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Published: 19 Mar 2026 | Last reviewed: 19 Mar 2026 | Reviewed by: VanCompare Editorial Team
It can be tempting to “round down” details to get a lower price — but van insurance is one area where small inaccuracies can cause big problems later.
A widely cited 2014 poll reported that 25% of UK van drivers had “tinkered with the facts” when buying van insurance, and a further 11% said they’d consider doing so in future. (It was survey research rather than an official crime statistic, but the warning still stands.) [1]
The modern rule in plain English: be accurate and take “reasonable care”
For most personal van insurance policies bought by individuals, UK consumer law expects you to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation when arranging or changing cover. [2][3]
That doesn’t mean every mistake automatically cancels your policy — but if something important is wrong, insurers can apply remedies that may leave you worse off than you expect.
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) explains that the outcome often depends on whether the misrepresentation was:
- Deliberate or reckless (you knew it was wrong or didn’t care), or
- Careless (an avoidable mistake).
What can happen if key facts are wrong?
Real-world consequences can include:
- Your claim being reduced, declined, or the policy being voided in serious cases
- Being asked to pay additional premium before a claim is settled (if the insurer would have charged more)
- Difficulty and higher costs when trying to insure in future (because you may need to declare cancellations/voids, depending on the question asked)
FOS guidance sets out how disputes are assessed under the consumer rules and what insurers should consider when applying remedies. [2]
What about business/fleet van insurance?
If the policy is genuinely commercial (for example, some fleet or business placements), the Insurance Act 2015 can apply instead, introducing the duty of fair presentation. In practice, that means presenting risk information clearly and not hiding material facts. [4]
The “most common” problem areas (and what to do instead)
These are the details that often cause trouble because they’re easy to misstate — or easy for an insurer to check after a theft or crash:
1) Overnight parking and security
If you say “garaged/secure compound” but the van is usually on-street, that’s a major mismatch.
Do this: answer based on where the van is kept most nights. If it varies, choose the most common situation and explain variations if there’s a free-text box.
2) Annual mileage
Mileage affects risk and cost, and insurers may compare mileage to MOT history patterns.
Do this: estimate realistically using last year’s mileage or a weekly average × 52.
3) How you use the van (this is a big one)
Using the van for work can mean different things: SDP, carriage of own goods, or hire & reward (courier/deliveries for payment).
Do this: match cover to your real work. If you’re not sure, ask the insurer or broker before buying.
4) Who drives, and how often
Undeclared drivers or “occasionally” meaning “every day” can cause issues.
Do this: list regular drivers and be honest about the main driver.
5) Modifications and racking
Shelving, roof racks, towbars, security locks, and signwriting may count as modifications depending on the insurer.
Do this: declare anything that changes the vehicle from standard, and keep the insurer’s confirmation.
The safest way to keep premiums down
You don’t need to “game” the form. Better options include:
- Checking your details are accurate and consistent
- Comparing quotes on like-for-like cover (excesses and add-ons matter)
- Improving real risk factors (secure parking, recognised security, sensible driver arrangements)
Bottom line: the cheapest quote is only a bargain if it still pays out when you need it.
Sources
- Business Vans (reporting on an AXA poll of 400 van drivers, 2014): View source
- Financial Ombudsman Service — Misrepresentation and non-disclosure (CIDRA approach and “reasonable care”): View source
- Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (legislation): View source
- Insurance Act 2015 explanatory notes (duty of fair presentation context): View source
VanCompare Editorial Team
The VanCompare Editorial Team produces clear, practical guidance on UK van insurance and related topics. We work with FCA authorised insurance providers and use insurer information where relevant to explain cover in plain English and help drivers make informed decisions.
- Where relevant, our content is checked against publicly available UK guidance and information from sources such as the FCA and GOV.UK to help keep it accurate and up to date.
- This content is for general information only and is not financial advice.
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