19 replies to this topic

[DomCr250]

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.

There are different classes of insurance for using your vehicle for work depending on what you are doing. I take a cash alternative instead of a company car and have what's called class one trade insurance. That covers me to and from another alternative place of work but no goods insurance and not for hire and reward. It does not load your premium too much. However as soon as you switch to a van it loads the premium much more.

So some from of mpv with class one may well cover it.

[Cooperman]

Yes, until I retired I had business use insurance on my cars but I was not allowed to carry goods or samples in connection with my business which was not a problem as I owned a service business.

However, when I added sales & support of engineering computers to our services, even though I rarely had any of the equipment in my personal cars, I had to add this to my policy to cover the requirements of the RTA. Any equipment was not covered for loss from a vehicle and had to be on the company's business policy and this required the vehicle not to be left unattended whilst carrying any equipment.

Just make sure the use is correctly described to the insurer.

[muddd001]

Good shout on Aviva guys, about 50% saving compared to comparison sites.

And thank you for all the help, it will only carry a few bits at a time direct to the customers, will never be a great deal.

Insurance is such a mind field, I think I could spend days looking at the options. A people carrier may work but I think it may look a bit scruffy delivering in it and thought a crisp white clean van would look better??

[CityEPete]

I dont think a tidy estate car would look bad, many computer repair places, alarm engineers etc use them.

[Hiks]

Good stuff, I was surprised myself by their quotes. Good as well they handled a case for me where somebody went into the side of me really well, I don't even bother shopping for quotes now on the van at least. My other cars are with other insurers as I think Aviva will only insure a vehicle under 10 years of age so double check that when looking for a van.

 

I'd favour a small van over an estate or people carrier personally, I do think it looks more professional and that you're serious about what you do but that's just me. I probably wouldn't bat an eyelid if I was a customer but I'd be more confident in turning up in a decent van as you said.

 

Kangoo's, berlingo's etc aren't too bad. Cheap and will get you from A to B, not sure if they still will in a few years from now though. Caddy's are decent but 2k upwards, I had one for 6 months and it had 180k on it and honestly drove like 40k and just generally looked tidy and more solid. They also hold their money much better, if you can afford a Caddy I'd go that route if not just get a decent Kangoo or something which will be cheap.

 

Saying that mine is currently SORN and sat on the drive, if you was closer you could of had it haha