Business Van Insurance

Business insurance for a van – what’s covered?

Having a business van insurance policy is essential for companies that rely on vans for their operations. Whether your business involves deliveries, transporting goods, or providing services on the go, having the right insurance coverage is crucial, not only so you’re covered in case something goes wrong, but also so you’re not left financially up against it when the unexpected happens too.

Much like standard motor insurance policies, there are three levels of business van insurance cover that our insurers offer – comprehensive, third party, fire and theft, and third party only. Depending on your business and what you feel would provide adequate cover will determine which of these levels of cover you’ll choose.

With comprehensive cover, you can expect to be protected in the event of accidents, thefts, fires, acts of vandalism, and more, as well as have the following types of cover included or available to be added on to your policy:

Public liability

This protects your business against claims for injury or property damage caused to third parties as a result of your van's activities.

Employer’s liability

If you have employees driving your vans, this coverage is a legal requirement and covers claims by employees for work-related injuries or illnesses.

Motor Legal expenses cover

This optional add-on can provide financial support for legal costs in case of disputes or legal actions involving your business van operations.

Goods in transit cover

Coverage for any items being transported, safeguarding against damage, loss, or theft during delivery.

Breakdown cover

Some policies may offer optional breakdown cover, which provides roadside assistance and vehicle recovery services for your van.

Courtesy van

This van cover provides a temporary replacement van when the insured van is undergoing repairs or maintenance.

Personal belongings cover

This provides protection for items that belong to you or your employees and are stored in the business van. This form of theft cover typically extends to personal possessions such as tools, equipment, clothing, and other items used for work purposes.

Take a look at courier van insurance too if you're a delivery driver looking to make sure the items you're responsible for are covered.

European cover

This provides coverage for the insured van while it is being used in European countries other than the UK.

Medical expenses

Coverage for medical costs associated with injuries sustained by the driver and passengers of the insured van in the event of an accident. This may help cover expenses such as hospital bills, medical treatments, and related costs resulting from bodily injuries.

As one of the largest van insurance brokers in the UK, we work with a carefully selected panel of top business van insurers, and this enables us to help you find a policy with the right cover and a great claims service.

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today and we can do our utmost to make sure you walk away from us with a business van insurance quote that puts you at ease.

Do I need business van insurance?

Much like ordinary car insurance, you can’t put a price on making sure you’re properly covered. Whichever reason you need your van for your business, it pays to get your hands on a comprehensive van insurance policy that you can count on in the event of something unfortunate happening.

As well as that, having a standard insurance policy in place is a legal requirement if you plan on driving your van on UK roads. However, a standard van policy will not cover you if you use your van for business, so that’s why it’s important that you get a business van insurance policy to provide adequate, comprehensive cover.

How much is business van insurance?

It’s hard to estimate exactly how much your business van insurance would cost before we’ve received any details from you. The information you provide us can help our insurance providers calculate premiums and pass on quotes based on your individual circumstances.

The cost of commercial van insurance can also vary based on several factors, and it's not universally more expensive than standard van insurance. The premium for commercial van insurance is influenced by factors such as the nature of the business, how the van is used, the level of coverage required, the driver's history, and the specific insurance provider.

The best way to find out exactly how much your business van insurance will cost is by getting in touch with us. We can help you get your hands on quotes that not only match your budgetary expectations, but also don’t force you to compromise on cover.

How to insure your van for your business?

Business van drivers are rightly concerned with keeping their running costs down. However, this can mean they fall into the trap of making a comparison only based on price. As a result, many commercial van owners end up with a policy that is not tailored to their needs and, when push comes to shove, that won’t provide adequate cover.

At Howden, we do the comparison work for you. We will discuss your needs with you to find the best business van insurance policy, allowing you to keep the costs of running your business down in the long term, saving you money without compromising on cover.

All that we ask from you is that you provide us with a few details about you and what you're looking for from a policy:

• The driver's details
• The driver's driving history
• The type of cover you're after (minimum cover or mo extensive cover?)
• How much policy excess you'd like

Get in touch today and talk to our expert advisors to get a quote for the right business van insurance, at the right price.

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• Your van’s essential vitamins this winter!
• The UK’s most stolen work van!
• Van Insurance Groups Explained [Full Guide]

Is commercial van insurance more expensive?

Yes, commercial van insurance is generally a more expensive policy compared to a standard van insurance policy.

The reason for this is because of the different risks that come with using having a van for personal use or business use. Operating a business can be associated with increased risks and higher levels of responsibility, leading many providers to feel that they need to raise their premiums to compensate.

There are ways you can make your business van insurance premiums more affordable, including:

• Improving your van’s security
• Keeping your van in a secure location
• Paying yearly rather than monthly
• Agreeing on an excess

Is there VAT on business van insurance?

No, VAT is not added to either commercial and personal policy premiums. Instead, you might encounter Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) as the applicable tax, which is typically integrated into your quoted breakdown or calculation.