Van insurance is a lot more complex than you would think.
Vans and commercial vehicles come in so many different shapes and sizes - single cabs, double cabs, flat beds, tippers, cherry pickers, panel vans, luton vans, chassis cabs and on and on. Each model is built for a specific job or usage which will have a significant effect on the insurance price.
Cover for Business Use
Social, domestic and pleasure cover for a van or other commercial vehicle may not be available directly from an insurer as a standalone cover. Normally only commercial cover is offered initially, to which SDP cover can then be added. There are a few other ways that van cover is different to private motor cover as well, because the vehicle was built with a different intended use.
An example of this is not being covered to drive other vehicles. Many people believe fully comprehensive policies automatically include this, but this is not the case. In general private motor policies often offer this as an extension to their customers, but it isn't always included, and is actually being gradually withdrawn across the industry as new legislation begins to come into force. On a commercial vehicle policy it is not available, even as an option.
Usually commercial vehicles are insured for multiple drivers, or sometimes on an "any driver" basis. There are even a few insurers who offer "any age, any driver" policies, although in cases such as those, all drivers must have a clean, Full UK driving licence. If that is not the case, any driver with points, convictions, disabilities etc. will need to be named on the policy and their driving history will have a direct effect on the rate paid.
Driving Ages
As you would expect, the younger a driver, the more you will pay whether on a named or any driver basis. On an any driver policy, ages can be limited to any driver over 21, over 25 or over 30, with the latter being the cheapest.
Van Modifications
Vans are frequently modified by their owners after they are bought, in order to better suit their intended use. To preserve the interior, the van may be ply lined, or fixtures such as tail lifts or footplates and grilles may be added. These items are classified as part of the van's "fixtures" so provision should be made to include their value in the value of the vehicle overall, if you are insuring it comprehensively, then if they are damaged, you can claim back their value. Note that these items are described as "fixtures" because they are treated as part of the van, other tools and equipment will not be covered and will need their own policy.
The number of seats is something that is frequently changed, but care needs to be taken. Removing seats doesn't present much in the way of additional risk, but adding them does. Due to past claims history, an insurer will want confirmation that extra seating was installed by a qualified expert, i.e. a main dealer, and may refuse insurance if there is no evidence, such as a receipt, as proof of who the work was done by. This is done to make sure that all seating, belts and other safety features are fitted correctly, and in the event of an accident will not fail causing further unnecessary injury or potentially even fatalities.
Occasionally, a van owner may want to personalise their van in the same way they might do with a car. Perhaps fitting extra lights or alloy wheels, although most people only go as far sign writing. This will always affect an insurance premium, although not necessarily in a more costly way. For example: Alloy wheels are considered a higher theft risk than standard steel wheels, so your premium would naturally increase. However, sign writing your van, makes it more identifiable if it happens to be stolen, so this can sometimes reduce an insurance premium.
In conclusion:
* If you have any doubts, a good broker/insurer will always be able to help * Insurance is available from a number of providers for all kinds of commercial vehicles
Vans and commercial vehicles come in so many different shapes and sizes - single cabs, double cabs, flat beds, tippers, cherry pickers, panel vans, luton vans, chassis cabs and on and on. Each model is built for a specific job or usage which will have a significant effect on the insurance price.
Cover for Business Use
Social, domestic and pleasure cover for a van or other commercial vehicle may not be available directly from an insurer as a standalone cover. Normally only commercial cover is offered initially, to which SDP cover can then be added. There are a few other ways that van cover is different to private motor cover as well, because the vehicle was built with a different intended use.
An example of this is not being covered to drive other vehicles. Many people believe fully comprehensive policies automatically include this, but this is not the case. In general private motor policies often offer this as an extension to their customers, but it isn't always included, and is actually being gradually withdrawn across the industry as new legislation begins to come into force. On a commercial vehicle policy it is not available, even as an option.
Usually commercial vehicles are insured for multiple drivers, or sometimes on an "any driver" basis. There are even a few insurers who offer "any age, any driver" policies, although in cases such as those, all drivers must have a clean, Full UK driving licence. If that is not the case, any driver with points, convictions, disabilities etc. will need to be named on the policy and their driving history will have a direct effect on the rate paid.
Driving Ages
As you would expect, the younger a driver, the more you will pay whether on a named or any driver basis. On an any driver policy, ages can be limited to any driver over 21, over 25 or over 30, with the latter being the cheapest.
Van Modifications
Vans are frequently modified by their owners after they are bought, in order to better suit their intended use. To preserve the interior, the van may be ply lined, or fixtures such as tail lifts or footplates and grilles may be added. These items are classified as part of the van's "fixtures" so provision should be made to include their value in the value of the vehicle overall, if you are insuring it comprehensively, then if they are damaged, you can claim back their value. Note that these items are described as "fixtures" because they are treated as part of the van, other tools and equipment will not be covered and will need their own policy.
The number of seats is something that is frequently changed, but care needs to be taken. Removing seats doesn't present much in the way of additional risk, but adding them does. Due to past claims history, an insurer will want confirmation that extra seating was installed by a qualified expert, i.e. a main dealer, and may refuse insurance if there is no evidence, such as a receipt, as proof of who the work was done by. This is done to make sure that all seating, belts and other safety features are fitted correctly, and in the event of an accident will not fail causing further unnecessary injury or potentially even fatalities.
Occasionally, a van owner may want to personalise their van in the same way they might do with a car. Perhaps fitting extra lights or alloy wheels, although most people only go as far sign writing. This will always affect an insurance premium, although not necessarily in a more costly way. For example: Alloy wheels are considered a higher theft risk than standard steel wheels, so your premium would naturally increase. However, sign writing your van, makes it more identifiable if it happens to be stolen, so this can sometimes reduce an insurance premium.
In conclusion:
* If you have any doubts, a good broker/insurer will always be able to help * Insurance is available from a number of providers for all kinds of commercial vehicles
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For further help or advice, click on Coversure's van insurance page.There are many Frequently Asked Van Insurance questions and information available for other commercial vehicle insurance products.
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