Commercial Insurance

[Rich_P]

I've not had much success finding out the answer to this, which I fear may indicate that it's not what I want to hear. Is it possible to get commercial insurance (e.g. on a Van for courier/haul) under 21? Or must you be over 21?

If it is possible, does anyone have any recommendations for under 21s with van insurance without insane rates that make it not worth it?

[FridgeFreezer]

Anything's possible, you may not like the price though.

[lrfarmer]

you should be able to get it i did when i was 17 i was with NFU as was a farmers son

[Rich_P]

Okay, thank you.

[M&S]

Try these, proved cheapest for me the last 4 years

http://quote.evaninsurance.co.uk/?source=6&gclid=CO7Yj6v4n6ICFYNs4wodXT-Uvw&source=6

[Rich_P]

£12,000 is what they want.

NFU don't do courier.

[M&S]

£12,000 is what they want.

NFU don't do courier.

I'd be looking for another business opportunity

[FridgeFreezer]

Unfortunately the statistics are stacked against you:

- Male = higher risk

- Under 21 = higher risk

- Commercial = usually a company van hence ragged to death hence higher risk

- Courier = time pressure and driving in town/traffic hence higher risk

Aside from leafing through a trade magazine (EG Truck magazine, Commercial Motor, Auto Trader's commercials section or such like) and calling everyone in yellow pages I doubt you're going to have much luck. From what I recall, most driving jobs of any description want people over 21 for this very reason. Some companies will employ anyone, especially when the use is incidental (IE you're driving to get to the job, rather than driving being the job) but many just won't entertain it.

What are you trying to do / why do you want the insurance? There may be alternatives if this isn't just a case of wanting to be a courier. For example, musicians can get caught in the "it's not commercial but it's not SDP" trap if carrying gear to a gig for beer money, so a few specialist policies have sprung up around that sort of thing.

[landroversforever]

Hate to think what the premium is, but our work vans are insured for any member of staff with a lisence.

[Guest]

Hate to think what the premium is, but our work vans are insured for any member of staff with a lisence.

Ross, what do you have to do to get a "lisence"?

[landroversforever]

just testing your spelling jason

[Guest]

Hate to think what the premium is, but our work vans are insured for any member of staff with a lisence.

A lot of business insurance involves an element of self insurance, normally to a value between £10k-20K after that the insurance company takes over this keeps the premium low as the theory is you will make less claims, hence not worrying about who drives.

A bit like bumping your excess up to reduce your premium..

[plasticbadger]

Certainly our company van is only insured for any driver over 25, that's not for courier and it's still pretty expensive. I think you're fighting a loosing battle.

[Rich_P]

Thanks for the replies.

What are you trying to do / why do you want the insurance? There may be alternatives if this isn't just a case of wanting to be a courier. For example, musicians can get caught in the "it's not commercial but it's not SDP" trap if carrying gear to a gig for beer money, so a few specialist policies have sprung up around that sort of thing.

For collection and delivery under the basis of hire and reward. Basically a driving job and because I can't drive anything but cars and vans up to 3.5 tons means I'm restricted to this if I wanted a driving job. Or so I think?

I am 20 mind, and it's a few months away for my 21st but I thought I'd try something different to the usual lines of work for my age.

[macdon2000]

£12,000 is what they want.

NFU don't do courier.

Yes they do, they cover my 6.5 tonner and transit for hire or reward.

I used to have a 17 year old on my policey. Added £300 to a policey costing £450/500ish for full commercial any driver over25.

NFU by the way. Always talk to your local office!!

Mac

[ChrisB]

NFU by the way. Always talk to your local office!!

And if that doesn't work, try someone else's local office until it does! I got far more out of the Chippenham office, despite living in Reading. My local office was good if you only spoke Polish, but not for much else.

Chris

[Rich_P]

Okay I'll bear that in mind, because they told me on the phone that they don't do Courier hire and reward. And it was my local office.

[Guest]

Another thought Rich, have you considered adding other people to the insurance, not as the prime driver but as additional drivers, this can often bring down the price of insurance.

Jason.

[Rich_P]

It works on car insurance, but it doesn't bring the 10k figure down to a sensible level.

[SeanDisco]

I had a van insured with Gladiator Insurance, was paying £1400 a year fully comp on my own policy for a Vauxhall Combo 1.7D when i was 17 and just passed my test.

www.gladiator.co.uk/

Give them a try see what they say.

[Rich_P]

When was that? They quote me £8400 third party fire and theft. You were insured for courier weren't you?