Young Driver Van Insurance

Compare Van Insurance for Younger Drivers

If you’re a young driver and you’re looking for cheap van insurance you could have a surprisingly difficult search on your hands – but there are steps you can take to increase your chances of finding a suitable policy at a reasonable price.

As with cars, drivers in the UK are legally allowed to drive a wide range of vans (specifically, Category B vans) from the age of 17 – provided they’ve passed their driving test and taken out a suitable insurance policy, of course.

For younger van drivers it’s that pesky matter of insurance that can often be a bit of a sticking point, though, because premiums for young drivers are often much, much higher than an older, more experienced motorist would pay.

There are two reasons for that: insurance claims data and road accident data, both of which confirm that younger drivers are much more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident than an older motorist.

In fact, research by Brake, the road safety charity, has revealed that 23% of drivers aged 17 to 24 will be involved in a road traffic accident within two years of passing their driving test.

Needless to say that elevated risk almost always translates into higher insurance premiums for young van drivers, which is why it’s so important that these motorists use an unbiased insurance comparison service like Quotezone when they’re ready to take out insurance.

Not only can Quotezone help young van drivers find cheaper insurance by comparing quotes from a wider range of insurance providers, but it can also ensure they don’t waste their time dealing with insurance companies that might be completely unwilling to insure them.

Compare Young Driver Van Insurance quotes now

A guide to van insurance for young drivers

Van insurance for young drivers is essentially the same as ordinary, cheap-as-chips insurance… except that it’s rarely cheap.

Thankfully, there are a number of steps you can take that might increase your likelihood of finding a cheaper policy:

• Adding an experienced driver to your policy as a ‘named driver’ – While it’s a crime (known as ‘fronting’) to list someone else as the main driver on an insurance policy if you are in fact the main driver, it’s perfectly acceptable to add an older, more experienced driver as a secondary ‘named driver’, and doing so can sometimes help to lower your premiums because it suggests you won’t be behind the wheel yourself quite so much.
• Agreeing to a higher excess – If you add a higher voluntary excess to your young driver van insurance policy, you can sometimes benefit from cheaper premiums since you’ll be agreeing to cover more of the cost yourself if you ever have to make a claim.
• Parking in a garage or on a private driveway – Vans are more likely to be targeted by thieves if they’re parked on the side of the road, particularly if it’s a commercial van with signage or branding that might lead a thief to believe there might be valuable tools inside. In addition, vans that are parked on the roadside have a higher risk of being damaged by a passing vehicle, which means younger van drivers could benefit from lower premiums if they’re able to park in a garage or on a driveway.

For the latest trends in insurance costs for van owners, read our guide on how much van insurance costs in the UK.

Will the level of cover I opt for affect my van insurance premium too?

Yes, it can do – but not always in the way you’d expect.

As with car insurance, van drivers have three levels of cover to choose from:

• Third Party Insurance – Third party insurance is the minimum level of cover required under UK law, and as such it’s sometimes slightly cheaper than the other two options. However, you should take note that this is the bare minimum level of coverage, so you will not be covered for damage to your own vehicle in the event of an accident.
• Third Party, Fire and Theft Insurance – This offers you all the protection that you can expect from a third party only policy. You will also have additional cover against fire and theft to your van.
• Fully Comprehensive – This is the most comprehensive form of van cover, it will offer you all the coverage of a third party, fire and theft plus coverage for your own van as a result of an at fault accident.

In theory, Third Party Insurance should be the cheapest, because it offers policyholders the least comprehensive cover. However, many higher-risk drivers opt for third party cover in order to reduce their premiums, a fact that insurance providers often take into account when calculating the premiums for each level of cover. The result is that fully comprehensive policies can sometimes prove to be as cost-effective as (or sometimes even cheaper than) third party cover.

That’s why we recommend that young van drivers use Quotezone to compare quotes for all three levels of cover, and then opt for the insurance policy that offers the most comprehensive cover at the most competitive price.

Can young van drivers reduce their insurance costs by earning a No Claims Discount?

Yes, as with car insurance policies, the main driver on the policy will usually earn a No Claims Discount (NCD) that increases a little with each consecutive year they’ve been insured without making a claim.

Building up a No Claims Discount (or No Claims Bonus, as it’s also known) is one of the most effective ways to reduce the cost of your insurance if you’re a younger driver, but it’s important to bear in mind that it usually does only apply to the main driver – if you’re included on someone else’s insurance policy as a named driver you usually won’t earn an NCD.

What influences the cost of van insurance for young drivers

Quotezone has compiled data from over 1 million policies to better understand what influences your insurance premiums. The risk profile of every individual policy holder is something that is unique to them, however, there are some common factors that insurers use to determine your premiums:

Your Age

Data shows that young drivers represent a greater risk to insurers than older drivers. Data collected from the road safety charity Brake, suggests younger drivers under the age of 20 are 33% more likely to be fatally wounded in an accident. This is usually attributed to younger drivers taking more risks whilst on the road where older drivers are generally more cautious. It is important to note that these are generalisations however, and there are many young drivers who are responsible and safe drivers.

Your Occupation

Your job role can have a significant impact on your premiums as the nature of your job can directly impact your risk profile and mileage.

For example remote roles and office jobs will involve considerably less driving than a mobile mechanic. This means your vehicle will not accumulate as much mileage and so the chance of an accident is reduced.

Quotezone has found that the occupations with the lowest insurance premiums are typically members of the emergency services. This includes paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and those who generally need to comply with a high standard of driving under pressure.

Your Location

The location in which you park and normally operate your van can all have a major impact on the likelihood of your van being stolen, broken into or involved in an accident. For this reason it is an important factor that insurers will take into account when calculating your premiums.

Crime rates tend to be higher in larger cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester. As a result this can push up your premiums, particularly if you park your van on the road when not in use.

The advice of insurance experts is to ensure that you keep your van parked on a driveway where possible and to securely lock your vehicle when not in use. Our data has also revealed that avoiding modifications such as additional signage and branding can also help reduce the risk of break-in or theft thus reducing your premiums.

Living in rural areas can also reduce your premiums as these regions typically experience lower levels of crime relating to vehicle theft and break in.

To get a better idea of how safe your area is and if you may be living in a location that could increase your premiums, check out our free tool.

Your Driving Record

It should come as a surprise but insurers will closely evaluate your previous driving history to check for previous convictions whilst behind the wheel. This is due to the fact that drivers with a track record of risky driving as well as penalty points and fines will naturally be a greater risk to insure.

The best way to reduce your premiums is to ensure you avoid accumulating penalty points and driving convictions and to always observe the road rules. Being a safe and responsible driver will put you in the best position with potential insurers as well as keeping yourself and other drivers safe.

Your Claims History

If you have a history of previous claims, then this will naturally increase your future insurance premiums as insurers will view you as a greater risk. Having a No Claims Discount (NCD) will open the door to cheaper insurance premiums, particularly if you have accumulated this over a significant period of time such as 20 years. Our policy data reveals that over three million UK drivers could be benefiting from significant discounts on their premiums due to a No Claims Discount.

In some cases having a well-established No Claims history could save you up to 60% or 70% on your premiums.
How can I get a no claims discount?

The best way of ensuring you remain claims-free throughout your life behind the wheel is to always drive as safely and sensibly as possible.

This is perhaps not surprising to many, but ensuring that you always take care when you are behind the wheel and do not take unnecessary risks is the best way of reducing your chances of being involved in an accident. Parking your car securely at night and in a location that is hard to access for thieves can also reduce your chances of needing to make a claim.

Your Medical History

This may surprise some but your medical history is also a factor when taking out an insurance policy. This is due to some medical conditions increasing your chances of being involved in an accident and so insurers will naturally reflect this in your premiums.

Conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Alcoholism, glaucoma and age-related diseases can all impact your ability to drive. If you are concerned over any medical conditions that could potentially impact your ability to drive you should always consult your medical specialist for further advise and diagnosis.

Our experts have identified the following 10 conditions which need to be declared to the DVLA which may surprise many drivers.

• Sleep apnoea
• Heart conditions
• Diabetes
• Eye conditions
• Previous stroke
• Seizures and episodes of epilepsy
• Vertigo
• Syncope
• Miscellaneous operations
• Prescription medications

*You should always report any medical diagnosis to your insurer and the DVLA as not declaring this could void your insurance in the event of an accident.

As drivers age their medical history is likely to have a bigger impact on their insurance premiums as age-related conditions will naturally need to be factored into premium calculations. Other common conditions such as hay fever, which is estimated to afflict nearly 16 million brits, can also run the risk of impacted your premiums. This is due to many people being unaware of the potency of prescription medication issued to alleviate hay fever symptoms. It is highly recommended that you always check your medication before driving, as you run the risk of a drug driving conviction should you be stopped behind the wheel.

It is important to note that in order to get a full list of medical conditions required to be disclosed to your insurer, we always recommend contacting your insurer directly.

You can also check if you have a health condition which needs to be declared to the DVLA here.

Policy Add-Ons

Many insurers offer additional add-ons for you to incorporate into your policy if you choose. This means that you can opt for additional cover such as breakdown cover for an additional cost to your young van driver’s insurance premium. Many van drivers opt for these add-ons as it provides convenience however it will naturally cost more when it comes time to pay your premiums. With this said it is important to state that it may indeed work out cheaper overall opting for a policy add-on than a separate policy altogether.

The list above is not exhaustive however, it should provide you with a good knowledge of what sort of factors will influence your insurance premiums.

Van insurance for under 25s

Under-25 van insurance is the priciest age band on the market. The reason’s simple: insurers price on claims risk, and drivers without years of experience claim more often. The average UK van premium sits at £575 a year (Quotezone Index, 2024). A 22-year-old in their first van job is often paying triple that — sometimes more.

A few specifics that move price most for under-25s:

• How long you’ve held a full UK licence (the 12-month mark is a common cut-off)
• Pass Plus or other advanced driving qualifications
• Where the van sits overnight — driveway beats street parking
• Annual mileage and the use class (private, business, courier all price differently)
• Any modifications, and the van’s insurance group

Telematics is the standard play here. A black box monitors how you drive — speed, braking, time of day — and rewards good data with cheaper renewals. Adding an experienced named driver, capping mileage, or picking a smaller van also typically pulls the price down. Compare van insurance quotes on Quotezone to see who’s offering competitive rates for under-25s.

Van insurance for under 21s

Under 21 is the toughest age band. Most mainstream insurers won’t quote. The few that do almost always require a black box, plus restrictions on mileage, overnight use, or driving hours. That’s where comparison matters — Quotezone’s panel includes specialist young-driver van insurers who quote at this age.

What you’ll typically need:

• A full UK driving licence (provisionals don’t usually work)
• Telematics or a curfew-based policy
• A capped annual mileage allowance
• Restrictions on where the van’s parked overnight
• A minimum age for any named drivers

Trade and business use is harder still under 21 because the daily mileage runs higher. The “carriage of own goods” use class — common for plumbers, sparkies, joiners — is usually the right fit, paired with named drivers and a strict mileage cap.

For drivers under 21, comparing quotes on Quotezone surfaces specialist insurers that don’t show up on mainstream comparison sites.

Van insurance for 17- and 18-year-old drivers

Just passed your test? Van insurance is genuinely harder to find than car insurance at 17 or 18. Most insurers want to see at least 12 months on a full licence before they’ll quote on a van — and even then, the premium reflects the lack of history.

The most common reasons 17- and 18-year-olds need van cover:

• Apprenticeships in the trades (electricians, plumbers, joiners, mechanics) using a company van
• Driving the family van for personal or weekend use
• A first delivery or courier job
• Helping out with a family business that runs vans

Black box is almost always part of the deal at this age, and curfews are the norm — typically no driving between 11pm and 6am. The box records speed, braking, mileage, and time of day. Drive sensibly and your renewal premium typically drops (ABI, 2024).

If you’re an apprentice, going on as a named driver on a parent’s policy is sometimes the cheaper route than a standalone policy. Worth running both options on Quotezone before deciding.

How to cut van insurance costs as a young driver

Cheap van insurance for under-25s isn’t a myth, but it takes work. Here’s what typically moves the price.

• Pass Plus or an advanced driving course. Most insurers recognise these and discount accordingly.
• A telematics policy. Black box data lets the insurer price on what you actually do behind the wheel, not just your age.
• A realistic mileage cap. Estimating low can backfire if you go over — pick a number that matches your actual use.
• A higher voluntary excess. Raising the excess pulls the premium down — but only commit to a figure you’d genuinely cover if you had to claim.
• A low-insurance-group van. Smaller, less powerful vans price cheaper than the bigger panel vans.
• Off-road parking overnight. A driveway or locked garage usually beats street parking.
• An experienced named driver. A parent or older colleague with a clean licence often pulls the average premium down.
• Stick to factory spec. Mods push premiums up — even small ones.

For the deeper picture, see why van insurance is so expensive and how to get cheaper van insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Can a 17-year-old get van insurance in the UK?

Yes, but it’s not as easy as car cover. Most insurers want at least 12 months on a full UK licence before quoting on a van, and almost all 17-year-old van policies come with a black box. Specialist young-driver insurers may quote earlier — often with a curfew or mileage cap attached.

How much is van insurance for an under-25?

Plenty. The average UK van premium sits at £575 (Quotezone Index, 2024), but under-25 drivers typically pay several times that — sometimes more, depending on the van, postcode, and whether the use is private or business. Telematics, a low mileage cap, and a low-group van are the usual ways to bring the figure down.

Do I need a black box if I’m a young van driver?

Not by law. But most under-25 van policies require one anyway, and where they don’t, telematics is usually still the cheapest route. The box records how you drive — speed, braking, time of day — and good data typically reduces what you pay at renewal.