If you’re new to the UK or about to drive a van for the first time, don’t overlook the importance of van insurance. Apart from being a legal requirement, this will provide financial and personal injury protection in the event of a collision, theft, or accidental damage.
A legal requirement
There are several legal requirements to owning a vehicle in the UK. These include:
- Having a correct driving license
- Registering your vehicle with the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency)
- Staying up to date with vehicle and road tax
- Proving roadworthiness with an annual MOT (Ministry of Transport) test and certificate
A minimum of third party insurance coverage is also a must if you want to drive any vehicle in the UK. This protects you if you’re liable for causing damage to other people or their property while driving.
Third party insurance is the minimum cover required, but there are levels above this that offer superior protection – primarily financial and legal help if you or your van is harmed in an accident.
The cover is necessary even if you’re driving someone else’s vehicle, so you should investigate short-term options like 1 day van insurance if you’re hiring a van or driving a friend’s van temporarily.
Financial protection
One of how van insurance safeguards you are a driver is that it provides financial protection in the event of a collision, theft, or accidental damage.
Third party insurance will help to pay for the costs related to the other driver and vehicle. Comprehensive coverage will ensure that you receive financial aid as well.
Van insurance protects you financially by covering the costs of:
- Vehicle repairs
- Property repairs
- Any applicable legal fees
If you get into an accident and you don’t have adequate cover, you might find yourself facing huge bills with no way to pay them. This can be crippling financially, both for businesses and individuals.
Personal injury cover
The other main way that van insurance safeguards you and your vehicle is that it provides personal injury cover. If you’re in an accident that causes harm to you and any passengers that are in the van.
This money can be used to pay medical expenses and to cover the cost of any recommended rehabilitation treatment. You can also arrange a payment to provide financial security if you’ve suffered a loss of income due to your injuries from the collision.
When you’re applying for van insurance, remember to be open and honest to avoid any problems during the application process or if you need to use it further down the line. Rejections are rare, especially if you’ve not made an insurance claim in the past.
