Carriage of own goods
This type of cover protects you if you use your van to carry your own tools, equipment, or materials — for example, if you’re a builder, plumber, or gardener. It covers both your van and the items you transport for work.
What is business van insurance?
Business van insurance, sometimes called commercial van insurance, protects your van when you use it for work. Whether you’re making deliveries, transporting tools, or visiting customers, this cover ensures you’re protected if your van is damaged, stolen, or involved in an accident while being used for business purposes.
Do I need business insurance?
Yes – if you use your van for work, you’ll need business van insurance. In the UK, it’s a legal requirement to insure any vehicle that’s kept on the road, even if you’re not driving it, unless you’ve declared it as off-road (SORN).
A standard van insurance policy only covers personal or social use. That means you won’t be covered for business activities unless you have a business van insurance policy. Taking out the right cover ensures you and your van are protected whenever you use it for work.
What type of business van insurance do I need?
The right business van insurance depends on how you use your van for work. There are three main types of cover to choose from, each designed to suit different business needs and uses.
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Hire and reward (courier insurance)
If you deliver or transport goods for others in return for payment — such as parcels, food, or furniture — you’ll need hire and reward insurance. It covers you while carrying goods that don’t belong to you, keeping you protected while on the job.
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Haulage
Haulage insurance is designed for long-distance or single-item deliveries, often between depots or distribution centres. Some insurers include this within hire and reward policies, so it’s worth checking your provider’s terms before you buy.
What does business van insurance cover?
Business van insurance protects you when you use your van for work, while also offering the same core benefits as standard motor insurance. The exact cover depends on the policy you choose, but it typically includes:
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Your van
You can claim for repairs or replacement costs if your van is damaged, stolen, vandalised, or involved in a fire. This often includes windscreen and bodywork repairs.
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Third-party damage
Covers the cost of damage you cause to another person, their vehicle, or their property – no matter which level of cover you hold, this is always included.
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Motor legal protection
Helps with legal fees you might face after an accident, such as pursuing or defending a claim. It’s sometimes called legal expenses cover.
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Personal accident cover
Pays out if you or a named driver are seriously injured, or in some cases killed, in a road accident involving your van.
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Breakdown cover
Provides help if your van breaks down on the road, including roadside assistance or recovery to a garage.
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Courtesy van cover
Lets you use a replacement van while yours is being repaired after an accident or breakdown.
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Your tools
Tools and equipment aren’t usually included as standard, but you can add tool cover to protect the items you carry for work.
Our expert says…
If you need a van for work, you need to find the right business van insurance policy. The cheapest may not always be the best, so you need to compare what's included in the cover as well as comparing costs. Don't forget that opting for full comprehensive cover and paying annually can actually bring costs down.
Simon Read Car & Van Insurance Expert
How can I get cheaper cover for my commercial van?
There are a few simple ways to reduce the cost of your business van insurance without compromising on protection.
✔ Agree a higher excess: Your excess is the amount you pay towards any claim. Choosing a higher voluntary excess can lower your premium — but make sure it’s an amount you can afford to pay if you need to claim.
✔ Pay annually: Paying for your policy in one go is usually cheaper than spreading the cost monthly, as you’ll avoid added interest or finance charges.
✔ Improve storage: If you can, park your van in a locked garage or secure driveway instead of on the street. This reduces the risk of theft or damage and can help bring down your insurance costs.
✔ Boost security: Fitting approved alarms, immobilisers, or tracking devices makes your van harder to steal. Many insurers offer discounts for vehicles with good security features.
✔ Build your no claims discount: Driving safely and avoiding claims helps you build a no claims bonus over time. The more years you build up, the bigger the discount you could earn on future policies.
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What do I need to get a business van insurance quote?
Comparing and buying van insurance couldn’t be simpler. Follow these three steps to get covered:
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Tell us about yourself
Share a few details about you, your van, and how you use it for work — for example, what you carry and how often you drive.
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We’ll do the hard work
We search trusted insurers to find van insurance quotes that match your needs and budget, saving you time and effort.
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Choose your cover
We’ll show you the options that best fit your business. Simply compare and pick the policy that offers the right protection at the right price.
What other types of business insurance do I need?
If you use your van for work, you may also need additional business insurance to protect you, your employees, and your livelihood. Here are some key types to consider:
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Employers’ liability cover
If you employ drivers or other staff, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. It covers you if an employee becomes ill or injured because of the work they do for your business, helping you meet any compensation or legal costs.
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Public liability cover
Public liability cover protects you if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged due to your work — for example, while loading or unloading your van. It can help cover compensation and legal expenses if a claim is made against you.
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Driving abroad cover
If you take your van overseas for work, your business van insurance will usually provide third-party cover as standard. To ensure full protection, such as for theft or damage to your vehicle, you may need to upgrade to comprehensive driving abroad cover.
Does business van insurance cover tools and equipment?
Your tools and equipment may be covered under your business van insurance, depending on your policy. Some insurers include this as standard, while others offer it as an optional extra or a separate policy. If you rely on your tools for work, it’s worth adding tool cover to protect them from theft or damage.
Is business van insurance more expensive?
It will depend on the type of business van insurance policy you need, but you can generally expect hire and reward cover and haulage cover to be more expensive than carriage of own goods cover or standard social only policies.
What isn’t covered by business van insurance?
While cover varies between insurers, most business van insurance policies don’t include:
General wear and tear
Electrical or mechanical failure
Theft if items are left visible, unlocked, or if the keys are in the vehicle
Goods that aren’t insured under your policy
Always check your policy documents so you know exactly what’s included and what isn’t.
Can I insure other people to drive the van?
Yes. You can take out an any driver van insurance policy, which lets multiple employees or family members drive the van for business purposes. This is a practical choice for businesses where more than one person needs access to the vehicle.
Can I insure more than one van for my business?
Yes, you can. Multi-van or fleet insurance allows you to insure two or more vans under one policy. It’s often cheaper and easier to manage than arranging separate cover for each vehicle.
Am I covered for driving in Europe with business van insurance?
Many business van insurance policies will come with EU cover included as standard – but it’s likely to only be up to third-party level. If you want more comprehensive cover, you’ll probably need to pay a little more. Always check with your insurer first, to ensure you have the right cover in place to drive abroad.
What level of business van insurance should I get?
You’ll usually be able to choose from third party, third party fire and theft, and fully comprehensive cover, as with any motor insurance policy. And also as with any motor insurance, fully comprehensive policies are likely to be the cheapest available while also offering the most protection.
What other extras can I get for my business van insurance policy?
You may also want to consider the following extras for your business van insurance policy:
Lost keys: If you lose your van’ keys this will pay for the cost of replacing them
Misfuelling: This will cover you for costs related to putting the wrong fuel in your van
Windscreen cover: Windscreen cover will pay for any damage done to your windscreen
Trailer cover: You can also get cover for an attached trailer if it’s damaged or stolen
Tool cover: Protect your tools from theft or damage
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One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
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No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Is van insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy van insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £15, which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.uk
Free Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions
Cashback of up to 10% when you spend at brands including eBay, Just Eat and Argos
To earn SuperSaveClub rewards on purchases you must:
Sign up to SuperSaveClub (it's free)
Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is van insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, van insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth up to £20
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 29 Dec 2025 by
