Private van insurance
Compare private van insurance quotes and find the right cover for the right price
What does private van insurance cover?
Private van insurance will cover you if you only drive your van for social reasons.
Social use includes:
- Going on holiday
- Shopping trips
- Taking part in hobbies and activities
Do I need private van insurance or business van insurance?
Using your van for commuting to work, carrying work tools, equipment or goods will mean you’ll need a commercial van insurance policy.
Getting the wrong insurance means you won’t be covered if you're involved in an accident.
If you’re not sure what kind of cover you need, we'll help you work out whether you need commercial or private van insurance.
Levels of private van insurance
The level of cover you get depends on the type of policy you choose.
Comprehensive cover
You’ll be covered for third party claims and damage to your vehicle in the event of fire, theft or an accident, whether you’re at fault or not
Third party, fire and theft (TPFT)
This includes cover for third party claims and for your own van for loss or damage due to fire or theft
Third party only (TPO)
TPO insurance is the minimum amount of cover required by law. It only pays for third party claims, not for damage to yourself or your van.
Van insurance usage categories work differently to car insurance
Private van insurance won’t cover you for commuting or anything related to business or making money
How much is private van insurance?
Average cost of fully comprehensive van insurance, by type of use:
£572: Social use only
£565: Carriage of own goods
£1515: Goods for hire and reward
£1464: Haulage*
If you have carriage of own goods cover, you’re transporting tools or other valuable equipment in the van. If you have goods for hire and reward protection, you’re transporting items and packages for delivery.
Van insurance can be more expensive because:
- Opportunistic thieves could break in to steal the goods stored in the van and you’d need to claim
- You’re on unfamiliar roads more, so more likely to have a traffic accident
However, if you’re driving a van for social reasons only, there’s very little cost difference between van and car insurance.
*The average purchase price for annual comprehensive van insurance policies purchased through GoCompare by drivers with a full driving licence in January 2022.
What policy add-ons can you get with private van insurance?
Policies vary, but insurers generally have extra cover options for:
-
Equipment
the work tools and equipment you keep in your van, up to a certain limit
-
Courtesy vehicles
if your van is out of action, you’ll be offered a temporary replacement
-
Legal costs
solicitor’s fees and other legal expenses
-
Keys and windscreen
if your keys and windscreen are damaged or if you lose your keys
-
Personal accidents
the cost of injuries sustained in an accident or if it results in your death
-
Breakdowns
the cost of recovery and repairs
-
Driving abroad
driving in the EU, usually for up to 90 days per trip
Van driving licences for private use
It’s a legal requirement to have a valid driving licence for the type of van you drive.
Light goods vehicles (LGVs) - vans weighing less than 3,500kg and with a maximum of nine seats (including the driver's) - can be driven with a standard car (Cat B) driving licence.
To drive a vehicle weighing up to 7,500kg, you’d need a Cat C1 licence.
If you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997, your licence will not include Cat C1 and you would need to apply for your C1 provisional licence and sit the test.
Cut the cost of private van insurance
As well as comparing a range of quotes to find the right cover, there are other ways you can save on your van insurance:
- Upgrade your vehicle security by getting an immobiliser or tracking device
- Minimising your mileage, for example, why drive to the shops if it’s close enough to walk?
- If you can afford it, paying a higher excess can lead to cheaper insurance
- Pay annually rather than monthly
- Don’t modify your van if you don’t need to – even a simple roof-rack is classed as a modification
- Take an advanced driving course to gain experience
Read our complete guide on finding cheaper van insurance.
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Motorbike insurance*Based on average price paid for fully comprehensive social, carriage of own goods, goods for hire and reward, and haulage, purchased through GoCompare in July 2020, and based on average price paid for fully comprehensive car insurance purchased through GoCompare in July 2020