Private van insurance

Compare private van insurance quotes and find the right cover for the right price

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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.  

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:

£328: Social use only

£382: Carriage of own goods

£1,137: Goods for hire and reward

£916: 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 2023.

How much is private van insurance?

What policy add-ons can you get with private van insurance? 

Policies vary, but insurers generally have extra cover options for:

  1. Equipment

    the work tools and equipment you keep in your van, up to a certain limit

  2. Courtesy vehicles

    if your van is out of action, you’ll be offered a temporary replacement

  3. Legal costs

    solicitor’s fees and other legal expenses

  4. Keys and windscreen

    if your keys and windscreen are damaged or if you lose your keys

  5. Personal accidents

    the cost of injuries sustained in an accident or if it results in your death

  6. Breakdowns

    the cost of recovery and repairs

  7. Driving abroad

    driving in the EU, usually for up to 90 days per trip

Get private van insurance that suits your needs for a price that suits your budget

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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.  

How to get private van insurance

You can compare private van insurance quotes with us. We just need to know a few things:

  1. The make and model of your van, or the registration number if you know it

  2. Details about your van – any modifications or signage, it’s estimated market value and usage (for private van insurance, choose ‘social only’)

  3. About you - your address and date of birth

  4. Your driving history, licence details and whether you want to add another driver to the policy

  5. What level of cover you want, when you want it to start and whether you want to pay annually or monthly

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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. 

Van insurance guides and tools

All guides and tools

*The average purchase price for annual comprehensive van insurance policies purchased through GoCompare by drivers with a full driving licence in January 2023.