Worried that van insurance costs are too high? Whatever you use your van for, be it leisure or work, getting comprehensive cover for your vehicle at an affordable price is usually a priority.
As a specialist insurance broker, Adrian Flux is always looking to provide you with expert advice when it comes to saving money. Take a look at our top tips for getting the best deal on van insurance.
1. Park your van in a safe place
Always park your van with care, preferably off the road on a driveway or – better still – in a garage if you have one. This way, your van is less likely to be broken into and stolen, fall victim to vandalism, or be damaged by another vehicle and it may earn a discount on your insurance premium.
Picture: https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/
2. Make sure you use your no claims bonus
Your no claims bonus (NCB) can save you a good deal of money. Better yet, the savings continue each year with discounts on your van insurance, usually ranging from 30% to 60%.
Adrian Flux can offer protected NCB on policies where you have four or more years of NCB. This means, that even if you get into an accident and need to make a claim, your no claims bonus (and your discount) is left unaffected.
3. Agree on a higher voluntary excess
A voluntary excess is an extra amount you pay towards a claim against your policy. Most van insurance policies will include a standard excess, but adding extra voluntary excess may well reduce your premium. Just make sure you can afford to pay this should you need to make a claim.
4. Multi-vehicle insurance could save you money
If the van you’re looking to insure is a second vehicle, make sure you tell your insurance provider. If you insure both vehicles on a multi-vehicle insurance policy, this can help you save money compared to insuring them on two separate policies or with two different providers.
if your other vehicle is a car, we can still put both the van and your car on a multi-vehicle insurance policy. And when you combine this discount with the money you save from taking out a limited mileage policy or building up an NCB, it can make a huge difference.
The discount you get will depend on your specific circumstances and the vehicles you’re looking to insure.
If you know a low-risk driver who may use your van, like a family member or spouse, try adding them to your insurance policy as a named driver, especially if they’ve been driving for a long time without making a claim.
6. Get a limited mileage deal
The average annual mileage for a car in the UK is 10-12,000 miles, but if you do less than that, you may qualify for a limited mileage discount. Discounts are available for agreed mileages of 7,500, 5,000, 3,000 or 1,500 miles per year. Just remember to be honest, as going over the mileage your policy is based on can invalidate any claims.
Picture: https://business.renault.co.uk/
7. Don’t wait till the last minute to get a quote
Getting a quote at the last minute is often more expensive than getting one a few weeks in advance. It’s easy to put things off but get your van insurance quote as soon as you can to help save money. Companies are usually happy to quote up to one month before your actual renewal date so it’s worth giving them a call.
Extra security precautions, such as an alarm, immobiliser or tracker, may pay for themselves because they will likely earn you a generous discount on your annual van insurance. Make sure you shop for Thatcham approved security devices if you’re looking to get a discount.
9. A dashcam can help settle disputes and save you money
Dashcams can help settle a disputed claim and some policies give discounts for having a good quality camera fitted and working. Just make sure the dashcam you purchase is approved by your insurance provider.
10. Provide the true value of your vehicle
When a broker calculates a van insurance premium, they need to take into account what the vehicle is worth. They will rarely ask for proof, or inspect the vehicle for valuation purposes, so you must declare what you think it is worth. If you over-value the vehicle, your premium will be higher, but this doesn’t mean you get paid out more in the event of a claim.
All claims are assessed and the value of the vehicle at the time of the accident will be determined, regardless of what you said it was worth.
11. Pay for your van insurance annually
Paying for your van insurance on a monthly basis, or by credit card, might be easier, but you will be charged interest so it will work out to be more expensive. Paying annually could help you make significant savings on your van insurance.
Picture: https://www.ford.co.uk/vans-and-pickups
12. Talk to a broker
Don’t just use comparison sites or online quotes for your van insurance, because their quotes will be generated by a computer and can’t be altered.
By talking to a broker like Adrian Flux on the phone, you can make sure you’re answering all the questions correctly, and have someone on your side, helping you find ways to save you money and get the very best coverage. Staff have extensive training before going on the phone, making it easier for them to help you navigate getting the appropriate insurance.
Insuring your van
As mentioned above, talking to an insurance specialist like Adrian Flux can help you get the right van insurance for your needs. We also offer courier van insurance if you use your van professionally.
Call us on 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that suits you.
