One Day Van Insurance in the UK

Taking out a standard van insurance policy when you only need to use a van for a day can be a waste of time and money. Luckily, there are a number of insurers where you can get a one-day van insurance in just a few minutes and cover yourself and the van without having to pay the full price.

 In this article, we’ll explain everything about this type of insurance, including what it covers,  how much it costs and the pros and cons of getting one.

Let’s dive in.

What is one-day van insurance?

One-day van insurance is a type of temporary van insurance that covers you for driving a van for 24 hours, usually from midnight to midnight.

Given the fact that it is flexible and quick, short-term van insurance is the perfect choice when you’re borrowing a van for only a day, or you’re test-driving a van and want to avoid the cost and hassle of taking out standard van insurance.

Moreover, it offers the same protection as the standard van insurance, but it is much cheaper as you’ll only need to pay for the time you need.

If you think you’ll need the van for longer than a day, there are temporary van insurance policies that can last anywhere between a few hours and a month.

Arranging a one-day van insurance is straightforward and only takes a few minutes.

All you need to do is enter a few details about you and the van, agree with the price and pay for your policy and you’ll get your documents in no time.

The one-day van insurance is available to a range of drivers, however, some requirements must be met in order to be eligible for the policy.

These can vary between insurers, but usually, you must:

• Be aged between 17 and 77
• Hold a valid UK driving licence
• Have a permanent address in the UK
• Have no more than 7 licence points and no more than 2 fault claims in the last 3 years
• Have no criminal convictions
• Not have a previous policy declared void by an insurer

Also, your van must:

• Be valued under £65.000
• Have a valid MOT
• Be taxed
• Have no modifications
• Not be used for carrying passengers or goods for payment

Note that each insurer has its eligibility criteria, so make sure to check with the one you opt for.

When should I get one-day van insurance?

Choosing to insure a van for a day instead of opting for long-term insurance coverage is something you may want to consider in the following situations:

• You’re borrowing a van for a day to move into a new home or help someone else  relocate
• You’re renting a van for a one-day trip 
• Shifting one-off large items of furniture or white goods
• The van you use for work is off-road, so you need a replacement
• Insuring someone else to use your van for a short period of time
• You’re test-driving a new van before purchasing
• Bringing your new van home before you’ve bought a long-term insurance policy

What’s covered with one-day van insurance?

A daily van insurance policy will provide you with the same coverage as an annual van insurance but without the hefty price. Exactly what you’re covered for will depend on the level of coverage you get, but most daily insurance policies will cover you for the following:

• Any damage you inflict to another person or their property for that day, even if it was your fault
• Any  damage to you or your van caused by an accident, fire or vandalism
• Replacement costs if your van gets stolen
• Claims from third parties
• Depending on your insurer, you may get coverage for driving in the EU too
• The cost of replacing any personal belongings (this also depends on your insurer)

Same as an annual van insurance policy, there are certain things that the van insurance policy for a day won’t cover, including:

• Any additional drivers – only the policyholder will be covered
• Driving other vehicles – you get coverage only for the van that is listed under the policy
• Releasing the van from an impound – unless you opt for a specific impounded policy, any fees for removing the van from an impound will be down to you
• The loss or damage of any vehicle or trailer that’s being towed by the van is also not covered

Depending on what you’ll be using the van for, there are some optional extras you can add to your policy, including:

• Legal cover, which will cover any legal costs for an accident that wasn’t your fault
• Public liability insurance which will cover you if someone you’ve injured claims against you
• Breakdown cover that offers you assistance in case your van breaks down while you’re driving
• Tool cover, which will cover you in case any tools or equipment you left in the van gets stolen or damaged
• A courtesy vehicle which offers you another van to use while yours is being repaired
• Foreign-use cover, which covers you and your van outside the UK
• No-claims bonus protection, which protects your No claims bonus on other vehicles you own
• Employer’s liability insurance which covers the costs in case someone of your employees gets injured in the workplace

How much does one-day van insurance cost?

A one-day van insurance cover is often cost-effective for van drivers in the short term, however, the exact price you’ll need to pay will mainly depend on your personal circumstances.

For instance, if you typically pay higher prices for your regular insurance, you’ll probably pay more for the daily insurance of a van, too.

Here are some of the factors that will determine the price of your 24-hour van insurance policy:

• Your age: Statistics show that younger drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, so they often pay a higher price for insurance
• Driving history: If you’ve made a lot of claims on motoring insurance in the past, your premiums will be higher
• Excess: Apart from the compulsory excess fee, some insurers may give you the option to reduce your premiums by paying a voluntary excess 
• Location: If you live in a quiet village location, the day cover van insurance policy will cost you far less than if you’ve lived in an area with higher crime rates
• Vehicle’s value: Generally speaking, the more expensive the van is, the more it will cost to insure 

Pros and cons of one-day van insurance

Due to its flexibility, one-day van insurance can be the right cover for many different situations. Here are some of the benefits of taking out van insurance for only a day:

• You only pay for the time you need
• There are no long-term contracts, so you’re not tied to anything
• It’s much quicker to arrange it compared to an annual van insurance policy
• The van’s owner No Claims bonus is protected in case of an accident
• Your No Claims bonus on any other vehicles you own is also protected
• You’ll get the same level of coverage as with the annual van insurance policy

Even though it offers many benefits, the 1-day van insurance policy may not be suitable for everyone. Here are some of the downsides of insuring your van for a day:

• It is less convenient than the annual policy if you’re driving the van more often
• It can work out more expensive than being added to the main driver’s policy as a second driver
• The cost per day for the annual insurance is cheaper than the price of a one-day van insurance

Bottom line 

Whether you’re borrowing a van to move house, go on a trip or need it for work, taking out one-day van insurance can be a great option that can save you some money and time.

However, if you’re planning on driving the van frequently, this may not be the most cost-effective way to get a cover.