Van insurance works on similar principles to car insurance — third-party, third-party fire and theft, or comprehensive cover — but pricing and available add-ons reflect the fact that vans are often used for work, may carry tools or goods, and can rack up higher mileage.
Class of use matters
Insurers distinguish between social use, commuting, and business use, and business use itself is often split into carrying your own goods versus carrying goods for hire or reward (like courier or delivery work). Declaring the correct use is important — using a van for a purpose your policy doesn't cover can invalidate a claim.
Tools and equipment cover
Standard van insurance often doesn't automatically cover tools and equipment carried in the vehicle — this is commonly an optional add-on. Given how often tradespeople's tools are targeted for theft, it's worth checking whether your policy includes this, and what the cover limit is, rather than assuming it's included.
Goods in transit cover
If you carry other people's goods (for delivery, removals, or similar work), goods in transit insurance covers damage or loss to those goods while they're in your van — separate from cover for the van itself or your own tools. This is often required by clients before they'll use your services.
Fleet insurance for multiple vehicles
Businesses running several vans can often insure them under a single fleet policy rather than separate individual policies, which can simplify admin and sometimes reduce overall cost — worth comparing once you have more than two or three vehicles.