Van insurance policy terms and conditions.

What is the deductible in van insurance?

The deductible is a portion of the damage you keep at your own expense. Not all insurers use a deductible. If they do, it is often an amount up to €150. For a damage of €1,000, you will be paid €850 assuming a deductible of €150. Insurers use deductibles to discourage policyholders from claiming.

A higher deductible for young drivers

Young drivers often pay a higher premium until they are 24 years old. Insurers do this because they do more damage compared to older drivers. For some insurers, this does not go far enough. They also set an additional deductible in the policy terms in case damage is caused by young drivers. Not all insurers do this.

Excess for windshield damage

A different deductible applies to windshield damage. If window replacement is not necessary, there is often no deductible. The insurer may refer you to a particular glass repairer in your area. If the car window is replaced, a deductible often does apply. The amount again depends on where you go for the windshield replacement. Insurers may refer you to repairers that have contracts with them.

The new-for-old scheme

For new or young vans, the new-for-old value scheme is interesting. In the event of a total loss of the van, the claim is settled based on the new-for-old value of the van. The new-for-old value rule can apply for one to three years. After this period, the current market value of the van is used again in case of damage.

Acquisition Value Scheme

This is similar to the new value scheme, but this scheme is aimed at used vans. If, according to the policy terms, this scheme is included in the van insurance policy, the purchase value of the van is assumed for a certain period of time. Did you buy the van for €8,000? Then this value is temporarily assumed for the claim settlement instead of the current market value.

Day value of the van

The daily value is the value of the van just before the damage. This value takes into account the van's age, as well as its state of repair and mileage, for example. It also takes into account how well the van has been maintained.

Van insurance cancellation

Car insurance has a standard term of one year. After the first year of insurance, the insurance is renewed again for one year. After the first year of insurance, the insurance can be cancelled daily. Some insurers use a notice period of one month. This is allowed. When canceling the van insurance on April 5, the insurer may terminate the insurance as of May 5. When selling the van, the van insurance can be cancelled immediately. Also logical, since there is nothing left to insure. Also during the first year the insurance can be cancelled when the van is sold.

Claims management by the insurer

For damage repairs, insurers use damage control. This means that you prefer to have the van repaired at a repair shop designated by the insurer. They do damage control by, for example, reducing the deductible if you go to the affiliated repairer. This phenomenon is also seen in glass repair.

Getting behind the wheel with alcohol

Insurers are strict about damages where the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The insurer has the right to recover the damage amount from the party causing the damage. In a liability case, however, the other party is compensated for the damage. The insurer may then send the inebriated party responsible for the loss a bill for the damages. These types of recovery claims can involve large sums of money.

Other exclusions

There are other situations named in the policy conditions where there is no coverage. These include, for example, participating in speed contests or renting out the van. Also, when driving the van without a valid driver's license, the van insurance does not provide coverage.

Deposit

In the event of a collision abroad, you may face bail. In an extreme case, the van may be impounded. You may even end up in jail yourself. You get the van back on payment of bail. The insurer will take care of this. Even if bail is needed to get you out of jail again.