What Is Van Insurance And How Does It Work?

Safety becomes a primary concern when you hit the road. Timely insuring your van is important for your vehicle as well as your own life and wellness. Understand here the ins and outs of van insurance.

What is van insurance?

Van insurance is an insurance policy that provides financial protection for vans against unforeseen risks and liabilities. It can also include protection for the van owner or driver against accidents.

You can reduce the cost by a great margin if you compare prices from numerous van insurance providers.

What does van insurance cover?

Van insurance will, at the very least, pay for any losses or harm you cause to other people while driving. That type of policy falls under third-party insurance, and it is a legal requirement.

Some insurance policies also cover the driver's medical expenses in case of injury and the safety of the goods.

The type of van insurance you choose determines the specifics of your policy's coverage. It is recommended to do your research and find which policy best suits your needs.

Why should you get van insurance?

A van is an asset with monetary value and is prone to risks when it hits the road. It becomes crucial, then, to safeguard its financial well-being. Here are some reasons you should get your van insured.

• Legal Requirements
• Protections against accidents
• Third-party liability
• Theft and vandalism
• Natural disasters
• Fire and Explosions
• Legal costs
• Customer confidence
• Peace of mind

Types of van insurance policies

There are two main types of van insurance:

Private van insurance, also known as 'social use only'. It applies if your van is strictly for personal use like hobbies, visiting friends, etc.

Business van insurance, also known as commercial van insurance, is a type of policy that applies when the van is not used for personal purposes. Instead, it is used for work, commuting, transporting goods to sell, etc.

Types of van insurance covers available in Ireland

After deciding whether you need commercial or private van insurance, you need to figure out the type of coverage you need. There are several types of covers to choose from including:

Social use: For the private use of the van, like visiting friends and family and shopping. As per social use, you can't commute to any workplace.

Haulage: This covers large loads being transported over long distances. It covers your items in transit and is only applicable to a single destination.

Courier: It is generally called 'carriage of goods for hire and reward' and covers paid delivery of others' goods to local areas.

Carriage of own goods: You need this coverage if you use your van to get to work. You can additionally get a cover for your tools or goods by letting the insurer know about them.

Choosing the wrong insurance can leave you unprotected in the event of an accident. It is crucial, therefore, to understand the different types of covers and choose the best one for you.

What level of van insurance coverage do I need?

There are three levels of van insurance to choose from. There are

Third-party only (TPO) - Legally, you must have this to drive at all. It only covers injuries or damage to a third party. It's the most basic type of coverage, and neither you nor your van will be protected by it.

Third-party, fire, and theft (TPFT) - The halfway ground between comprehensive and third-party-only coverage is third-party, fire, and theft. This provides protection against vehicle theft, fire damage, and harm or death to others.

Comprehensive - This provides the highest level of protection. It protects you, your van, and any third party involved in motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, fire and theft.

What is the cost of van insurance in Ireland?

The individual prices of the policy will vary based on the vehicle type, driving history, level of coverage, etc.

On average, these are the figures we obtained for van insurance in Ireland:

• Social-only - private van insurance costs £328 annually.
• Carriage of own goods insurance is £382 per year.
• For couriers, it's £1,137 annually.
• Haulage has an annual price of £916.

What information is required to get van insurance?

There are a few details that the insurance provider needs to calculate the risk and then give you an insurance plan according to your needs and budget. These include:

• Vehicle details
• Personal details
• Driving history
• Intended use of the van
• Additional drivers (if any)
• Insurance history
• Security measures on the van
• Coverage preferences (Third-Party Only, Third-Party Fire and Theft, Comprehensive)
• Additional coverages (optional)

Looking for van insurance?

It can be troublesome and confusing to keep track of all the deals and then compare them to find the best insurance plan. One has to look out for terms and conditions, coverage limits, exclusions, deductibles, and any additional optional coverage that may be available.

Paddy Compare can make it easy for you. You can compare the prices and policy features to find the best-suited insurance for yourself. Simply follow these steps: