**Single annual policy. New and former Paramount+ subscribers only who sign up at ParamountPlus.com. Subscription required. Auto-renews unless cancelled. 18+. Just Eat website account required, geographical exclusions apply. The year-round reward is provided by Greggs, and consists of one regular hot drink per month for a year, only available via the Confused.com app. T&Cs apply.
***Beat your renewal guarantee. Must be a like-for-like policy. Read full T&Cs.
1Correct as of October 2024
When you look into any type of van insurance policy, there are 3 levels of cover to choose from:
Third-party only
Third-party, fire and theft
Fully comprehensive
If you're looking to enhance your cover for driving your ice cream van, there are a sprinkle of optional extras available:
Roadside assistance can be very helpful in case you break down. This'll make sure you're not left stranded before reaching the perfect spot for customers.
Taking a trip overseas? You might want insurance for driving in Europe. You may need to top up with business cover if you plan to sell ice cream at summer festivals on the continent.
This can cover legal costs, such as solicitor's fees if you need to go to court, or compensation claims if someone has an allergic reaction, for example.
Windscreens can be easily chipped or cracked. While this is sometimes included in a standard policy, you may need to add it as an extra, so it's best to check.
It's really important to bear in mind that van insurance is for the vehicle, not the business. If you're thinking about how to protect your new ice cream business, here are some things well worth considering:
Think about getting business insurance tailored to your new ice cream company. These bespoke policies can cover numerous aspects of your venture.
You'll need a licence from your local council for any kind of street trading. Apply for a street trading licence at GOV.UK if you live in England or Wales. Or check here if you live in Scotland, or here for Northern Ireland.
Depending on your van's emissions, it's important to be aware of any ultra-low emission zones (ULEZ) and their costs.
As you'll be dealing with the public, you could look into cover to protect you if someone gets injured or falls ill as a result of visiting your premises.
People who run food trucks typically need a level 2 food handler's certificate, which shows you're aware of and compliant with food hygiene regulations.
This is another thing to factor into your business budget. Zoom to our petrol prices comparison to find the cheapest fuel prices near you.
It's likely that specialist ice cream van insurance will be more costly than regular van insurance. Due to the equipment and stock, plus the way it's used, an ice cream van needs more protection than a normal van. But you may feel it's worth it.
It's worth mentioning that prices also vary depending on things like your age, location, annual mileage, personal driving history - as well as the type of van itself.
According to Confused.com data, the average annual insurance policy for an ice cream van is £1,108.80*. By contrast, insurance for a regular van costs £729.31* a year on average. So that's a difference of £379.49 for protecting your ice cream business, as opposed to just getting typical vehicle cover.
If you want to freeze your outgoings, there are a few steps you can take to get cheaper ice cream van insurance.
Enhancing your security is always a good idea, and can lead to cheaper cover. You could invest in an alarm to protect your vehicle and stock. You could also get a steering lock, which is a visible deterrent. Plus you should try to keep it locked up and out of sight on private property while unattended.
Keeping a clean driving history will also help keep costs down. Plus it'll help if you can limit your mileage. As such, it's best to only use your ice cream van for business, and not for personal errands.
Another great way to keep insurance costs low is to compare a range of ice cream van insurance policies from different providers. By getting quotes from a comparison website like Confused.com, you can see ice cream van insurance deals side-by-side.
All you need is to provide a few simple details, such as:
Then you can choose that cover level that suits your needs, at a price that's right for your bank balance.
"Who doesn't love an ice cream van? Whether it's the brilliant childhood memories or the refreshing ice creams on summer days, ice cream vans create a happy Britain! Keeping your van insured is an essential step to keeping your business protected and thriving. To get the best level of cover, make sure you're honest about the van's modifications and expected mileage."
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