Have anyone out here ever tried to insure a Transit sized van on a private motor policy?
My efforts to insure my Renault Trafic Van have finally paid off with a £360 TPFT premium inclusive on an introductory discound on the strength of my NCB on the main car. I was hoping for a cheaper quote.
I use the van to renovate my own house (We're moving to a place that needs a lot of work. I have worked out that it is just about cheaper to run a 2nd car to cope with all the mess etc, saving money on skip hire, material delivery costs, soiling the car etc. And we will use it to move house, thereby saving money on hiring a van.
When I have run two cars, the second had usually attracted a 2nd car discount, roughly equivilent to full NCB on the first. The only proviso was that I had to demonstrate that I ran two cars, and had the NCB. This doesn't work too well with vans, unless they are car derived vans (eg Ford Escort van).
Now I come to a vehicle that is still PLG class and can be driven on a car licence and only one insurance company was prepared to give an introductory discount.
Many commercial vehicle insurers did not wish to quote for privately used vans, despite what is surely a much lower risk.
Many main stream car insurers would not quote for vehicles of this type at all.
Often insurers that would quote seemed to put a loading on for the fact that I am not self employed and will be using the van for private use only, despite the fact that I am intending to do less than 10,000 miles per annum, as opposed to the average commercial milege of 30,000+.
Excuses that I have received include:-
Private policies have been abused by people using these vehicles for gain. - So why don't you treat everyone as self employed and we can all benefit from the discount?
People who drive vans up to 30,000 miles per year are less likely to have an accident that those people who do 5,000 to 10,000 miles per year. - WHAT????? - Run that past me again! So White Van Man who doesnt give a damn is a better risk than someone who is basically using the vehicle as a second car and will drive it as such?
This all seems a bit bazarr.
Is there anyone out there that can explain the logic behind all this?
Is there anyone out there that has got this problem or has found a way around it?
The problem is, what do I do next year when my intro discount is not there?
H
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Not easy. Find a good broker. Not easy. Stick with them. They can prove invaluable when you need them most, but remember, they also have to earn a living. The real trouble is you probably dont fit into a category and most Agents/Brokers/Companies can't be bothered. Sad but true.
Regards.
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>>The problem is, what do I do next year when my intro discount is not there?
The intro discount will be commuted to NCD. So if, for example, they gave you a 40% intro, likely comparable to 2 years NCD, then next year this will change to 50% comparable to three years NCD.
However, if you ask for proof of NCD because you would like to go elsewhere, the bonus proof will show only one year of NCD.
All negated in the event of an incident, of course.
Oh, and by the way, abuse of private car policies usage restrictions is the reason that they don´t like to cover vans.
That and the higher incidence of claims due to either unfamiliarity with that type of vehcile, or because of what it is carrying.
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Thanks Mark - Are you or were you involved in setting up motoring insurance?
WRT unfamiliarity of vehicle - I know what you are saying, sympathize with this. However My sister has no trouble with her Peugeot 806 (MPV)insurance, and that is almost the same size.
In addition, I am informed, that if it had seats (mini-bus or van derived people carrier, it would be treated like a car.
I took the vehicle on its first long drive yesterday and today. There were no major differences apart from those that you are aware of when you drive any different vehicle (car or otherwise).
The only problem I had was a broken handbrake cable. Still got home without incident though. It was a bit scary as I was backing up a hill at the time!
There must be people out there that use vans for hobbies, such as go carting or moto cross. Surely they can get reasonable rates, otherwise they would use cars with huge towavan type trailers.
I'm probably being niaeve, but I still cannot understand why I would be such a high risk to a lot of insurers.
I do draw comfort from you comments on the intro discount.
In addition I do have a very good brker for my my car. Unfortunately the girl in the office I spoke to that day was less than helpful, maybe she just wanted to go home. I shall speak to the boss and ask him to look into it for me for next year.
Happy new year!
H
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Thanks Mark - Are you or were you involved in setting up motoring insurance?
I was. Underwriter and Adjuster at different times.
There must be people out there that use vans for hobbies, such as go carting or moto cross. Surely they can get reasonable rates, otherwise they would use cars with huge towavan type trailers.
I´ve always done quite well with my (windsurf/surf/paragliding equipped) transit vans. I know I recommmend them quite often, but it is just the sort of risk that Norwich Union normally do well on.
However, I believe that motorsport based people frequently have issues - its not a popular occupation with insurers.
I don´t know where you are based, but if you mooched along to the local beach when the windsurfers are out, then they would certainly be able to give recommendations, although you seem to have got yourself sorted out now.
Unfortunately the girl in the office I spoke to that day was less than helpful, maybe she just wanted to go home.
You know how much the checkout assistant in Tescos knows about farming and agriculture ? Well its about the same thing.
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The following will give you an approximate online quote
www.cornhilldirect.co.uk/
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