Van insurance
You could save up to £148 when you compare van insurance with us.[1]
On average, our customers paid £357 for their motorbike policy[2]
4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 1,000+ reviews[2]
[1]Price saving of £148 is based on policies bought through Go.Compare between October and December 2024 where customers provided their renewal price.
Compare van insurance in 3 simple steps
Finding the right van insurance couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is share a few details and we’ll find your quotes.
1
Tell us about you and your van
Enter a few details about you and your van, including your name, address and your van’s make and model.
2
Choose your cover
Select the level of cover you’d want, from third-party to comprehensive, plus any add-ons for extra peace of mind.
3
Get quotes and see if you can save
Get your quotes then choose the policy that suits your needs and budget. You could beat your renewal quote by up to £148.[1]
Get quotes from top UK van insurers
There are over 50 van insurance providers on our panel for you to compare quotes from, including:[3]
Join over 1000 customers who've compared van insurance and rated us on average[2]
4.7 out of 5
Compare van insurance quotes and see if you could save
Make sure you’re getting the right cover for you, for the right price
What level of van insurance do I need?
There are three levels of van insurance to choose from. Legally, you only need third party cover, but it won’t protect you or your van if you’re in an accident. Compare different types of policies to find the level of cover you feel most comfortable with.
Third party only (TPO)
This is the minimum level of cover you need to legally drive your van. This covers:
- Injuries or damages to third parties and their property
- There is no cover for you or your van
Just because it’s the most basic cover, don’t assume it’ll be the cheapest – compare the cost of all types before buying.
Third party, fire and theft (TPFT)
A third party, fire and theft policy offers a little more protection than third party only.
- Costs as a result of damage or injury you cause to third parties and their property
- Repairs and replacements if your van is stolen or damaged in a fire
Comprehensive
This is the highest level of cover you can get. It usually covers:
- Repair or replacement costs if your van is damaged in an accident
- Repair or replacement costs if your van is stolen or catches fire
- Damage caused to other people, their vehicles, or their property
How much does van insurance cost?
Our research showed that the median price paid for van insurance is £462.[4]
But prices vary depending on how you use your van. For example, social-only van insurance is £403, while the median annual price for carriage of own goods is £505.*[4]
The median price climbed considerably to £1,383 for hire and reward.
Your own quotes will depend on your own personal circumstances. Insurers will look at things like:
- Your age
- Your vehicle
- What you use your van for
- Where you park your van
- How much you drive your van
- When you’re most often driving your van
- Your driving history
*[4]The median price paid for comprehensive van insurance policies purchased through GoCompare by types of use between October 2024 and December 2024.
Why is my van insurance more expensive?
A report from Consumer Intelligence reveals that van insurance premiums increased by 1.6% between February 2024 and February 2025.[5] This is a very small increase compared to the inflation-driven figures that we saw throughout 2024. In fact, the three months to February 2025 have seen quoted premiums fall by 0.8% as competition has increased and providers have started to cut rates.
Don’t forget, your own individual circumstances play a big role in how insurers price for your risk. Whether you’ve moved, switched jobs, or made a claim, these could all have an impact on the premium you pay and how it compares to last year’s price.
Don’t settle for your insurer’s renewal price if it’s gone up or even stayed level. With prices falling, comparing quotes from different providers could be a great way to make a saving on your van insurance.
Tom Banks – Motor insurance expert
How could I get cheaper van insurance?
Here’s six ways you could make your van insurance cheaper:
1
Pay for the year upfront
If you can afford it, it’s always cheaper to pay for your insurance in one go
2
Limit your mileage
Avoid unnecessary trips where possible, but be honest with your estimate
3
Avoid modifications
Try to avoid modifying your van. Modified vans usually cost more to insure
4
Improve security
Adding alarms, trackers and immobilisers can lower your premiums.
5
Park your van safely overnight
If you’ve got a garage or driveway, make use of it if you can.
3
No-claims discount
The longer you go without making a claim, the bigger the discount you’ll get
For more tips, check out our guide on how to cut the costs of your van insurance.
Add-ons for van insurance
There are plenty of extras you can add to your van insurance. Some you’ll pay extra for, while others are included as standard, depending on the insurer.
They all add up, so only add the bits you really want or need.
Breakdown cover
It can be cheaper to buy your breakdown cover separately from your van insurance, so make sure you’re getting value for money by comparing the price offered by your van insurer to buying standalone cover.
Courtesy van cover
If your van’s damaged because of an accident, your insurer can provide a courtesy van while yours is being repaired.
Misfuelling cover
Covers the cost of draining and cleaning your tank if you’ve put in the wrong type of fuel.
It probably won’t cover the cost of damage to your engine if you drive away.
Employer's liability insurance
Employers’ liability cover protects you against the cost of compensation claims due to employee illness or injury because of their work for you.
It’s a legal requirement if your business employs one or more people.
Legal expenses
Motor legal protection helps you claim from the person responsible if you’re involved in an accident and it’s not your fault.
It’ll also help to pay to defend a claim brought against you.
No claims discount protection
For every year you drive claim-free, you’ll get a no claims discount on your van insurance.
It’s valuable and has such an impact on the price of your insurance that you can protect it. That way, if you need to claim, it won’t reduce your no claims history.
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance can help cover the cost of paying compensation if a member of the public claims against your business for personal injury, damage to their property in your workplace, or injury or damage caused during the day-to-day running of your business.
Tools cover
Tools in transit insurance will cover your tools and equipment while it’s being driven around, loaded and unloaded. You’re also usually covered if your tools are kept in the vehicle overnight, as long as it’s alarmed and parked securely.
Classes of van use
Your type of van insurance is defined in more detail than for car insurance. You’ll need to work out whether you need commercial or private insurance first. Then, the type of cover you need depending on how you use your van.
Haulage
This is cover for delivering large loads over long distances, including your goods in transit. Haulage cover is for single destinations only, so if you make multiple drops, courier insurance is needed. Social use cover is also included.
Courier
Known as ‘carriage of goods for hire and reward’, this covers paid delivery of other people’s goods or property. It’s usually for deliveries in a localised area, with additional cover for the goods you transport. Social use is included too.
Carriage of own goods
If you use your van to get to work, you’ll need this cover. You can get extra cover for your tools or goods, but you’ll need to let the insurer know what you carry, as unspecified items won’t be covered. Social use is included.
Social use
This is for normal day-to-day driving, like visiting friends and family or doing the shopping. It won’t cover commuting – not even to a single place of work.
More van insurance cover options
The type of cover and van insurance you can get are varied. You’ll still need to tell insurers how you use your van – whether that’s commercial or private use, and with or without goods in transit.
But there are other types of policies that might work out better for you or your business.
Vehicle fleet insurance
If you run a business with more than one vehicle, this cover could be for you. It usually works out cheaper than insuring your workforce and each van or car separately.
Make sure you’ve got the right protection for your prized motor. Lower mileage discounts are typical for private use and commercial classics can get cover too.
The type of cover you’ll need for a minibus or MPV depends on the vehicle and usage, just like any van.
If your car has a front cab and an open cargo area, you’ll usually need van insurance. They’re very rarely classed as cars by insurers.
You can also get telematics insurance – commonly called black box policies – for your van, where the cost of your premium is based on how well you, or your employees, drive.
One-day, short-term or temporary van insurance for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) is handy if you only need cover for a short while.
Why compare van insurance with us?
Reviews from our customers
Here’s what customers had to say about our service:
Renewed with same company as last year but a little cheaper.
Mr C Schofield
Very pleased and happy with the insurance I purchased. Very competitive price.
Pamela Smith
Excellent service and very competitive price.
Alan Drinkwater
Very good and very useful. I found the right van insurance, cheaper and quickly.
Mr Navarro
Frequently asked questions
What is van insurance?
Van insurance protects you, your van and its contents from things like motor accidents, burglaries and fires.
It’s a legal requirement to have van insurance, just like with cars. But van insurance is different from car insurance, particularly if you use your van for business or commuting.
The type of van insurance you need depends on what you use your van for:
- Business van insurance covers your van and your possessions when commuting to and from work.
- Private van insurance covers you and your van for social use only – like driving to the shops, or visiting family or friends.
Do I need van insurance?
Yes. It’s a legal requirement to have at least third party only (TPO) cover for your van. Plus, you need to work out whether you need a private or commercial policy to make sure your usage is suitably covered.
But whether you pick a higher level of cover than TPO or add any optional extras is totally up to you.
What’s the difference between commercial and private van insurance?
Private van insurance is for ‘social use only’ – driving to see friends, do the shopping, etc. Unlike car insurance, there’s no ‘social and commuting’ class of use for van insurance.
So even if you commute to a single workplace, and you’re employed rather than self-employed, you’ll need commercial insurance.
There are three main types of commercial van insurance to choose from:
- Carriage of own goods
- Hire and reward
- Courier and haulage
Our awards and accreditations
We’re chuffed to say we’ve received some snazzy recognition since we started in 2006. Here’s a bit more about our awards and accreditations:
We’re authorised and regulated by the FCA, which oversees financial services firms and markets in the UK. That means you can compare quotes and get cover with confidence.
We hear you – ‘But you’re not an insurer?’ you say. And you’re right. But our shared goal of doing right by customers is why we’re the only comparison site to be invited to join them.
We work with the IFB to fight against fraud in the insurance industry. We use their specialist fraud intelligence and data to improve our systems and raise awareness of scams.
Motorbike insurance guides
Page last updated: 08 April 2025
Page reviewed by Tom Banks
[1]Price saving of £148 is based on policies bought through Go.Compare between October and December 2024 where customers provided their renewal price.
[2]Based on Trustpilot: Our average rating of 4.6 out of 5 is from 1,337 people who left a review for van insurance comparison only. Last checked 07 April 2025.
[3]As of 2 April 2025, there are 54 active van insurers on the panel at GoCompare.
*[4]The median price paid for comprehensive van insurance policies purchased through GoCompare by types of use between October 2024 and December 2024.
[5]According to Consumer Intelligence, last checked 27 March 2025.