Splitter Van Insurance Cover

[Bothy Cat]

Appreciate anyone in the same boat as us giving some advice please.

We are a weekend touring band with our current van purchased 3 years ago - the fourth annual renewal is due later this month.

It is a 6.5m long Mercedes 413CDi Splitter van, however it falls outwith 'normal' schemes of insurance that would otherwise be covered by most insurers covering splitter vans for bands like us for the following reasons:

 

1. It is plated at 4.5t gross weight - standard schemes only go up to the usual 3.5t gross weight level.

2. It has 9 seats (3 front, 2 x 3 at back with a table in the middle, then bulkhead with gear behind. Insurance companies don't like this many due to the implications on multiple claims in the event of an accident. The van has been professionally modified and has full 3 point seat belts (it was previously a Police Specialist area van so is well kitted out).

3. As the case with any insurer - for bands brings the usual additional premiums etc.

 

As a part time band, who previously, no doubt along with a large number of other part time bands, chanced their hand in 3.5t gross vans, from time to time possibly overloaded on either/both axles, and despite only driving around 8,000 miles per annum maximum, took the plunge and bought this fantastic van in order to 'do it right' and keep ourselves on the right side of the law/safety of the band members etc. We now have 14 years no claims on our various vans to date.

 

Since we changed vans, the premium has rocketed from around £600 per annum (fully comprehensive/protected no claims), to our new van which is more than 3 times that.

I can't believe we're the only band/act that are driving around in this type of van, and we are continually told each year there is only one company in the UK that will insure us - a company called 'Tradex'. They are basically an insurer who specialise in cases like ours that don't quite fit the box of normal schemes.

There must be somebody out there in a similar position, and if so would appreciate any advise on possible alternatives. If you are insuring a vehicle up to 3.5t gross probably no need to offer advice as I stress up to this weight insurance for band splitter vans is fairly freely available (albeit in a perverse way those with insurance who are overloading an axle in a 3.5t van with a chunky load of gear in the back and are in an accident will find themselves uninsured!!)

 

Any advice welcome!

Cheers

[Jivemaster]

IIRC this splitter van has featured on here before.

 

Vans up to 3.5t gross are an easy case, buy, tax insure and MOT and run it. I think all vans over 3.5t gross need more documents, likely tacho and operators licence hence not many of the usual schemes of insurance for you.

 

Be very careful that your drivers have the right licences, I have a nasty feeling that the 4. t van is more trouble than it's worth. Remember that some kit will be Band and other kit will be personal to a member as the ownership of the kit changes the licence category.

[ImagineerTom]

http://www.marshcompany.co.uk/ are the insurance brokers who look after most fun-fair vehicles (the ultimate non-standard vehicle) and so have a range of policies available off-the-shelf covering the unusual and non-standard vehicle - they're always worth a try as they have always found a decent policy for every crazy circus vehicle we've placed with them.

[Bothy Cat]

IIRC this splitter van has featured on here before.

 

Vans up to 3.5t gross are an easy case, buy, tax insure and MOT and run it. I think all vans over 3.5t gross need more documents, likely tacho and operators licence hence not many of the usual schemes of insurance for you.

 

Be very careful that your drivers have the right licences, I have a nasty feeling that the 4. t van is more trouble than it's worth. Remember that some kit will be Band and other kit will be personal to a member as the ownership of the kit changes the licence category.

 

Thanks for that - not the case with us, we checked with our local VOSA office and have a letter confirming that for our purpose, an operators licence and tacho are not required (which stays in the van 24/7 incase we are stopped and asked that very question).

 

http://www.marshcompany.co.uk/ are the insurance brokers who look after most fun-fair vehicles (the ultimate non-standard vehicle) and so have a range of policies available off-the-shelf covering the unusual and non-standard vehicle - they're always worth a try as they have always found a decent policy for every crazy circus vehicle we've placed with them.

Will give them a shout thanks for that

[mrboo]

But make sure all drivers are pre 1997 to have C1 not C. I would be careful if you take any payment for your band or payment for transporting items you dont own as that be classed as hire and reward and you will need a operators licence as you only get away with it if you only use van for domestic use but if your seen as carrying goods connected with any trade or business you will need one and getting payment for playing in a band is classed as work as they can tax you on the income.

[Pete McCrea]

Might be worth a call to Doodsons, as they have an entertainment department, and motor department, so will probably have come across similar situations. They cover us with a minifleet policy that enables us to drive any vehicle from car to truck, with 3 vehicles permanently on it, and for less than you're indicating in the original post.

[Stuart91]

They cover us with a minifleet policy that enables us to drive any vehicle from car to truck, with 3 vehicles permanently on it, and for less than you're indicating in the original post.

 

We're paying over £2k for two vehicles, with no flexibility. They're separate policies but brokered together through Adrian Flux, who were the best price after quite a bit of shopping around.

 

The Doodson minifleet policy sounds quite attractive in comparison. How many drivers do you have on it?

[Pete McCrea]

Any driver over 21, named drivers under 21. As long as you take a copy of the drivers licence, and update if that changes, then you don't need to name drivers.

 

When we took on the second van, most places were taking the piddle - asking over £1k as it was a Kombi, but Doodsons came up ok. We've not had to claim on it, so can't vouch for the 'quality' of what were paying for if that makes any sense.