Is my van insured?

Written by Collette Shackleton

Reviewed by Kate Hughes

5 min read

Updated: 02 Apr 2025

In this guide / article

Key takeaways

Find your van insurance provider by checking policy documents, checking bank statements, or using the Motor Insurer's Database (MID)
Driving a van without insurance in the UK is illegal, leading to severe penalties such as fines, points on your license, vehicle seizure, and higher insurance premiums in future
If your van is uninsured, immediately stop driving; declare a SORN if keeping the van off public roads
Use MID’s van insurance checker to confirm someone else's vehicle cover if you’re in an accident

How do I check if I have van insurance?

The quickest and easiest way to check if your van is insured is to check the Motor Insurance Database (MID).

The website has a useful tool to help you find out whether or not your van is insured. All you need to do is:

Enter your van's registration number into the search tool
Check the box to agree to their data protection terms and tick the 'I'm not a robot' box
Click 'Check this vehicle'

The next page you see will tell you the make and model of your van, along with one of two results:

YES. This vehicle is showing as INSURED on the Motor Insurance Database today
NO. This vehicle is NOT showing as insured on the Motor Insurance Database today

If your van is insured but you're not sure who with, following the next steps below to find out your van insurance provider. However, if your van isn't insured, you should aim to insure it as soon as possible to avoid any consequences mentioned in this article.

How do I find out who my van insurance is with?

If you know your van is insured but you're unsure of the insurance company, here are two ways to discover your van insurance provider:

Check your email or physical mail for policy documents: Insurers often send policy confirmation through these channels upon signing up or renewing
Examine bank statements for insurance payments: Regular entries on your statements can indicate which insurer you use. This method is particularly useful if you pay your premiums monthly.

If your last lump sum payment was over 12 months ago, or your insurance direct debits have stopped, then it's most likely your insurance has ended and you are no longer covered.

Can you drive a van without insurance?

No. Driving a van without insurance in the UK is illegal and if caught, you could face severe penalties. That could include fines and points on your licence, but the police could also seize your vehicle.

Driving uninsured can also lead to much higher future premiums in future so, frankly, it’s not worth the risk – if you’re going to drive your van you need to insure it.

What happens if my van is not insured?

Nothing good. If you're caught driving without van insurance, the police can issue you a penalty fine of £300 and six points on your licence.

The police can also refer you to court if they believe the case is serious, meaning you could be disqualified from driving and receive an unlimited fine.

They also have the right to seize and destroy your vehicle if you've been caught driving without insurance.

What to do if your van isn't insured

If you discover your van is uninsured, stop driving it immediately to avoid the fines, confiscation, disqualification, sky high future premiums and other massive headaches we’ve already talked about.

Arrange a new annual insurance policy as soon as possible or, for instant protection, consider temporary insurance. This means you’re driving lawfully while arranging a permanent solution.

How to SORN a vehicle

You need a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) for your van if you plan to keep it off public roads and uninsured for any reason. Here’s what you need to do:

Apply online at the DVLA website or use form V890 for postal applications. Have all your van's details ready to go
Once your vehicle is declared SORN, keep it off public roads. Even parking on a public road can result in penalties
Remember, a SORN declaration is always necessary if you choose not to insure your vehicle. This avoids the legal issues associated with having an uninsured vehicle.

What should I do if my details are incorrect?

Out of date, missing or incorrect information about your vehicle, cover, or even some personal details can invalidate or ‘void’ your policy. That means the insurer can refuse to pay out if you need to make a claim. Some insurance companies will cancel your policy altogether if any information is incorrect.

If you notice anything wrong, contact your insurance provider immediately to update this information and make sure everything else is accurate while you’re at it.

How can I check if someone else’s van is insured?

You can check if any vehicle is insured, which is very helpful if you've been involved in an accident with another car or van. It does come with a £10 fee though. All you need is the MID's other vehicle lookup tool, with these details to hand: