Levels of cover for business van insurance

As with car insurance, the level of insurance cover you can choose from comprises: Third Party Van Insurance, Third Party Fire & Theft Van Insurance, and Fully Comprehensive Van Insurance.

In addition to the level of van cover required, you’ll also be asked to confirm what type of business van insurance fits your needs.

Types of business van insurance

Carriage of own goods

A carriage of own goods van policy covers your van, and allows you to carry items in your van in connection with your type of work. It’s often referred to as a “carriage of tools” cover.

Be aware: It’s important to note that carriage of own goods policies typically allow you to carry work related items in relation to your trade, but do not actually insure the items themselves in case of damage or theft. You’re insured for driving the van carrying the goods, but not the goods themselves! Check with your insurer for specifics. Goods in transit can be added as a policy extra, or might be covered on your general business insurance - but check first.

Carriage of own goods policies are the primary choice for self employed tradespeople and business owners using their van in connection with their business, but not using the vehicle to deliver a finished product.

Carriage of goods for hire or reward

This will be the cover to choose if you are a delivery driver or courier – or if you deliver your business's finished products. Carriage of goods van insurance covers you to carry other people’s goods, and to make deliveries at multiple destinations.

Haulage cover

This level of business van insurance cover is for delivery drivers who typically drive longer distances, often to the same destinations, and usually carry the same or similar load types for each drop.

How can I get cheaper business van insurance?

The most effective way to find the cheapest business van insurance quote is to compare. You’ll only have to input your van details, business and personal information once for access to a panel of specialist business van insurance brokers.

By comparing, you’ll find the best van insurance broker for your specific needs. However, there are also factors to take into account which could reduce your van insurance premium even further. See if you can add or amend any of these things before you compare brokers:

• Try to choose the smallest van for your business needs. Vans with bigger load capacities and larger engines cost more to insure because they are more likely to be involved in an accident, and can carry a higher load value.
• Get your van sign-written. Sign-written vans are easier to identify & track down, and represent considerably more hassle & risk for thieves.
• Consider your annual mileage carefully and don’t over-estimate this on the form.
• Fit extra security, alarms or tracking devices
• Resist the temptation to make modifications
• Third party policies aren’t always the cheapest – run a quote for all levels of cover.
• Think carefully about who needs to be added to the policy.

What types of van can I compare?

As long as your van isn’t over 3.5 tonnes, you should have no problems comparing your van insurance. Vans under this weight are classed as light commercial vehicles (LCV’s), which means they can be driven on a car licence.

Vans larger than 3.5 tonnes are classed as medium or heavy goods vehicles, and require additional licence categories. Because vans under 3.5 tonnes are far more common on UK roads, there is a huge selection of brokers looking for your business – and a big choice when it comes to comparing business van insurance.

If you use a van for private use only, and do not use your van to commute, check out our cheap van insurance for private use page.

Compare the van insurance quotes from 60+ business van insurance specialists:

With so many specialist business van insurance brokers on the panel, you'll be able to compare the van insurance market and discover a massive range of quotes from multiple brokers. See how much you and your business could save on van insurance today!