If you’re one of the thousands of van drivers delivering goods on UK roads, you know how important your vehicle is to your livelihood. However, not all vans are affordable to insure.
That’s why we have compiled a list of the most affordable small vans to insure, as well as detailing the important aspects insurers look at when calculating the cost of your premium.
Whether you use your van for personal or business use, here is everything you need to know about affordable insurance for small vans.
Affordable small vans to insure in the UK
1. Citroen Berlingo
The Citroen Berlingo has an engine size ranging from 1360 to 1997CC. The smaller engine size has a smaller max payload, which may be needed for some jobs but with the van being placed in group one, it makes it one of the most efficient vans around. However, a higher max payload can push this all the way up to group eight if required.
2. Ford Fiesta Van
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the most affordable Ford van to insure is also one of the smallest. The 2013 model year Fiesta van starts in group one, which gets you the 1.5-litre TDCi model in either super frugal Econetic or sharp looking Sport guises. The 1.25-litre petrol version is also in group 1E – the ‘E’ means it exceeds safety body Thatcham’s security requirements – so it has been bumped down into a lower group.
At worst, you’re looking at group 2E for the 1.6 TDCi Sport model. It’s one of our top picks for couriers and delivery drivers too! It’s also a perfect van for young drivers too.
3. Vauxhall Combo
Depending on the model you buy the Vauxhall Combo can fall between insurance groups one to four. The Vauxhall Combo comes in two lengths and one roof height (L1 H1 and L2 H1), and there’s also a Crew Van based on the L2 H1 version.
There are three trims available: Edition, Sportive and Limited Edition Nav. The basic Edition is designed to cater for fleet buyers, but is still pretty well equipped, while the Sportive and LE Nav vans bump up the kit count for smaller business users.
4. Citroen Nemo
The Citroen Nemo is another compact van that’s perfect for those who do not need to carry huge payloads, but still comes in as slightly larger than the Berling, and is placed in insurance groups 2 to 4.
You will not be able to buy this van new, however, there are a lot of second-hand options on the market, and it is cheap to run for those who make small trips without the need of having a large van.
5. Renault Kangoo
The Renault Kangoo falls into the medium-sized van category and offers owners a lot of room inside the cabin. With its modest engine size and maximum payload, the Kangoo falls into Group 2, meaning affordable insurance premiums.
For those who are looking for a more environmentally friendly van, you are also able to buy the Kangoo as a fully fledged electric van.
6. Suzuki Carry
The Suzuki Carry is one of the oldest vans on our list, but don’t rule it out just because of its age. This option is perfect for those who drive locally and around cities thanks to its slimmer frame.
However, the Carry does come with limited storage space and will be a challenge to those who carry (pardon the pun) heavy equipment on their journeys.
7. Fiat Scudo
Created with the help of Citroen and Peugeot, the Fiat Scudo is a cost-effective van with a moderate amount of load space.
There’s no fancy features with this van, what you see is what you get, but it’s still one of the most reliable vans on the road in the UK for small businesses.
8. Peugeot Bipper
Perfect for those who stay within cities and large towns, the Peugeot Bipper has a large cargo space to store tools and equipment and we recommend this van if you are looking to buy a van on a smaller budget.
The major downside is it’s not a practical van for those looking to travel long distances, or those who require motorway driving to get to work.
9. Vauxhall Corsavan
The Vauxhall Corsavan is a derivative of the uber-popular Corsa car, it’s compact, fuel-efficient and fits into category 1 for insurance, making it affordable to all. The small nature of this van makes it agile and great for cities, but once again due to the size it is limited for storage space.
The Corsavan does however come with all of the modern technology you would expect for a new van and has a decent sized payload for those who have a small-medium business.
10. Nissan NV200
The Nissan NV200 is one of the largest vans on our list and is perfect for long journeys or for those who need to carry lots of equipment with them. The only major downsides are they can be tricky to use on narrow roads if you’re driving in the countryside, and they do guzzle quite a lot of fuel.
How to get affordable insurance for your van
Van insurance costs are determined by a range of different factors, including personal data about yourself, such as your age, how long you have been driving, your no claims bonus and where you live, to name a few.
However, here are some pointers that could help you find a van that is more affordable to insure than you might expect.
The smaller the van the better
A general rule of thumb is, the smaller the van, the less it will be to insure. If your job doesn’t require you to use a large van, then you’re best off buying a smaller one. Entry-level vans with a single panel are even better as they are often cheaper to buy than their higher-spec counterparts, which means they’re less expensive to replace, driving your premium lower.
Tell your insurer if you modify your van
If you have modified your van, or have purchased a van that has been modified in some way, this could cause the insurance price to drop.
Some modifications can drive down the price of your insurance, so it’s always best to check with a modification specialist that also offers modified van insurance such as Adrian Flux to see how you can save money.
The size of your engine can make a big difference
A smaller engine, as with cars, often means that insurance premiums are less as, in the eyes of insurance providers, the less powerful the engine the less risk of a claim being made.
The last thing that a van driver needs is their vehicle to be underpowered for the tasks they do regularly, so only choose a van with the lowest engine category that can still do the job you need it for.
How secure is your van?
Insurers will also take into account how expensive your van is, as more expensive vans are more likely to be stolen. They will also cross-reference this with where your van is stored overnight, be that on a drive, in a street or in a garage. Having the latest security features though can help reduce your premium, so be sure to declare these details when asked.
Affordable vans to insure
Whilst the above information can help you narrow down your list of potential vans to buy for yourself or your business, there are of course some vans that are seen as the less expensive to insure. The above factors can help, but it is important to remember that your own driving history can affect your insurance premium.
Another important thing to note is once the above factors have been accounted for, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) places each van into an insurance group ranging from 1 to 50. Older vans are placed in a scale from one to 20, while newer vans are placed in groups 21 to 50. Essentially whether your van is new or old, the higher the number, the more expensive your van will be to insure.
Find out more tips on how to save money on your van insurance in our blog.
Van insurance you can trust
At Adrian Flux we’re proud to note that we’ve won the WhatVan? Insurance Company of the Year award four times in the last six years, thanks to our specialist van team.
By talking to an insurance specialist on the phone you can make sure you’re answering all the questions correctly, and have someone on your side, helping find ways to save you money and get the very best cover.
Don’t just use comparison sites or online quotes for your van insurance, because their quotes will be generated by a computer and can’t be altered.The best Adrian Flux van insurance deals are usually done over the phone. Call 0800 141 2794 or request a call-back at a time that suits you.