Young driver van insurance

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Can I get van insurance as a young driver?

Yes, although young drivers’ van insurance policies tend to be expensive compared to the options available for those with more experience.

Young drivers are typically classed by insurers as anyone under the age of 25.

You legally need to insure your van before you drive it on the road. But you’ll still want to keep costs down if you can, so it pays to shop around and compare cover.

Young drivers' van insurance

How old do you have to be to get van insurance?

It’s possible to get van insurance for drivers as young as 17, but some insurers have higher minimum age limits.

Only 25% of 70 comprehensive goods-carrying vehicle policies on Defaqto would cover a driver from age 17. The minimum driver age was 21 on 38% of policies.[1]

The younger you are, the fewer insurers you’ll have to choose from and less choice can push the price up.

Levels of van insurance for young drivers

The levels of cover for young van drivers are the same as for any other driver.

As a young driver you might think that third party only will be the cheapest option as it’s the most minimal type of cover, but that’s often not the case. Make sure you compare and check whether you can get a higher level of cover for a lower price.

The three levels of cover are:

Third party only (TPO)

This is the minimum level of cover required by law. TPO covers injuries or damages to third parties only. It’s a low level of cover, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Insurers may charge these policyholders more because on paper they’re at a higher risk of making a claim

Third party fire and theft (TPFT)

TPFT covers you for damage and injury to third parties, plus fire damage or theft of your vehicle. If you opt for this level of cover, you’ll have to pay for your own van's repairs if you’re in an accident

Comprehensive

It’s the top level of protection, covering you for all of the above, as well as damage to your own van. Although it’s the highest level of cover, surprisingly it’s often the cheapest

How much does van insurance cost for young drivers?

Van insurance is typically more expensive the younger you are.

For those aged 17-20, the average annual cost of comprehensive van insurance was £2,055. For drivers aged 21-25 it was £598 – that’s 70% cheaper.*

As you build up experience and a no-claims bonus over the years, your van insurance premiums should get more affordable.

*The average purchase price for annual comprehensive van insurance policies purchased through GoCompare by drivers with a full driving licence in December 2020.

Why is insurance so much more expensive for young drivers?

You’re statistically more likely to be involved in a road accident when you’re young, so insurers charge more to cover that risk.

According to the road safety charity Brake, one in five drivers crash within a year of passing their test and more than 1500 young drivers are killed or seriously injured on UK roads every year.

Insurers also recognise that vans can be large, heavy and awkward to drive, so they prefer to cover drivers with more experience. They know that larger vehicles have the potential to cause more damage in an accident and will price policies accordingly.

So, if you’re aged 17-24 and looking for van insurance, you’ll need to shop around to make sure you get the best deal possible.

How can young drivers lower the cost of their van insurance?

Here are a few things you can do to make your van insurance cheaper:

  1. Buy a van in a low insurance group

    If you haven't chosen your van yet, vehicles in lower insurance groups are regarded by insurers as less risky to insure, which can help reduce the cost of your insurance

  2. Avoid modifications

    Altering your van, especially if it’s to improve performance, will lead to even higher premiums for young drivers

  3. Stay secure

    Some insurers will give you a discount for having security devices, like an alarm, immobiliser or tracker

  4. Buy only what you need

    Think about the level of cover you need and whether you want additional features, such as breakdown cover

  5. Extend your excess

    Increasing the amount of voluntary excess you’d pay if you made a claim can reduce the cost of your van insurance, but only do this if you can afford to pay it

  6. Add another driver

    Adding a more experienced driver to your policy can reduce the cost. Just don’t pretend that they’re the main driver instead of you – this is called fronting and it’s illegal

  7. Telematics policies

    A black box can be fitted to your van to monitor your driving. Your premiums are based on how well you drive, which could save you money at renewal time

  8. Compare

    Look at policies from different insurers and compare features to find the right van insurance for the right price

What’s the cheapest van to insure for young drivers?

When you’re a young, inexperienced driver, it can pay to choose a van with the smallest engine for your needs, with no modifications and which falls into a low insurance group.

You can find out what insurance group any van is in by using the Thatcham Research website’s vehicle search tool.

Small vans that fall into lower insurance groups include the VW Caddy, Vauxhall Combo, Citroën Berlingo, Fiat Doblo and Peugeot Partner. So, you may want to consider one of these if you want lower premiums.

Be warned that insurers will use a number of other factors to price your policy, including the van's value and modifications, plus your own personal details and driving history.

The best way to get a clear idea of prices is to get some quotes.

How to get a young driver van insurance quote

Here’s what you’ll need to compare quotes:

  • Van registration number and details including if the van has been modified, adapted or fitted with any optional extras, such as changes to bodywork, engine or wheels. Plus, information like what you use the van for, what the vehicle’s worth and where it’s kept overnight
  • Driver details - your name, age, full address, occupation and details of any previous claims or convictions
  • Type of cover - fully comprehensive, third party only or third party, fire and theft

Is there anything else that I need to know about getting van insurance?

You should consider whether you need any optional extras, like legal cover or access to a courtesy van.

This type of add-on can increase the cost of your policy, so try not to pay for things you don’t need or that you could buy cheaper separately.

Breakdown cover is a good example – it’s often cheaper to buy it on its own than bundled with your van insurance.

When comparing van insurance, look beyond the premium price. It’s just as important to check that a policy has the right cover features and what the exclusions are.

Make sure all the details you provide are correct too. Your cover could be invalid if you need to claim but have given the wrong information to the insurer.

Frequently asked questions

Statistics show that young drivers are much more likely to be involved in accidents than older motorists due to their age and inexperience, especially those who are overconfident in their ability to drive safely.

This overconfidence means some young drivers might take dangerous risks, like speeding, reckless overtaking, racing and tailgating.

It’s a really good idea to take an advanced driving course for young drivers. This sort of course helps newly qualified drivers become safer and more skilled on the roads.

You could specifically look at advanced/defensive van driver training courses, too. Courses include things like speed awareness, cornering and skid-control techniques, advanced mirror use, all-weather driving and how to handle a vehicle with loads.

Young van drivers could also benefit from black box insurance. This type of insurance policy (also known as telematics insurance) installs a small device in your van that monitors your driving style.

The safer your driving is, the lower your insurance premiums could be when you come to renew.

As the policyholder, you can keep tabs on how well you’re driving via an app or website. It shows you what aspects of your driving are safe and what might be considered unsafe or in need of improvement.

When you get a quote for your van, you need to let the insurer know how you use your vehicle, so you can be appropriately insured.

Choosing the correct ‘class of use’ is important as you may find a claim rejected if you haven’t told your insurer exactly how you use your van.

The different types of cover include:

Social, domestic and pleasure only

This is usually the cheapest type of cover which is for normal day-to-day driving.

But if you use your van for business you may need:

Carriage of own goods cover

Covers you for using your van for social, domestic and pleasure use, plus for travel to and from work and for using the van to transport related goods such as your own tools. This type of cover is usually suitable for professionals like plumbers, carpenters, gardeners, decorators, window cleaners or florists.

Carriage of goods for hire or reward

Extends cover to include the transport of goods for payment and would be suitable for a fast food, or a goods delivery driver who makes multiple drop-offs. Sometimes it’s called courier van insurance.

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[1]Last checked 27 February 2023