Van insurance groups explained
Van insurance groups work in a similar way to car groups – here’s how they can affect the cost of covering your van
What are van insurance groups?
Van insurance groups are a way of categorising vans to help insurers decide what your premiums will be when you take out an insurance policy. There are groups for vans as well as cars and motorcycles, and they work in similar ways.
How do van insurance groups work?
Van insurance groups work in a similar way to car insurance groups – the higher the group your vehicle is in, the more expensive it will likely be to get insurance. The lowest group is group one and until recently the highest group was group 20 – this changed in 2016 after a slight rule change.
This was to reflect how vans and van specs had changed since the groups were last reviewed, and as a result 30 new groups were added. Groups 1-20 are for vans produced before this review, and 21-50 are for vans produced after – so 21 would be the lowest of these groups, and 50 the highest.
What insurance group is my van in?
You can check what insurance group your van is in by using Thatcham Research's vehicle search tool.
How do insurers decide what group my van is in?
Insurers use a number of factors to decide what insurance group a van will go in. These include:
Repairs and parts: The cheaper it is to repair your van or to find spare parts, the lower your insurance group is likely to be
Performance: Vans that are more capable of reaching higher speeds are statistically more likely to be involved in a claim, which means they’ll be placed in higher insurance groups
Engine size: Vans with bigger engines are generally more powerful, which can increase the chance of getting into an accident – therefore they’re also usually put in higher groups
Weight: Heavier vans are harder to control on the road, making them a bigger claim risk and therefore more likely to be in higher insurance groups
Security: Vans with up to date security features are at a lower risk of being stolen, meaning they’ll likely be in lower insurance groups
Do van insurance groups affect the cost of insurance?
The insurance group your van is in will affect the premiums you’ll pay for cover, as higher insurance groups generally indicate that the van is more of a claim risk. However insurers do use other factors to set your premiums, such as:
Age: Older drivers are usually more experienced on the road so insurers often see them as a low claim risk, meaning their premiums are likely to be lower
Location: If you live or use your van in a high-crime area insurers may see it as a high risk of being stolen or vandalised, which could cause your premiums to go up
Claims history: Van drivers who’ve previously made a lot of claims, not only on van insurance but with any motoring policy, will be seen as a high risk applicant. This will usually lead to more expensive premiums
Excess: When you make a claim you’ll need to pay a certain amount towards it before your insurer pays the rest, and this is known as the excess payment. Some insurers offer a voluntary excess amount, and the more of this you pay the lower your premiums are likely to be
Storage: If you park your van in a locked garage insurers will see this as safer than parking it on the street – so it’ll be at a lower risk of being stolen, therefore likely to be cheaper to insure
Should I get a van in one of the lowest insurance groups?
Getting a van in a low insurance group could save you money on your insurance. The lower the van insurance group, then the cheaper your premium will typically be. But remember there are several factors, some listed above, that will affect the price you pay for van insurance.
Compare van insurance quotes
If you’re looking for van insurance, the best place to compare quotes is on MoneySuperMarket. All you need to do is tell us a little about yourself, your driving and claims history, and the van you want to insure – then we’ll show you a list of quotes tailored to your needs.
You’ll be able to compare quotes by the monthly and annual cost of the insurance term, as well as the excess you’ll need to pay to claim, and the level of cover you’ll get with the policy. Once you’ve found the deal you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.
Remember the cheapest policy available isn’t always the best one for you. We suggest looking for a balance between cost and level of cover, so you can find a policy that covers everything you need at an affordable price.
