If your business owns any vehicles, whether that’s hundreds of vans used for its daily operations or a handful of cars for the senior team, you will need adequate motor insurance. The minimum legal requirement is third-party only cover, which can protect you against claims of third-party property damage, vehicle damage or injury. You can choose for more extensive coverage to include claims relating to theft and fire, as well as a comprehensive cover which can protect your own drivers and your insured vehicles.
By opting for a fleet insurance policy, businesses can manage all the vehicles they own in one place, with one payment date and one renewal date, significantly reducing their administration time. This simplicity also makes it easier to remain legally compliant, ensuring no vehicle slips through the net and is driven uninsured. Companies can also make significant savings by insuring all their vehicles in bulk with one supplier, rather than taking out individual policies for each motor.
When looking for fleet insurance, it is sensible to compare as many quotes as possible to find the best price for the most extensive cover. Many insurers offer specialist fleet insurance products for companies in particular industries, such as haulage and courier fleet insurance or hazardous goods fleet insurance. This list comprises some insurance companies on the market offering commercial fleet insurance.
Finding a Provider
Fleet insurance is a specialist type of commercial insurance policy, which means it isn’t available through all insurance providers. Businesses will have to shop around for a provider which specialises in either vehicle insurance or commercial insurance. Next, the best way to find a policy is to establish which core features of cover you require as standard, which will enable you to make fairer, like-for-like comparisons between multiple products.
- Approaching insurers directly for a quote – The simplest way to find a fleet insurance policy is to approach insurers directly. You may have had a good experience with a particular provider and wish to take out a policy with them straight away, but it’s always a good idea to obtain as many quotes as possible to find the best deal. Commercial insurance providers or specialist vehicle insurers are your best bet when it comes to finding a fleet insurance policy, as they can provide specialist protection suitable for fleets in various industries.
- Brokers – Brokers are industry experts, familiar with all the types and levels of cover available. Fleet insurance solutions have to accommodate a tremendous range of variables, featuring multiple drivers and sometimes 500 vehicles or more of different makes and ages, which is why going through a broker can make the process easier. They can find you exclusive deals which are not advertised to the public. Many of these deals come with lower prices or more extensive cover than you could access as a direct customer.
- Comparison sites – Comparison sites are a useful way to begin a search for any type of insurance, as they can show you products from a broad range of insurance providers. They offer the option to set filters to show you the kind of insurance you want or to restrict your search to specific providers or features of cover.
Fleet Insurance Providers
Aviva
A fleet insurance product through Aviva can cover companies with up to 25 vehicles of any assortment, or up to 15 vehicles for haulage companies. Customers can choose from fully comprehensive, third-party fire & theft or third-party only cover for a wide range of vehicles, including private cars, motorbikes, trucks, vans and even specialist agricultural vehicles.
A benefit to a commercial fleet policy through Aviva is that third-party property damage comes as standard with an upper limit of £20 million for cars and motorbikes, and up to £5 million for other vehicle types. Legal services are also available with the policy, offering policyholders peace of mind dealing with legal issues arising from their fleet. Optional add-ons include breakdown cover as well as European Motoring Assistance cover. Fleet insurance through Aviva is only available through a broker.
Admiral
Companies with a fleet of vans can take out a multi van insurance policy with Admiral. Some perks of a policy with Admiral are that each van added to the policy gets a unique discount, and each vehicle also earns it own No Claims Bonus, which isn’t typically an option in a fleet insurance policy. Admiral doesn’t offer an Any Driver policy but can provide tailored cover for each vehicle by allowing policyholders to pick and choose the upgrades they’d like for each van.
On top of the three cover levels, Admiral includes windscreen repair for all eligible policyholders. Similarly, policyholders can have the use of a courtesy van if a van in the fleet is in for repair at an Admiral approved garage. Another policy benefit is European cover for up to 90 days’ spent in Europe. Companies with up to seven vans can purchase a policy online, or those with larger fleets can call Admiral directly to arrange a quote.
ThinkInsurance (Broker)
One provider offering flexible fleet insurance solutions is Think Insurance, suitable for companies which own cars, bikes, vans, trucks or taxis, or a mixture of them all. They also insure haulage fleets for vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes and can insure anywhere from three to 20,000 vehicles in a fleet. If a vehicle in your fleet is out of action due to an accident which wasn’t your employee’s fault, they will also provide a like-for-like replacement to keep your business on the road.
Policyholders can choose to add additional features to their cover, including fleet management and breakdown cover. Think Insurance offer both Named Driver policies as well as Any Driver policies for added flexibility. Policyholders can choose from several flexible payments options, and a UK-based claims line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support you if something goes wrong.
Fleetcover (Broker)
Working with over 20 of the UK’s largest fleet insurance providers, Fleetcover can offer comprehensive policies at competitive prices. As a broker specialising in fleet insurance, their team of experts are well equipped to help companies find a bespoke policy suitable for your business’ specific needs. Fleetcover offers several services as part of their policies, including a comprehensive fleet review, access to risk management and an in-house claims team of fleet insurance experts to support clients through the claims process.
Fleetcover can find a range of policies suitable for different business types, including fleets of vans, taxi fleet insurance, courier and commercial insurance for fleets as well as mini fleet insurance for smaller businesses. You can generate a quote online or over the phone.
NIG
NIG offer comprehensive insurance for companies looking to insure a fleet of commercial motors. On top of accidental damage, loss or damage by theft or fire and medical expenses, a comprehensive policy with NIG can include windscreen or window damage, use of vehicles abroad as well as personal accident benefits and legal costs. Insurance is also available for trailers or a fleet of mixed vehicle types. Other optional extras include cover for the unauthorised movement of obstructing vehicles and unauthorised use of vehicles by employees. NIG products are available exclusively through an insurance broker.
Trade Direct Insurance
Companies with more than one commercial vehicle can take out a policy with Trade Direct Insurance who have over 30 years’ experience insuring trade businesses. Plans can include a mixture of private cars, commercial vehicles and trucks, under either an Any Driver or Named Driver policy. Trade Direct can cover vehicles used for both business use and social, domestic and leisure use for employees that use a company car in their day-to-day lives as well as at work. Trade Direct is a flexible provider, allowing policyholders to add and remove vehicles during the life of the policy. You can seek a quote over the phone.
Tradex
Tradex offers a variety of motor trade insurance products suitable for all kinds of vehicles and all types of usage. They are a particularly flexible provider, offering tailored products for specific business types, such as taxi firms or courier companies, as well as the option to build a bespoke policy which caters to your particular business needs. Customers can opt for a Named Driver or Any Driver policy to cover their fleet, with the possibility to insure younger drivers, those with an adverse claims history and even people who have been previously convicted of criminal offences.
A-Plan (Broker)
One of the largest vehicle insurance brokers in the UK is A-Plan, with a rating of 4.72 out of 5 on Reviews.co.uk. A-Plan can offer comprehensive policies for companies with fleets of vehicles, whether that’s a taxi firm with an assortment of cars or a haulage company with a fleet of trucks. A-Plan can also offer help and advice from a fleet insurance specialist on how to implement a cohesive risk management plan to reduce your premiums and maximise your cover. You can generate a quote online by filling in your company’s details.
Flint Insurance
Companies with over five vehicles can take out a motor fleet insurance policy with Flint Group Insurance. Their policies can accommodate almost any mix of vehicles, such as vans, company cars, taxis, goods in transit, haulage and courier, with an extensive limit of 400 vehicles per policy. They can offer flexible cover including an Any Driver policy with no driver age restriction.
Other perks to a fleet policy with Flint Insurance are their flexible payment options, windscreen repair and the opportunity to have a courtesy car or van if a vehicle in your fleet is out of action. Policyholders can also benefit from a 24-hour emergency helpline which can provide advice and support on claims and legal matters.
AIG
Motor fleet insurance from AIG is available in varying levels of cover, from essential third party cover to fully comprehensive policies which comprise a multitude of additional features. They offer high levels of protection, including up to £10 million of third party property damage caused by a commercial vehicle, which customers can choose to extend to £35 million. They can offer legal expenses cover of up to £100,000 per claim as well as legal advice through a dedicated 24-hour helpline open through the year.
AIG can also offer tailored cover for specialist fleets, including those carrying hazardous materials with up to £1 million available to cover third party property damage caused by the carriage of dangerous goods. Other benefits include a Medical and Vocational Rehabilitation programme open to the victims of accidents to accelerate their recovery and return to work and communications of up to £100,000 if an insured accident risks adverse publicity.
Acorn Insurance
Companies with three or more vehicles can take out a flexible fleet insurance policy from Acorn. They can arrange cover for a fleet featuring multiple vehicles types, offering flexibility for different drivers to drive various vehicles under the policy.
They offer tailored policies suitable for vehicles used for a variety of purposes, including courier services, haulage firms and car rental companies. Goods in Transit Liability insurance is available as an optional add-on to any of their fleet insurance policies, ideal for any companies involved in the transporting of products or materials. You can generate an instant quote online through their website, or call them for a bespoke quote.
DNA Insurance
Businesses from a vast array of sectors can find a fleet insurance solution through DNA Insurance. They offer cover for construction, waste, manufacturing, security, removals, haulage, taxi and self-drive hire businesses, plus many more. Bespoke cover is also available for specialist uses, such as the transportation of hazardous goods, driving abroad or travelling to dangerous locations.
A policy with DNA can cover two or more vehicles and drivers aged 17 and over. DNA Insurance can also provide training, either on-site or remote, to maximise the company’s safety practises and to encourage safe driving habits among the workforce. The policy can also include legal expenses in the event of a claim reaching court. For advice and guidance following an incident, policyholders have access to a claims helpline for support with an accident at any time of day or night.
ERS
ERS is a specialist motor insurance provider, offering adaptable fleet insurance products for family-run firms to national corporations. Fleets they can cover include cars, vans, coaches, minibuses, taxis, hazardous and self-drive hire, as well as businesses in construction, education, healthcare, property and retail, among others. They can protect private cars or goods carrying vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes with new for old replacement, and the policy can cover up to £20 million of third-party liability for accidental damage to property by a company car or up to £5 million for all other vehicles.
The insurer also offers driver packs and bump cards to provide support to drivers in the event of an accident and promote a prompt claims response. Policyholders can benefit from advice and support from a dedicated operations team. ERS products are available exclusively through brokers.
Covéa
Businesses with smaller fleets can find a policy with Covéa, who can insure a fleet of between 3 and 25 vehicles, comprising cars or small commercial vehicles weighing up to 7.5 tonnes. They offer two levels of cover, third-party fire & theft and comprehensive cover. Both levels include legal liability and legal defence costs, as well as loss and damage to the vehicle by fire or theft, and their fully comprehensive cover also includes accidental damage, vandalism or malicious damage as well as windscreen damage.
The policy also includes driving overseas up to 90 days per year. Other features include new vehicle replacement, the use of a courtesy car while a company car is in for repair and a dedicated motor claims helpline available 24 hours a day.
RSA
Two fleet insurance products are available from RSA; a mini fleet insurance policy for up to 15 vehicles and a plan called Fleetshield for coverage for 15 to 250 motors. The mini fleet policy can include third party property damage up to £20 million as well as personal accident cover, medical expenses and breakdown cover. Fleetshield policy includes uninsured loss recovery up to £100,000, courtesy cars and replacement for light commercial vehicles and emergency overnight accommodation.
RSA favours experienced drivers and established businesses older than three years with good fleet risk management policies in place. They also prefer fleets that employ telematics and cameras and may reject fleets in specific industries, such as courier businesses, self-drive hire and coach operators.
Zurich
Several fleet insurance products are available from Zurich’s business insurance range, including the small fleet insurance policy for 2 to 20 vehicles and a motor fleet policy for a fleet of 21 or more. They can offer third party damage to property liability up to £50 million, for cars and motorcycles and up to £5 million for other commercial vehicles. Their cover is also suitable for vehicles transporting hazardous goods, with a damage to property limit of up to £1.2 million for these fleets. Their policies offer a wide range of additional cover features, including uninsured losses such as brand damage and fuel consumption, making it one of the more comprehensive options available.
Zurich work in partnership with fleet managers to encourage a road safety culture within the business. They conduct a risk review of every new customer’s fleet and introduce road safety planning meetings. By helping clients implement sustainable risk mitigation strategies, Zurich helps keep premium costs down over the long-term.
Allianz
International insurance company Allianz offer fleet insurance policies to small and medium-sized enterprises, suitable for fleets of 15 or more vehicles, as well as a small fleet policy for fleets of 4 to 14 vehicles. The policy includes up to £20 million of third party damage to property and unlimited indemnity for third party death or injury. They can also provide up to £10,000 of personal accident cover per incident for drivers. Other policy benefits include protection for accidental misfuelling, new for old replacement for vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes and a lifetime guarantee on all repairs carried out through the Allianz approved network of repairers.
All policyholders will benefit from a dedicated claims manager, and larger clients will have access to a Case Analysis Tool (CAT) to identify the largest risks to their fleet, to spot trends and patterns and to implement better risk mitigation strategies.
