Your guide to multi van insurance

Whether you're a small business - be that a tradesperson, courier or furniture mover - or simply a van enthusiast who loves fishing or surfing, you might want to consider multi van insurance. Insuring more than one van under one policy makes life easier and could actually save you money. In this guide we will break down everything you need to know about multi van insurance, including the type of cover available, the types of vans you can insure to how to find the best value cover.

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What is multi van insurance?

Multi van insurance is a type of insurance that covers multiple vans under a single policy. It works in the same way as standard van insurance and is typically used by people who own or operate multiple vans. Insuring all your vans under a single policy eliminates the hassle of having to remember multiple renewal dates or providers - one policy simplifies everything with a single renewal price and date.

Who needs multi-van insurance?

A multi-van insurance policy is a practical choice - whether your vans are for personal or business use, it consolidates everything under one plan, making life simpler. Here are some examples of who might benefit from it:

Business owners

Companies that rely on delivery vans, or multiple vans for trade work or transport can simplify their insurance management by covering all vehicles under one policy.

Depending on the nature and size of your business, you may benefit more from fleet insurance, which is more suitable for businesses with a larger number of vehicles.

Families with multiple vans

If different family members drive various vans, a multi-van policy can help streamline renewals and potentially cut costs.

Private van owners

Enthusiasts who own vans for hobbies like camping, surfing, or fishing can insure them together rather than having separate policies.

Tradespeople & self-employed workers

Electricians, plumbers, or builders who use multiple vans for their work may find it easier to have a single insurance plan rather than keeping track of individual policies.

What levels of cover are available with multi-van insurance?

Just like standard van insurance, the same cover levels apply; there are three primary levels to choose from, ranging from third-party to comprehensive insurance cover. Here's an overview of the available coverage levels:

• Third party - This is the minimum legal requirement of cover for any motor insurance, and it covers you for any damage caused to another person, their vehicle or their property.

• Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) - This type of cover includes everything covered by a third-party policy, as well as theft cover and fire damage to your van.

• Fully comprehensive cover - This policy provides the most extensive cover, including all of the above as well as loss or damage to you, your van and your property, even if you're at fault.

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What's the difference between multi van insurance and fleet insurance?

Both of these types of van insurance allow you to cover more than one van under one policy, but the difference lies in the number of vehicles covered. Multi van insurance is designed for small businesses or families needing to insure multiple vans under one policy.

Fleet insurance, on the other hand, is aimed at larger businesses managing a higher number of vans. It could also include other vehicles such as cars and trucks, (multi vehicle insurance) depending on the insurer and policy terms.

What type of multi van cover do I need?

The type of cover you need depends on how you will be using your vans. There are typically four different types of use you get choose from when you get a quote:

Social

Covers for personal use. For example, if you use your van for leisure activities rather than business purposes, like fishing, surfing, or camping, as well as day-to-day activities like shopping and school runs. Since it excludes commuting and business driving, it can help lower insurance costs, but if you use your van for work, you'll need a different type of cover.

Some insurers also offer social and commuting insurance, allowing you to use your vans for both leisure activities and commuting to work.

Carriage of own goods

This van insurance is designed for business use, covering work-related travel and the transport of equipment, materials, tools, and products you own. However, it does not include coverage for delivering finished goods or products.

Carriage of goods for hire and reward

If your vans are used to transport third-party goods for payment, you’ll need carriage of goods for hire and reward insurance. This type of cover is ideal for businesses that generate income by using their vans for deliveries, such as couriers or furniture movers.

Haulage

This insurance covers your vans for long journeys, ensuring protection while transporting goods to a single destination.

Add-ons and optional extras for multi van insurance

Below is a list of optional extras that you can add on to your van insurance policy. It’s important to note that some insurers might already include these in your policy, so you should always check with your insurer to see what’s included first. You can either review your policy online, or over the phone. Always check the policy wording to understand the specifics of what is included in your cover:

• European cover - this allows you to drive your van in the EU. The level of cover may vary and you would need to request for the cover to be added.

• Breakdown cover - offers assistance in case your van breaks down while on the road. Breakdown cover can range from simply Assistance, Recovery, or extend to Home start and EU breakdown.

• Legal protection cover - if you’re involved in a non-fault accident and need to pursue legal action to reclaim uninsured losses, this enhancement can help cover legal fees and associated expenses.

• Windscreen cover - covers the cost of fixing or replacing chipped or cracked windscreens, or other van windows.

• Lost keys cover - covers the cost of replacing lost keys.

• Courtesy van cover - if your van is damaged in a crash and requires repairs, your insurer can supply a temporary replacement van while it's in the garage.

• Personal effects cover - safeguards the personal belongings you transport in your van, such as tools, from loss or damage.

• Personal injury cover - offers financial compensation in case of personal injury or death, providing support for you or your loved ones after a serious accident.

Is multi vehicle insurance cheaper?

The cost of multi van insurance varies based on the driver's details, the vehicle, and insurer, but it’s often more affordable than taking out separate policies for each van, as insurers often provide discounts for multi-van cover.

That being said, while multi van insurance can make things easier to manage, you shouldn't assume that they're always the cheapest option. You should still compare van insurance quotes for each of your vans separately, since you could find a better deal by covering them with separate policies and providers.

There are many factors that could affect how much you pay for your multi van insurance. Here are some of the factors insurers will look at when calculating the cost:

• Vehicle type - more expensive vans typically cost more to insure.

• Driver's experience.

• Age - younger drivers are typically seen as higher risk by insurers.

• Criminal record and claims history.

• Number of drivers - adding additional drivers can increase the cost.

• Licence type - drivers with full licences typically get lower insurance premiums than those with provisional or automatic-only licences.

• Type of business - Certain jobs, such as fast food delivery drivers and couriers, are considered higher risk by insurers.

• Number of vans on the policy.

6 ways to get cheaper multi-van insurance

There a number of ways you can keep your premiums down for multi van insurance and get the right price for your needs. Some of these include:

1. Improve your van's security

Consider fitting your vans with safety features such as an immobiliser or alarms to reduce risk of theft.

2. Park off-street

Keeping your vans somewhere safe, like in a locked garage or private driveway, also reduces risk of theft, potentially reducing the cost of your multi van policy's premiums.

3. Consider using a telematics device

A telematics device, also known as a black box, records and transmits data about a vehicle’s driving habits, such as speed, acceleration, and braking, to an insurance company.

Taking out black box insurance can reduce your premium rate when its time for renewal - given that you drive safely and sensibly - as it shows your insurer that you are a responsible driver, potentially leading to cheaper van insurance.

4. Using commercial van signage

If you use your vans for your business, displaying your business name and details on your commercial van can deter thieves and reduce risk of theft.

5. Increase your policy excess

Choosing to add a higher voluntary excess to your multi van policy can also help reduce the cost. In general, the larger the excess you choose, the lower the premium. Make sure you choose an amount you'll be able to afford in the event of a claim.

6. Not auto-renewing

Consider shopping around and comparing quotes before your multi van policy automatically renews, since prices can vary among insurers and you might be able to find a cheaper multi van insurance policy.

If your fleet of vans consists of different makes and models, it's worth comparing the cost of standard van insurance for the more expensive vehicles before you insure them all under the same policy.

How many vans can you insure on a multi van policy?

The number of vehicles you can cover under one policy varies by insurer, but the advantages remain the same - using a single insurer for your multi van policy means less hassle and could save you money through a multi-van discount.

What types of vans can you insure?

Most insurers will allow you to cover a range of different vans under a single, multi van insurance policy. These could include, but are not limited to:

• Single cab vans

• Double cab vans

• Pick-up trucks

• Light vans

• Tippers

• Campervans

• Transit vans

You should always check your policy documents to ensure the vehicles you intend to insure meet the insurer's criteria and reflect their market value accurately.

Can anyone drive on a multi van insurance policy?

In most cases, no - most multi van insurance policies require each driver to be named on the policy individually. Nonetheless, it's still worth checking the details of your policy with your insurer.

However, if you own a fleet of vans for your business, it's worth considering any driver cover - this allows any driver (rather than only named drivers) to operate any van within your fleet, giving you greater flexibility, without the hassle of having to add or remove drivers from your policy.

Any driver cover is also typically more expensive, since insurers see it as higher risk given the limited information about the drivers.

It also often comes with age restrictions—many providers won’t cover drivers under 21 or 25, and some extend limitations to older drivers, such as those over 70. Driving history can also be a factor - drivers may need a clean licence to qualify.

Can cars be included under the same policy?

It is possible, although it depends on the insurer. Some providers offer multi vehicle insurance allowing you to mix cars and vans under one policy. This option is more common for businesses with a mix of vehicle types.

Keep in mind that insuring multiple vehicles of different types could be more expensive than purchasing separate car insurance and van insurance.