Compare Cheap Van Insurance for New Drivers

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Cheap van insurance for new drivers can be hard to find because insurers see newly qualified drivers as a higher risk on the road. This means first-time van owners often face higher insurance premiums, especially if they have no claims bonus or driving history.

The good news is that you can still get cheap van insurance, even as a new licence holder, by choosing the right type of cover, the right van insurance group, and the right insurance providers.

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What Is Van Insurance for New Drivers?

Van insurance for new drivers is a van insurance policy designed for people who have:

  • Just passed their driving test
  • No previous claims discount
  • No van driving history
  • A new or recently purchased van
  • A personal use or small business requirement

Insurers look closely at:

  • Type of van
  • Engine size
  • Gross vehicle weight
  • Van insurance group
  • Number of seats
  • Place of work
  • Personal information such as age, postcode, mileage

New drivers are considered more likely to have a road accident, which increases insurance costs.

Why Are Insurance Premiums Higher for New Van Drivers?

Newly qualified drivers often pay more because insurers see:

  • Less driving experience
  • Higher chance of an accident
  • More claims among younger van drivers
  • Limited claims bonus history
  • Less confidence with larger vehicles

Insurers also know that the type of vehicle matters — larger commercial vans with big engines normally sit in higher van insurance groups.

How Much Does Van Insurance Cost for New Drivers in the UK?

Premiums vary by insurance companies, van type, and usage.

Typical price ranges for first-time drivers

Driver Profile Typical Annual Premium
New driver, small van, personal use £1,200–£2,000
New driver, medium van, own goods £1,600–£2,800
New driver, high-risk postcode £2,000–£3,500
New driver with black box fitted £1,000–£1,900
How Much Does Van Insurance Cost for New Drivers in the UK

Prices depend on:

  • Insurance group
  • Engine size
  • Type of cover (third party or comprehensive)
  • Optional extras
  • Security features
  • Policy excess

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What Type of Van Insurance Is Best for New Drivers?

1. Third Party Only

Covers injury and damage to other people.
Cheapest level of cover but not always the best option because:

  • No cover for your own vehicle
  • Higher policy excess if you upgrade later
  • Can be expensive for higher-risk new drivers

2. Third Party, Fire and Theft

A good balance between cost and protection. Covers:

  • Third party damage
  • Fire
  • Theft

3. Comprehensive Policies

This gives the most protection for new drivers. Covers:

  • Your own van
  • Other vehicles
  • Accidental damage
  • Legal costs in the event of an accident

Often cheaper than third party for new drivers because insurers see responsible drivers choosing higher protection.

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How Do Insurers Calculate Premiums for New Drivers?

Insurance providers use several factors:

  • Driving history
  • Age and licence date
  • Type of van and engine size
  • Whether it is a commercial van or personal van insurance
  • Weight and size of the van (gross vehicle weight)
  • Number of years you expect to drive for work
  • Carriage of goods or own goods use
  • Place of work
  • Security features
  • Annual mileage

Even a small change in van insurance cover can lower insurance costs.

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Which Vans Are Cheapest to Insure for New Drivers?

Vans in lower insurance groups are cheaper to insure because they cost less to repair, have smaller engines, and carry a lower accident risk. Below are five popular vans that consistently offer cheaper van insurance for first-time van drivers, along with estimated annual costs.

Citroën Berlingo – One of the Cheapest Vans to Insure

The Citroën Berlingo sits in some of the lowest van insurance groups. It is light, easy to drive, and widely used by small businesses, which helps keep repair costs down.

Why it’s cheap to insure:

  • Low insurance group (2–5)
  • Affordable parts and simple design
  • Low engine size options
  • Fewer high-value claims compared to larger vans

Estimated insurance cost for a new driver: £1,200–£1,900 per year

Peugeot Partner – Great for Personal Use or Light Commercial Work

The Peugeot Partner shares many components with the Berlingo, making it just as cheap to run and insure. It's popular for personal use and small “own goods” work.

Why it’s cheap to insure:

  • Insurance group (2–6)
  • Easy to repair and reliable
  • Frequently chosen by careful, low-mileage drivers
  • Low accident rate compared to larger vans

Estimated insurance cost for a new driver: £1,250–£2,000 per year

Ford Transit Connect – Smaller, Cheaper Alternative to the Full Transit

The Ford Transit Connect is ideal for new drivers who want a practical van without the higher costs linked to larger Transits. It’s compact, easy to handle, and cheaper to repair.

Why it’s cheap to insure:

  • Insurance group (5–8)
  • Lower risk profile than the full-size Transit
  • Strong reliability record
  • Good visibility and handling for new drivers

Estimated insurance cost for a new driver: £1,400–£2,300 per year

VW Caddy – Reliable, Comfortable and Low Cost to Repair

The VW Caddy is known for its build quality and smooth driving experience. Although slightly more expensive than the smallest vans, insurance is still affordable for new drivers.

Why it’s cheap to insure:

  • Insurance group (4–7)
  • Strong reliability reduces claim frequency
  • Widely available parts
  • Lower risk of write-off due to durable build

Estimated insurance cost for a new driver: £1,500–£2,400 per year

Vauxhall Combo – A Popular Choice for Cheap First-Time Van Insurance

The Vauxhall Combo has light steering, practical loading space and small engine options, making it ideal for newly qualified drivers.

Why it’s cheap to insure:

  • Insurance group (3–6)
  • Low running and repair costs
  • Easy to manoeuvre in town
  • Lower claim severity compared to medium vans

Estimated insurance cost for a new driver: £1,250–£2,050 per year

Why Smaller Vans Help New Drivers Save Money

Smaller vans usually mean:

  • Cheaper insurance groups
  • Cheaper parts
  • Lower accident risk
  • Lower fuel costs
  • Less theft risk because tools are less likely to be stored inside

For first-time drivers, choosing a small van is often the best option to keep premiums low during the first year of driving.

Compare cheap van insurance for small vans

How Can New Drivers Lower Their Van Insurance Premiums

How Can New Drivers Lower Their Van Insurance Premiums?

Choose a lower-insurance-group van

Small vans cost less.

Add a black box (telematics)

Insurers reward safe driving.

Increase voluntary excess

A higher voluntary excess brings cheaper premiums.

Add extra security features

Items like:

  • Alarm system
  • Tracking device
  • Additional locks
  • Deadlocks
  • Tool safes

Insurers often reduce premiums when vans are harder to steal.

Park in a safe location

A locked garage or driveway reduces theft risk.

Avoid unnecessary extras

Only select optional extras you need, such as:

  • Breakdown cover
  • Legal cover
  • Protected no-claims bonus

See van insurers offering discounts for new drivers

What Is the Best Type of Cover for First-Time Van Drivers?

For many new drivers, comprehensive cover is the best option because it gives:

  • Full accidental damage protection
  • Wider protection than third party
  • Support in the event of a claim
  • Helps build a claims discount safely

Older drivers taking their first van policy also benefit from comprehensive protection.

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Do Black Box Policies Help New Drivers Save?

Yes. Black box van insurance records:

  • Speed
  • Braking
  • Cornering
  • Driving hours
  • Style of driving

Safe driving helps build a claims bonus and lowers future van insurance costs.

Does New-Driver Van Insurance Work for Business Use?

Yes, insurers provide:

If you drive for a small business, courier work or carriage of goods, you must choose the right insurance policy so claims are not rejected.

Do New Drivers Pay More Excess?

Yes. Insurance companies often apply a higher policy excess for:

  • Newly qualified drivers
  • Drivers under 2 years’ licence history
  • Drivers with no claims discount

Your excess will appear in your policy documents.

Do New Drivers Pay More Excess

What Happens in the Event of an Accident?

Your insurance provider will check:

  • The insurance policy details
  • Your level of cover
  • Whether the van was used correctly (personal use or commercial use)
  • Black box data (if fitted)
  • Any extra security features
  • Your van registration number and documents

A claim may affect your future insurance premium and your claims discount.

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What Are the Best Security Features for New Drivers?

Cheap security upgrades help reduce insurance premiums:

  • Steering wheel lock
  • Tracking device
  • Window tints (legal limit)
  • Alarm system
  • Immobiliser
  • Safe parking locations
  • Extra locks for rear doors

Insurers see these as strong theft-prevention tools.

Cheap Van Insurance for New Drivers FAQs

Newly qualified drivers have less experience, which increases the risk of an accident.

Small vans such as the Berlingo, Partner, and Combo often sit in low insurance groups.

Yes, telematics policies reward safe driving and can lower future insurance costs.

Yes, as long as the policy includes commercial use or own goods.

Some insurers allow this. Adding an experienced named driver may lower costs.

Not always. It can be cheaper than third party depending on risk level.

Trackers, alarms, immobilisers, and secure overnight parking.

Yes. Insurance is based on licence age, not youth, so older first-time drivers may pay less.

They consider van type, usage, engine size, postcode, driving history and insurance group.

Yes. Learner driver insurance is available, but premiums can be higher.

Yes. Several UK insurers specialise in higher-risk or first-time drivers. Many offer black box policies, lower-insurance-group van options, and discounted rates for newly qualified drivers. Availability depends on driving history, van type and postcode.

You can compare cheap van insurance quotes by entering your van registration number, usage, mileage and address into a comparison service. Make sure you check different levels of cover, excess amounts, optional extras and security features to find the right insurance at the lowest price.

You usually need your driving licence number, van registration number, proof of address, details of your van’s security features, your claims history, and any business use information if you plan to carry goods or equipment.

Yes. Some comparison services work with specialist underwriters who offer exclusive van insurance rates not listed on mainstream platforms. These can include low-mileage policies, telematics policies and options for drivers with no claims bonus.

The legal minimum is third party insurance. This covers injury or damage to other people but does not protect your own van. Many new drivers choose comprehensive cover because it can sometimes cost less and offers much wider protection.

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Page last updated on: 19/12/2025

Page reviewed by: Tim Bailey

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