How do I know if my vehicle is a car-derived van?

Check the V5C logbook. If it is listed as a light goods vehicle or in the N1 category, it is a van and needs van insurance.

Can I insure a car-derived van for social use only?

Yes. You can choose social use, but it must still be a van insurance policy, not a car policy.

Is van insurance more expensive for a small CDV?

Not necessarily. Smaller car-derived vans can cost less to insure than large panel vans, but every quote depends on the vehicle, the driver and how it is used.

Van

Do I need special insurance for a car-derived van?

A car-derived van is a commercial vehicle, so it needs van insurance with the right class of use, not a car policy. Here is why and how to check yours.

Yes. A car-derived van (CDV) is classed as a commercial vehicle, so it needs van insurance with the correct class of use, not a standard car policy. Although it may look and drive like a small car, insurers go by how the vehicle is built and registered.

What a car-derived van is

A car-derived van is based on a car but is built and registered as a light commercial vehicle. It usually has no rear seats, and the rear side windows are often panelled over to make a load area. Because it is a commercial vehicle, it must be insured as a van.

Registered as a van on the V5C, not as a car.
Needs van insurance with the right class of use for how you drive it.
Class of use still applies, from social use to carriage of own goods or hire and reward.

Car-derived vans are popular with sole traders, sales reps and small businesses that need a modest load space without the size of a panel van.

Getting the right policy

Trying to insure a car-derived van on a car policy can leave you without valid cover, because the vehicle category does not match what the insurer has agreed to cover. Choose a van policy and declare how you use it, just as you would with a larger van.

If you only drive it socially you can still pick social use, but it must be a van policy. If you use it for work, choose business use. If you deliver goods for other people for payment, you need hire and reward cover, which is explained on our courier insurance page.

Things worth checking

The V5C logbook, to confirm how the vehicle is registered.
Any conversions: if rear seats have been added back, or a van has been converted, tell your insurer, as this can change how it is classed.
Who will drive it and whether they need to be named on the policy.

Getting van insurance quotes

With Kompare you fill in a short form about you and your van. A specialist FCA-authorised broker from our panel then contacts you about quotes that match the vehicle and how you use it. Read how we work or start on our van insurance page.