What is van insurance?

Van insurance allows you to use your van or pick-up for your business, e.g. to carry your goods, tools or equipment to different locations as part of your working day. When you compare van quotes, choosing cheap van insurance isn't always the answer. Learn more about our commercial van insurance below or get some more information on our private van insurance. Get a quote

What does van insurance cover?

Our van insurance offers two levels of cover, comprehensive and third-party fire and theft, details of both covers can be seen below. Comprehensive A broad commercial van insurance policy that covers you for a range of eventualities. Direct Line van insurance includes: Third party liability cover Fire and theft cover Accidental damage cover Permanently-fitted vehicle audio cover (cover is unlimited if the audio is fitted as part of your van's standard equipment, otherwise cover is up to £1,000). Windscreen repair and replacement cover Tools and equipment cover (up to £500) Personal belongings cover (up to £250) Personal accident cover (up to £5,000) Medical expenses (up to £100 per person) Hotel expenses If your van can't be driven after an accident or loss covered by this insurance, we'll pay your hotel expenses for an overnight stay (up to £150 for the driver or £250 in total for all the people in your van). New van cover If your van has been stolen or written off, we'll replace it with a new one of the same make and model if it's less than a year old and you're the first and only registered owner. Uninsured driver promise If you're hit by an uninsured driver and it's not your fault, we'll cover your excess, and your No Claim Discount won't be affected. You'll need to give us the other driver's registration number, make and model. Vandalism promise If you make a claim for damage to your van that's a result of vandalism, ie damage caused by a malicious and deliberate act not by another vehicle, you won't lose your No Claim Discount. An excess applies. You'll need to give us a crime reference number. Small courtesy van If your van's being fixed by one of our approved repairers, we'll give you a small courtesy van to drive until yours is ready for the road. If you prefer to use your own repairer, or your van has been written off or stolen, you'll still get a small courtesy van for up to 21 days in a row. Excludes windscreen claims. Get a quote Third party, fire and theft This covers you if someone makes a claim against you, and if your van is stolen or damaged by fire. Third party liability cover Fire and theft cover Permanently-fitted vehicle audio cover (cover is unlimited if the audio is fitted as part of your van's standard equipment, otherwise cover is up to £1,000). Get a quote

How can I get cheaper van insurance?

Here are several ways that could help save you money on your premium and get the best van insurance. Size matters We're not suggesting you downsize more than is practical, but smaller vans tend to have lower insurance premiums. If you're driving a long-wheelbase van but aren't using all the space inside, it might be worth thinking about something smaller. It could bring your premium down, so you get the best van insurance deal available. Go green Bigger engines mean vans have more speed, and that increases the risk of them being involved in an accident - which pushes premiums up. Opting for smaller, more eco-friendly engines can bring van insurance costs down. Prove you're safe There are two things you can do to show you're a safe driver. Firstly, declare your No Claim Discount if you have one. Even if you've only been accident free for one or two years, it can bring your costs down. Secondly, consider taking up an insurer's offer to use telematics. These devices track how you drive and share that data with your insurer so they can see you're safe and responsible. Stay secure Thieves often target vans - especially unmarked ones. They might want what's inside, or the van itself, so adding extra security features can help you get the best van insurance. Alarms and immobilisers are just the start. Fitting a tracking device or security-etching it with unique codes could also help. And parking it securely in a garage or off the road overnight will also help. If you can't do that, empty your van every evening, and consider adding a sticker to make it clear to potential thieves that there are no tools inside. Manage your mileage The more your van is on the road the more likely it is to be involved in an accident. That's why having a higher yearly mileage can increase your insurance costs. Try to keep your mileage in check as much as possible, only driving absolutely necessary journeys. Log your miles accurately and give the correct number when it's time to renew. Rounding your mileage up might be less hassle but it could also bump up your premium. Designate drivers Having more drivers on an insurance policy may push up premiums. And if you have a young driver (under 25) or someone with a claims history, points or convictions named on the policy, then be ready for costs to increase. Before adding more named drivers, think carefully about whether they really need to be able to drive. Mind the mods Modified vans might look great, and may even perform better - but they're usually more expensive to insure. Not only are the modified parts hard and expensive to replace if they get damaged, but criminals are more likely to steal modified vans. These tips should help you save money on your insurance premiums, but there are other ways to keep costs down - whether your van is for private use or commercial.

What type of van insurance do I need?

Commercial van insurance is needed if you use your van or pick-up for your business. For example, moving tools, equipment and your own goods to varying locations as part of your usual working day. Private van insurance is for when you use a van as a personal vehicle only - but it will also cover you if you use your van for commuting. For example, if you have a van to take your dogs down to the local park, but also use it to drive to and from a single permanent place of work, private van insurance is what you need.

Do I need van insurance?

Van insurance is a legal requirement under the Road Traffic Act if you own or drive a van or pick-up, unless you declare the vehicle off-road (SORN) and keep it on private property. If you're pulled over by the police, they can issue you a fine and points on your licence for driving without insurance. But the penalty for driving without insurance doesn't necessarily stop there. If the case goes to court, you could face an unlimited fine and even disqualification from driving, which means putting a halt to your business activities. The police also have the power to seize and destroy your vehicle if you've driven it without insurance.

Can I add other drivers to my van insurance policy?

Yes, you can have up to 5 drivers on the policy inclusive of the policyholder.

Am I insured to drive my van abroad?

If you are driving in any of the countries listed in the policy booklet, your policy is automatically extended to provide the same level of cover as you have in the territorial limits for up to 90 days in every period of insurance. Your vehicle will also be covered during journeys between those countries by a recognised carrier.

Do I need a Green Card for my van post Brexit?

Please check general advice about driving your van in the EU after Brexit , or for more information about how Brexit will affect your van insurance click here .

Can I get more than one van on my insurance policy?

No, you can only have 1 vehicle on your van insurance policy. Simply get a quote for a new policy by clicking here .

How old do I need to be to have a van policy?

If you're aged 21 or older, and you've held a full UK driving licence for at least one year, you're able to take out van insurance with us. Just click here to get your online quote.

How can your job affect van insurance?

When changing your occupation, we suggest that you review your annual mileage and class of use at the same time. This is to make sure that you have the correct mileage and use, which may have changed due to your new job role.

How can I reduce the cost of van insurance?

There are a few ways to reduce your premiums from ensuring your van is secure to proving you're a safe driver. Read our 7 tips for lowering your premium .

What do I need to get a van insurance quote?

Before you start your van insurance quote, you'll need to have a few details to hand. You'll need to tell us your name, date of birth, address, driving history, what type of licence you hold and how long you've had your licence. Van registration number and details - We'll need to know the value of the vehicle, the number of seats the vehicle has, body type, annual mileage, modifications, the month and year the vehicle was purchased and the address where the van will be kept overnight. Driver details - We'll need each driver's name, occupation and driving history, including any claims and motoring offences they've had. Type of cover - You can choose between comprehensive cover, i.e. cover for repairs to your vehicle because of accidental damage, vandalism or an accident, or third-party fire & theft cover.

Van Insurance - Get A Quote That Won't Be On Comparison Sites

Here's what customers say about our commercial van insurance.

Choose your level of cover

You won't find our van insurance on comparison sites, so here's a quick summary of both our cover levels so you can choose which one is right for you.

Our best-selling comprehensive insurance

Small courtesy van
If an incident keeps your van off the road, we'll give you a small courtesy van, such as a Peugeot Partner, to use while we fix it. Or for up to 21 days in a row if it's written off or stolen.
Courtesy van for up to 21 days in a row if you use your own repairer. Excludes windscreen claims.

Uninsured driver promise
If you're hit by an uninsured driver and it's not your fault, we'll cover your excess, and your No Claim Discount won't be affected with us.
You'll need to give us the other driver's registration number, make and model.

Vandalism promise
If you make a claim for damage to your van that's a result of vandalism, you won't lose your No Claim Discount with us.
An excess applies. The damage can't have been caused by another vehicle. You'll also need to give us a crime reference number.

Get a quote

Our cover and benefits

No admin fees if you want to make changes to your policy.
Up to five named drivers on one policy.
Hotel expenses for an overnight stay
Up to £150 for the driver or £250 in total for all the people in your van if yours can't be driven after an accident or loss.
Medical expenses
Up to £100 per person.
Personal belongings cover
Up to £250.
Personal accident cover
Up to £5,000.
Tools and equipment cover
Up to £500.
Windscreen repair and replacement cover
Accidental damage cover
Third party liability cover
Fire and theft cover

Get a quote

Third party, fire and theft

This level of insurance provides cover if you injure other people or cause damage to their vehicles or property, as well as if your van is stolen or damaged by fire.

Third party liability cover
Fire and theft cover
Permanently-fitted vehicle audio cover
(Cover is unlimited if the audio is fitted as part of your van's standard equipment. Otherwise, the cover is up to £1,000).

Get a quote

Important information about your van insurance policy

We won't charge you admin fees if you want to make changes to your policy, but your price may go up or down due to any changes you make.

If you don't tell us about any changes in your circumstances between the date you buy the policy and the policy start date, or after the policy start date, it could invalidate all or part of your policy, and we might turn down claims or not pay them in full.

If you choose the convenience to renew automatically, your renewal price won't be any higher than if you choose to renew manually, or one given to a new customer with the same details. And you won't need to contact us next year to renew your policy, but you can switch to manual renewal online via webchat or by calling us.

If you don't select automatic renewal, you'll still get a renewal invite before your policy end date. However, cover will stop on the policy end date if you haven't contacted us to renew it.

Our cancellation and complaints procedures are detailed in the policy.

If you cancel your policy

Before it starts, we'll refund the premium you paid us in full.
Within 14 days of getting your documents or the start date of your policy (whichever is later), we'll refund the premium you paid us, minus a charge for the number of days we've insured your van for.
After those 14 days, we'll refund any premium paid for the remaining term of the policy, minus an admin fee for cancellation of £50.40 (including Insurance Premium Tax where applicable).

We'll calculate your premium using the information you give us. If you give us incorrect or inaccurate information, it could invalidate all or part of your policy, and we might turn down claims or not pay them in full.

You and we may choose which law will apply to this policy. Unless both parties agree otherwise, English law will apply. However, if you are resident in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney or the Isle of Man, the law of the island where you are resident will always apply to your policy and any dispute in relation to it will be within the jurisdiction of that island's relevant court. We'll supply this policy and other information to you in English and we'll continue to communicate with you in English.

We may ask for proof of your No Claim Discount (NCD). If we do, it must:

Have been earned in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) or the Republic of Ireland
Be from your previous UK or Irish insurer
Be written in English
Clearly show the NCD level in years rather than a percentage
Be in your name, as the policyholder, or in the name of the business (if the policyholder is a company)
Have been earned on either a van, a private car, a motorbike or a company vehicle (where you were the only user)
Be less than two years old

Insurance cover is subject to our standard policy wording.
Drivers must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid full UK or EU driving licence, and have lived in the UK for at least one year.