Van Insurance

It is not only cars which must be insured on Britain's roads: every type of motor vehicle is legally required to have at least third party insurance before it can be driven. The vast majority of drivers will require car insurance, but many people will require a type of car insurance tailored to the risks and requirements of their particular motor vehicle, such as a lorry or motorbike. Van insurance is a type of specialised car insurance policy, available from a wide range of insurance providers and caters to the specific needs of van drivers.

There are a number of levels of van insurance, essentially offering the different levels of cover provided by third party, third party fire and theft and comprehensive insurance. As is the case with car insurance, you are legally required to have a minimum of third party van insurance. However, if the van is used for professional or commercial purposes, it is essential that you have sufficient cover to protect your employees and any goods or equipment which will be travelling in the vehicle. Be sure to check that your van is also insured against fire and theft. The most basic van insurance policies may not automatically insure your van against damage, nor insure any stock or other van contents. It is possible to purchase specific van insurances, such as commercial van insurance.

According to recent statistics, tens of thousands of small vans are stolen from UK businesses each year, whilst over twenty-five percent of car accidents happen to people whilst driving as part of their job. It is essential that you insure both your employees and your property: you may consider it an unnecessary cost, but you will avoid huge expenses such as van repairs or van replacement, and usually gain benefits such as a replacement van if yours is currently being repaired.

The cost of any vehicle insurance will vary based on factors such as your age, previous driving history including any convictions, and the vehicle you drive. However, when you are purchasing van insurance, your insurer will also take the following factors into account:

• The total weight of the van, plus any equipment / load on board
• The security measures fitted on the van (such as an alarm or immobiliser) and where it is parked overnight
• The size and nature of the load, for example, hazardous substances
• The owner of the load, for example, if you carry loads for customers
• Any modifications made to the standard model of the van. This could include racking, allowing loads to be fixed to the top of the van, or refrigeration to keep perishable items cool 
• The purpose of the van: private or business use
• The type of van: Micro, Small, Medium or Large

You should give your insurance provider as much information as possible, to ensure that you get the best available deal. If you are the owner of a van which is used for your business, you may wish to cover a number of vans together; Fleet Insurance allows multiple business vehicles to be insured under one policy. Alternatively, you could opt for an 'any driver' policy, which covers anybody who may drive the van; this will cost more, but give your business greater flexibility: any of your employees with an appropriate licence can drive the vehicle.