private van insurance NCB

jase_31

Looking to buy a small van (vw caddy) for private use only. Can I insure this on a standard private motor policy.

I have got some online prices and the website show it as "van insurance" - I have also ready stories that whilst some insurers accept car ncb on a van, no one accepts the ncb when transferred back to a car, and I cannot change the vehicle insurance if I sell and replace with a car (i.e I need to cancel and take out a new car policy)

Has anyone else been through this?

Quote

You can usually insure a small van on a private car policy, so NCB shouldn't really be an issue. I don't foresee a problem.

jase_31

Any idea of companies who may offer this. Every website that I have tried automatically puts the vehicle as "van" insurance - i.e Budget, etc

Others (i.e hasting) list in the "assumptions" that Your car is not Q plated or a car derived van when getting a car policy quote.

Unless it can be insured on a "private car policy" the NCB will not be able to be changed back to a car.

ell1es

My husband has an Astra van and had to insure it on a commercial policy even though its used for his hobby and only travel to and from work?!*?!*

societys_child

A few years ago I insured a Merc Sprinter for private use with evan insurance, it was the lowest quote I could find at the time

jase_31

Right, time for an update after hassling a couple of insurance brokers today.

As others have said, they have has to insure on a commercial policy rather than private car even though there is no commercial use.

At first it doesn't seem a problem, especially as the insurer may have accepted your car NCB and given you NCB on the commercial policy.

Problem comes when you sell your "private van" and want to insurer your car, and no one will accept your NCB as it was on a commercial policy.

My best quote was Direct Dial, but after speaking to them they confirmed that it would be a commercial policy, and confirmed the NCB issue.

Next I spoke to swinton - who could offer insurance on a private car policy OR a commercial policy, in my case the price was better as a private car policy - but way higher that that offered by direct dial.

Finally, a visit and a long conversation with a local independent broker with old fashioned experience - rather than a data entry clerk.

Again it was confirmed that only a few insurers would accept a NCB from a commercial policy on a car, and as a result of the limitation of companies offering cover prices were likely to be uncompetitive. They were however able to offer cover as a private car - and hence the NCB would not be an issue.

Therefore if you wish to insure a small car derived van for private use be aware and careful of the differences between a private car and commercial policy.