Van Insurance. How to proceed? Warning-phase 1 Vito content

[Jem45]

Hi all,

I am the proud owner of this little beauty. Possibly one of the most disregarded and unloved vans of the semi-modern era, I give you the w638 series Mercedes Benz Vito with 2.3 litres of normally aspirated diesel power in manual guise on an "R" plate. 2 sliding doors and rear tailgate. No mod cons except a (currently non-functioning) stereo. I kind of like it...




I want to use it for my vintage/collectables/ antiques business which I've been doing for a while now on the side. I do fairs and stuff and also need to collect/ deliver the odd piece of vintage furniture etc.. I've never insured a van before and have been using the trusty Volvo estate but that is moving on soon.

Are there any recommended companies? Any limitations I can place on my own use and declare that would help keep premiums down (bar the obvious NCB/ limited mileage stuff)? Do I need to formalise my business arrangements and insure it via the business?

As you can tell I'm a total novice but everyone is telling me that van insurance is really expensive and I'm going to get fleeced. The input of the collective expertise of retro-riders would be much appreciated.

Cheers folks,
Nick

[xbl]

I use Brentacre for my vans, they're a broker but are very competitive and don't mind modifications at all. You'll need business use added on (no extra cost with Brentacre) and goods in transit if you wish to deliver other people's belongings.

[johnthesparky]

As above, I struggled to get insurance on my Astravan. It’s 24 years old so should qualify for a classic policy, but no one would give me a policy as I was using it for trade, a normal commercial policy wouldn’t have given me an agreed value.

It’s insured with Brentacre on an agreed value modified van policy and though I haven’t made a claim, they’ve been very helpful when I’ve dealt with them so far, no charge for swapping the engine (they had to consult the underwriter as it’s a bit more powerful) or swapping brakes which were both additional mods after the declared mods when I took out the policy.

I’ve always found trade insurance to cost more, there is a risk of theft and damage, and I always thought of it that they know you’ll run it through your books and claim the expense back (probably not true, but as a small business that’s how it always feels )

[Jem45]

I guess Brentacre would be worth a shout if it was modified but it's stock - or at least it is at the moment. The classic policy angle is interesting . . . never even considered it might be eligible but it's 25 years old so I guess it technically is.

[xbl]

If you're even slightly thinking of mods then I would try them. 25 years old doesn't automatically assume classic status any longer.

[ferny]

Honestly, I just use the talking meerkat for the van. At the very least it'll give you names to call. Two things though;

Read the small print - I just issued mine with Post Office as although not the cheapest, their policy wording was the first to match my needs

Insurance rules change on the 1st January, forcing insurance companies to offer the same deals to new and existing customers. This will impact prices.

[brachunky]

I noticed that any sign writing/ business info on the van will increase premiums

[astranaut]

Dec 30, 2021 15:08:55 GMT brachunky said:

I noticed that any sign writing/ business info on the van will increase premiums

Really? I'd have thought that would have lowered it, especially if stolen when it practically a "return to if stolen" address on the side.

[xbl]

I've never noticed an increase for signwriting.

[Jem45]

I've started running a few quotes through the usual 'mass online comparison sites' and only the meerkat asked about signwriting, stating that discount may be applied by some insurers - nothing about extra premiums being incurred for this.

Not a very scientific sample but makes sense...

[Paul Y]

If you are not doing huge miles have you thought about the by miles type of insurance?

Only reason I bring it up is 2 of the companies I am currently dealing with through my business offer this as a service to vans specifically.

One is Tickr.

The other one I cant remember but if interested I will look it up and let you know.

I am actually thinking of using a similar service for the Super Fiesta (tm) as it only covered 2000 miles last year and insuring it by the mile would have cut the premium in half.

P.

[Jem45]

Hi Paul, I didn't even know that was a thing and I'll certainly look at that so if you can remember the other company that'd be fab, ta. I'm doing quotes at the mo on 3k miles per annum and I reckon that's on the generous side - a few fairs, a delivery every couple of months and a few 'doggo and doggo's friends' trips would be about it.

[dodgerover]

A Plan is who I'm with with my transit, if you ever find a firm that will do an agreed value classic type policy with business use on a van I'm all ears.

[Jem45]

Jan 2, 2022 20:06:23 GMT dodgerover said:

A Plan is who I'm with with my transit, if you ever find a firm that will do an agreed value classic type policy with business use on a van I'm all ears.

Hmmm . . . no luck so far but will do, if I come across anyone foolish enough to bestow that definition on the ol' Vito!

[Jem45]

Update - I went with a standard policy with limited mileage in the end. Managed to find something fairly reasonable (ie circa £360) that fitted my plans. Thanks for the input folks.