Compare Courtesy Van Insurance

Courtesy van insurance gives you a temporary replacement van if your own vehicle is damaged, being repaired, or cannot be driven after an accident. A courtesy van keeps your work, deliveries or daily travel running smoothly, especially if you rely on your van for income. Not every van insurance policy includes a courtesy vehicle, so it is important to check the level of cover from your insurer.

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What Is Courtesy Van Insurance and How Does It Work?

Courtesy van insurance is a type of insurance policy that provides a replacement vehicle while your van is repaired at an approved repairer. The temporary van becomes part of your policy for the short period you use it, and the insurer places it on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) so it is fully legal on UK roads.

A courtesy van is normally offered when:

You have comprehensive van insurance
The repair is approved by the insurer
The repair takes more than a few days
Parts need to be ordered
Your policy includes courtesy car cover or courtesy vehicle cover

The courtesy van may not always match your own. Some insurers offer like-for-like replacements, while others only provide a small or mid-size van with a set number of seats and limited mileage.

Is a Courtesy Van Automatically Included in Van Insurance?

No — not all van insurance policies include courtesy van cover. This is where many UK drivers get caught out.

Usually included with:

Comprehensive van insurance
Higher-tier commercial van policies
Some business van insurance packages
Premium levels of cover with optional extras

Usually not included with:

Third party only
Third party, fire and theft
Cheaper standard policy options
Temporary van insurance
Hire van cover or daily car insurance
Older policies without courtesy provisions

If courtesy vehicle cover matters to you, choose the correct level of insurance and confirm that a courtesy van is guaranteed.

What Types of Courtesy Van Cover Are Available?

Different insurers offer different levels of protection. These are the most common options in the UK:

Standard Courtesy Van

A basic replacement van, usually small or mid-sized. Suitable for everyday driving but may not support tool carriage or business use.

Like-for-Like Courtesy Van

Designed to match your own vehicle size, particularly useful for tradespeople or those using long wheelbase vans.
Good news: some insurers guarantee a like-for-like replacement if repairs take over a set number of days.

Guaranteed Courtesy Van

A guaranteed courtesy van is provided regardless of delays, parts shortages or workshop availability.
This is the strongest level of cover for business users.

Courtesy Van After a Non-Fault Accident

If another driver is at fault, accident management services may offer a courtesy vehicle or hire van cover while insurers process your claim.

What Types of Courtesy Van Cover Are Available

What Does Courtesy Van Insurance Cover?

Courtesy van cover usually includes:

Fully comprehensive cover on the replacement vehicle
Third party liability protection
Accidental damage on the courtesy van
Windscreen claims on the temporary vehicle
Theft, vandalism and fire
Motor legal expenses (if included in your main policy)
Basic breakdown assistance (varies by insurer)
Named drivers if your policy allows it
Valid UK driving licence checks

Additional cover may include:

Public liability insurance for certain trades
Personal belongings cover
Hire car cover if a van is unavailable

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What Is Not Covered by a Courtesy Van?

Most courtesy van insurance policies exclude:

Hire and reward (courier, food delivery, Uber Eats, Just Eat, Deliveroo)
Commercial purposes beyond own goods
Modified vans or LPG conversions
Carriage of passengers for payment
Travel outside the UK or Europe without approval
Excess mileage above the insurer’s limit
Fault claims on your own car or own van that are not repairable

Courtesy vans also do not usually match the power, payload or modifications of your own vehicle.

How Long Can You Use a Courtesy Van?

The time period varies between insurers. Below is a UK-focused guide:

Situation	Typical Duration
Accident repairs at approved repairer	Until repairs finish
Non-fault accident	Until liability confirmed
Vehicle written off	7–14 days after settlement
Parts shortage	Depends on policy terms
Windscreen claims	Courtesy van usually not provided

Some insurers allow a courtesy van for a short period even if your van is written off, but this depends on your level of cover.

Does a Courtesy Van Affect Your No Claims Discount?

Courtesy van usage does not affect your claim discount by itself.
Your no claims bonus only changes if:

You make a fault claim
You have no protected claims discount
An uninsured driver hits you and liability cannot be proven

The courtesy van sits under the insurer’s separate policy, so any damage to it may result in an excess or additional cost.

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Does a Courtesy Van Allow Business Use?

Some insurers allow limited business use, such as:

Carrying own goods
Driving to different locations
Working on short contracts
Temporary business travel

Courtesy van insurance rarely allows:

Courier work
Food delivery
Long-distance hire van work
Commercial purposes requiring full commercial van insurance

If your van is essential for income, choose a comprehensive car insurance policy or comprehensive van insurance policy that includes guaranteed courtesy vehicle cover for business use.

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Does Courtesy Van Insurance Cover Commercial Vans?

Yes — but there are weight and usage limits.

Most courtesy vans are limited to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW).
Large vans or specialist conversions may require a policy from insurance services that specialise in commercial van insurance.

Some insurers offer courtesy vans for:

Tradespeople
Small business owners
Delivery drivers (own goods only)
Vans with simple modifications

Always check exclusions and fuel type, as some insurers restrict LPG conversions.

What Vehicles Are Commonly Provided as Courtesy Vans?

Courtesy vans are usually practical, simple and easy for insurers to maintain. Common models include:

Ford Transit Connect

Reliable and widely available with good carrying space.

VW Caddy

Lightweight, efficient and suitable for named drivers.

Vauxhall Combo

Often used for courtesy car cover and courtesy van cover due to lower running costs.

Renault Trafic (limited availability)

Sometimes offered to customers needing more load space.

Ford Ka or small courtesy car

Used when a van is not available for the location or repairer — especially in rural areas.

The type of vehicle depends on repairers, insurers and local availability.

What Vehicles Are Commonly Provided as Courtesy Vans

How Much Does Courtesy Van Insurance Cost in the UK?

Courtesy van cover is usually part of a comprehensive van insurance policy. Prices vary depending on risk factors:

Factor	Impact
Age and driving history	Younger drivers pay more
Fault claims	Higher premiums
Number of seats	Larger vans cost more
Mileage	More miles = higher risk
Business use	Higher premiums
Type of cover	Comprehensive costs more
Optional extras	Increases policy costs

Typical costs:

Standard courtesy van included: Part of £350–£700 annual premium
Guaranteed courtesy van: £20–£60 extra
Business courtesy van upgrades: £60–£120 extra

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What Happens in the Event of a Claim?

When you make a claim:

You notify the insurer with your registration number and details
They assess fault and liability
Your van goes to an approved repairer
You receive a courtesy van if your policy allows it
You return the courtesy van once repairs are done
The insurer updates the MID

This process must comply with UK regulations under the Financial Conduct Authority.

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FAQs About Courtesy Van Insurance

Not all insurers offer this. You may find some have it in their plans. Others may have you add it as an extra.

Most of the time, you do not get it. You only have it if your insurer gives European cover.

Yes, if named on the insurance policy.

Some insurers will give you breakdown cover as a basic service. But not all insurers do this.

Yes — most insurers offer this for an extra cost.

Usually no, unless stated in your van insurance policy.

Yes, you can get to choose your own repairer. But if you do this, you may not get a courtesy van.

Not normally. Windscreen claims do not remove your vehicle from use long-term.

Some insurers treat vans with the same courtesy car rules as other cars. But not every insurer does this. It can change depending on which insurer you have.

Courtesy van insurance usually applies after both fault and non-fault accidents, as long as your van is repaired by an approved repairer and your policy includes courtesy vehicle cover. Non-fault claims may offer better replacement options, while fault claims may have more restrictions depending on your level of cover.

Courtesy van insurance is not standard on all van insurance policies. Some comprehensive cover includes it, but many insurers offer courtesy vehicle cover only as an optional extra. It’s important to check your policy documents before assuming a courtesy van is included.

Courtesy van insurance keeps you mobile while your own van is being repaired. It helps avoid business downtime, protects income, supports day-to-day travel and provides peace of mind after an accident. It also ensures you stay legal on the road with a fully insured temporary van.

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What Is Courtesy Van Insurance and How Does It Work?