Is my van insured?

It’s easy to lose track of your van insurance details, especially if you’ve recently switched providers or taken out temporary cover. Driving without insurance isn’t just risky; it’s illegal and can lead to hefty fines, penalty points, and even losing your licence.

This guide walks you through the quickest ways to check if your van is insured, how to confirm who your insurer is, and what to do if you’re not covered. Ready to make sure you’re covered? Let’s get started.

What's covered

• How do I check my van is insured
• Can I check if someone else's van is insured?
• Who is my van insured with with? 6 ways to check
• How do I find out when my van insurance runs out?
• What happens if my van isn’t insured?
• FAQs

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How do I check my van is insured?

The easiest way to check if your van is insured is by using the Motor Insurance Database (MID) tool, Navigate (formerly AskMID). This national database contains information on all vehicles insured in the UK.

You can access Navigate here

Navigate is managed by the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) and is accessible to all registered vehicle owners in the UK. It is also used by insurers, the police and the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) to enforce motor insurance laws.

To use it, simply select 'Personal check', enter your vehicle registration number, and the system will confirm whether your vehicle is insured.

Note: This tool is only used to check the insurance status of your vehicle, and does not provide information about your policy details or insurer.

Can I check if someone else's van is insured?

You can also use Navigate if you need to check the insurance status of someone else's vehicle by selecting 'Third party check'. You'll need to provide the following information:

• Your name

• Your reference or initials

• Your email address

• Your involvement in the accident

• Your registration number

• Third party registration number

• Accident date

This option is intended solely for accident-related checks and should only be used when needed, not on a regular basis.

Who is my van insured with? 6 ways to check

If you know that your van is insured but unsure of your insurance company, there are several ways to find out:

1. Search your email

When you take out a policy, insurers usually send your documents electronically so you should be able to find them in your inbox.
Search for terms like “certificate of insurance”, “policy”, “premium”, or even your vehicle registration number. If you suspect a specific insurer, search their name too. Don’t forget to check spam, junk, or archived folders.

2. Check your paperwork

If you received hard copies or printed your policy, it may be filed with other important documents.

3. Check bank statements or contact your bank

Consider how you pay for your insurance premiums. Check your recent bank statements or credit card statements and look for payments made to an insurance provider.

If the insurer’s name isn’t clear, call your bank and they'll help you trace the recipient.

4. Contact your broker

If you remember your broker but not the insurer, give them a call and they can confirm your policy details.

5. Log into comparison sites

If you used a comparison site, sign in to check your saved quotes. This may reveal your insurer.

6. Submit a data request to the MIB

If you submit a data request to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, they can provide details about your insurance history and help you identify your provider. To do this, you'll need to provide copies of ID for proof of identity and address.

Note: Most requests are processed free of charge, though more complex ones may involve a small fee.

How do I find out when my van insurance runs out?

In the UK, most van insurance policies renew automatically, unless you've taken out temporary van insurance. The easiest way to find out your renewal date (or expiry date) is by checking your policy documents, which will clearly state the policy's start and end date.

Insurance providers will normally send you a renewal reminder near your policy expiry date, so be sure to check your emails or post regularly.

What happens if my van isn’t insured?

If you find out you're uninsured, you need to arrange van insurance immediately. Driving on any UK public road without at least third-party cover is illegal. Penalties for driving without insurance can include:

• A £300 fixed fine and six points on your licence

• Police may seize your vehicle and, in some cases, destroy it

• If taken to court, you could face an unlimited fine and a driving ban

Remember: Even if the van is insured, you might not be covered to drive it. If you're driving someone else’s car, make sure you're either added as a named driver or take out temporary insurance.

You only don’t need insurance in a few cases, and these apply when you’re not driving:

• When the van is between registered keepers: you'll need to insure it once you take ownership.

• If you’ve declared your van as off the road: with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

• If your van is scrapped, written off, or stolen: you'll need to inform the DVLA and your insurer as soon as possible.

This is a marketing article from Howden Insurance. The information in this guide is intended for general guidance only and is accurate at time of publication.

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