From renovating a property to clearing out your loft or moving house, there are many situations in life that can be made easier by hiring a van. However, before you sign a van rental agreement, you need to ensure that you are properly insured.
Do I need van insurance?
When looking at van rental in Bristol and the surrounding areas, you are likely to find that the standard hire rates offered by most companies already include insurance. If this is the case, it is important to check that it includes liability cover and a collision damage waiver, which means that you’ll be fully covered for any damage to the van itself as well as any damage caused to another party.
Do I need van hire excess insurance?
If the van is stolen or damaged, you will be expected to contribute towards the cost of its replacement or repair via an excess charge. In some cases, this charge could be as high as £1,500.
As this is a lot of money, many rental companies providing van rental in Bristol will offer extra cover called van hire excess insurance. This type of insurance is typically charged per day and can be obtained via the rental company or some online providers. If the van you hire is damaged or stolen, van hire excess insurance will allow you to claim back the total excess amount you were charged.
As this RAC article highlights, van theft is increasing in the UK. So, while the decision to take out van hire excess insurance is entirely your own, doing so will help you to avoid potentially high excess charges in the event of an accident.
What is included in a van hire excess insurance policy?
As well as providing protection from high excess charges, this type of insurance policy typically comes with a number of other benefits that aren’t included in standard van insurance policies. These extras may include lost keys, towing fees, filling up with the wrong type of fuel, and damage to the van’s windscreen, roof, underbody and tyres.
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