When you’re budgeting for a new van, pick-up truck or utility vehicle, there are many things to keep in mind – running costs and fuel are up there, but finding cheap van insurance is often the top priority for drivers.
So, to help you on the road to van bliss, we’ve looked at real Admiral van nsurance customers’ (aged over 31) average premiums between May 2021 and May 2022 to help you grab that budget van insurance policy you’re looking for.
The cheapest commercial vehicles to insure
Suzuki Jimny - average annual premium: £375.34
The third-generation Suzuki Jimny isn’t the most sophisticated of drives but is a durable and dependable 4x4.
It’s also cheap to run and tends to hold its value well. If it’s been looked after well and there’s no rust, it’ll give you years of service.
Land Rover 90 - average annual premium: £399.78
In 2016 the last Land Rover Defender left the assembly line at Solihull. If you count the Defender alongside its predecessors, the Series I, II and III Land Rovers, it was in continuous production for an astonishing 68 years.
The ‘90’ reflected the length of the wheelbase (88 inches), compared to the bigger '110' (109 inches). Now highly collectable, arguably no other vehicle matches the "classic" Land Rover in all-terrain capability and practicality.
Talbot Express - average annual premium: £417.76
Even though it’s a campervan, the Talbot Express shares some similarities with the above Ford Escort: it’s a mainstay on British roads, and that’s because it’s tough, cheap to run and lasts a long, long time.
The major issue with this model is rust. It’s to be expected given its age, but when you buy one, pay close attention to signs of rust damage.
Curious about how to prevent rust? Then read our complete car maintenance guide: 10 ways to make your car last longer.
It may not look great, but as a budget camper, it does the job. Besides, you’ll spend more time out of the camper than in it, right? It helps that the running costs are low these days, with the insurance cost being the highlight.
Mazda B2500 - average annual premium: £421.95
If you were to summarise the Mazda B2500 with one word, it’d be “strong”. The pick-up van is often used for towing, and they can handle carrying other cars, tractors, boats and anything else that’s big and heavy.
The primary reason for its strength is its sturdy chassis. Combined with thick tyres and a robust engine, it mirrors exactly what pick-up van drivers want out of a van: a workhorse.
With two engine options – a 2.5-litre diesel at 84bhp and a 2.5-litre turbodiesel at 109bhp – and a comfortable interior. It helps that the model is reliable, too, and this is mirrored in its affordable insurance premium.
Isuzu Rodeo - average annual premium: £435.19
On sale from 2002-2012, the Rodeo pick-up has been out of production for a while now, so you'll have to look hard for a solid used vehicle. The good news is that later examples (especially the Rodeo Denver) were tough workhorses, so they still have plenty of life left in them.
Available with a single or double cab, a payload of 1,000kg and a maximum towing limit of 3,000kg, it's also very capable off-road.
Nissan D22 - average annual premium: £454.08
The Nissan D22 comes with a range of cab configurations (single cab, dual cab or king cab) and a 4x2 or a 4x4 drivetrain.
Its main benefit is its durability and reliability. With a sturdy design and a powerful engine, this model’s known for being well-suited to heavy loads, challenging conditions and off-road driving.
It’s a great choice for those looking for a genuinely reliable van.
Land Rover 110 – average annual premium: £469.08
The long-awaited replacement for the "classic" Land Rover is a legend reinvented for the 21st century. Boasting the latest tech and supreme off-road capability, it's the most capable and connected Land Rover ever.
Available as a three-door 90 or longer five-door 110 (which can seat six), its design pays homage to the original but with a modern twist. Buyers can choose between petrol, mild hybrid petrol and diesel engines, and a plug-in hybrid.
There's even a commercial version (pictured). Marketed as the Land Rover Defender Hard Top, it has a ground clearance of 291mm, a wading depth of 900mm and a 3,500kg towing capacity.
Volkswagen Transporter - average annual premium: £482.88
The Transporter has an excellent automatic Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), making this model an absolute delight to drive.
The handling is nimble, and the adaptive cruise control is also a real asset compared to similar models.
Its main drawback is the level of noise intrusion. Engine and road noise can be an issue, especially on motorways.
Ford Fiesta - average annual premium: £495.16
Launched in 2016, the ST200 is a refined hot hatch powered by a 1.6-litre 197bhp turbocharged petrol engine and priced from around £23,000 new.
It’s an agile drive with precise steering and great body control.
It's a worthy investment with an impressive nine options for trims and other refined features like an 8.0-inch infotainment screen.
Vauxhall Astra Van - average annual premium: £495.73
With the Astra Van, you can choose between an 89hp 1.4-litre petrol engine or three types of diesel (a 1.3 with 90hp, a 1.7 with 100hp and a 1.9 with 120hp). It drives so well with such excellent handling it almost seems a waste to opt for a smaller engine.
It has smaller dimensions and is designed almost like a car, meaning it's manageable on the road.
It’s well-equipped and has a comfortable and well-designed interior, making it a great choice for those in the market for a van.
Gareth Herincx
Motoring journalist
I'm an experienced journalist, digital editor and copywriter, now specialising in motoring. I’m editor of Automotive Blog and have worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online for household names including the BBC, GMTV, ITV and MSN. I’ve produced digital content in the financial sector for Lloyds Bank, Nationwide and the Money Advice Service. I'm married with two children and live near Bath in Somerset.
