Does Your Trade Job Really Affect the Price of Your Van Insurance? 

For most tradespeople, a van isn’t just a vehicle – it’s the backbone of their business. Whether you’re carrying tools, materials, or travelling between clients, keeping your van on the road comes with ongoing costs. Insurance is one of the biggest expenses, and a r ecent study shows that the trade you work in can change your quote by nearly £400 a year. 

In November 2023, Vanarama examined how trade job titles impact insurance prices in the UK. The results reveal big differences across professions – and raise some questions about how trades like electricians are treated when it comes to premiums. 

Why your trade matters to insurers 

When applying for commercial van insurance, you’ll need to supply details like your van’s make, model, storage location, and how you use it. Another key question is your job title. At first, this may seem irrelevant – but for insurers, it’s a risk indicator. 

Your occupation hints at: 

• How often you use your van 

• The type of equipment you’re transporting 

• Any industry-specific hazards (from heavy lifting to chemical handling) 

Electricians, for example, typically carry high-value tools but don’t transport the same hazardous materials as some other trades. Insurers take this into account when setting premiums. 

Diesel vs electric van insurance 

Another factor affecting premiums is the type of fuel your van uses. Vanarama found that insurance for electric vans was consistently higher than for diesel models, even for the same trade. 

Diesel van insurance 

• Highest cost: Mechanics at £837.28 per year 

• Lowest cost: Carpet fitters, painters, plumbers, and electricians at £722.77 per year 

• Gap: £150.51 between the top and bottom quotes 

Electric van insurance 

• Highest cost: Mechanics again, at £1,159.91 per year 

• Lowest cost: Electricians, builders, and gardeners at £1,004.29 per year 

• Gap: £155.62 between top and bottom quotes 

For trades like electricians, the difference is noticeable. Electric vans cost around £280 more to insure than diesel equivalents – but fuel savings and government i ncentives may offset that cost in the long term. 

How to keep van insurance costs down 

Here are some practical steps tradespeople can take to reduce premiums and protect profits. 

1 – Upgrade your van security

Insurers reward vans with better security. Consider adding: 

• Motion-sensor cameras 

• GPS tracking devices 

• Smart padlocks or alarm systems 

These reduce theft risks and can lower your premiums. 

2 – Park safely

Where you leave your van matters. Street parking is the most expensive option. Premiums fall if you park on a driveway, and are lowest if your van is stored in a locked garage overnight. If that’s not possible, choose well-lit, busy areas to reduce risk. 

3 – Choose the right vehicle

While ICE vans remain cheaper to insure, electric vans come with lower running costs and tax incentives. Weigh up the whole cost picture – not just insurance – when deciding which van suits your trade. 

4 – Shop around and compare

Quotes can vary a lot between providers. Don’t just accept your renewal price – compare insurers each year to make sure you’re getting the best deal. 

What this means for electricians 

For electricians, the good news is that both diesel and electric van premiums sit toward the lower end of the spectrum compared to other trades. But with rising costs across the industry, every saving counts. 

If you’re considering a career in electrics and want to understand the business side as well as the technical, training with a centre that covers both skills and industry insights is vital. Explore: 

• Electrician Courses Bromsgrove 

• Electrician Courses Bridgnorth 

And for essential safety knowledge, check out our Asbestos Lesson 2 and Asbestos Lesson 3 in our online learning hub. 

At Elec Training, we help electricians build not just technical expertise but also awareness of the wider issues – from insurance to business costs – that affect your career in the trade. 

Why does my trade job title affect the cost of van insurance? 

Your trade job title affects van insurance costs because insurers assess risk based on the occupation’s nature, including the value and type of tools carried (e.g., high-value electrical equipment increases theft risk), driving patterns (e.g., frequent site visits), and accident likelihood from job hazards like carrying ladders. For instance, mechanics face higher premiums due to oily tools attracting thieves, while office-based roles pay less. In 2025, tweaks like adding “freelance” can alter categorization, saving £100-£200 annually. Elec Training advises accurate titles on quotes to avoid claims denials, as mismatches can void policies. 

Which trades typically pay the highest premiums for van insurance? 

Trades carrying high-value, theft-attractive tools like mechanics (£837 average for diesel vans), refrigeration engineers (£1,109 for electric), and plumbers (£722-£837) pay the highest premiums in 2025, due to elevated risks from specialized equipment and site exposure. Construction workers and delivery drivers follow, with overall van p remiums up 24% YoY to £1,000+ for high-risk roles. Elec Training notes electricians pay less (£722), but upskilling in secure storage can further reduce costs. 

Do electricians generally pay more or less for van insurance compared to other trades? 

Electricians generally pay less for van insurance (£722 average for diesel vans) compared to high-risk trades like mechanics (£837) or refrigeration engineers (£1,109 for electric), thanks to lower perceived theft risks from less bulky tools, though still above low-risk roles like cleaners (£500-£600). In 2025, electricians’ premiums rose 10-15% with EV adoption but remain mid-tier at £800-£1,000. Elec Training’s insurance guidance helps learners secure competitive rates through job-specific risk profiles. 

Why are electric vans more expensive to insure than diesel vans? 

Electric vans cost more to insure (up to 78% higher, £1,109 vs. £722 for some trades) due to pricier repairs (batteries £5,000-£15,000 to fix), higher vehicle values (£30,000+ vs. £20,000 diesel), limited specialist repair networks, and greater theft appeal from components. In 2025, advanced tech and supply chain issues add 20-30% to claims costs. Elec Training recommends EV-specific policies to offset this. 

How much more does it cost on average to insure an electric van compared to a diesel one? 

On average, insuring an electric van costs £200-£400 more annually than a diesel equivalent (£1,000-£1,500 vs. £700-£1,100), a 25-78% premium depending on trade and model—e.g., £387 difference for refrigeration engineers. 2025 data shows narrowing gaps with more EV data. Elec Training’s TCO calculators show fuel savings (£1,000+/year) often outweigh this. 

What role does van security play in reducing insurance premiums? 

Van security plays a key role in reducing premiums by 5-20% through discounts for Thatcham-approved features like Category 1 alarms, immobilisers, GPS trackers, and steering locks, signaling lower theft risk to insurers. In 2025, with van thefts up 20%, comprehensive setups (e.g., deadlocks + trackers) can save £100-£300/year. Elec Training includes security audits in its van safety training. 

Does where I park my van overnight affect the insurance cost? 

Yes, overnight parking in a secure garage or driveway reduces premiums by 5-15% (£50-£150/year) compared to street parking, as it lowers theft/vandalism risks—insurers often require declared secure parking for quotes. In urban areas like London, street parking hikes costs 20-30%. Elec Training advises specifying parking in applications for accurate pricing. 

Can upgrading to an electric van save money overall despite higher insurance costs? 

Yes, upgrading saves overall with lower fuel (£500-£1,000/year vs. diesel at 14p/mile), maintenance (£300-£500 less annually), and tax incentives, yielding 25% cheaper TCO per km over 5 years despite £200-£400 higher insurance. 2025 grants like 0% VAT amplify savings. Elec Training’s TCO tools confirm net gains for trades. 

How much can premiums vary between different insurance providers? 

Premiums vary 30-50% (£200-£500) between providers in 2025, with comparison sites like GoCompare showing averages from £298 (AXA) to £1,500+ for high-risk trades—e.g., £575 national average, but £1,139 in London. Elec Training recommends multi-quotes annually. 

What steps can tradespeople take to keep van insurance costs as low as possible? 

Steps include comparing quotes annually (save 30-50%), adding security (5-20% off), declaring accurate mileage/job title, choosing higher excess (£250-£500), parking securely overnight, building no-claims bonuses, and bundling policies—potentially cutting £300-£600/year in 2025.