Do I need private or commercial van insurance?
Most van owners learn to drive behind the wheel of a car and already have good idea about how insurance works. However, van insurance can be a bit more complicated, so we decided to tackle some of the most common questions (and misunderstandings) about van insurance:
What is private van insurance?
Private van insurance covers domestic and pleasure use which includes everything from a trip to the supermarket for the weekly shop to a weekend away. While most car insurance policies cover commuting, most van insurance policies don’t. Even if you just use your van to get to work (rather than at work) the chances are that you’ll need commercial cover. It’s a detail that’s often misunderstood by van owners and shows the importance of carefully reading the small print. There are one or two exceptions to the rule, with a handful of policies covering commuting to a single location, but it’s safest to assume that they don’t unless specifically stated otherwise.
Does private van insurance cover contents?
Vans are becoming increasingly popular with active types as they make the perfect getaway vehicle for kit-heavy hobbies such as surfing and cycling. Private van insurance policies don’t include cover for contents, and as every outdoor enthusiast knows, equipment doesn’t come cheap. To safeguard your personal possessions against theft from a van most providers offer contents cover as an affordable add-on (just check that you’re happy with the claims excess and single item limit before signing-up).
What is commercial van insurance?
Commercial van insurance is designed to keep you and your business on the road by providing protection for your vehicle and your livelihood. Just like car insurance there are three levels of cover (Third Party Only, Third Party Fire & Theft and Comprehensive), and just like car insurance drivers are often surprised to find it’s cheaper to arrange comprehensive cover.
Once you’ve decided what level of van insurance you need, you’ll need to decide what type of van insurance you need, which will depend on the nature of your business and how you use your van.
Carriage of Own Goods Designed to cover drivers carrying their own tools and equipment and most commonly used by tradespeople and small businesses.
Carriage for Hire and Reward Designed to cover delivery drivers who make multiple drops to multiple locations and is perhaps better known as ‘courier van insurance’.
Haulage Insurance Designed to cover fewer drops or single loads generally delivered over greater distances (hence most HGVs require haulage cover unless carrying their own goods).
It’s worth noting that different providers have slightly different definitions of courier insurance and haulage insurance (and there’s clearly some crossover) and if you are in any doubt it’s best to get in touch with your broker.
Does commercial van insurance cover contents?
While commercial van insurance covers the use of the vehicle it generally doesn’t cover what you are carrying. Instead cover is typically sold as an additional benefit and then packaged into a single policy. Most contents and cargo will be covered by either Tools in Transit Insurance (aimed at tradespeople) or Goods in Transit Insurance (aimed at couriers and hauliers).
What about campervans and mobile homes?
Campervans and mobile homes are becoming increasingly popular as motorists explore the freedom of the open road and the romance of nights spent under the stars. Campervan insurance is a specialist product which bundles together benefits designed specifically for the campervanning lifestyle such European cover, contents insurance and cover for awnings and generators.
How can I get the best van insurance deal?
Long gone are the days of endlessly ringing around providers (or comparing comparison sites) to find the cheapest van insurance; at Quoteline Direct we guarantee to beat your renewal premium by at least 10% and hopefully a whole lot more. Over the past 50 years we have built up enough industry muscle to hammer out some seriously competitive deals from the biggest names in the business which we can pass on to our customers. To find out more, or to get a quick online quote, visit our van insurance pages or Tel: 0161 874 7710 to speak with a member of our team.
