Van insurance

At A-Plan we are passionate about delivering great value to our clients. Every year our teams of dedicated and experienced staff help nearly 350,000 motorists get, not just cheap van insurance, but also the right level of cover, all backed up by friendly and helpful service.

Van owners want cheap insurance but also understand the need to buy the right level of cover, because getting it wrong can affect their livelihood. A quick and efficient claims service is also imperative.

As one of the largest van insurance brokers in the UK, we maintain an insurance panel that specialises in providing the right cover and great claims service. And because we are so experienced in this market we have access to deals that no one else has.

We also run a number of special insurance schemes for trade and retail businesses, so the chances are that we have a scheme specially designed for your business.

Whether you use your van for work or at home, it’s vital to take out adequate van insurance for your vehicle. Not only is it the law to do so, but should anything happen to it, you’ll want the reassurance that the costs will be covered. You’ll also want the peace of mind that it will be back on the road with minimal impact to your everyday life and business. Find out more about insuring your van by using some of our van insurance guide below:

Different Types of Van Insurance Cover

Whether you have one van or a whole fleet of them, you’ll want to know that your business is protected should the worst happen. You’ll also be needing a fast claims process so that you can get your van back in action as quickly as possible. You’ll get all of that with van insurance cover from A-Plan, and we offer several levels of van insurance cover with our specialist van insurance. Here’s a handy guide to help you understand what protection you’ll get from different levels of van insurance cover.

Third party

Third party van insurance cover is the cheapest level, meeting the minimum legal insurance requirements and covering costs to the victim of any damage or medical treatment needed as a result of an accident caused by your van. However, you would still need to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your van if it was stolen or involved in an accident.

Third party, fire and theft

In addition to the cover you’d get from third party van insurance, third party, fire and theft gives you additional protection by covering you if your van is stolen or damaged in a fire.

Fully comprehensive

This is the highest level of van insurance. If you choose a fully comprehensive van insurance policy, you’ll have the peace of mind that your insurance will cover not just the victim’s costs, if applicable, but also the costs of repairing or replacing your van, even if the accident was your fault.

Optional extra cover

You can also add on some optional extras to get even more from your van insurance cover. These include tools insurance and goods in transit insurance to protect the contents of your van, and breakdown cover so that you can call for help if your van breaks down when you’re out on a job.

Van insurance groups explained

There are twenty van insurance groups in total, the cheapest being level one. Each van is assigned to an insurance group based on a number of factors that determine how much your insurance company is likely to have to pay out in the event of your van being in an accident. Just like with a car, these factors include the size, weight and performance of the van, its value and how much it will cost to carry out repairs to it.

While van insurance groups are a big part of how premiums are calculated, they aren’t the only factor that affects the price of your van insurance. That means that it doesn’t necessarily follow that buying a van in a lower insurance group will keep your insurance cheap. For instance, your premium will also be influenced by factors such as where you park your van, how many miles you’re likely to do in it, whether the van is modified, and how much of an excess you’re willing to pay, not to mention your own driver profile and any no claims bonus you hold.

It’s important to remember that insurers also take into account your intended use of the van, with some uses costing more than others. For instance, your premium will differ based on factors such as whether you’re using the van for transporting your own possessions, or using it for a business purpose. There are even different policies for different business uses, such as for tradespeople or couriers.

Classic van insurance

As the owner of a classic van, you will want to make sure it is adequately insured. However, many classic car insurers will not offer quotes for classic van insurance and many specialist van insurers will not quote for classic vehicles! You end up caught in the crossfire of how insurance companies define a classic van.

Even if you do find a provider of classic van insurance, you may find that the price you are quoted is a lot higher than you expected. Unless you are dealing with someone with the correct expertise, many insurance companies find it difficult to make an accurate valuation or they end up recommending an unsuitable policy that won’t cover you in the event of making a claim.

How to get classic van insurance

A-Plan runs a number of specialist classic van insurance schemes for vintage enthusiasts. We are able to pick the best policy for your needs from our panel of classic van insurers, searching through the different age classifications and terms and conditions to get you the best deal. For example, some insurers will define a classic van as over 20 years old, while others, the limit is 25 years. More importantly, however, is how you intend to use the vehicle, how rare it is and whether there have been any modifications.

If you intend to use your classic van for commercial purposes, you will need a policy that covers you for business use. If it is used just for fun, a different insurance classification will apply. The risks of attending events and rallies also need to be considered.

You may also want to think about an agreed-value policy. Rather than paying out market value in the event of a claim, the policy is calculated to cover your classic van to a value determined between yourself, the insurer and an independent valuer. At our Thatcham Schemes specialist centre, the team knows this market inside out and understands the particular requirements of classic van enthusiasts. As many of our staff are classic vehicle fans and owners themselves, you can be sure you are dealing with someone who knows almost as much about your van as you do and that we will get you the best cover available.

Private van insurance

Vans may be thought of as commercial vehicles, but they have lots of uses for private drivers as well. Whether you’re moving house, doing a big trip to the tip or taking your child to university, you’ll want to have the peace of mind that your van has the right level of insurance cover if anything happens to it. At A-Plan, we’re one of the UK’s largest private van insurance brokers. We work with a hand-picked panel of private van insurers, with access to exclusive deals so that you can be confident you’re getting the best price on a policy that meets your needs. What’s more, our fast claims process means that if the worst should happen to your van, you’ll have it back on the road in no time.

Shop around for private van insurance 

When you’re shopping around for private van insurance, it’s important to check the details of each policy carefully, rather than comparing policies purely on the price. This is because there are different policies covering different intended uses of your van, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right kind of cover.

There are also several levels of private van insurance cover, starting with basic third party van insurance. Add extra cover with third party, theft and fire, or for complete peace of mind opt for fully comprehensive private van insurance to make sure your van is completely covered. You can even bolt on breakdown cover so that you can call for help if your van breaks down while you’re out on the road.

Short-term van insurance

Vans are versatile vehicles, and that means there are lots of different situations when you might need to use one for a bit. You could be moving a big item of furniture or moving house over a day, a week or a month. You could even be a business that owns a van but only uses it for short periods at a time. In these situations, we understand that it’s not always necessary to take out a full year’s insurance, and that’s why we offer short-term van insurance.

As one of the UK’s largest van insurance brokers, we work with a panel of hand-selected van insurers to bring you the best deals on short term van insurance. With our speedy claims process, you’ll also have the reassurance that if something happens to your van, it won’t take long to get it put right.

How to get short-term van insurance

Short-term van insurance gives you extra flexibility and saves you money, as you don’t have to pay to insure the van for a whole year when you’re only using it for a short time.

When you compare short-term van insurance quotes, it’s important to read the details of each policy carefully to make sure that you’ll be covered for your intended use of the van. For example, there are different policies for different kinds of commercial van use, such as retail or trade. You can also purchase optional extras, like tools insurance, goods in transit insurance or even breakdown cover. To find a short term van insurance policy that’s right for you, call us and talk to one of our expert van insurance advisors.

Get the best deal on your van insurance

Choosing the right level of insurance cover for your van or vans can be confusing, but we’re here to help. At A-Plan, we have the experience and contacts that come from being one of the UK’s largest van insurance brokers. We do the hard work of comparing deals so that you don’t have to, so you can be confident that a van insurance quote from us will give you the right cover, at the right price. Get in touch today and talk to one of our insurance experts for a van insurance quote tailored to your needs.