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Commercial Van Insurance

Commercial Van insurance is designed to protect you and your business from financial losses due to unforeseen circumstances. A commercial Van insurance policy will be significantly different to any private cover you may have and will vary in complexity depending on the type of business you conduct and the intended use of your Van.

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Do I need commercial Van insurance?

If your Van is used for business purposes, it’ll be classed as a commercial vehicle and you’ll be required by law to take out a commercial Van insurance policy. Unlike private car insurance cover, even if you only use your Van for commuting to and from a place of business, you’ll still need a commercial policy.

Commercial Van insurance is designed to protect you and your livelihood against the additional risks that are often associated with doing business. Commercial insurance can get complex and you’ll need to select the most appropriate policy depending on your line of work.

You’ll want to make sure that your Van is correctly insured for its intended use. Never withhold information from your insurance company that could invalidate your policy and always be sure to take out the necessary level of cover to protect your business from any financial losses.

What’s classed as a commercial vehicle?

A commercial vehicle is defined as one that’s used in the course of business or commercial activities, primarily for the transportation of goods and services rather than the transportation of people.

A commercial Van includes seating in the front, but its main defining characteristic will be the space in the back to carry cargo. Many commercial vehicles will also be fitted with towing, lifting, or lowering hardware to make them more versatile in their business environment.

There are over 2 million Vans on the roads in the UK. A van will usually weigh under 3.5 tonnes and comes in many shapes and sizes. From the common transit Van through to dropside vans, panel Vans, tippers, and pickup trucks, they are all generally classed as, and used for commercial purposes.

What type of commercial Van insurance do I need?

This will largely depend on your line of work and what you will be transporting in the vehicle on a daily basis. From an insurance perspective, this is identified as your “class of use”. You need to ensure that you select the correct class of use that relates to your business. Each different class comes with its own special set of key inclusions as well as a number of restrictions.

  • Carriage of own goods

    If you transport your own goods for the purpose of conducting business, you’ll need a “carriage of own goods” policy, for example your tools of the trade and is best suited to local tradesmen and those transporting plant machinery to and from a job site.

  • Carriage of goods for hire & reward

    If you are delivering goods or working as a courier, you’ll need to specify your class of use as “carriage of goods for hire & reward”. In short, this refers to those that get paid to transport products that they don’t own which vary in both value and nature.

  • Specialist

    For those that have a more specialist line of business, for example a refrigerated Van or food truck, you will need to get a specialist policy that covers your risk category. Seen as most specialist Vans are modified to some extent, they will require a more specific or tailor made policy.

Are my contents covered?

Most Van insurance policies will cover contents to a certain level, which usually relates to personal effects. When comparing business Van insurance policies, you’ll need to take into consideration what you’re transporting, its value and what you would do if it was stolen or damaged. For a premium, additional cover is available to further protect you from any financial losses.

  • Tool insurance

    An absolute must for those reliant on their tools in order to make a living. Your standard van insurance policy wont cover your tools so arranging additional cover is advisable. A tool insurance policy will ensure quick replacements of your tools and plant equipment should they become damaged in transit or subject to theft.

  • Goods in transit insurance

    When delivering cargo on behalf of someone else, you need to make sure you have the relevant cover to protect your load from damage and theft. Goods in transit insurance comes in many different forms with varying degrees of cover based on the products your transporting and their value.

Extra cover worth considering

Like most business Van insurance policies, you’ll have the option to increase your level of cover for additional fee. Extra cover is worth considering for anything that’s not covered as standard or as part of an existing policy.

  • Breakdown cover

    Breaking down could result in loss of business. Having adequate breakdown cover that gets you back on the road with minimal downtime is essential if you use your Van for business.

  • Trailer cover

    If you tow a trailer to either transport materials or machinery, it’s worth looking into trailer cover. You’ll get added protection for the trailer itself and the load your carrying from loss, damage, or theft.

  • Multiple drivers

    In a commercial setting, its common for a Van to be shared regularly among several drivers. Anyone that drives your Van needs to be insured by law. Any driver cover will make sure that anyone with your permission is be covered under your policy.

Are there any policy exclusions?

As with any insurance policy, there will be limitations and key exclusions from your standard cover. You should be aware of what you are covered for and what your not. In many cases, you’ll be able to arrange additional insurance to help further protect yourself from the unknown. Some of the common exclusions from Van insurance policies are:

  • Damage from Wear & Tear

  • Mechanical or Electrical Failure

  • Theft if the keys were left in the Vehicle

  • Theft of contents if the Van is left unlocked

  • Anything that hasn’t been previously declared

  • Insurance could be void if you have lied about your past.

You should always read and understand your policy in full before committing to your insurance company. Knowing what you can and cant claim for will aid your comparison process. You should compare cover levels as well as price when it comes to business van insurance.

Vaninsurance.co.uk as a leading panel of exclusive underwriters that have been hand picked to provide the best deals for your Van insurance at affordable rates. Search the best deals today

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