Finding affordable van insurance that suits your vehicle or fleet is time-consuming, and there are many things to consider. We're all looking for a deal, and there are changes you can make to help bring your premium down. We've put together some top tips when looking for van insurance so you can get the best possible deal for your business.
Choose the size of your van wisely.
Smaller vans with less powerful engines are cheaper to insure than larger vehicles because insurers classify them as lower risk. The trick here is to buy a van to serve your current needs. For instance, there's no need to buy a large transit van if you only need a van to carry your toolbox and a couple of other small items!
Consider the cheapest vans to insure.
As mentioned, the cheapest vans to insure are small in size and engine. For instance, vans with smaller engine sizes (1-litre petrol engines) will often do the job nicely and won't incur enormous van insurance premiums. Affordable small vans with low insurance groups include Citroen Berlingo, Citroen Nemo, and Renault Kangoo. Some of the most affordable large vans to insure are Peugeot Boxer, Renault Trafic, and Vauxhall Vivaro.
Understand van insurance groups.
Every van model is assigned to a van insurance group by the Association of British Insurers. The groups number from 1-20, with group 1 vehicles the cheapest to insure, and 20 the most expensive. Naturally, if you're hoping to keep your van insurance costs down, choose a model in a lower van insurance group.
Skip the modifications.
Modifying your van from its factory standard is a sure way to raise its insurance premium. This is primarily because modified parts are more expensive to source and repair whilst making your vehicle more attractive to potential thieves. So, although a modified van certainly looks the part, it will cost you when it comes to paying your insurance premium.
Limit your mileage.
Insurers take a favourable view of van owners who don't cover many miles each year. The less time you're on the road, the less chance you have of being involved in an accident. Consider working out your average daily or weekly mileage before requesting a quote from insurers.
Bolster your security.
Adding an alarm or immobiliser to your van will drive down the cost of your premium, as they deter thieves and mean your van is less likely to be stolen. You could also consider adding a tracker to your van to make it easier to find if stolen. While some systems can be expensive, they can save you money on your van insurance and provide you with increased peace of mind at the same time.
Final thoughts.
As you can see, by conducting some research and choosing the size, model, and insurance group of your van wisely, you can save yourself significant money when it comes to paying your van insurance premium. Ensuring you select a van that serves its desired purpose is much more important than how it looks or how powerful it is and will mean you don't have to pay over the odds for van insurance. If you'd like further advice on any of our insurance products, give us a call on 0116 243 7904 or drop us a message here.