of van insurance can be higher than private car insurance. But by keeping a clean driving history, choosing the right model of van, and taking a few extra steps, you should be able to find a cheap van insurance policy that fits within your budget.

To get a van courier policy with us, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

- You have a full UK driving licence
- You are aged 21 - 64
- You live and work in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Your vehicle has 9 seats or fewer (including the driver’s seat)
- You’ve had no more than 2 claims in the last 3 years (regardless of fault)

Other criteria may apply, so it’s a good idea to check before getting a quote.

Finding the most affordable vans to insure can help reduce ongoing costs for tradespeople, couriers, and delivery drivers. Here are some of the most reliable and cheapest vans to insure.

• Mercedes Vito Insurance
• Peugeot Expert Insurance
• Renault Trafic Insurance
• Volkswagen Transporter Insurance
• Citoren Berlingo Insurance
• Ford Transit Insurance
• Mercedes Spinter Insurance
  
  
  Vist this page to learn more about UK van driver statistics.