High risk van insurance explained: cover for drivers with claims, convictions or cancelled policies

If you have had claims, points, a cancelled policy or work in a higher risk job, getting van insurance can feel like a fight. Quotes jump around, some providers say no, and a few offers look so cheap you are not sure if they are real.

This guide takes a clear look at what “high risk” means in van insurance, the main things insurers worry about, and how you can still find cover that matches your situation without gambling with the truth.

It is written for UK van drivers who know their record is not perfect, whether you are a tradesman, courier or small business owner. It also explains where specialist van insurance fits in, and why some of the better options for higher risk drivers will not show up on every comparison screen.

What “high risk” means in van insurance

“High risk” is not a legal category in the same way third party or comprehensive are. It is a way insurers and brokers think about how likely you are to claim and how big those claims might be.

You are more likely to be treated as high risk if one or more of these apply:

• You have recent or multiple claims
• You have motoring convictions or a lot of points on your licence
• A previous policy was cancelled, voided or refused
• You work in an occupation that often sees more claims, such as courier work or night deliveries
• You are a younger driver with any of the above on your record

Exactly where each insurer draws the line will differ. Some will take a hard view once you hit a certain number of points or claims. Others concentrate on specialist van insurance for drivers that standard panels do not want.

The label itself is not the important thing. What matters is how your details affect the price and which markets are prepared to offer you cover.

Common reasons a van driver is treated as high risk

Here are some of the most common reasons a driver ends up in a higher risk bracket.

Claims

Claims are a big signal for insurers. They will look at:

• How recent your claims are
• How many you have had
• Whether they were fault, non fault or split
• What kind of loss it was, for example theft, own damage or injury

A driver with one small non fault claim five years ago is not in the same position as someone with several recent own fault accidents. Insurers also pay attention if there is a pattern, such as repeated thefts from an unlocked van or collisions in similar situations.

If you are getting quotes and keep thinking “why is my van insurance so expensive”, the mix of recent claims and the type of work you do is often part of the answer.

Motoring convictions and points

Convictions and penalty points tell insurers about your driving behaviour. For example:

• Speeding offences
• Using a phone while driving
• Drink or drug related driving offences
• Careless or dangerous driving

Again, the details matter. A single low level speeding offence from years ago is not the same as a recent drink driving ban. The more serious and recent the conviction, the more likely you are to be treated as high risk.

Cancellations, voided policies and refusals

If a previous insurer has:

• Cancelled your policy mid term
• Treated it as void from the start
• Refused to renew you

that will usually raise questions. These situations often involve non payment, undisclosed information or a serious change in risk. Some specialist markets will still look at your case, but they will want to understand what happened and what has changed. Some online quote forms do not give much space to explain these details, so in these cases speaking with a broker may be your best bet.

Higher risk occupations and use

Some types of work bring more risk as standard, for example:

• Full time courier and multi drop delivery
• Removal firms and house movers
• Hot food delivery at night
• Carrying high value or attractive goods
• Work in areas with higher theft or accident rates

Insurers may still quote for these, but often at a higher premium and with more focus on security and claims history. For some of these drivers, specialist van insurance through a broker can be more realistic than chasing standard deals.

How insurers look at claims, convictions and cancellations

From the outside it can feel like insurers simply say “no” or “yes but very expensive”. In reality, most are working through a few basic questions.

• How likely is this driver to claim in the next year or two
• If they do claim, how big might those claims be
• Has anything in the past made them hard to deal with, for example unpaid premiums or missing information

For claims, they will look at:

• Dates and values
• Type of claim
• Any signs of a pattern

For convictions, they focus on:

• Offence codes and how recent they are
• Total points on the licence
• Any periods of disqualification

For cancellations and voidance, they often ask:

• Why did the previous policy end that way
• Was there non disclosure or misrepresentation
• Were there payment issues

If you run into questions in these areas, the best starting point is simple honesty. Trying to smooth things over with half answers can cause more trouble later if the full picture comes out at claim time.

High risk does not always mean “no cover”

Being treated as higher risk does not automatically mean you cannot get cover. It often means:

• Standard, mass market insurers are less keen
• Specialist underwriters may still be open to a quote
• The price and terms will be more sensitive to the exact details you give

This is where comparison tools and brokers that work with specialist markets can help.

A van insurance comparison site such as VanCompare can be a useful starting point. You enter your details once, including claims, convictions and any past cancellations, and see how a range of insurers respond to your risk on screen.

For some drivers, that online panel will still produce usable options. For others, especially where there are multiple claims, serious convictions or a history of cancellations, the better terms may sit with specialist insurers that do not offer instant online quotes at all.

Those specialist markets usually work through FCA authorised brokers. A broker can:

• Take you through your history in more detail
• Present your case to underwriters who deal with higher risk drivers
• Look at products that are not shown on public comparison sites

If you are trying to get insured with multiple claims or significant convictions, it often makes sense to use both:

• A comparison site such as VanCompare to get a feel for the market, and
• A specialist van insurance broker who can speak to suitable insurers on your behalf

We cannot promise a result in every case, and we cannot guarantee that the price will be low. What you can do is give any broker or insurer you deal with a clear and fair view of your risk, rather than chasing offers that only look cheap because important information has been left out.

To do a quote now, visit our main van insurance page here.

Things you should always mention when you get quotes

If you know you are not a straightforward risk, it is even more important to be open about your history.

You should always be ready to mention:

• All motor claims in the last few years, even small ones
• All motoring convictions and penalty points that are still within disclosure rules
• Any previous policy that was cancelled, voided or refused
• Any refused quote or cover that was conditional on extra terms
• Any regular higher risk use, such as courier work, food delivery or night work in busy areas

People often leave things out because they:

• Assume non fault claims do not matter
• Think small claims are too minor to mention
• Forget one or two older points
• Hope that a previous cancellation will not be noticed

If you are unsure whether something counts, it is usually safer to mention it and let the provider tell you if it is relevant. Saying “they did not ask me” is unlikely to help if it later turns out a key fact should have been disclosed.

Ways to improve your position as a high risk driver

You cannot rewrite the past, but there are steps that can help over time.

Keep your current record clean

From the moment you realise you are viewed as high risk, every year without new claims or convictions can help. That is slow and sometimes frustrating, but it is one of the strongest signals you can send.

Look after the van

Insurers pay attention to how likely it is that the van will be stolen or damaged. Simple steps can help:

• Park off street or in a secure yard if you can
• Use good locks and consider extra security for tools and goods
• Avoid leaving valuables on display

These may not cancel out a bad record, but they can support your case and may give more options with certain underwriters.

Choose cover and excess carefully

Picking a realistic level of cover and an excess you can genuinely afford shows you are taking things seriously. An excess that is too high on paper may cause problems if a claim arises and you cannot pay it.

A modest increase in voluntary excess that you could pay if needed can sometimes reduce the premium. If you push it too high, some insurers’ rating systems may not reduce the price further and in some cases the premium can even rise. Just make sure you are not agreeing to more than you could manage in real life and always see how the excess impacts the premium.

Work with providers who understand your type of work

If you do courier work, furniture removals, or a mix of trade and delivery, a provider that understands those patterns is likely to handle your case better than one built only for simple own goods use. For those doing courier work, you may want to read our explainer on courier van insurance here for additional insight.

Red flags to avoid when you are already high risk

If you are already seen as higher risk, taking shortcuts on the application only adds to the danger.

Watch out for:

• Fronting, where a lower risk driver is listed as main user when you are the one who actually uses the van most of the time
• Hiding side work, such as courier jobs, food delivery or other paid use that changes the risk
• Understating mileage or van value to drag the price down
• Ghost brokers, unregulated sellers on social media or messaging apps who promise instant cover with very few questions.

These may look like easy fixes in the short term. In practice, they can:

• Lead to policies being cancelled or treated as if they never existed
• Make future underwriters more cautious
• Leave you with a van, a loss and a dispute instead of a paid claim

If you are worried about ghost brokers or “too good to be true” offers, our article on ghost broker scams sets out common warning signs and what to do if you suspect something is wrong.

High risk van insurance FAQs

Can I get van insurance with motoring convictions?

In many cases you can, although your choice of insurers may be smaller and the price may be higher. Much depends on the type of conviction, how many points you have and how recent they are. Specialist markets are often more open to convicted drivers than standard ones, but they will expect honest, complete information.

What if my last van insurance policy was cancelled or voided?

You should always mention previous cancellations or voidance when you get new quotes. Some insurers will not consider these risks, but others may be prepared to look if they understand what happened and what has changed since. Trying to hide a past cancellation can cause more trouble later than being open about it from the start.

Does a non fault claim still make me a high risk driver?

A non fault claim is not the same as a fault claim, but many insurers still take it into account when they price your policy. A single small non fault claim might not change things much on its own, but a pattern of frequent claims, even if they are not your fault, can still be seen as higher risk. This is especially true in the absence of a long clean driving history.

Can I leave out old points or minor incidents to get a cheaper quote?

If the information is still within the period that needs to be disclosed, leaving it out is never advised. Quotes that look cheaper because points or incidents are missing may not stand up well if a serious claim happens and the full record comes to light. It is safer to give a complete picture and let the provider decide what is relevant.

Is it better to go direct to one insurer or use a broker if I am high risk?

There is no single right answer, but using a van insurance comparison site alongside an FCA authorised specialist van insurance broker can save time. The comparison site lets you enter your details once and see how standard markets respond. A broker can then, where needed, approach higher risk underwriters that do not appear on public panels. That can open up prices and products you would not see if you only tried a couple of direct sites on your own. Many comparison sites work alongside brokerages so keep an eye out for any making recommendations on who to speak with. It may just save you a small fortune.

Next steps if you are a high risk van driver

If you know your record is not perfect, you do not have to give up on finding cover, and you do not have to gamble with half truths either.

You can:

• Gather clear information on your claims, convictions and any previous cancellations
• Think honestly about how you use your van, including side work and delivery jobs
• Decide what level of cover and excess you could live with on a bad day
• Use a van insurance comparison site such as VanCompare to see how standard markets react to your risk
• Speak to an FCA authorised specialist van insurance broker if your case is complex, so they can approach suitable insurers that may not appear on public panels
• Take care over the next year or two to avoid new claims and convictions where you can

When you are ready, you can compare van insurance quotes online and, if needed, ask a specialist broker to look more closely at your case. Even if the prices are not where you want them yet, you will at least know where you stand and what you can work on for the years ahead.

VanCompare Editorial Team

The VanCompare Editorial Team produces clear, practical insurance guides for UK tradesmen, couriers and small business owners. We work with FCA regulated insurance brokers and providers to translate complex insurance topics into plain English, helping drivers make informed decisions about their cover.

Where relevant, our content is checked against trusted UK sources such as the FCA, GOV.UK, the ABI and MoneyHelper to help keep it accurate and up to date.