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VanGadgets have spent a lot of time researching the top UK van insurance companies and have compiled the above list as one-stop van insurance shop for our customers and also new visitors to the VanGadgets website. We hope you'll be pleased with the results and welcome any feedback that you might have regarding these companies :)
Why compare van insurance?
Van insurance allows the policy holder to drive a van up
to a maximum weight of 3.5tonnes, within any UK or EU member
states highways. Van insurance is also known as Commercial
vehicle insurance or Commercial van insurance. It is a legal
requirement within the UK to have valid van insurance cover
to enable you to drive your van on the public
highway/motorway.
How can I find the cheapest van insurance?
Every van driver wants to find the cheapest van insurance
but the key point here is to do your research first! As well
as looking at the extras, look at the basic entitlements a
policy has to offer you. A basic rule of thumb is don't cut
corners, by NOT doing this, your time will be rewarded and
you will save money on your van insurance policy :)
Van Insurance UK
There are also many types of policy available, ranging
from temporary cover through to tool insuarnce and van fleet
insurance. You might find that tool insurance is covered
within the policy but some UK insurers will require an
addtional payment to secure this, always ask first. Some
policies may also allow you to add additional drivers at a
very reasonable rate but others may exclude additional
drivers from the policy! If it is unclear, always ask.
Insurance for Vans
Another option is to look for brokers that deal
specifically with vans and commercial vehicle vehicles HGV
PSV and so on. You could find that these types of van
insurance policy have a greater range of benefits and are
also more specific to your requiremants. Van insurance
brokers such as
Vannet,
AXA,
Cornhill,
Norwich Union to name but a few, are always
worth trying first of all.
Van Insurance Quotes
Taking the time to find the best van insurance quote may
take a little time! Shop around, try the Internet first of
all! Sear engines such as Google are a fantastic place to
start. Alternatively, try a broker, possibly a local one for
advice. Getting the best quote is not the be all and end of
it though! Make sure the policy is rright for you or your
company as Insurance deals on offer do vary in a big
big way. Online van insurance deals are in abundance these
days so shop around.
Van Insurance Quote
Any van driver seeking cheaper van
insurance may log on to the Internet and search through
website after website to find the best deals. Try the big
names but also take a look at the smaller van insurance
websites to get a good deal, there are lots to be had. Get
the van insurance quote you deserve by looking hard and
putting a few hours into the research. Get as much
information as possible in order to secure the cheapest van
cover you can. There are also lots of specialist companies
that can provide you free quotations and support and advice.
Tailor made policy cover services are a good place to find
the best deal for any van drivers in The UK.
Cheap Van Insurance UK
Always look for the best offer you can as cheap van insurance for all van
drivers of the UK. Cover for use abroad is available, if you
pay an extra premium, your van insurance can be extended to
provide the same level of cover in the European Union and
some other European countries as you have in the Territorial
Limits. If you want to extend your van insurance policy, you must
contact the broker at least 7 days prior to leaving the uk
and they will provide
all the necessary documents for your travel abroad.
Compare Commercial Van Insurance
The UK van
insurance market and the providers of UK van insurance means
that there are a lot of insurers within the UK offering
options, deals and so on. Compare. The massive UK market for
these services means that every driver has the best choice
to compare van insurance than ever before. Existing policy
holders can search for a better deal, the same way
householders look for a better offer with their mortgages.
The quality of the cover should always researched thoroughly
before signing on the dotted line. Check, compare and always
ask if you don't understand. Get the cover and commercial
vehicle policy you require.
Small Van Insurance Services...
Car-derived Vans
Car-derived vans (CDVs) or small vans are
normally standard passenger cars with a load
area instead of rear seats and solid panels
instead of rear side windows. Being based on
cars they are comparatively refined to drive,
deliver good fuel economy and good in motorway,
town and country use. The major limitation of
this type of van is an inability to carry heavy
or bulky loads. Examples include the Fiat Punto
and Vauxhall Astravan.
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Light Vans (Hi-cubes)
Light vans or hi-cubes offer a similar wheelbase
to CDVs but can carry more load in terms of
volume and weight. The original hi-cubes where
based on the front of a three-door hatchback
with a high cubic load space behind. More recent
models have been designed with a single space
which offers a more generous cab. This type of
van is generally fuel efficient, easy to
manoeuvre and easier to drive than a panel van
and most suited to carrying small to medium
loads. Examples include the Ford Transit
Connect, Renault Kangoo and Vauxhall Combo.
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Small Panel Vans
Small panel vans fall between light vans and
large panel vans. The latest models are quite
refined and fuel efficient and offer a good
balance between load carrying ability and ease
of driving at reasonable operating costs. It may
be worth considering whether you only
occasionally need the larger load areas of a
large panel van if so then it may be that you
should run a small panel van and hire the larger
van when you require.
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Large Panel Vans
The large panel van category covers a wide range
of shapes and sizes. Generally there are three
roof heights low roof (LR) or standard roof
(SR), medium roof (MR) and high roof (HR) and
three lengths short wheelbase (SWB), medium
wheelbase (MWB) and long wheelbase (LWB).
However, the way different manufacturers
classify these shapes and sizes varies and what
is a MWB from one manufacturer may be a LWB from
another manufacturer so you need to check the
dimensions. Large panel vans are high-volume,
heavy-duty workhorses offering decent fuel
economy. Examples include the Citroen Relay,
Renault Master, Ford Transit and Mercedes
Sprinter.
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Pick-ups
All pick-ups have an open load area behind the
cab but can be subdivided by the type of cab.
Single cabs have two doors and two seats, super
cabs have two doors with two front seats plus a
rear bench seat or two individual seats and
double cabs typically have four doors and four
seats. Most pick-ups are four-wheel-drive and
although this can be good for rugged terrain
they can be a bit unrefined on the road. Double
cabs prove particularly popular with drivers who
need a large open load area (although solid
covers are usually an option) and still want a
luxurious cab. There may also be a case for
driving a pick-up instead of a company car to
reduce the tax bill but be warned that your
local taxman increasingly frowns on this.
Examples of pick-ups include the Ford Ranger,
Mitsibushi L200 and Nissan Pick-up. Smaller
pick-ups from Proton (the Jumbuck) and Suzuki
(the Carry pick-up) are also available.
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Chassis Cabs
Chassis cabs are cabs on a bare chassis base
which may then be customised with the body you
want. Common variants include tippers, flatbeds,
dropsides and Lutons (Box vans) but if you have
a specific use in mind and none of these is a
good fit then there is probably a way of
bespoking a chassis cab for the job. Examples
include the Renault Master, Ford Transit, Iveco
Daily and Mercedes Sprinter.
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Minibuses
Minibuses are normally panel vans which have
been converted and fitted with seats. The number
of seats varies with the wheelbase of the
original platform but is typically 12, 13 or 17.
Its important to note that under most
circumstances a PCV licence is needed for
minibuses with nine or more seats. (contact the
DVLA for more information www.dvla.gov.uk).
Further conversions such as wheel chair lifts or
ramps are possible. Examples include the Fiat
Ducato, Renault Master, Ford Transit and
Mercedes Sprinter.
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Van insurance Cover Types
Van insurance comes in three different levels of cover.
Fully comprehensive van insurance, Third party fire and
theft van insurance and Third party only van insurance.
Third Party Only cover This is the
most basic van insurance and covers your liability for death
or bodily injury to a third party (including other occupants
of your vehicle) and your liability for damage to third
party property. Details will be shown with your on-line van
insurance quotation.
Third Party Fire and Theft cover This
covers against third party risks as described above plus the
risk of fire and theft in connection with your vehicle in
accordance with relevant policy terms. Some insurers will
provide cover for the contents and the audio equipment of
the vehicle, details will be provided with your on-line van
insurance quotation.
Comprehensive cover This includes the
Third Party Fire and Theft cover, as well as loss of or
damage to your vehicle caused by accidental or malicious
damage. Comprehensive cover usually includes some personal
accident benefit in respect of personal injury to you or
your death (please refer to your policy terms for details).
Theft cover for the contents of your vehicle is provided by
most insurers but only to a specified amount and subject to
policy terms. Details will be shown with your on-line van
insurance quotation.
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