Private Use Van Insurance
Private & non-commercial use- Compare 60+ UK based van insurers
- You could save up to £668*
- Cover can be added for commuting
- Most van makes & models up to 3.5t
Private use van insurance quotes from an independent and unbiased UK comparison service.
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Non Commercial Van Insurance
Compare quotes for your private van
If you own a van for personal or private use, then you’ll need an appropriate non commercial van insurance policy.
Whether you use your van for hobby or leisure activities requiring lots of gear, like to bulk buy shopping, or just love owning and driving a van for your own use, compare private van insurance quotes from 60+ non commercial van insurance providers today.
You could save up to £668*, so don't risk missing out - get a tailored private van quote today:
What is private van insurance?
Private use van insurance (also known as personal or non commercial van insurance) covers you to use your van in a personal capacity on UK roads.
When you insure your van for social, domestic and pleasure purposes you’ll be covered for any non commercial or private use of the van, excluding commuting.
What’s classed as personal van use?
Examples of private van use include:
- Day trips and holidays
- Shopping
- Hobbies
- Visiting friends
- The school run
- Driving your van for fun
Social, domestic and pleasure van insurance is strictly limited to the private use of a van. If you use your van for any commercial or business related activity, you’ll need to take out a commercial van insurance policy.
It's important to remember that SDP van insurance typically excludes commuting to and from a place of work.
Private van insurance with commuting
What if you also want to commute in a private van?
If you use your private van for commuting to and from a single place of work, you’ll need to select the “social, domestic, pleasure & commuting" option. This will cover all private van driving under the social only category, but will also cover the commute to and from a single permanent place of work.
Check the usage information on your private van insurance policy documents.
When you choose a private van insurance with commuting policy, it’s likely that you’ll be spending more time on the road at peak hours. This means more risk for your insurer, and can often increase the cost of your non commercial van insurance policy.
What are the other classes of van insurance?
Most of the 4.5 million vans on UK roads are used commercially, in connection with a business activity. They are covered by two additional classes of van insurance:
- Business use for carriage of own goods
- Business use for carriage of goods for hire or reward (haulage)
You can find more information about these usage classes on our business van insurance page.
If you’ll be using your van for any business-related activity, you can also compare quotes for these usage classes via Biker Insure.
What’s covered on a private van insurance policy?
Private use van insurance, just like car or motorbike insurance, has three levels of cover. This is the same whether you choose social domestic and pleasure only, or opt to include commuting on your non commercial policy:
Levels of non commercial van insurance
Third Party Only: - The minimum level of cover required by law. Covers damage your van causes to other people, property or vehicles but there is no cover for your own van.
Third Party Fire & Theft: - Same as TPO, but adds cover to your own van if it is stolen or damaged/destroyed by fire. Doesn't typically include any van contents.
Fully Comprehensive: - Covers everything TPFT does, but also includes repair or replacement of your van in an accident, even if you are at fault.
It's worth noting that fully comprehensive private van insurance quotes aren't always the most expensive, and may even be the cheapest option for some people. Always run a comparison at different levels of cover to get the full picture.
Non-commercial van insurance policy extras
Add additional cover for your private van
Most insurers have policy extras to choose from. Insurers might include some extras as standard on the policy, or make them available for an additional cost:
Windscreen Cover – Provides cover for the repair of chips, cracks or a replacement windscreen. Some providers may also cover side windows and sunroofs.
Breakdown – There are different levels of cover available. Most providers offer roadside assistance as standard, but some policies may also include recovery, home start and onward journey.
Courtesy Van – Typically provided if you use the insurance providers approved repairer. Subject to availability, courtesy van cover often excludes claims where the van is written off or stolen.
Legal Cover – Provides assistance with the recovery of uninsured losses in the event of a non-fault accident e.g. personal injury, excess recovery, and loss of earnings.
Personal Accident – Provides cover if there is an accident in which the policy holder is at fault – typically for serious injury and death. Claims limits can vary, and some policies may include other drivers and passengers.
You won’t see the following optional extras on the comparison results page, but some personal van insurance policies can add:
Key Replacement – Provides cover if your van keys are lost or stolen.
Driving Abroad – Provides cover when driving your van in the EU, typically for up to 90 days per trip.
Wrong Fuel – You’ll be covered for repairs to your van if you accidentally fill up with the wrong fuel type.
These can be added on the insurers website before you buy, if available.
If you've added any optional extras to the comparison, you may also need to add or reapply these on the providers site before you purchase your policy.
Remember to check your policy details and extras with your insurance provider, as cover can vary between providers.
You can also choose whether you want to protect the No Claims Bonus earned on your private van.
What factors affect the price of personal use van insurance?
Non commercial van insurance quotes are based on a number of variables personal to you and the van you drive. They can include:
- Van make, model, age & value
- Where you keep the van, and security measures
- Your age and where you live
- Your occupation
- Your claims and driving history
- How you use the van
- The amount of voluntary excess applied
- How many years No Claims Bonus you have
The important thing to remember is that personal van insurance is specific to your individual circumstances, and the van you drive. This means the only way to find out how much your policy will cost - based on your own personal situation - is to get a quote:
How you could get cheap van insurance for private use
Comparing quotes could be one of the best ways to find cheaper van insurance for private use when based on your individual circumstances.
Because you can compare 60+ van insurers in the same place, we think you’ll stand a really good chance of finding the best van insurance deals for your personal circumstances. And with all the quotes compared in just a few minutes, you’ll certainly save a lot of time compared to getting personal van insurance quotes from multiple brokers directly.
Here are some more tips to try that could result in cheaper private van insurance for you:
Don’t overestimate your mileage – Think carefully about how many personal use miles you’ll realistically do per year in your van. If unsure, it can help to look at your old MOT’s. It’s often the case that you can find cheaper quotes if you enter a lower mileage, because the risk is lower.
Remember that if you think you’ll exceed your stated mileage, you’ll need to tell your insurer.
Think about a voluntary excess – All non commercial van insurance policies have a compulsory excess to pay in the event of a claim. This varies from insurer to insurer, but you can also elect to add a voluntary excess on top of this. The higher the excess you choose, the lower your premiums should be.
Remember that you’ll have to pay more in the event of a claim, so factor this into your decision accordingly.
Do you need such a big van? – The answer is probably a resounding “yes”, but be aware that smaller vans are not only usually cheaper to buy and run, but also typically cheaper to insure than bigger and more powerful vans.
Parking location – Most residential garages can’t accommodate bigger, high roof, or long wheel base vans. But if you have a suitable garage, make sure you use it. If not, try to park on your private property/driveway as savings can be had over simply parking up on the road overnight.
Security – Trackers, alarms, immobilisers and high security locks could drive down the cost of your personal van insurance. If you already have extra security fitted, be sure to let your insurer know to see if any extra discounts are available.
Pay annually – If you can afford to, it’s cheaper to pay for your private van insurance annually because monthly payments typically charge interest.
No Claims Discount – Your NCB is a key variable in securing cheap private van insurance. Significant savings can be accrued, so try to build – and keep – your bonus intact.
Don’t modify if you don’t need to – Even simple modifications can affect your quotes. Avoid the temptation to modify, and keep your private van as standard as possible.
Take an advanced driving course – If you’re a member of the IAM or have another advanced driving qualification, you could be seen as a safer and less risky driver.
How much is personal van insurance?
If you’re driving a van for social reasons only, the costs for personal van insurance can be similar to an equivalent or comparable car.
How much is private van insurance?*
2018 Volkswagen Transporter T28 - £544 Fully Comp
2016 Ford Transit Custom 270 - £453 Fully Comp
2020 Citroen Berlingo Enterprise - £503 Fully Comp
2017 Fiat Doblo Multijet - £396 Fully Comp
* Compared via Biker Insure on 22.02.24 and for indicative purposes only. Quotes were obtained for a married 43 year old company director living in IV40 with maximum ncb, no claims or convictions and a clean driving licence. Van is kept on a driveway overnight and used for social, domestic and pleasure purposes. £500 voluntary excess. Actual quotes will vary depending on your individual circumstances and make/model of van.
How to compare private van insurance
There are three sections to fill in when comparing non commercial van insurance:
Section 1 - Van Details – You’ll need to answer questions about your van. These include how much it’s worth, any modifications, where it’s kept overnight, what you’ll use it for (SDP only or SDP + commuting), and what your annual mileage is.
Section 2 – About You – Details including your name, age, address, occupation and licence details.
Section 3 – The Cover – This is where you’ll say when you’d like the private van policy to start, what level of cover you want, plus voluntary excess amounts and the amount of van NCD you hold.
This process should only take a few minutes and the system will then compare 60+ van insurers, with your non commercial quotes ranked from cheapest to most expensive. You’ll also be able to see at a glance the compulsory/voluntary excess amounts, and policy extras.
If you need to make any alterations to see how they affect the quotes (such as the type of cover or your voluntary excess amount), you can easily get a re-quote without needing to fill everything in a second time.
Once you have compared private van insurance, you can either choose to buy online via the providers website, or purchase over the phone. Remember to check the details of your personal van insurance cover and any policy extras before you buy.
Private use van driving license
What vans can you drive on a car licence?
You can drive a van up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) with a standard car driving licence.
If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, you might need to take extra tests to drive vans weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. It’s the same whether using the van for personal or commercial reasons.
Private van speed limits
Vans have lower speed limits than cars on UK roads – even when driven in a personal capacity.
If you're using your van for personal use and not carrying large payloads or tools, It can be all too easy to forget you're driving a van (especially modern, quiet, fast ones) - and to drive at the same speeds as you would in a regular car.
Bear in mind that national speed limits for vans (unless a car derived van) in the UK are:
- Single carriageways - 50mph
- Dual carriageways - 60mph
- Motorways - 70mph
Ignorance is no defence, so be sure to check the speed limit that applies to your van: view speed limits on gov.uk website.
Is my vehicle classed as a van or a car?
If you’re driving a van, you’ll need a van insurance policy - whether for business or pleasure purposes. It can sometimes be confusing what your vehicle is classed as, especially as some vans can look a lot like cars and vice versa.
If you’re unsure, you can check your logbook – or enter your reg number at the vehicle enquiry service: www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk where you'll be able to see the type approval details for your van.
✅ If your vehicle is a van, it will be in class N1 – light goods vehicles up to 3,500kgs.
✅ If it’s a car, it will be class M1 – passenger cars.
Why compare private van insurance via Biker Insure?
Although our speciality is motorbike insurance, we're also van afficionados and provide access to a comparison service for non commercial van insurance. The system compares what we think is a market leading 60+ van insurance providers, so we’re confident that you’ll find a non commercial policy to suit your needs and budget.
We’re independently owned, completely impartial and love to save van owners money too!
You could discover cheap van insurance for personal use when you compare based on your individual circumstances. Get a quote now:
Private van insurance FAQ's
Does van insurance have to be commerical?
Van drivers who only use their vans for personal or private reasons can buy social, domestic and pleasure insurance. This provides cover for non commercial use of a van.
If the van is used for any business related purpose, you will need a commercial van insurance policy.
Who does the cheapest van insurance for private use?
It isn't possible to name one single company that offers the absolute cheapest van insurance for personal use. This is because insurance premiums are highly personalised and depend on a wide range of factors specific to the individual driver and their van.
The most effective way of finding the cheapest quotes based on your personal circumstances can be to compare quotes.
The comparison available via Biker Insure compares over 60 van insurance providers. When you get a quote, the cheapest van insurance for private use is displayed at the top with the results based on the personal information you have entered and the van you want to drive.
Can I get a quote if I don’t own the van yet?
You can still get a quote if you don’t own the van, or know the registration number.* Choose the make and model of your van from the drop-down list, and select “no” for “have you bought the vehicle yet?”
*You might not get quotes from as many providers compared to if you own the van.
Do car insurance companies offer private van insurance?
Private van insurance is sometimes available through car insurance brokers, however the widest range of deals are likely to be found through specialist van insurance providers.
The comparison service available via this page only compares quotes from van insurance brokers.
Are trailers and caravans covered by private van insurance?
Although you will usually be covered to tow trailers and caravans on a standard private van insurance policy, in most cases cover will be on a 3rd party only basis.
Any loss or damage to what you’re towing won’t typically be covered. Always check the specific terms and conditions of your policy and speak to your insurer if unsure.
If you want to use your private van to tow a caravan, you may want to consider a separate caravan insurance policy.
Are my contents protected with private van insurance?
This varies, but fully comprehensive private van insurance policies are more likely to cover your contents, which is usually up to a certain limit.
You can increase the amount insured as an optional extra, or add contents cover if you have a TPO or TPFT policy.
Always check your policy wording for the terms of your contents cover, as some policies won’t provide cover if your belongings are unattended or visible to passers-by.
Can I drive a van for personal use?
You can legally drive a van for personal reasons as long as your insurance covers you for social, domestic and pleasure purposes.
Can I buy a van for personal use?
It's quite common for people to choose a van instead of a car for various personal reasons.
Just remember that if you are buying a new van in the UK, the prices are typically shown +VAT. This means buyers will need to pay 20% on top of the listed price. If you buy the van for personal use and not for or through a business, you won't be able to claim the VAT back.
Buying a second hand van is a little more complicated:
- A van is sold "plus VAT" if the previous owner was a VAT-registered business that reclaimed the VAT when they acquired the van.
- VAT won't typically be added if the previous owner was a private individual, a non-VAT-registered business, or the original VAT was never reclaimed.
For private buyers, this can make a huge difference to the cost of a van. Although they can be harder to find, "no VAT vans" can mean substantial savings and are therefore well worth seeking out.
Can you insure a van for personal use?
You can compare private van insurance for social, domestic and pleasure only use via Biker Insure.
Does private van insurance include commuting?
If you commute to work in your private van, you’ll need to select “Social, domestic, pleasure and commuting” when comparing personal van insurance quotes.
If you have a social, domestic and pleasure only policy, you won’t be insured for commuting.
Can I drive a van with my normal driving licence?
You can drive a van up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) with a standard driving licence. If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, you might need to take extra tests to drive vans weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. It’s the same whether using the van for personal or business reasons.
Can I compare quotes if my private van has modifications?
Yes – you can choose from an extensive list of modifications on the vehicle details page. Remember that if you’ve made any modifications to how the van would have left the factory, you’ll need to declare them.
Is private van insurance cheaper?
This will vary according to the make & model of van and your personal circumstances, but personal use van insurance costs can be very similar to private car insurance.
How can I find cheaper deals on personal van insurance?
You can compare over 60 personal use van insurance providers via Biker Insure. Comparing is one of the best ways to find cheaper deals for the van you drive and your personal circumstances.
Can I use a van to go on holiday abroad?
Some policies will include driving in the EU as standard, while for others it’s an optional extra. Cover will usually be provided for up to 90 days. Check with your insurer for details and extent of cover provided.
*51% of consumers could save £668.40 on their Van Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next five cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd’s insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from November 2024. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances.
Further van insurance information: