15 ways to save money on the cost of your van insurance
Van insurance experts at Adrian Flux are always on the lookout for ways to save you money â here are their top tips for getting a better deal on your van insurance, whether youâre a courier van driver or use your van for work or leisure.
1.Get a limited mileage deal
The average annual mileage for a car in the UK is 10-12,000 miles, but if you think youâll do less than that, you may qualify for a limited mileage discount. Discounts are available for agreed mileages of 7,500, 5,000, 3,000 or 1,500 miles per year.
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2. Park your van in a safe place
Always park your van with care and preferably off the road on a driveway or â better still â in a garage when it is left overnight. Your van will be at less risk of theft or vandalism or of being damaged by another vehicle and it may earn a discount on your insurance premium.
3. Transfer your no claims bonus
A yearâs no claims bonus (NCB) can save you a good deal of money. Better yet, the savings continue each year until you accrue five years, after which you could enjoy a discount of around 60% on your van insurance.
4. Agree a higher voluntary excess
A voluntary excess is an extra amount you pay towards a fault claim. Most van insurance policies will include a standard excess but if you can afford to cover more of a claim yourself, then adding extra voluntary excess may well reduce your premium.
5. Multi-vehicle insurance could save you money
If the van youâre looking to insure is a second vehicle, make sure you tell the insurer. You will often get a discount for having other vehicles, but when you combine it with limited mileage and an NCB, it can make a huge difference.
6. Add extra drivers on your policy
If you know a low risk driver that may use your van, try adding them to your insurance policy. When people drive vehicles that other people also use, they tend to treat them more carefully. That means adding drivers can get you a discount.
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7. Modified vans may qualify for specialist cover
People assume that modifications will increase the cost of your van insurance, but that is not necessarily true. Tell your insurer how you have modified your van and you may qualify for a specialist policy and benefit from extra discounts.
8. Undergo advanced driver training
Specialist insurers will offer discounts for those with advanced driving qualifications, such as an Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM Roadsmart) course pass or, for new drivers, a Pass Plus certificate. Be sure to mention your extra qualification to save even more money.
9. Donât wait till the last minute to get a quote
Getting a quote at the last minute is often more expensive than getting one a few weeks in advance. Get your van insurance quote as soon as you can to help save money. Companies are usually happy to quote up to one month before your actual renewal date.
10. Invest in extra security measures
Extra security precautions, such as an alarm, immobiliser or tracker, may pay for themselves because they will likely earn you a generous discount on your annual van insurance. Shop for Thatcham approved security devices to get your discount.
11. A dashcam can help settle disputes and save you money
Dashcams can help settle a disputed claim and some policies give discounts for having a good quality camera fitted and working. Find our full list of Adrian Flux approved dashcams on our dashcam insurance page.
Picture: https://www.ford.co.uk/vans-and-pickups
12. Provide the true value of your vehicle
When a broker calculates a van insurance premium, they need to take into account what the vehicle is worth. They will rarely ask for proof, or inspect the vehicle for valuation purposes, so you must declare what you think it is worth. If you over-value the vehicle, your premium will be higher, but this doesnât mean you get paid out more in the event of a claim. All claims are assessed and the value of the vehicle at the time of the accident will be determined, regardless of what you said it was worth.
13. Pay for your van insurance annually
Paying for your van insurance on a monthly basis, or by credit card, might be easier, but you will be charged interest so it will work out to be more expensive. Paying annually could help you make significant savings on your van insurance.
14. Think about the size of your van
Smaller vans often cost less to insure because the engines aren’t as powerful, so insurers class them as a lower risk. Make sure your van is suitable for the job it will be doing. Thereâs no point buying a long wheelbase Transit if youâre only going to be transporting a few hand tools each day.
15. Talk to a van insurance specialist
Donât just use comparison sites or online quotes for your van insurance, because their quotes will be generated by a computer and canât be altered.
By talking to an insurance specialist on the phone you can make sure youâre answering all the questions correctly, and have someone on your side, helping find ways to save you money and get the very best cover.
The best Adrian Flux van insurance deals are usually done over the phone â 79.5% of all customers receiving an online quote in July 2020 could have obtained a cheaper quote over the phone, based on the information they provided. Call 0800 141 2794 or request a call-back at a time that suits you.
