Removal Van Insurance

Yes, you need to have third-party motor insurance to drive in the UK. However, with paid removals work, simple van insurance is not sufficient. You need to have a policy that covers the carriage of goods for hire or reward, as you are being paid to carry the belongings of customers. Not having ‌appropriate cover exposes you to financial and legal liabilities, despite having ‌normal van cover.

It includes the van, goods that are being transported, and your responsibility to customers and the general population. Goods in transit insurance covers the loss or damage of goods caused by accidents, fire, theft, and public liability covers the injury or damage to a third party. This can be topped with employer’s liability and personal accident cover.

Goods in transit is about the things you are transporting, not the van. It insures against the damage, loss, theft, and late delivery of goods. While your van insurance insures the driver and the vehicle, goods in transit insures the cargo. Without it, you are personally responsible if any damage to the customer’s property occurs while moving.

Your price depends on the value of your van, mileage, driving history, and the goods you carry. Removal van insurance is more expensive than private-use van insurance since it requires additional cover for the carriage of goods for hire or reward, which adds to the premium.

Comparison of specialist quotes as opposed to generic comparison sites will give you the most precise and competitive package.

You require furniture removal insurance when you perform home or office relocations that include furniture. It is applicable to both sole traders and larger removal companies. The three essential components that any furniture remover must have are van insurance, public liability, and goods in transit.

Waste removal van insurance covers businesses that collect and dispose of rubbish, construction debris, or hazardous materials. Standard removal van cover is limited to household or office removals, not waste disposal work. Waste removal companies are subject to special risks such as liability for hazardous materials, hence special specialist cover is necessary. Always make sure that waste collection is a listed use on your policy.

Yes, it is the most convenient method. Business van insurance ‘with haulage’ is ideal for removal companies carrying goods on behalf of a third party. Most of the specialist insurers offer vehicle cover, goods in transit cover, and public liability as one policy. This eliminates gaps in coverage and is less expensive than purchasing each component individually.

The partition that divides the cab and the cargo area is called a bulkhead. Removal vans will have bulkhead removed to provide more loading space. It is not illegal to remove it in the UK, though you have to notify your insurer, who will then determine the safety impact and can revise your premium. Not declaring it is a modification and may invalidate your cover in case you claim.

Yes, you do not have to be a registered company. Even though you may be trading as a man and van service, where you carry various household goods on behalf of the same customer, insurers would consider this a removal. This means you will need a removal cover, rather than the usual business van insurance.

Yes, you do need it when you hire employees, whether full-time or part-time. In case of non-insurance, the employer can be fined ‌a maximum of 2,500 employees per day. It includes compensation claims if the worker is hurt at work, like a back injury during the lifting process. It has to be in place prior to your first employee reporting to work.