Van drivers are facing annual insurance price rises of 29.5% as new compensation rules and tax increases send premiums soaring, new analysis from insurance market research experts Consumer Intelligence shows.
Average bills are now £1,636 with prices soaring in the past three months as the decision by regulators to slash the discount or Ogden rate governing payouts in major personal injury claims to minus 0.75% from 2.5% came into effect.
The increase in Insurance Premium Tax at the start of June and rising claims costs are piling on the pain for self-employed workers relying on vans for work.
Average premiums for van drivers are nearly two-and-a-half times higher than for car drivers who pay an average £666, Consumer Intelligence’s quarterly Van Insurance Index shows.
Its analysis found drivers using their vehicles as car substitutes suffer the biggest rises – “social, domestic and pleasure” cover increased 33.5% in the year to June.
Drivers relying on their vans for work are regarded as a better risk – but premiums for “carriage of own goods policies” are still 28.4% higher in the year.
John Blevins, Consumer Intelligence pricing expert said: “The acceleration in insurance costs for van drivers is down to the Ogden changes in March with tax rises and claim costs adding to the pressure. Before the Ogden rules came into effect in March, prices were rising by around 1% a month and then rocketed by 11.4% in April with the Insurance Premium Tax rise in June adding another 2%.
“Choosing the correct cover is vital and opting for carriage of own goods where appropriate will reduce premiums as will shopping around as prices vary month on month and between providers. But unfortunately it seems the only way is up.”
The data shows older drivers have seen premiums rise by 38% with over-50s, while those aged 25 to 49 have seen prices rise by 27.5%.
Average premiums for vans are more expensive than for cars as the cost of claim payouts is higher as insurance may have to cover lost business as a result of owners not being able to work and vans are generally more technologically advanced.
The percentage difference between “social, domestic and pleasure” and “carriage of own goods” is driven by insurers rating customers using vans for work as a better risk as they are more likely to be careful with their vehicle as it’s vital for work.
Carriage of own goods cover can also include social, domestic and personal use. Drivers opting for social domestic and pleasure use generally have hobbies that suit having a van as either their sole vehicle or as a second vehicle.
