Van insurance for carrying your own goods

Key takeaways 

• ‘Carriage of own goods’ is one of four classes you'll see when getting a van insurance quote 

• This type of cover is often used by builders, plumbers and other tradespeople who carry tools and equipment 

• It will cover you for transporting raw materials, carrying finished products and removing waste products, but not for deliveries to customers 

• Lying to your insurer about what you will use your van for could invalidate your insurance 

Carriage of own goods insurance type is commonly used by businesses that need to transport their own tools and equipment in their vehicle. It is sometimes referred to as ‘business use’ van insurance. 

What does ‘class of use’ mean? 

Not every driver uses their van for the same reasons. Insurers categorise van use into four broad categories called ‘classes of use’. Which class of use you choose will influence how much you pay for cover.  

There are four main classes of use for van insurance: 

1. Social, domestic and pleasure only 

2. Social and commuting 

3. Business use for carriage of own goods 

4. Haulage of goods for hire and reward 

What is the meaning of carriage of own goods van insurance? 

Carriage of own goods van insurance is a type of business van insurance that covers you for driving your van for business use while carrying the items you need for work. For example, you might carry: 

• Tools 

• Equipment 

• Goods and products 

• Waste 

Who needs carriage of goods insurance? 

Tradespeople such as builders, plumbers, electricians, and anyone who uses their van to transport their own materials, tools, or equipment for work needs this type of cover.  

Specific examples of who might need this insurance include: 

• Builders, plumbers or electricians carrying their own tools and materials 

• Florists carrying tools and flowers from a wholesaler 

• Gardeners taking away garden waste or grass cuttings from a customer’s garden 

What does carriage of own goods cover? 

Carriage of own goods is van insurance for business use, rather than a standalone insurance policy. Van insurance will be one of three types: 

• Third party only 

• Third party fire and theft 

• Fully comprehensive 

Carriage of own goods includes task such as: 

• Transportation of raw materials to your work site 

• Carrying finished products between locations  

• Removal of waste products (e.g. garden or building waste) from client sites 

What does carriage of own goods not cover? 

This class of use does not cover the delivery of goods to customers. If you make deliveries to customers in your van, you need haulage or courier insurance.

This is sometimes called ‘delivering goods for hire or reward’. It’s important to be honest with your insurer about what you will be transporting in your van – failing to tell the truth could mean you are unable to claim on your policy. 

If you're transporting dangerous or valuable goods, such as fuels, chemicals, toxic waste, or scrap metals, this too must be disclosed to ensure you have the right cover. 

Optional extras for van insurance 

When you buy van insurance with carriage of own goods, you can also opt for extra protection, such as: 

How much does van insurance cost? 

Several factors can affect the price of your carriage of own goods van insurance: 

• The size and type of your van 

• The value of the goods you're carrying 

• The frequency and nature of van usage 

• The driving history and experience of the driver 

Carriage of own goods and haulage insurance tend to cost more than social only van insurance.  

Comparing van insurance 

MoneySuperMarket can help you compare van insurance and find the right policy. By providing details about your van and its usage, you can receive tailored quotes that help you balance cost against coverage. 

Remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. For those in specialised trades, like waste disposal or scrap metal, you may need to use a specialist broker to find a policy tailored to your needs. Trade associations may have recommended specialists. 

Carriage of own goods is a class of van that means you are covered when carrying tools, equipment and your own possessions in your van.