In the UK, insurance is a legal requirement for any vehicle on the road. Vehicles used for commercial purposes have exposure to a wider variety of risks than those used for personal use, whether that’s due to the carriage of dangerous cargo or simply clocking higher mileage. Companies using cars to carry paying customers face increased public liability risks, and tradespeople may transport expensive tools they need to protect.
Commercial vehicle insurance responds to these elevated risks, covering a whole host of business uses. It can cover a range of policies, from tailored taxi fleet policies to truck insurance, van insurance or a single fleet policy to cover hundreds of company vehicles. Not only can a policy protect against the financial impact of bumps, scrapes and accidents, it can also supply replacement vehicles and courtesy cars to keep daily operations running smoothly if one of your motors is off the road.
How to find a commercial vehicle insurance provider
There are a range of specialist motor insurers offering commercial vehicle insurance, who have extensive industry knowledge supporting their products. When choosing a provider, it can be beneficial to find a policy tailored to your industry type, vehicle usage or trade, as these solutions are likely to offer the most comprehensive protection for the motor risks your vehicles face. To find a provider there are several channels:
- Approach insurers directly – A simple way to find a provider is by browsing the internet for commercial vehicle insurance. Many suppliers provide details of their products on their website, complete with coverage features, common queries and typical exclusions. Here, you can find contact details to get in touch with advisers directly, or you can usually generate a quote through their website.
- Going through a broker – Brokers are particularly helpful when it comes to more complex insurance solutions. This advantage can apply to commercial vehicle insurance, which may have to cover a range of vehicle types and make in varying conditions, used for multiple purposes. Brokers have extensive knowledge not only of the products available but also of the kinds of risks unique to each trade. They can help advise you on a suitable level of coverage and recommend sensible policy extensions.
- Comparison websites – With so many variations of commercial vehicle insurance available, it can be challenging to compare products on a like-for-like basis. Comparison websites are a way to view multiple products side-by-side, displaying cover features and benefits as well as prices. Many of these sites allow you to filter your search results according to personalised parameters, to further narrow down your search.
This list below highlights some of the insurance suppliers on the market, offering commercial vehicle insurance.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance Providers
Aviva
Comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance is available from Aviva. Their policies include a wide variety of features, including a lifetime guarantee on all repairs carried out by Aviva’s approved mechanics, for the duration for the policy. Their comprehensive level of cover also includes £500 of tool cover as standard. One of the standout benefits to Aviva’s plan is the inclusion of passenger cover, allowing employees to offer lifts to colleagues between business premises.
Optional paid extras include foreign use cover for protection abroad in most European countries and expert motor legal support, and their highest level of protection also provides cover for a replacement vehicle to keep business running smoothly. Aviva is on hand 24 hours a day to arrange pickup following an accident and also offer an around-the-clock claims helpline. You can generate a quote on their website.
Coversure (Broker)
Commercial vehicle insurance arranged by Coversure can cover an extensive range of vehicles, including vans, taxis, trucks, lorries, minibuses, diggers and forklift trucks, among other specialist vehicle types. Their flexible policies can cater to single vehicles as well as mixed fleets, with the option to include tools cover, breakdown and recovery and flexible passenger protection, whether that’s for carrying paying customers or lifts for other co-workers. Larger passenger-carrying vehicles can also secure cover, with policies available for minibuses, coaches and buses. You can submit an enquiry on their website for more details.
Tradex
Tradex offers an extensive line of commercial vehicle insurance policies, designed to cater to various professions and industries, including couriers, plumbers, contractors and catering vans, as well as trades often considered high-risk. They can accommodate for young drivers, those with bad credit and drivers with an adverse claims history, and coverage is even available for personally owned vehicles under a fleet policy. Customers can choose between a named driver or any driver policy, as well as a choice of third party only, third party fire and theft or comprehensive cover. You can use their online quote generator to obtain a price estimation.
Swinton Business
Companies can find commercial insurance for various vehicle types with Swinton Business, who can cover business fleets of two or more vehicles, taxi fleets, HGVs and trucks over 7.5 tonnes. Swinton can also cover a broad range of business types, from small repair garages to large taxi firms. Coverage can include loss or damage to vehicles, breakdown recovery, windscreen cover, replacement locks and use abroad. Swinton is also able to integrate public liability insurance into a vehicle insurance policy, as well as business equipment insurance and motor trade legal protection for added peace of mind. You can call them directly to obtain a quote.
ThinkInsurance (Broker)
ThinkInsurance offer a wide range of products within their commercial motor insurance range, including policies for taxis, minibuses, tippers, trucks and HGVs. They can also provide a discounted multivehicle product for companies with fleets of two or more vehicles, whether that’s two of the same car or varying vehicle types. Their policies are flexible, with both any driver and named driver options, with third party only, third party fire & theft and comprehensive coverage available. You can speak to an expert over the phone or generate a quote through their website.
Allianz
Motor insurance from Allianz is available for almost any business type using company vehicles, for a wide variety of purposes. Their policies can cover road traffic accidents, including those with uninsured drivers, accidental damage, theft or attempted theft as well as accidental misfuelling. Policyholders also have access to a courtesy vehicle free of charge should something go wrong, and can enjoy peace of mind following any repairs thanks to a lifetime guarantee on work carried out on all insured vehicles.
Allianz can also offer free windscreen repairs and pay-on-use breakdown cover. While vehicles are in for repair, companies can monitor their progress using an online vehicle repair tracker. All claims are handled by a UK-based team of commercial motor experts who can offer support and guidance in the event of a claim. Allianz’s commercial motor range is available exclusively through brokers.
Covéa
Commercial vehicle insurance from Covéa is designed for light commercial vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, used for the carriage of own goods. Features of the cover include full coverage in the EU for up to 35 days, new vehicle replacement if the vehicle is written off at less than 12 months old, use of a courtesy vehicle while the insured motor is in for repair and windscreen replacement and repair. Discounts are also available to customers who limit the mileage of the insured vehicles. For support with claims, policyholders have access to a 24-hour motor claims helpline open all year round. You can arrange cover through a broker or intermediary.
Towergate Insurance
With a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Feefo based on over 10,000 reviews, Towergate can insure a wide variety of vehicle types for a broad range of uses. They have an extensive line of solutions tailored to specific trades, including chauffeur insurance, agricultural vehicle insurance, fleet policies, minibus cover, taxi fleet insurance and van insurance.
Their standard policies can offer protection against theft, accidental damage and fire damage. On top of this, they can integrate passenger and public liability insurance for companies dealing with the public. Their expert commercial vehicle advisers are available over the phone to offer support choosing a suitable level of cover, or you can generate a quote online.
Marsh
Marsh Commercial can arrange a wide variety of tailored commercial vehicle insurance policies from leading UK insurers. Their policies can cover single vehicles as well as fleets, with coverage for loss or damage to material property and replacement locks should keys get lost or stolen. Vehicle recovery and repairs also appears as standard, as well as access to a courtesy car while your insured vehicle is out of action. Other perks to a policy with Marsh include ‘new for old’ cover for the cost of replacement vehicles, and they can also provide protection abroad within the EU countries as an optional extension. You can enter your postcode on their website to find your local adviser.
Zurich
A comprehensive commercial vehicle policy is available from Zurich. The plan includes cover for ‘own goods’ as standard and also comes with automatic cover for own goods vehicles Europe-wide. Other perks to Zurich’s policy include cover for replacement keys up to £1,000 should they be lost or stolen and up to £5,000 in personal accident cover for the driver of the insured vehicle. Windscreen repair and replacement are included with their comprehensive level of cover.
Policyholders also have access to a courtesy vehicle while any insured motors are in for repair with an approved mechanic. Both the motor emergency helpline and accident recovery service are in action 24-hours a day all year round. Zurich’s commercial motor policies are available exclusively through brokers.
A-Plan (Broker)
A range of business types using commercial vehicles can find tailored cover through A-Plan’s product range, including business fleet insurance, modified van insurance, a taxi fleet policy and courier plans. They also have specialist cover for large passenger vehicles, haulage vehicles and double cab cover. Optional cover extensions include breakdown cover, tools insurance and goods in transit cover, for any goods delivered to customers. Their experienced, qualified advisers are on hand to find you an appropriate policy which saves you time and money. You can phone them directly, or complete a short contact form to obtain a quote.
NIG
For commercial vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, NIG offer two levels of commercial vehicle insurance: third party fire & theft and comprehensive. Policies with NIG include up to £2 million of cover for third party property damage and can provide full coverage abroad on request. Included in their comprehensive policies is also unlimited windscreen cover, accidental damage and cover for vandalism and malicious damage. For companies with more than one commercial vehicle, they offer a mini fleet policy suitable for fleets of 2-15 vehicles. You can generate a quote online through their website.
Flint Insurance Group (Broker)
With over 30 years’ experience, Flint has access to an extensive commercial motor product range provided by leading motor insurers, including policies tailored to HGVs, trucks, couriers, haulage companies and businesses with small or large fleets. All policyholders have guaranteed access to a courtesy van while their vehicles are under repair at one of their approved garages, and policies can include cover for the driver’s personal belongings and cover for goods in transit. Flint Insurance can also integrate motor insurance policies with public and employers’ liability at competitive prices. You can call them directly or request a callback through their website.
DNA (Broker)
One of the leading motor insurance brokers in the UK is DNA, with an impressive 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Feefo. DNA has access to a comprehensive range of policies suited to various business types, including companies in the motor trade industry, taxi firms as well as a range of van insurance policies. Their plans can also include legal expenses cover for peace of mind if the worst happens, and they are even able to offer quotes to under-25s. All policyholders benefit from a claims line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can speak to one of their expert advisers through the online chat feature, or obtain a quote over the phone.
