19 replies to this topic

[muddd001]

Hello Guys,

I'm in the need for a van for work, it only has to be a small one to do small deliveries but every van I see it seems that insurance will be £4,000+

Any ideas guys as I only have about £1,000 to spend on insurance.

I have 1.5 years no claims on a car.

Thanks guys, help would be much appreciated :)

Dan

[RedRuby]

Would a hatchback or something like the skoda yeti work for your intended loads, although is it the van putting up the insurance costs or your age and business use?

[Anthony30]

Get your boss to buy you a van, and pay for the insurance. Job done!  

[New game mini]

Could you perhaps get a car derived van like a corsa or Fez van (if not too small) Or I wonder if it would work if you bought an estate or mpv and just removed/put the seats flat. It wouldn't do much for your street cred but might save you on insurance?

[Hiks]

Look into a Kangoo or something, only a 1.5 DCI engine and only classed as 2 seats so that should make it a little cheaper at your age as you won't have 3 mates spread across the back seat.

 

I had one for work for 2 years before going to a Primastar, they aren't too bad. Drives OK, pulls fairly well and good in the cold/snow. Pretty cheap as well considering, you can pick up a 04-06 for under a grand.

 

With you saying its for deliveries are you thinking of courier work? are you adding Haulage and goods insurance on the policy? if you are you then that's probably why its expensive.

[megamini_jb]

Similar a few years ago for me. I started with a 90s Audi A4 estate, so much room and still a pretty nice car anyway. Then I moved to an old school Hyundai pick up with a truckman top, then after a year or so with that I checked with the insurance and now have a 09 caddy

Edited by megamini_jb, 27 December 2015 - 08:39 AM.

[muddd001]

Cheers Guys!

Sorry when I say work I'm self employed, I do promotional products and the corsa I've got just doesn't hold much!

It would also be nice to get some sign writing on the thing.

The aka goo looks like a good option and in my budget (under a grand)

Is there any other small engine size vans out there?

[CityEPete]

I'd imagine its the fact its a commercial van rather than engine size even if you look at a corsa van, I get stuffed on my Caddy being nearly double what I'd pay for a base model golf for example. Same engine in a golf is £30 a year to tax, caddy is £238!

I used an astra estate for years, it was more practical than the van having the rear doors for getting stuff in and out of it as they dont have the height of a caddy, connect, combo etc, find a white one and have some vinyl put on the rear glass and your signwriting. Even then you need to declare it as used for work or you are going to be screwed if you have a bump.

[DomCr250]

I'd imagine its the fact its a commercial van rather than engine size even if you look at a corsa van, I get stuffed on my Caddy being nearly double what I'd pay for a base model golf for example. Same engine in a golf is £30 a year to tax, caddy is £238!

I used an astra estate for years, it was more practical than the van having the rear doors for getting stuff in and out of it as they dont have the height of a caddy, connect, combo etc, find a white one and have some vinyl put on the rear glass and your signwriting. Even then you need to declare it as used for work or you are going to be screwed if you have a bump.

A few trades people who work in London now use estate cars or MPV's, I think it's gots something to do with low emission zone and vans?  ...maybe look at a small MPV? We had a citroen berlingo for a good few years ...zero street cred but it had a massive capacity when the seats were down ..cheap as chips to buy and reasonable build quality 

[Cooperman]

Is it the actual vehicle type which is pushing up the premium or is it the fact that it has to have business use instead of the more normal S, D & P cover?

 

One solution might be to form a limited company with a close relative as a director with you as the other director. Then get company cover with the directors and any employees (maybe you'll expand the business) as the drivers. Just an idea that you could discuss with a broker. The vehicle could have the Ltd. Co. as the keeper. That would be entirely legal.

[CityEPete]

A berlingo, partner or doblo style mpv is a good shout, another factor no one had mentioned is VAT, even a fiesta van will be plus car at 20%. An mpv our estate car won't.

[Hiks]

Also check out Aviva for insurance, I'm not sure if they do young drivers but when I was paying £800 for a Mk1 MX5 Aviva did the Kangoo at £450 which was well below any other company. After 2 years I went to the Primastar as I said and transferred it over to that at £350 on the renewel.

 

They seem great for insuring vans, the commercial dedicated insurance companies were all stupidly high. Although I only have mine down as personal use.

[Cooperman]

But the OP needs use for business cover and that is probably where the problem lies. If it is not insured for business, then it is uninsured when the OP is carrying out his work and that must be discouraged.

[minidaves]

get a scenic, Picasso, galaxy or alike seats out equals van

[Hiks]

But the OP needs use for business cover and that is probably where the problem lies. If it is not insured for business, then it is uninsured when the OP is carrying out his work and that must be discouraged.

 

I hear ya but it doesn't sound like hes hauling a great deal. What exactly are you putting in the van? is it your property or customers?

 

When I started I was repairing computers and stuff, I didn't carry a great deal at all and although I technically was driving to a job and I did have a few tools in the back I didn't have the business insurance. Isn't it just like going in a car? its not like hes a double glazier with glass up the side of the van and loads of tools in the back or a fleet of vehicles where everybody drives them not bothered and rushing to get around.

 

Maybe that was wrong of me I don't know, but I'm guessing its hard enough trying to be self employed at 19 when most others are happy to be on the dole.