Van insurance for young drivers: Your essential guide for 2026

Getting behind the wheel of a van opens up new possibilities, whether you’re heading out on adventures, starting a business, or simply enjoying the freedom of the open road. But as a young driver, finding the right van insurance can feel like a challenge, especially with higher premiums and plenty of options to consider.

This guide will cover everything you need to know van insurance for young drivers, including types of cover, eligibility requirements, money saving tips and our pick of cheap vans to insure. Ready to get started? Let’s explore everything you need to know to hit the road with confidence and find the right cover for your needs.

What’s covered

• Why is van insurance so expensive for young drivers?
• Can I get van insurance as a young driver?
• What types of van insurance are available for young drivers?
• What cover levels are available?
• Optional extras you can add to your policy
• How much does van insurance cost for young drivers?
• How to get cheap van insurance for young drivers
• What is the cheapest van to insure for a young driver?
• FAQs

Why is van insurance so expensive for young drivers?

If you're a young driver, you've probably noticed that van insurance quotes tend to be significantly higher compared to drivers with more experience. This is because insurance premiums are calculated based on risk, and statistically, newer and younger drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents.

But it's not only down to less experience behind the wheel. Van insurance tends to cost more than car insurance because vans typically have a higher risk profile, especially those used for business purposes. For example, delivery and haulage vans tend to cover more miles and spend longer on the road, which raises the chance of accidents and leads to higher costs compared to vans used mainly for social activities.

The good news is there are still plenty of effective ways to help you save money! Lets take a look.

Also read: How to save money on your van insurance: 20 practical tips

Can I get van insurance as a young driver?

Absolutely. You can get van insurance as a young driver in the UK, though you might notice it’s a bit pricier than for older, more experienced drivers. Most insurers classify anyone under 25 as a young driver, but if you’re aged 17 or over with a full driving licence, you’re eligible to insure a van weighing up to 3,500kg.

You'll find that it's common for insurers to set acceptable minimum age limits. Some van insurance providers will only offer cover for drivers aged 21 and over, and in some cases even 25 and over. Some insurers may even decline to offer cover.

So, if you’re under 21, cover might be harder to find and at less competitive prices. However, by comparing options and shopping around, you can still find young driver van insurance that matches your needs.

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What types of van insurance are available for young drivers?

Choosing the right van insurance depends on how you plan to use your vehicle - also known as class of use:

Personal use

If you’re planning to use your van for social, domestic, or leisure activities (think weekend camping trips, shopping runs, or visiting friends) you’ll need private van insurance. This type of policy is designed for non-business use and covers everyday journeys.

Business and work use

If your van helps you earn a living, you’ll need business van insurance for young drivers. This applies whether you’re commuting to work, transporting tools, or running a small business. Even using your van to travel between job sites counts as business use, so it’s important to choose the right policy. Business van insurance premiums are typically higher than private van insurance due to increased risks involved.

Why does it matter?

The way you use your van directly affects the type of insurance you need and how much you'll pay. Choosing the wrong policy could invalidate your cover, and your insurer may refuse to pay out on a claim.

Legally, having an invalid policy is the same as not having insurance at all, which could lead to fines, penalty points, or even losing your licence.

Also read: New drivers and penalty points: what are the rules?

What cover levels are available?

As with most vehicle insurance policies, 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 insurance- 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.

Note: Comprehensive van insurance for young drivers is often cheaper than third party or TPFT cover because insurers tend to view drivers who opt for basic policies as higher risk, which can result in higher premiums for those types of cover. Many insurers may also only offer fully comprehensive policies to young drivers.

Optional extras you can add to your policy

Below is a list of cover extensions that may or may not be included in your van insurance policy; some may be available to purchase as optional extras. You should always check with your insurer to see what’s included first:

• European cover: lets you drive your van in the EU, though the level of cover can vary and minimum age restrictions apply.

• Breakdown cover: offers roadside assistance if your van breaks down. Breakdown cover can range from assistance, recovery, or extend to home start and European breakdown support.

• Legal protection cover: helps cover legal costs if you’re involved in a non-fault accident and need to pursue legal action to reclaim out of pocket expenses.

• Windscreen cover: covers repairs or replacement if your van’s windscreen or windows are chipped or cracked.

• Lost keys cover: covers the cost of replacing your van’s keys if they go missing.

• Replacement vehicle cover: Provides a temporary like for like vehicle in the event of a total loss.

• Personal effects cover: protects personal items you carry in your van against loss or damage. Small limits usually apply.

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

• Tools insurance: Separate to personal effects cover, this covers your tools and equipment from loss or theft. You should consider this if you use your van for work.

• Excess protection insurance: Reimburses your policy excess in the event of a fault claim.

How much does van insurance cost for young drivers?

There are many factors which influence the cost of young drivers' van insurance. Some of these include:

• Policy type and level of cover

• Driver age and experience

• Driving history

• Vehicle type and value

• Gross vehicle weight

• Type of business or occupation

• Overnight location and storage

• Security

• Number of required drivers for business purposes

How to get cheap van insurance for young drivers: 10 tips to help you save money

1. Add an experienced named driver

Including an experienced driver, such as a parent or relative, on your policy can help lower your van insurance premium. Just make sure that you're listed as the main driver - falsely listing an experienced driver as the main driver is known as 'fronting', a form of insurance fraud that could have serious consequences.

2. Reduce your annual mileage

The more you drive each year, the higher your insurance premium is likely to be. Covering extra miles increases your chances of having an accident, which pushes costs up. Cutting back on your annual mileage can help lower what you pay.

Just be honest about how far you travel, because if your mileage isn’t accurate, it could cause problems if you need to make a claim. Deliberately underestimating your mileage is considered insurance fraud and is against the law.

You could also opt for a limited mileage policy, where you agree to drive under a set number of miles each year. Doing this can help you qualify for discounts on your insurance premium.

3. Increase your van’s security

Vans are attractive targets for thieves, especially if they carry valuable equipment. Installing Thatcham-approved alarms, immobilisers, or trackers can help reduce risk of theft and help lower your premium.

4. Increase your voluntary excess

Raising your voluntary excess (the amount you agree to pay towards a claim) could bring down your insurance premium. Just be sure it's an amount you can afford should you ever need to make a claim.

You could also consider excess protection insurance to avoid being left exposed when you have to pay the full excess for a claim.

5. Choose a van in a lower insurance group

Choosing a van in a lower insurance group is a smart way to keep your premium down. Smaller vans with modest engines, modern safety features, and low running costs usually fall into lower insurance groups, making them cheaper to insure.

Also read: Van insurance groups explained

6. Consider black box insurance

Telematics or black box insurance policies use a device or app to monitor your driving habits. Safe driving can lead to lower premiums when it's time for renewal.

7. Build your no-claims discount

Every year you go without making a claim, your no-claims discount grows. Over time, this can lead to significant savings on van insurance for new drivers.

8. Park off-road

Your van’s overnight location is a key factor in determining insurance costs. Keeping it in a garage is the safest option and usually means lower risk. If that’s not possible, a driveway, private land, or a locked compound is better than leaving it on the street.

9. Pay upfront

Paying for your policy in one go can be cheaper than monthly instalments, which often include added interest.

10. Speak to a broker

At Howden, speaking to a broker means more choice and better value. Our team searches across a wide market to find the most competitive prices, accessing specialist products and negotiating on your behalf. You’ll get impartial advice backed by industry expertise, so your policy is tailored to your needs.

What is the cheapest van to insure for a young driver?

If you haven’t chosen your van yet, picking the right make and model can make a big difference to your insurance costs. Some vans are generally cheaper to insure than others, especially those in lower insurance groups with good safety and security features.

The 5 cheapest vans to insure in 2026

As a broker, we have access to real market data. We’ve analysed Howden's commercial vehicle van quotes from 2025, and based on this data, the following vans have lowest average quoted premium and typically cost less to insure:

Check out our full guide here: The 10 cheapest vans to insure in 2026

Note: The average premium figures in this guide are based on Howden’s own commercial vehicle insurance quotes from 2025. We’ve included only van models with over 100 quotes to ensure a fair representation. These figures reflect the average quoted premium at the time and are intended for general guidance only. Actual premiums may vary depending on factors such as driver details, class of use, and cover options.

You can also check out:

• Our free MOT checker
• Our free car insurance group checker

*Source: Brake - Why young drivers are at risk and what can be done about it

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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