Business van insurance
Simply a better way to cover your van business
Business van insurance is essential for anyone who relies on their van for commercial purposes. It provides financial protection in case of accidents, theft, or damage, ensuring your business can continue operating smoothly.
We use a combination of technology and our business van insurance expertise in the commercial vehicle market to give you better cover at more affordable prices.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock to keep your business running
Fairer prices for all
We compare the market to find you the right business van deal for your needs.
World-class support
We’re here for you now and as your business needs change.
We partner with some of the leading UK insurers, and we’ll work tirelessly to keep you as a customer year after year.
We’ve been keeping businesses running for over 50 years by providing top-quality, affordable van insurance.
What does business van insurance cover?
Damage to your van
Covered for the costs of repairs
if your van is damaged in an accident*.
Bad things can happen
Damage due to bad weather, fire
or vandalism are all covered as standard*.
Broken windscreens
All the glass in your van is covered.
You won’t lose your No Claims Discount*.
If you damage something
Your cover will pay for any damage to
property or injuries caused by you.
Theft
If your van is stolen, it’ll either be
replaced or you’ll be paid the market value.
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and the prevailing policy excess.
What is business van insurance?
Whether you use your van to transport tools, equipment, or deliveries, having the right insurance policy is crucial for safeguarding your livelihood.
If your van is solely for personal use, such as leisure trips, a standard personal van insurance policy may be sufficient. However, if you use your van for business—whether for commuting, carrying goods, or making deliveries—you’ll need a dedicated business van insurance policy. Tradespeople, delivery drivers, and business owners can opt for tailored cover, such as Own Goods for tools and equipment or Carriage of Goods for Hire and Reward for couriers and delivery services.
Types of cover
Selecting the right level of cover is vital. Here are the key categories of business van use:
- Social: For personal use only, such as transporting hobby equipment or taking weekend trips. This type of cover does not include commuting or any business-related driving.
- Social and commuting: Suitable for van owners who need to commute to a single place of work as well as use their van for personal trips. However, it does not cover using your van for business purposes beyond commuting.
- Own goods: Designed for tradespeople and business owners who transport tools, stock, or equipment as part of their work. This cover ensures both your van and its contents are protected while you carry essential business items such as construction materials or plumbing tools.
- Carriage of goods for hire and reward: For businesses that transport third-party goods in exchange for payment, such as couriers and delivery drivers. This cover protects both your van and the goods being transported, ensuring you’re covered when carrying items on behalf of others.
There are three main types of business van insurance cover:
- Third Party: The legal minimum, covering damage or injury to others but not your own van.
- Third Party, Fire and Theft: Includes third-party cover plus protection against fire damage and theft of your van.
- Comprehensive: The highest level of cover, including accidental damage to your van, even if you’re at fault.
We understand that keeping your business running depends on having your van on the road. That’s why we offer flexible policies that allow you to tailor your cover to your exact needs. Whether you need comprehensive protection or a more basic policy, we ensure you’re covered without paying for unnecessary extras.
How much does business van insurance cost?
Several factors can influence the cost of a van insurance policy:
Mileage
More business miles mean higher risk and premiums. Frequent deliveries or long trips increase exposure to accidents, while lower mileage may reduce costs.
Use of van
Business use raises premiums due to higher risks. Carrying tools, goods, or making deliveries increases exposure, so choosing the right cover is essential.
Value of the van
Higher-value vans cost more to insure due to expensive repairs. Newer models have higher premiums, but added security can help lower costs.
Type of van
Larger or modified vans often have higher premiums due to increased repair costs and risk. Standard models are usually cheaper to insure.
Driving record
Accidents or offences increase premiums, while a clean record can lower costs. Insurers assess previous claims and violations, but safe driving and no-claims can help reduce rates.
Storage and security
Where you keep your van overnight and the security measures in place can influence your insurance costs. Taking steps to improve security can help reduce premiums.
Power up your cover with a host of optional extras
Excess protection
Motor legal protection
RAC breakdown assistance
We understand that your van is your living and it’s vital that you stay on the road no matter what happens.
So whilst our policies already give amazing levels of cover as standard, we’ve got lots of extras for total peace of mind. The choice is yours.
Some frequently asked questions about business van insurance
I’m confused about the different types of use – can you explain?
A lot of online quote platforms still use dated terminology when it comes to how you use your vehicle. Here’s a quick overview.
Carriage of own goods:
This effectively means that you use your van for your business and only carry your tools and materials for the job you’re doing. For example, a self-employed plumber might keep their tools in the van along with copper piping and fixings for the day’s work.
Carriage of goods for hire and reward:
Broadly speaking, this means that you carry other people’s stuff and charge for this service. An example would be a courier or delivery driver collecting and delivering parcels.
Furniture removals:
This probably doesn’t need much explanation but it’s important to note that house clearances and furniture removals (even man and van hire) is priced differently from courier or delivery driver usage.
Commuting:
If you travel to a permanent place of work but need to carry more stuff than would usually fit in a car, commuting use would usually be sufficient cover.
Social, domestic and pleasure:
In a nutshell, this encompasses your general day-to-day activities that don’t involve any business-related use. For instance, shopping, visiting friends and family, and traveling on holiday are a few examples of this type of use classification.
How would I know if my licence entitles me to drive a certain van?
This depends on when you passed your driving test but you should be able to drive a van if you have a full UK licence. If you passed your test before 1997 and your licence shows a Category B entitlement, you’re good to drive any van or truck up to 8,250kg in weight. If you passed your test in 1997 or later and your licence shows a Category B entitlement, you can drive a light commercial van up to 3,500kg in weight. For larger vans or trucks, your licence would need to show Category C, Category CE, Category C1 or Category C1E. You can check your entitlements on the Government website.
How old do I need to be to be able to get van insurance?
We can usually sort your van insurance cover no matter how old you are, provided you hold a full UK licence. Of course, if you’re under 21 your cover is likely to be considerably more expensive than more experienced drivers might pay.
Can I add other drivers to my van insurance policy?
Yes, absolutely. Provided the other drivers meet the acceptance criteria of your current policy, then you can usually add up to 4 additional drivers. If you have a lot of additional drivers and they’re all aged over 25, then you will probably need cover for any driver.
Can I cover more than one van on my insurance policy?
No, we can only cover single vehicles on a van insurance policy. However, if you have more than two vans, we can arrange cover on a fleet or mini-fleet policy.
Are my goods and materials covered?
Almost all van insurance policies exclude cover for your goods and materials. Don’t worry though, we offer goods in transit cover as an additional policy for a small charge.
Are my tools covered?
Just like the goods and materials you might carry, tools are not usually covered on a van insurance policy. But that’s not a problem – you can choose to add tools cover as an optional extra.