What levels of van insurance cover are available ?
There are three main levels of cover, similar to car insurance policies.
Third-Party Only
Third-party insurance covers damage to third–party property and/or injury to others if you have an accident which is your fault. This basic cover is the minimum level of cover and is a legal requirement. Third-party cover should also protect passengers in your vehicle, but it does not cover you or your van.
Third Party, Fire and Theft
Third-party, fire and theft insurance provides cover as above. However, third–party, fire and theft also covers the cost of replacing or repairing your van if it is stolen or damaged due to attempted theft. Additionally, it provides coverage for repairing/replacing your van if your van breaks in the event of fire damage.
It is important to note that there are situations when your van insurer may not pay out, for example, if your van is stolen because it was not secured properly. Make sure to check all of your policy wording with your insurance company so you’re fully aware of what you’re covered for.
Fully Comprehensive Cover
Fully comprehensive policies are the most complete level of van insurance cover. Fully comprehensive van insurance covers all of the above as well as you and your van in the event of an accident, even if you are at fault. Comprehensive van insurance policies can also include various added extras, including windscreen cover and breakdown cover.
Many people assume that fully comprehensive cover will be the most expensive as it provides the most cover. However, this is not always the case. Research has shown that lesser levels of cover are often more expensive.
When looking to compare van insurance quotes, it is worth getting a quote for all three, as you may end up with a more comprehensive insurance policy at a cheaper price.
Commercial vs. private van insurance policies
How you use your van will affect what type of van insurance policy you will need.
Private van insurance, as the name suggests, covers drivers who use their van for personal use – for example social & pleasure use. Private insurance covers anything except business use. You may not be able to commute with private cover, even if you commute to a single place of work, so be sure to check this with your insurance provider.
Commercial van insurance is designed to cover drivers using their van for business use. Different types of commercial van insurance include courier van insurance (transit of other peoples’ goods), carriage of own goods (e.g. tools and equipment) & haulage van insurance (delivering large loads to single destinations).
Tips to keep van insurance costs down
Loyalty Often Doesn’t Pay
Simply letting your policy auto-renew or just accepting the first renewal quote you receive may not be the best course of action. Instead, it is good practice to compare quotes regularly. With the help of an insurance comparison platform, you may have a higher chance of finding a cheaper van insurance quote.
No Claims Bonus
A no-claims discount may help you find cheaper insurance deals. Building up your no-claims bonus demonstrates that you are less likely to make a claim on your insurance policy.
Higher Excess
Increasing the amount of voluntary excess you will need to pay in the event of a claim usually helps to lower the van insurance cost. However, you need to think about whether you can afford to pay the higher excess in the event that you do need to make a claim on your van insurance policy.
Avoid Over Insuring
Although you will want to make sure you and your van are covered if the unexpected happens, you also want to avoid over-insuring yourself with unnecessary add-ons. For example, some private or business van insurance policies come with breakdown cover included. However, you may already be covered for breakdowns elsewhere., e.g. by your bank.
When it comes to private or business van insurance, the cheapest van insurance is not always the right policy. Always ensure you compare more than just the cheapest quote when using a van insurance comparison platform.
Use a Dash Cam
You may potentially get cheaper van insurance quotes if you have a dash cam installed, as the footage recorded can be used to support claims.
Improve Your Van’s Security
Updating your van’s security with alarms or tracking devices may lead to cheaper van insurance options. However, this is not offered by all insurance companies. Always check with your provider first.
Pay Premiums Annually
Monthly instalments usually have added interest included in the amount. To save on the cost of your van insurance, try and pay upfront each year.
Restrict Your Mileage
There is a higher chance you’ll claim if you’re constantly on the road. So if you spend more time driving you’ll most likely pay a higher premium. Restricting your mileage and using shorter routes may help reduce your premium.
When it comes to van insurance, cheapest is not always the right policy, so be sure to compare more than just the cheapest quote in the comparison results table.
Specialist van insurance products
If you need any driver van insurance or you have multiple vehicles to insure, you may find it easier to manage your insurance through one fleet insurance policy. Fleet Insurance can be tailored to cover any driver. This type of insurance is beneficial because you may not need to add/remove employees to a policy as they start/leave your business.
Additionally, you may need to arrange van insurance for a higher-risk driver, perhaps a young driver or one with convictions. You’ll have to look into young driver or convicted driver policies, which can significantly increase your insurance costs.
Tips to keep costs down
At Quote Goat, we make it easy to see quotes from over 60 insurance providers through our partnership with Seopa Ltd.
It can take less than 5 minutes to complete the quote form, which will then show you live quotes from many of the UK’s leading insurance providers.
Maximise your chance of finding the best deal by comparing van insurance quotes via us today.
What’s the difference between car and van insurance?
Although there are obvious similarities there are also key differences between a van and a car insurance policy. The primary one being that vans are often used on a commercial basis and therefore they will require different levels of cover, e.g. a builder’s van will need cover for equipment and tools carried in the van.
What details are needed to compare quotes?
To get accurate quotes for van insurance, you may need to provide certain details. This includes information about:
1
Your Van
Either the make and model of your vehicle or the van registration number plus any modifications you have made to your van. If you have not purchased the vehicle yet, that is fine too.
2
Your Details
Information about yourself including your age, occupation, address & driving licence information.
3
Driving history
Details of any recent convictions (both non-motoring and motoring convictions), amount of no-claims & details of any advanced driving courses taken.
Van Insurance FAQs
My van is modified. Can I still get a quote?
Yes, you can compare insurance for modified vans. You will need to specify the modifications to your van, as this can impact the cost of your insurance. Failure to disclose modifications can void your insurance policy.
Does van insurance cover driving abroad?
Cover for driving your van abroad varies between providers so it is important to check what is covered. Most can insurance providers will have a list of destinations that will be covered under your policy. There may also be a limit on the number of days that you can drive abroad.
What additional cover should I consider alongside standard van insurance?
There are a number of optional extras when it comes to van insurance, including:
- Breakdown cover: This add-on ensures that van drivers are not left stranded for long periods. It usually covers the cost of getting towed to a garage.
- Legal cover: Covers the legal expenses if you’re involved in an accident that’s not your fault.
- Courtesy van cover: This coverage provides a replacement vehicle for you to drive if your own vehicle is damaged or undergoing repairs. This is especially valuable if you use your van commercially.
- No claims discount protection: Protects your no-claims bonus even if you claim. There are usually set restrictions that policyholders must adhere to.
- Employers liability insurance: This commercial van insurance product is a legal requirement if you have drivers working for you. It protects you if your driver gets injured while on duty and makes a claim against you.
- Public liability insurance: This option ensures you’re covered against claims made by members of the public if you accidentally injure someone while using your van for commercial purposes.
Optional extras do vary between policies and some van insurance policies include optional extras as standard additions. Always check exactly what you’ll be covered for when comparing quotes.
Can young drivers get van insurance?
Yes, although a lot of policies have a minimum age limit of 21 or 25 in some cases. This is because young drivers are statistically more likely to crash, which is why having a young driver can make it harder to find cheap van insurance in the UK.
Some providers offer specialist young driver policies, including those that include a black box for drivers under 21.
How do I claim on my van insurance?
You should contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to let them know the situation and follow their advice/procedures. We suggest you gather as much evidence and information as possible to support your claim.
Can I insure multiple vans?
If you require multi-van insurance, please visit our fleet insurance page. A fleet policy can cover multiple vans and other vehicles in one policy. This can make it easier to manage and it may also help to reduce the cost of insuring your vans.
Can I insure multiple drivers?
Yes. When you go through the quote form, you will see the option to include additional drivers up to a total of four named drivers.
Do policies include a black box?
Insurance providers will often offer lower premiums if you have a black box or telematic device installed in your vehicle. This is because insurance providers can use these devices to monitor and accurately assess your driving habits and risk value. You can choose to see all results or hide quotes that require a black box. For more information about black boxes, please visit our black box guide for van drivers.
What other types of van insurance are available?
- Temporary van insurance: This type of policy is the best van insurance option if you only need it for a short period. For example, to cover a temporary worker or while towing a trailer.
- Campervan insurance: Standard van insurance does not cover camper vans, so you’ll need to take out this specialist insurance to cover your camper vehicle.
- Pickup truck insurance: Pick-ups are often classified as vans and usually require van insurance coverage. You can choose either a private or commercial policy. This coverage also includes different levels, such as comprehensive and third-party.
Why compare via Quote Goat?
Quote Goat are specialists in insurance. We help over 50,000 businesses find the right cover every year. We are 100% impartial, and delivering exceptional customer service is at the heart of our operation, which is why our customers have rated us 4.8 out of 5 on Reviews.io.
We can help you find deals and quotes suited to your budget by allowing you to compare different providers after filling out just one simple form provided by our partners at Seopa. Their comprehensive van insurance quote comparison tool allows you to compare van insurance deals with ease.
You can then choose the best policy suited to your specific needs and budget. Fill out the form with accurate information to receive the best prices available for you.
Get the cover you need at a price that best suits you when you compare van insurance via Quote Goat. Fill out the quote form today and take one step closer to finding competitive van insurance quotes.

