Cheap ice cream van insurance

Ice cream van insurance is a specialist area and finding cheap cover will take some work and patience. Honest John Vans explains how to get the cheapest van insurance for your ice cream van.

What sort of cover is needed for an ice cream van?

Insuring an ice cream van will require some understanding of the vehicle’s value and the cost of its fixtures and fittings. You can carry over your no claims bonus from your car or van, but you’ll need to provide the insurer with an accurate, realistic valuation of the vehicle.

In addition to van insurance, you’ll also need some form of public liability cover that'll protect you in the event of someone making a compensation claim against you or your business. And if you employ staff (even on a short-term casual basis), you’ll need some type of employers’ liability insurance too.

How can I get the best ice cream van insurance?

Ice cream van drivers work long hours and sometimes cover large distances, as they look to maximise their profits in the summer months. As a result the cost and level of cover can vary, depending on how hard you plan to work and travel.

As with standard van insurance, you can choose fully comprehensive, third party fire and theft or third party only cover. But it is always wise to compare quotes because there may not be a huge price gap between fully comp and third party cover.

As a minimum, the van insurance should include the cost of the van and the replacement of the ice cream equipment within it. Be sure to mention any one-off items that may be particularly expensive to repair or replace, as these will needed to be listed on the policy. 

You will also need to inform the policy provider about annual mileage. They may ask about average hours worked and which areas/pitches you will be working from. As with any form of insurance, it pays to be honest and upfront. Failure to do so may results in cancelled insurance or refusal to pay out in the event of an accident or total write-off. 

Who will be driving?

This is an important question for small businesses that employ staff. After all, sooner or later, you will want to take a day off and let someone else work on your behalf. Some policies will allow you to add a named driver over the age of 25 at no extra cost. Or you could opt for more expensive cover and choose insurance with ‘any driver’ cover, which allows almost anyone within your businesses with a clean licence to drive your vehicle.

Are you a member of a trade body or association? You might be entitled to a discount...

Some insurance providers will provide discounts or preferential cover to customers who are a member of a trade association like the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA). You will also save money if your vehicle has enhanced security, like a tracker or steering wheel lock.

Boost your cover and profits with outdoor shows, events and festivals

Some ice cream van drivers will secure a profitable pitch at a local park or street and stick with it for the entire season. However, if you plan to expand your scope and cover shows and festivals, you will need to inform your insurer in advance about this and provide specific details about the events and their nature. Some van insurance policies will already include this, but it's always prudent to check as some insurers will have strict limitations.

Cheapest panel vans to insure

Thinking of converting a van or want to get a rough idea of insurance costs? These are examples vans you can buy with cheap insurance. 

See also: Our guide to cheap insurance for all van owners

Click here to see the top 10 cheapest panel vans to insure

Click here to see the top 10 cheapest panel vans to insure