How to choose Van Insurance Article

How to choose Van Insurance

For businesses of all sizes, vans are essential. They can be purchased in all sorts of shapes and sizes to meet differing needs, and are a widely used “beast of burden” in modern times. Whether a company has a whole fleet, or just the one van, it is vital that the owner chooses appropriate van insurance. Many different factors will need to be taken into consideration, for example whether the van will be used for solely private use, or just for business, or for a combination of the two. Even if a van is used for business very rarely, you will need commercial motor insurance.

In the United Kingdom vehicle insurance is compulsory, driving without relevant insurance cover is an offence. Due to the current financial climate, commonly referred to as the “Credit Crunch”, many insurance companies have very competitive rates and offer good deals. When purchasing van insurance it is important to understand which cover is best suited to you. Generally speaking it is wise to get the best cover you can afford, for added peace of mind. Take into account how much excess applies to the policy – a high excess may make a year’s cover cheaper, but decide whether you could provide the excess payment if necessary.

There are three major kinds of motor insurance that apply to vans – these are - Third Party, Third Party Fire and Theft, and Comprehensive. Third Party will cover damage to a third party, and death or injury of another party involved. Third Party, Fire and Theft is quite self explanatory, in addition to covering third parties, it will insure you against fire, or theft of your vehicle. Comprehensive is the most expensive out of these three groups, but also provides the best protection. It includes all outlined for Third Party Fire and Theft, but any damage to your van will be covered, whether an accident is your fault or not. Some insurers also include breakdown cover, courtesy vans and windscreen repair or replacement. Always find out exactly what your policy will include before making a final decision.

It may be necessary to purchase separate breakdown cover if not included. In addition to basic covers, van users may choose to have additional insurance for tools and for goods in transit, as these can be worth a very large amount of money, they need to be a consideration due to the possibility of theft or damage.

When searching the internet the volume and variety of insurers can seem very daunting. Comparison sites and direct insurers both give good reasons to approach them. If anything online seems unclear or you need assistance, calling a company who can talk you through policies can be of use. Another way to ensure you are getting the cover you require is to use a broker, they should listen to your needs and be able to check the best cover with a range of insurers and let you make a more informed decision with their help.

No matter how you choose to go about getting van insurance, remember it is compulsory, and the right level of cover can save you a large amount of hassle in the event of an incident.

 

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