Buying a van and taking out a van insurance policy can be a tricky task. There are countless factors you need to consider before you buy and to help you on your way, Gladiator has compiled a guide to vans and more importantly, van insurance. We have tried to explain some of the principles of van insurance that people commonly ask us about, but obviously there may be something else you want to ask us about van insurance. If this is the case, please use the form HERE to ask us a question and we will email you an answer.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW?

Please select... What is van insurance? Why do I need to get van insurance? Should I risk not having van insurance? What if I were to be hit by an uninsured driver? What paperwork will my van insurer send me? What are policy exclusions? Am I covered to drive other vehicles under my van insurance policy? What is an excess on a van insurance? What is a compulsory excess? What is a voluntary excess? Different types of van insurance policies What is covered under a Third Party Only van insurance policy? What is covered under a Third Party, Fire and Theft van insurance policy? What is covered under a Comprehensive van insurance policy? What is No Claims Bonus? Additional items your van insurance company can provide

Compulsory Excess

This excess makes up part of the Accidental Damage excess. It is the minimum excess that the van insurance company will allow you to pay in the event of you trying to claim under the accidental damage section of a Comprehensive van insurance policy.

Usually, a van insurance company will place a compulsory excess of at least £150 on a Comprehensive van insurance policy. Therefore if you are insured with this company and need to claim for £1000 worth of damage, you will be liable to pay the first £150. The method of payment will vary depending on the severity of the claim.

For example, if your van is merely damaged, you will need to pay the excess directly to the garage that is carrying out the repairs on behalf of your van insurance company. If your van is written off, then you will usually find the excess is deducted from the settlement cheque that your van insurance company sends you.