In short
- Even one business trip needs business cover.
- Your policy can be in your own name.
- Tools and stock need separate cover checks.
- Tell the insurer about every kind of journey.
What does your van policy need to cover?
If you use your van for work as a sole trader, you need insurance that includes the right class of business use. Your policy can be in your own name, with your work and driving details recorded correctly.
Being self-employed doesn’t create a separate level of cover. The key is telling the insurer what you do and how you use the van, so the policy reflects your business.
Which class of use fits your work?
Your class of use describes the driving your policy allows. Names vary between insurers, so explain your journeys rather than relying on a label. Even one business trip means you need business cover.
| Use | Journeys it allows |
|---|---|
| Social, domestic and pleasure | Personal driving. Commuting is excluded. |
| With commuting | Personal driving and travel to a single regular workplace. |
| Business use | Visits to customers and journeys between jobs. Describe the work to the insurer. |
Trade jobs
Explain customer visits, site work and the tools you carry.
Your own stock
Describe collections and any deliveries to customers.
Paid deliveries
Other people’s goods carried for payment need hire and reward.
What does a plumber need?
A plumber driving between homes, collecting materials and carrying their own tools needs business use, often called carriage of own goods. This is a class of use chosen alongside the level of cover.
It allows the plumber to carry tools for work. It doesn’t itself insure those tools against theft or damage. Our guide to carriage of own goods insurance explains the distinction.
What should a florist check?
A florist collecting flowers from a supplier needs to describe that business use. If they also sell and deliver their own bouquets, they should explain the deliveries to the insurer.
Selling and delivering your own stock is a greyer area, so ask how those journeys would be covered.
Describe both the collection trips and the customer deliveries. Don’t assume the same class of use automatically includes both.
What does a parcel courier need?
A courier carrying other people’s parcels for payment needs hire and reward use, also sold as courier cover. Carriage of own goods doesn’t describe that work.
The van’s insurance and insurance for the parcels are separate considerations. Read our guide to courier van insurance for more on delivery work.
Can the policy be in your own name?
Yes. Tell the insurer you’re a sole trader and give your trading name if you use one. Ask how your personal and business details should appear on the policy.
Check that the certificate of motor insurance shows the uses you need. Many business policies include social use, but not all. If you also use the van for personal journeys, mention them.
You can get a van insurance quote through Vancova. A van insurance specialist will get in touch with your quote.
The FCA-authorised specialist explains the cover, gives any advice and arranges any policy you choose.
What do you need to tell the insurer?
Give a clear picture of your work, including every way you use the van. A job title alone may leave out details such as deliveries or visits to several sites.
Work through these details before the specialist gets in touch:
- Identify the van. Have the registration, or its make and model.
- Describe your work. Give your trade, journeys, annual mileage and overnight parking.
- Gather driver records. Include licence details, test dates, claim and conviction dates, and other drivers.
- Check your documents. Have no claims proof and your preferred policy start date ready.
Declare changes from the van’s original specification, including racking, roof bars, signwriting and conversions. Even a minor change should be raised.
Check details such as your date of birth and registration before accepting a policy. Small errors can cause problems with cover. Tell the insurer if anything changes.
Even one business trip means you need business cover.
What does fair presentation mean for sole traders?
A sole trader buying insurance for their business is usually treated as a business customer. Under the Insurance Act 2015, a business must make a fair presentation of the risk.
Give a clear, accurate account of your business and van use. Answer questions fully and raise relevant details that the questions may not capture.
For example, explain if your florist business includes customer deliveries as well as collecting stock.
If you’re unsure whether something matters, ask the insurer or the specialist. Explain anything unclear rather than guessing.
Having the van registered in your own name does not remove the duty to describe your business use.
Explore the factors that can affect a van insurance premium.
Which level of cover is available?
Your class of use sits alongside your chosen level of cover. Check both parts of the policy.
| Level of cover | What it covers | Your van |
|---|---|---|
| Third party only | Damage or injury to other people, vehicles, animals or property. | Does not pay to repair your own van. |
| Third party, fire and theft | Third party cover, plus fire and theft protection for your van. | Fire and theft cover is subject to the policy terms. |
| Comprehensive | Third party, fire and theft cover, plus cover for damage to your van. | Check the policy terms and exclusions. |
Third party is the legal minimum for driving on UK roads. The table shows how the usual levels differ.
Comprehensive can sometimes cost less than the lower levels. Seeing a price for more than one level can help you consider the cover alongside the cost.
What other business insurance could you consider?
A standard van policy doesn’t include every business risk. Check what each policy covers and where separate insurance may be needed.
- Tools in transit. Usually an add-on or separate policy. Check limits per item and in total, plus conditions for tools left in the van overnight.
- Goods in transit. Covers goods you carry. It’s usually separate from courier van insurance.
- Public liability. Separate from a standard van policy. Ask about cover for your business activities.
What if you employ someone?
Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement if you employ staff, with some exceptions. It’s separate from van insurance.
If an employee will drive your van, tell the insurer. A named driver policy lists each driver. Any driver cover can have conditions such as minimum age or experience, so check before they drive.
Getting a quote through Vancova
Have your business use and driver details ready when you complete the van insurance quote form at Vancova.
Sending an enquiry does not start cover. Insurance only starts when a policy is in place and its start date and time have been reached.
You pay Vancova nothing. PJG Financial Limited receives a fee from the specialist for enquiries passed on through Vancova.
Common questions
Does self-employed van insurance cover my tools?
Carriage of own goods allows you to carry tools for work. It doesn’t itself insure them. Check for tools in transit cover and its conditions.
Can I use my business van at weekends?
Many business policies include social use, but not all. Check your certificate of motor insurance for the uses covered.
Can an employee drive on my policy?
They need to be included under the policy’s driver terms. Tell the insurer who will drive and check any age or experience conditions.
This guide is general information. Ask the specialist to explain your cover and check the policy terms.
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Start with your reg. A van insurance specialist gets in touch with your quote and explains the cover.
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