Modified Van Insurance

What is modified van insurance?

Modified van insurance refers to a type of specialist insurance that’s specifically designed for vans that have been modified or customised from their original factory specifications.

Whilst the standard van insurance policies often provide cover for vans in their original, unmodified condition, there are many van owners who choose to modify their van to suit their individual needs or preferences, such as adding new features, altering the appearance, or enhancing performance. That's when modified van insurance comes into play.

What is a van modification?

Van modification can be easily described as an alteration or customisation made to a van, which changes it from its original condition. These modifications can be functional, aesthetic, or cosmetic changes, and they are often done to suit the owner's specific requirements, preferences, or business needs. But you’re probably wondering what would be classed as a van modification. There are countless different examples, but the most general types of modifications made to vans include:

Electrical and Audio-visual upgrades

This can include installing a sound system, multimedia screens, satellite navigation systems, power inverters, or additional electrical outlets for powering equipment.

Security and safety modifications

For protection against theft or break-ins a van owner might additional security features such as alarms or reinforced locks, whereas more airbags, parking sensors, and stronger seat belts might be added for safety reasons.

Accessibility modifications

These modifications are typically to benefit individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges, such as wheelchair ramps or lifts.

Performance enhancements

Some van owners choose to upgrade their engine, exhaust system, suspension, or brakes to enhance power, handling, or towing capacity.

Exterior or interior modifications

This includes adding shelves, extra seats or storage space inside your van, whereas for the exterior you might want some customised paintwork, alloy wheels or a roof rack.

Remember that you can always get in touch with us to discuss what does and doesn’t count as a van modification, just so you have some clarity around what you can expect to be covered under your modified van insurance policy. 

Why do you need insurance for your van modifications?

The reason modified van insurance is necessary is because when you insure a van, the van’s original qualities, such as its type and model, are important factors for insurers when they come to determine how safe and valuable the van is.

However, when a van is modified, it may require additional coverage to account for the increased value, potential risks, or specialised parts involved. For example, many modifications add value to a van, making them more likely to be stolen, which could increase your premiums, whilst other certain modifications could make your van safer and less likely to have an accident, which might make your policy cheaper.

Ultimately, once said van is modified, the chances of it being involved in an incident could change, and that would need to be reflected in an insurance policy.

Do I need to declare all van modifications?

Yes, when obtaining modified van insurance, it's essential that you declare detailed information about any modifications that have been made to your van. This includes information about the type of modifications, their value, and any impact they may have on the van's performance or safety.

Once an insurance broker or provider has that information, they’ll then be able to assess these details to determine the right cover needed and premium for the policy.

What does Howden’s modified van insurance cover?

Modified van insurance typically offers similar coverage options as regular van insurance, including third-party liability, comprehensive coverage, and additional add-ons like fire and theft protection. However, it considers the vehicle modifications, ensuring that they are adequately covered in case of damage, loss, or theft.

But with almost all types of van insurance, there are three main types of modified van insurance levels of cover which you can choose from. These are as follows:

Third-party

This is the minimum level of cover you need, legally. It won’t cover you for any accidents, any repairs you need to pay for, or if your van’s equipment is stolen, but it will cover you for any damage your van inflicts on another person or another vehicle.

Third-party, fire and theft

This is no different to third-party cover, except it also protects your van against the risks of theft and fires.

Comprehensive

This is the fullest level of cover, giving you all the protection that third party, fire and theft coverage would. As well as that, comprehensive cover will also cover the cost of van repairs if it were to be involved in an accident.

How much insurance for modified vans costs

Everyone would love to know immediately how much their insurance will cost them, and we’d love to provide a blanket rate. However, this is not possible.

How much modified van insurance costs can vary significantly, and this is due to how many different cases an insurance provider must consider, especially when comparing the necessary premiums to charge to adequately cover every single unique van and its unique modification.

We appreciate that this may not be the answer you’re looking for, but we can tell you what an insurance provider would generally consider when calculating modified insurance premiums. The typical factors are:

• The driver’s profile and driving history
• The van’s usage and mileage
• The type of modifications
• The value of the modifications

It’s important to remember that all insurers are different, and you should expect the costs of premiums to vary accordingly. So, why not compare quotes and look at what other insurance companies offer? Talking to an insurance broker such as Howden could save you time and money, as we strive to source cheaper modified van insurance quotes.

What you’ll need to do to get a modified van insurance quote

To make the process of getting you modified insurance policy that’s perfect for your needs, and as hassle-free as possible, we need you to provide us with some information. This includes:

• Your personal details.
• Your contact information.
• The type of cover you’re looking for.
• Details about your modified van and its modifications.

Once we’ve gathered this information from you, whether you provide it to us over the phone, visit us in branch or fill out a quote form on our website. We’ll then work quickly to compare various modified van policy options before presenting you with an insurance quote that suits your needs.