Frequently Asked Questions About Van Insurance

These are the answers that you provide to the insurer's questions and are what the insurer would regard as likely to influence the acceptance and assessment of this application. If you are in any doubt about whether facts are to be considered material, you should disclose them. We can give you further advice on 0800 019 0933 if you require it.

Certain disabilities or medical conditions will need to be notified to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), as they may effect your or any named drivers' ability to drive.

Enter your occupation, then pick the correct one from the list of matching options e.g. if you are a joiner, type JOIN then choose joiner from the list. Repeat this process if you have a part time occupation e.g. working part-time in a public house or as a part-time shop assistant.

This is the person who uses the vehicle the most. As with all material facts, you should be honest here. If you are planning to insure a vehicle for your son or daughter, when you know that they will be the main user, you should state this, failing to do so could lead to your insurer invalidating any claims.

We like to take both your telephone number and your e-mail address as a point of immediate contact with you. If you are worried about the storage of your personal information, please read our privacy policy. However, you will find that we cannot offer an on-line quotation without at least 1 telephone number and a valid e-mail address.

It is important to enter the correct number of vehicles in your household as we may cross-validate your data and offer discounts on the basis of vehicle ownership.

You can find this information on your vehicle's V5 document. Below is a list displaying example registration marks:

• M         - 1994 to 1995
• N         - 1995 to 1996
• P         - 1996 to 1997
• R         - 1997 to 1998
• S         - 1998 to 1999
• T/V      - 1999 to 2000
• W/X     - 2000 to 2001
• Y/51    - 2001 to 2002
• 02/52  - 2002 to 2003
• 03/53  - 2003 to 2004
• 04/54  - 2004 to 2005
• 05/55  - 2005 to 2006
• 06/56  - 2006 to 2007
• 07/57  - 2007 to 2008
• 08/58  - 2008 to 2009
• 09/59  - 2009 to 2010
• 10/60  - 2010 - 2011
• 11/61  - 2011 - 2012

Vehicles are brought in from abroad (usually EU countries) and match the UK specifications and some of our companies will insure these. Non UK specification – these are vehicles which are brought into the UK from abroad and do not match current UK specifications. These vehicles are more difficult to insure, mainly due to the restricted availability of parts. As our on-line quotation system is limited for quotations on imports, you may wish to call our import specialists on 0800 019 0933 for a quotation tailored to your requirements.

This is when the vehicle's engine, suspension or body has been altered in any way that is different from the original manufacturer's specification. Vehicles fitted with special equipment or apparatus will also fall into this category. The most common modifications are performance enhancements, such as exhausts, bodywork or personalised paintwork. Please note that the above lists are not exhaustive. Although our system is currently unable to offer a quotation for modifications on-line, you may contact us on 0800 019 0933, where one of our sales advisers will tailor a policy to suit your vehicle's requirements.

This is when you or any proposed driver have use of another vehicle:

• You may own another motorcycle, van or car
• You may be a named driver on another policy
• You may have access to a company van/car within working hours e.g. a pool car
• You may have full, personal access to a company van/car including social domestic and pleasure use
• You may have access to a car
• You may have access to a van
• You may have access to a motorcycle

Our experienced advisers may offer unique discounts for such driving experience, call them on 0800 019 0933.

There are two types of Thatcham graded immobiliser:

T2 = An immobiliser that has been judged to comply to the Thatcham criteria

T1 = An alarm/immobiliser combination that has been judged to comply to the Thatcham criteria

Definition: An Electronic immobiliser is a device fitted to the vehicle that disables the engine of your vehicle when your vehicle is not in operation by you. Some newer vehicles have these factory fitted by the manufacturer and these are normally shown within your vehicle brochure. It is also possible to have these immobilisers fitted by a garage or specialist, who would supply a certificate of installation detailing the exact model of your vehicle's immobiliser. A copy of your fitment certificate may be required.

Definition: A manual immobiliser is a device fitted which is usually placed on the steering wheel or gear lever of your vehicle e.g. Krooklok.

This is a device which enables the police to locate your vehicle if it is stolen. Some newer vehicles may have this device installed by the manufacturer, however, this is normally a facility which you are required to subscribe to on an annual basis. A copy of your fitment certificate may be required.

Third Party Only cover – This is the most basic insurance and covers your liability for death or bodily injury to a third party (including other occupants of your vehicle) and your liability for damage to third party property.

Third Party Fire and Theft cover – This covers third party risks as described above plus the risk of fire and theft in connection with your vehicle in accordance with relevant policy terms. Some insurers will provide cover for the contents and the audio equipment of the vehicle, details will be provided with your quotation.

Comprehensive cover – This includes the Third Party Fire and Theft cover, as well as loss of or damage to your vehicle caused by accidental or malicious damage. Comprehensive cover usually includes some personal accident benefit in respect of personal injury or fatality (please refer to your policy terms for details). Theft cover for the contents of your vehicle is provided by most insurers but only to a specified amount and subject to policy terms. Details will be shown with your quotation.

This is a discount awarded for the completion of 12 months continuous claim free insurance. NCB can only be earned and used in your own name and on 1 vehicle at a time. NCB is not acceptable if it expired more than 2 years prior to the inception of your new policy. NCB is reduced after a fault claim (please refer to your policy wording for full details of NCB reduction). If you are unsure if your NCB is valid you can call our experienced advisers on 0800 019 0933 who will be happy to help and advise you.

You may have zero no claims bonus as you have never held a policy in your own name before, have only ever been named on other people's/company vehicles, purchased a second vehicle or lost them due to a recent claim. Whatever the reason, our on-line quotation system cannot offer the substantial discounts that we can give you by discussing your situation over the telephone. Call our specialists on 0800 019 0933 and let them explain why having zero NCB need not mean that you have to pay a great deal more for your insurance.

Yes, it is always advisable to tell your insurer of any incident the insured vehicle is involved in, so that your file is always fully updated, even if no claim is to be made, all claims should be reported to 0800 078 7350 as soon as possible.

A fault claim is any claim resulting in your own insurer being liable (paying for the claim) e.g. you are not to blame for a theft claim but your own insurer would be liable, as they have no other party to recover the costs from. If your insurer pays for your damages in a claim e.g. where a third party hit you, but then re-coups their costs via the third party's insurer, this would be a non-fault claim as your insurer was not liable (recovered their costs for the claim).

This will allow you to make a certain number of claims arising from your own error or fault without affecting your no claims discount. Please refer to your policy wording for full details.

This is the first part of each and every claim which you (not your insurer) must pay. There are two types of excess:

Compulsory excess – This is an excess that has been applied as a requirement by your insurer and will vary according to your personal circumstances and the terms of cover provided. A compulsory excess may be required if you drive a particular vehicle or you have inexperienced drivers on your policy. There is also a compulsory excess for fire, theft or windscreen claims.

Voluntary excess – This will apply where you agree with your insurer to pay a greater part of each claim, in addition to your compulsory excess. A voluntary excess can be increased or decreased at your request during your on-line quotation and it may affect your premium.

Including, but not restricted to chemical/oil/gas works or refineries, nuclear/power stations, explosive/ammunition/pyrotechnic industries, military bases etc.

Grounds set aside for the moving, taking off or landing of aircraft, aircraft parking areas and associated roads, ground equipment parking, maintenance and refuelling areas. Customs examination areas of passenger terminals.

All commercial insurance policies that we offer on-line provide the minimum cover you require to drive in any of the EU countries. Further assistance on extra cover can be obtained via your policy wording or by contacting us on 0800 019 0933.

There are a number of ways:

• Increase your voluntary excess – An excess is the first part of the claim that you have agreed to pay. By increasing this amount, therefore increasing the amount that you are willing to pay in the event of a claim your insurer will discount your annual premium. Remember, in a non-fault claim you may recover your excess via your legal assistance, which is explained under our legal assistance section.
• Your vehicle – The value, type and engine size (cc) all make a difference, generally the cheaper and smaller engine vehicles generate lower premiums.
• Security – Having an alarm, immobiliser or tracker fitted to your vehicle can generate premium discounts.
• Annual mileage – Be as accurate as you possibly can, as the lower your annual mileage, the bigger the insurers may discount your annual premium.
• Where is the vehicle parked overnight – If you have a garage, it's best to use it as insurers may offer discounts on your annual premium. If you have a driveway, enter this onto your quote, off-road parking such as communal parking areas must be entered as "road".
• Additional drivers – Only add drivers to your policy that use your vehicle on a regular basis. Limiting drivers limits your risk to the insurer and therefore decreases your annual premium. 'Any driver' policies are considerably more expensive, if you do require this, check all drivers ages as any driver policies over 25 (entered on quote as 25) may be more expensive than any driver policies over 30 (entered on quote as 30).

Yes, so long as you have a current policy with ourselves. If taken out part way through a policy, the breakdown will only run until the expiry of the current policy and will not become active until 24 hours after it has been added.

This additional cover will protect you if you incur any uninsured losses as a result of an accident that wasn't your fault. Losses which are uninsured may include loss of earnings, personal injury, vehicle recovery within the United Kingdom, loss or damage to personal property and policy excesses under a comprehensive policy. This cover also includes credit repair.

Your policy can begin upto 30 days after you have paid your intial deposit. Under no circumstances can insurance cover be backdated.

If you drive your van to and from work and transport business related goods such as your own tools, please select “Carriage of Own Goods”. This cover is ideal for professions such as plumbers, decorators, window cleaners or florists as there is no cover for loss of, or damage to any goods being carried.

Social, domestic and pleasure only will cover your vehicle for personal usage only (excludes using your vehicle in conjunction with your occupation/trade).

Carriage of goods for hire & reward will cover your vehicle whilst transporting goods for other parties.