Van Insurance

Click Here for a Van Insurance Quote

What is Van Insurance?

Van Insurance is a specific type of insurance that covers vans used for commercial purposes, for instance, for transporting goods from one destination to another.

Many policies will require the policyholder to state the weight of the van as well as to choose whether cover is for the UK or is also to cover the rest of Europe. Normally, insurers will only provide van insurance for vans which carry less than 4 passengers and weigh less than 3.5 tonnes in Gross Vehicle Weight.

Van insurance is essential whether you own just one single van or a fleet of van as part of your business. Direct Line offer additional discount for a Fleet of Vans. Click Here for a Van Insurance Quote for a Fleet of Vans.

In order to qualify for van insurance, most insurers will demand that the main driver is at least 21 of age and in possession of a full UK licence for at least 1 year.

Although many commercial vans are owned by companies, most insurers will issue van insurance to a named main driver.

If you have a van which you drive around just for private use, specific van insurance is not necessary. Normal motor insurance is adequate.

Different Types of Van Insurance Categories

Before deciding which level of cover will best suit your business needs, you need to be aware of the type of van you are driving. Choosing the wrong type of van may invalidate any claims you may make. Check with an expert if you are uncertain. The main van categories are as follows:

Large Van
Medium or Panel Vans
Small or Light Vans
Micro or Small Vans
Double Cab or Pick-up
Car Derived Vans

Be aware that some insurers will not provide cover for certain types of vans, for example, pick-ups so it’s best to check with the insurance company.

Different Types of Van Insurance Policies

To ensure you are able to secure the best protection, it is vital to choose the right cover. Different insurers will make different types of offerings so please check the details carefully. For example, check if your policy applies just within the UK or if you can make claims outside the country. Most insurers offer 3 main types of van insurance over as follows:

Third Party Only

Third Party cover represents a basic type of protection and tends to be the least expensive cover you can find on the market for your van. With a third party only van insurance policy, most insurers will offer the following as standard:

Unlimited cover for causing accidental injury or death to other people
Specified cover for accidental damage to other people’s property
Cover for accidents caused by towing a trailer or disabled vehicle
Emergency treatment for injuries arising out of the use of the van

Third Party with Fire and Theft

Cover for Third Party with Fire and Theft is essentially the same policy as Third Party except that it provides additional cover in the event of fire to your van and theft of your van. With the majority of third party fire and theft van insurance policies, you will get all the above mentioned Third Party Only cover as well as the additional benefits of cover for fire, theft or attempted theft.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive cover is of course the most extensive type of policy which covers all the above including the loss or damage to your van. Comprehensive cover will compensate you for personal injury as well. Certain insurance companies will provide cover for the contents of the van including audio equipment. A good level of comprehensive coverage will include cover for a new van, windscreen and repairs cover and compensation for lost, damaged or stolen tools in transit.

A comprehensive van insurance policy provides an enhanced level of cover to give you complete peace of mind.

With the majority of comprehensive van insurance policies you will be offered the following:

Cover for accidental or malicious damage
Sound or Audio Equipment – loss or damage up to a specified amount
Glass Replacement cover for windows
Windscreen Replacement cover
Claim Repairs

Important Considerations Before Buying Van Insurance

Do not get just one quote even if it is from a reliable insurance firm. Get hold of a handful of quotes from reputable insurance companies.

Do not just go for the cheapest quote – choose a policy that gives you an adequate level of cover. Cover that is appropriate to you and how you use your van. You must feel confident that, in the event of a mishap, your policy will be helpful to you.

Read and understand all terms and conditions carefully before agreeing to buy any type of van insurance.

Research all the discounts available to you if you want to keep your costs down. Remember that the cost of not buying the right van insurance can prove more costly in the long run.