If you have a fleet of vans for your business, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to getting them insured. In this day and age, there are a plethora of insurance companies out there and you may be looking at different makes and models throughout your fleet which can make the process of setting up fleet van insurance a little more complicated.
So, we’ve put together a guide to help you find the easiest ways to insure your fleet and make sure you’re getting the best deal for you.
What is fleet van insurance?
Starting right at the basics, van fleet insurance will cover your business for three or more vehicle’s that you own. The vehicle’s do not have to be of the same make or model and any vehicles can be included within the policy, not just vans. However, if you do have motorbikes or work with tractors, they may need a separate policy.
If you have a fleet of vans and other vehicles, it’s a useful way of keeping all your insurance under one single policy. This means you only have one renewal date and can maintain consistent cover for all vehicles under your remit.
What is covered in the policy?
Your fleet van insurance is much like any other insurance policy in that what is covered will be dependent on which policy that you take out. You can choose between third party, third party, fire and theft or a fully comprehensive policy.
Whilst this will remain the same, you may also be looking at courier fleet van insurance policies, instead of regular policies so there are different options to choose from.
There are two types of van insurance for commercial purposes:
1) Haulage – this is where you use your vehicles to carry a third party’s goods e.g. using the vehicle for deliveries
2) Carriage of own goods – this covers you when your vehicles are used to transport your own goods.
For a business, this may mean naming various employees as an individual on the policy or opting for an ‘any driver’ scheme. You will also need to declare all the different types of vehicles that are in your fleet to the insurance provider.
Benefits of a multi-van policy
In order to purchase a multi-van policy, all you need is three or more vehicles. It’s as simple as that. When all your fleet is under one fleet van insurance policy, it’s a lot easier to manage, not to mention you can actually save money too.
Affordable policy
When you group all your vehicles under one policy, you may actually experience a discounted price than insuring them all separately. Often, the more vehicles that are on the policy, the cheaper the price. It’s best to hunt around and get different quotes, but you can definitely make some savings if you have your vehicles under one policy.
Flexibility
With a multi-van policy, you can often find companies that can offer flexibility. They can offer tailored cover to each of your vehicles including excess amounts and certain extras such as key care or breakdown cover.
Hassle-free
Searching for insurance can be easier as you’re only requesting one quote from all of your vehicles, which can save you a lot of time and effort. It also puts your policy in one manageable place which can make any claims you make easier and quicker to deal with.
What else can fleet van insurance offer?
Fleet van insurance can include extras on your policy, depending on your requirements. For example, you can get EU cover if travelling across countries within the EU. Companies may also offer breakdown cover or legal cover with your policy.
Some insurance policies will also provide ‘agreed value’ where insurance pay out the market value of your vehicle if you suffer a total loss. This amount is agreed prior to setting up the policy, so you know just how much you’re getting if you need to make a claim.
Get cheaper rates
It’s always best to compare quotes and hunt around a bit before settling on an insurance policy. In addition to this, there will be some policies that offer more flexibility or better add-ons that might suit you better.
Once you’ve found a few quotes that seem affordable, speaking to an expert to help you compare your fleet van insurance policies and help find the best solution for you.