Modified van insurance from UK providers

Cheap modified van insurance quotes from UK insurance providers

If you’re a van driver and you’re in the market for cheap van insurance you could be surprised to discover that adding a vehicle wrap or other signage to your van could increase the cost of your insurance.

That’s because adding commercial signage or vehicle wraps to a van is classed as a modification, which means it will need to be declared to your insurance provider – and modified van insurance often costs more than a standard policy.

That’s why it’s so important that you use an unbiased insurance comparison service like Quotezone.co.uk if you need to insure a modified van, which can help you find cheaper insurance by comparing quotes from a wider range of providers.

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Modified van insurance: a guide to finding the best deal

Why does it cost more to insure a modified van?

According to van insurance companies some vehicle modifications can make the van a higher insurance risk, either because they increase the risk of an accident or they increase the risk of theft.

For instance, engine changes or other performance enhancements could increase the chance of the driver being involved in a road traffic accident, while signage can increase the risk of the vehicle being targeted by thieves because it could lead them to believe there might be valuable tools inside.

In addition, some modifications, such as refrigeration systems or specialist paintwork, can result in a higher insurance claim if the vehicle is ever involved in an accident, even if they don’t increase the likelihood of that accident actually occurring.

Also, since the weight of the van is one of the factors used to determine its insurance group, some modifications, such as installing roof bars or fitting a tail lift, could increase the cost of your modified van insurance by adding enough weight to push the van into a higher van insurance group.

Should I remove the signage or vehicle wrap if I’ll be using my van as a private vehicle?

Yes, if the vehicle wrap or other signage is no longer relevant, because you only intend to use it as a private van, for example, then it might be a good idea to have the signage removed.

Not only could this eventually lower the cost of your modified van insurance, but in some cases it could also make the vehicle less attractive to thieves.

Do tinted windows count as a van modification?

Yes, if you install tinted windows in your van you’ll need to declare this to your insurance provider as a van modification – and it could result in higher modified van insurance premiums, because it’s possible that tinted windows could impair a driver’s visibility which could in turn increase the risk of an accident.

Does converting a van for refrigeration count as a vehicle modification?

Yes, if the refrigeration wasn’t part of the manufacturer’s original specification for the van then you would need to take out some form of ‘refrigerated van insurance’ and let your insurance provider know that the van has been converted into a refrigerated van.

It’s also worth pointing out that refrigerated van insurance will almost certainly cost more than you’d pay if the van hadn’t been converted, because a refrigeration system is a fairly high-value modification.

Will a wheelchair ramp be classed as a modification too?

Yes, if you install a wheelchair ramp, accessibility lift, winch or other disability aide in your van you’ll need to take out modified van insurance and inform your insurer about the modification.

While wheelchair ramps or lifts may not alter the performance or aesthetics of the van they will increase its weight, which could in turn push it into a more expensive van insurance group.

Are there any van modifications that don’t affect the cost of insurance?

Yes, there are a number of modifications that may not result in higher insurance costs – and in some cases they may even reduce your modified van insurance quotes.

For instance, installing an engine immobiliser, a new alarm system or high-security locks will usually need to be declared to your insurer as vehicle modifications, but they can sometimes lower your premiums because they improve the security of the van.

If you install parking sensors you will need to declare this to your insurer too, but again this can actually lower your premiums by reducing the risk of an accident when you’re parking your van.

How can I find cheaper modified van insurance?

Firstly, don’t automatically accept your insurance provider’s renewal quote without using an insurance comparison website like Quotezone.co.uk to compare quotes from other insurance companies, because you’ll often be offered a better deal by a new insurance provider than you’d receive from your existing insurer.

Beyond comparing quotes from a range of providers, taking the following steps could also help to reduce the cost of your modified van insurance:

• Parking your van in a garage or on a driveway – Vans that are parked off the road have a lower risk of being involved in an accident or targeted by thieves.
• Paying for the full year upfront – If you opt to pay for your modified van insurance on a monthly basis you’ll usually pay a little more for the privilege.
• Agreeing to a higher excess – Agreeing to a higher voluntary excess could result in a slightly lower insurance premium for your modified van…although it’s important to bear in mind that this does mean you’ll have to cover a larger portion of the cost yourself if you ever have to claim on your insurance.