Commercial Van Insurance
A plain-English guide to insuring your van and what we can help arrange alongside delivery. We do not sell insurance ourselves. We point you to the right people.
What kinds of van insurance are there?
Four main shapes of policy. The right one depends on the van, how it is used, and how many vehicles you run.
Comprehensive
The widest level of cover. Protects your van, third parties, and usually a list of named extras. Most business users take this level.
Third Party, Fire and Theft
Covers damage or injury you cause to others, plus loss of the van from fire or theft. Your own accidental damage is not covered.
Third Party Only
The legal minimum. Covers your liability to other people and their property. Nothing else is paid out, including damage to your own van.
Fleet
A single policy covering multiple vans under one renewal. Makes sense once you have three to five vehicles, with flexible driver terms.
What is typically covered by comprehensive?
A typical commercial comprehensive policy includes the items below. Every policy differs, so check the schedule and the excess figures before you commit.
- Own-vehicle damage from an at-fault accident
- Third-party injury and property damage liability
- Fire, theft and attempted theft of the van
- Accidental damage and vandalism
- Windscreen and glass repair or replacement
- Personal belongings up to a policy limit
- Courtesy van while yours is being repaired
- Breakdown and recovery (on higher tiers or as an add-on)
Every insurer words their policy slightly differently. The bullets above are common, not universal. Always read the schedule.
Tools, stock and cargo. Are they covered?
A common misconception on trade vans. The short answer is no, not by default.
Standard commercial van insurance covers the van itself and your liability to others. It does not automatically cover the tools, stock or customer goods carried in the back.
Tools in transit
A separate policy covering tools stored or carried in the van, typically with a per-item limit and rules about overnight storage.
Goods in transit
Cover for customer goods or stock you carry for your business. Priced on the value and type of load, and the distances you cover.
If you are a tradesperson with £5k of tools in the back, a standard van policy will pay out on the van after a theft, not the tools. Worth asking your broker about a tools-in-transit add-on when you renew.
Fleet insurance for multiple vehicles
Fleet cover is a different conversation from individual policies. Usually worth considering once you run three to five vans or more.
Single renewal date
One policy anniversary for every vehicle on the fleet. Less admin, one insurer relationship to manage.
Any-driver options
Many fleet policies allow named-driver or any-driver terms, so staff can move between vans without rewriting cover.
Negotiated rate across the fleet
Insurers price the risk across the whole fleet rather than per vehicle, which usually works out better on larger books.
Easier to add new vans
When you take delivery of a new van, adding it to an existing fleet policy is usually a phone call, not a fresh application.
How we help
The honest version. We are not an insurance broker. We will not pretend to run a comparison site.
We sell and finance commercial vehicles. Insurance sits alongside the deal, not inside it. When you are taking delivery of a new van, we can point you toward specialist commercial vehicle insurers we know through our network.
In practice, most of our fleet customers already have a policy that lets them add the new vehicle to it. If that is you, all we need is the insurance certificate before handover.
If you want a fresh quote, we can introduce you to an insurance broker who specialises in commercial vehicles. They handle the quotation, underwriting and policy documents. We stay out of that side of it because it is not what we do.
We do not earn commission on insurance introductions. We make our money on the vehicle and the finance. Insurance is a separate transaction between you and the insurer.
Need help arranging insurance on your new van?
Tell us the delivery date and we will make sure cover is in place before you drive the van away.
If you already have a policy, send us the certificate. If you do not, we can introduce you to a specialist commercial vehicle insurance broker.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need specialist commercial van insurance?
Yes. A standard private car policy will not cover a van used for work. Commercial van insurance is rated differently, takes into account the trade you operate in, and covers the risks that come with using the van for business. Using a private policy on a van used for work will leave you uninsured.
What factors affect my premium?
The main drivers are the driver's age and claims history, the postcode where the van is kept overnight, the trade or business use class, annual mileage, the van's value and security, and the level of cover chosen. A clean licence and a secure overnight location have the biggest effect on price.
Can I transfer my no-claims discount from a car?
Sometimes. Many commercial insurers accept a no-claims discount earned on a private car policy, but the rules vary by insurer. You usually need proof of the discount in writing from your previous insurer. Some policies will mirror the discount, others apply a partial credit.
Is my van insured during delivery to me?
Yes. While the van is still ours or the manufacturer's responsibility before handover, it is covered under trade or transit insurance. Your own policy needs to be live from the moment you take delivery and drive the van away. We will confirm the handover timing in writing so there is no gap.
What if the van is damaged before I take delivery?
It is our problem to fix, not yours. Until you sign for the van it is covered under our trade policy and our supply chain's transit cover. Any damage found at handover is either repaired before you take the keys or the delivery is rescheduled.
Do you offer insurance directly?
No. We are not an insurance broker and we do not underwrite or sell policies ourselves. We point customers toward specialist commercial vehicle insurers through our network when they are taking delivery, and many customers simply add the new van to an existing fleet policy. If you want a formal quote, we can introduce you to an insurance broker who specialises in commercial vehicles.