Here’s Whether Van Insurance Is Expensive or Not

Van insurance is usually not that expensive, although it really depends on the type of van and what it’s used for. 

Insuring a commercial cargo van that’s used for business purposes will cost considerably more  ($4,750 average annual cost) than a van for personal use ($1,329 average annual cost). 

On the other hand, minivan insurance costs are quite similar to vans used for non-commercial purposes, with an average annual insurance cost of just $1,647. 

This means that van insurance for personal use might cost less than insuring larger cars such as sedans, which would cost around $1,700 annually to insure. 

How expensive the insurance premium of your van will depend on certain details such as: 

  • What it’s primarily used for (work or daily commuting). 
  • The number of seats it has (over 5 seats means a higher insurance rate). 
  • Whether it has any modifications and if it’s used for transporting equipment/tools. 

And to help you get a better idea of just how expensive (or not) van insurance in the US is, in this article I’ll cover the following topics: 

  • The average van insurance rates in the states. 
  • Real sample van insurance quotes acquired from leading insurance companies. 
  • The primary factors that affect van insurance cost. 
  • Practical ideas and tips to lower van insurance rates. 

 

Average Van Insurance Rates in the US 

Here’s how much you can expect to pay on average for different types of van insurance in the states, based on real prices from some of the leading insurance companies in the US: 

 

Cost of Van Insurance for Personal Use 

The insurance of a van for personal use costs around $142 per month on average, while the annual cost is around $1,329. 

Here’s what the average non-commercial van insurance cost is for some of the most popular models out there: 

  • Ford Transit Connect – $1,442 per year or $120/month. 
  • Mercedes-Benz Metris – $1,548 per year or $129/month. 
  • Ram ProMaster City – $1,218 per year or $102/month. 

But don’t forget that these prices are only estimates as the specific quote you’ll get depends on the insurance company and a bunch of additional factors such as the type of your van. 

 

Cost of Van Insurance for Commercial Use  

Commercial auto insurance is more expensive, with an annual cost of $4,750 for a cargo/delivery van. 

This is how much you might expect to pay on average for commercial van insurance, based on the rates of some of the most popular commercial vans: 

  • Ford Transit cargo van – $3,409 per year. 
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cargo van – $3,517 per year. 

The exact insurance premium that you have to pay is also affected by your state. 

Here’s what the minimum and maximum range for commercial auto insurance are in the following states: 

  • California – $574 to $1,804 
  • Florida – $2,565 to $3,370 
  • Maine – $486 to $1268 
  • Michigan – $5282 to $8723 
  • Minnesota – $983 to $2271 
  • Montana – $641 to $2525 
  • Oregon – $1136 to $2205 
  • Texas – $890 to $2594 

Nonetheless, you may come across significant price fluctuations within the same state. 

 

Minivan Insurance Cost 

The average cost of insuring a minivan is around $1,647 per year for a full coverage policy. 

However, the insurance premium will vary from one minivan to another. 

Here’s how much you may expect to pay on average per year for a minimum and maximum insurance coverage regarding some of the most popular minivan models: 

  • Honday Odyssey – $471 to $1,454 
  • Toyota Sienna – $474 to $1,687 
  • Chrysler Pacifica – $485 to $1,463 
  • Kia Sedona – $501 to $1,534 
  • Dodge Grand Caravan – $503 to $1,623 

Note that some minivans tend to be rather luxurious with many gadgets and extras found on large sedans, which logically increases the insurance premium. 

 

Sample Van Insurance Quotes for Personal Use 

Below you’ll see two distinct sample quotes for non-commercial van insurance that I’ve personally obtained from two of the leading insurance companies in the US. 

Note that I’ve used a popular non-commercial van for this purpose (Ford Transit Connect). 

 

1. Liberty Mutual Non-Commercial Van Insurance 

Liberty Mutual offers several customized coverage options based on your preferred monthly price. 

Note that I didn’t sign up for Liberty Mutual’s RightTrack discount program when adding the details for these sample non-commercial van insurance quotes. 

To give you a better idea of how much van insurance for personal use costs with Liberty Mutual, I’ve selected the only policy with partial coverage and the least expensive full coverage policy available: 

 

                              Coverage Option #1 – Partial Coverage

Monthly plan price breakdown: 

Monthly cost:  $103.33 per month.  
Policy coverage for others (when you’re at fault):  

-Bodily injury liability – $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. 
-Property damage liability – $25,000 per accident.  
Coverage for you and any passengers in the vehicle:  

-Uninsured motorist – $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. 
-Medical payments – Not included.  
Van coverage: 

-Comprehensive – Not included. 
-Collision – Not included. 
-Ridesharing – Not available for the vehicle (2020 Ford Transit Connect). 
-Better car replacement – Not available for the vehicle (2020 Ford Transit Connect). 
-Glass coverage – Not available for this vehicle (2020 Ford Transit Connect). 
-Uninsured motorist property damage – Not included. 
-24-hour roadside assistance – Not included. 
-Rental car reimbursement – Not available for this vehicle (2020 Ford Transit Connect).  
Included discounts for ($65.17 total savings per month): 

-Online purchase. 
-Violation free. 
-Homeowner. 
-Preferred payment. 
-Early shopper. 
-Good payer. 
-Claims free. 

 

Coverage Option #2 – Full Coverage 

Monthly plan price breakdown: 

Monthly cost:  $200.00 per month.  
Policy coverage for others (when you’re at fault):  

-Bodily injury liability – $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. 
-Property damage liability – $25,000 per accident.  
Coverage for you and any passengers in the vehicle:  

-Uninsured motorist – $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. 
-Medical payments – $5,000.  
Van coverage: 

-Comprehensive – $1,000 deductible coverage. 
-Collision – $1,000 deductible coverage. 
-Ridesharing – Not available for the vehicle (2020 Ford Transit Connect). 
-Better car replacement – Not available for the vehicle (2020 Ford Transit Connect). 
-Glass coverage – Not available for this vehicle (2020 Ford Transit Connect). 
-Uninsured motorist property damage – Not included. 
-24-hour roadside assistance – Not included. 
-Rental car reimbursement – Not available for this vehicle (2020 Ford Transit Connect).  
Included discounts for ($126.92 total savings per month): 

-Online purchase. 
-Violation free. 
-Homeowner. 
-Preferred payment. 
-Early shopper. 
-Good payer. 
-Claims free. 

Liberty Mutual Non-Commercial Van Insurance Sample Quote Details: 

These are the details I used when getting quotes, I designed them to get the most average quote possible. 

  • Van – Ford Transit Connect cargo van 2020 model (trim: van XL, body style: two wheel drive, two doors). 
  • Policyholder details – Male driver, College degree (associate), married, homeowner, valid US driver’s license (of 3 or more years). 
  • Auto-insurance status – Not currently insured and no prior auto-insurance in the last 31 days. 
  • Vehicle ownership – The policyholder is the owner. 
  • Occupation – Electronics repair technician. 
  • Annual mileage – N/A. 
  • Accidents, violations, or claims – No. 
  • Location – Colorado Springs, CO, US 
  • Current auto-insurance status – No current insurance (including in the last 30 days). 
  • Vehicle use – Personal (daily commuting). 

 

2. Progressive Non-Commercial Van Insurance 

Progressive offers insurance for non-commercial vans with personalized coverage based on 6-month packages. 

Note that I didn’t enroll in Progressive’s Snapshot program while generating the quote.

6-Month Package Quote 

Progressive offers a 6-month package with 3 distinct policy coverage options: 

 

          Package Option #1 – Basic Coverage 

6-month plan price breakdown: 

Cost:  

-Monthly – $19.55 for the first month and 5 monthly payments of $51.59. 
-Overall – $277 total premium or $242 if you pay in full. 
-Additional fees – $0.50 (Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority fee).  
Policy coverage (for everyone included in the policy):  

-Liability (BI/PD) – $25,000/$50,000/$15,000 (this costs $242 as part of the $277 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Uninsured and/or Underinsured Motorist (BI) – Not included. 
-Medical payments – Not included.  
Van coverage: 

-N/A (no coverage).  

 

    Package Option #2 – Choice Coverage 

6-month plan price breakdown: 

Cost:  

-Monthly – $21.40 for the first month and 5 monthly payments of $56.22. 
-Overall – $302 total premium or $263 if you pay in full. 
-Additional fees – $0.50 (Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority fee).  
Policy coverage (for everyone included in the policy):  

-Liability (BI/PD) – $25,000/$50,000/$15,000 (this costs $242 as part of the $302 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Uninsured and/or Underinsured Motorist (BI) – Not included. 
-Medical payments – $5,000 per person (this costs $21 as part of the $302 overall cost mentioned above).  
Van coverage: 

-N/A (no coverage).  

 

       Package Option #3 – Recommended Coverage 

6-month plan price breakdown: 

Cost:  

-Monthly – $122.03 for the first month and 5 monthly payments of $307.70. 
-Overall – $1,660 total premium or $1,407 if you pay in full. 
-Additional fees – $0.50 (Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority fee).  
Policy coverage (for everyone included in the policy):  

-Liability (BI/PD) – $250,000/$500,000/$100,000 (this costs $323 as part of the $1,660 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Uninsured and/or Underinsured Motorist (BI) – $250,000/$500,000 (this costs $380 as part of the $1,660 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Medical payments – Not included.  
Van coverage: 

-Comprehensive – $500 deductible (this costs $315 as part of the $1,660 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Collision – $500 deductible (this costs $347 as part of the $1,660 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Uninsured motorist PD – Not included. 
-Rental – $40 per day up to a maximum of $1,200 (this costs $42 as part of the $1,660 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Roadside – Not included.  

Progressive Non-Commercial Van Sample Quote Details: 

These are the details I used when getting quotes, I designed them to get the most average quote possible. 

  • Van – Ford Transit Connect cargo van 2020 model (4-cylinder, 4×2 drivetrain). 
  • Policyholder details – Male driver, College degree (associate), married, homeowner, valid US driver’s license (of 3 or more years). 
  • Auto-insurance status – Not currently insured and no prior auto-insurance in the last 31 days. 
  • Vehicle ownership – The policyholder is the owner. 
  • Occupation – Electronics repair technician. 
  • Annual mileage – 10,000 to 11,999 miles. 
  • Accidents, violations, or claims – No. 
  • Location – Colorado Springs, CO, US 
  • Vehicle use – Commuting (to work or school). 

 

Sample Minivan Insurance Quotes 

Here you’ll find two distinct sample quotes for minivan insurance that I’ve personally obtained from two of the leading insurance companies in the US. 

Note that I’ve used one of the most popular minivans for this purpose (Chrysler Pacifica). 

 

1. Liberty Mutual Minivan Insurance 

Liberty Mutual offers several customized coverage options based on your preferred monthly price. 

Note that I didn’t sign up for Liberty Mutual’s RightTrack discount program when adding the details for these sample non-commercial van insurance quotes. 

To give you a better idea of how much minivan insurance costs with them, I’ve selected the only policy with partial coverage and the least expensive full coverage policy available: 

 

                                  Coverage Option #1 – Partial Coverage 

Monthly plan price breakdown: 

Monthly cost:  $109.00 per month.  
Policy coverage for others (when you’re at fault):  

-Bodily injury liability – $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. 
-Property damage liability – $25,000 per accident.  
Coverage for you and any passengers in the vehicle:  

-Uninsured motorist – $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. 
-Medical payments – Not included.  
Van coverage: 

-Comprehensive – Not included. 
-Collision – Not included. 
-Ridesharing – Not available for the vehicle (2020 Chrysler Pacifica). 
-Better car replacement – Not available for the vehicle (2020 Chrysler Pacifica). 
-Glass coverage – Not available for this vehicle (2020 Chrysler Pacifica). 
-Uninsured motorist property damage – Not included. 
-24-hour roadside assistance – Not included. 
-Rental car reimbursement – Not available for this vehicle (2020 Chrysler Pacifica).  
Included discounts for ($68.50 total savings per month): 

-Online purchase. 
-Violation free. 
-Homeowner. 
-Preferred payment. 
-Early shopper. 
-Good payer. 
-Claims free. 

 

       Coverage Option #2 – Full Coverage 

Monthly plan price breakdown:

Monthly cost:  $249.08 per month.  
Policy coverage for others (when you’re at fault):  

-Bodily injury liability – $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. 
-Property damage liability – $25,000 per accident.  
Coverage for you and any passengers in the vehicle:  

-Uninsured motorist – $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. 
-Medical payments – $5,000.  
Van coverage: 

-Comprehensive – $1,000 deductible coverage. 
-Collision – $1,000 deductible coverage. 
-Ridesharing – Not available for the vehicle (2020 Chrysler Pacifica). 
-Better car replacement – Not available for the vehicle (2020 Chrysler Pacifica). 
-Glass coverage – Not available for this vehicle (2020 Chrysler Pacifica). 
-Uninsured motorist property damage – Not included. 
-24-hour roadside assistance – Not included. 
-Rental car reimbursement – Not available for this vehicle (2020 Chrysler Pacifica).  
Included discounts for ($157.75 total savings per month): 

-Online purchase. 
-Violation free. 
-Homeowner. 
-Preferred payment. 
-Early shopper. 
-Good payer. 
-Claims free. 

Liberty Mutual Minivan Insurance Sample Quote Details: 

These are the details I used when getting quotes, I designed them to get the most average quote possible. 

  • Van – Chrysler Pacifica 2020 model (trim: Touring L base/35th ann, body style: wagon 4×2, 4 door). 
  • Policyholder details – Male driver, College degree (associate), married, homeowner, valid US driver’s license (of 3 or more years). 
  • Auto-insurance status – Not currently insured and no prior auto-insurance in the last 31 days. 
  • Vehicle ownership – The policyholder is the owner. 
  • Occupation – Electronics repair technician. 
  • Annual mileage – N/A. 
  • Accidents, violations, or claims – No. 
  • Location – Colorado Springs, CO, US 
  • Current auto-insurance status – No current insurance (including in the last 30 days). 
  • Vehicle use – Personal (daily commuting). 

 

2. Progressive Minivan Insurance 

Progressive offers insurance for minivans with personalized coverage based on 6-month packages. 

Note that I didn’t enroll in Progressive’s Snapshot program while generating the quote. 

6-Month Package Quote 

Progressive offers a 6-month package with 3 distinct policy coverage options: 

 

          Package Option #1 – Basic Coverage 

6-month plan price breakdown: 

Cost:  

-Monthly – $21.84 for the first month and 5 monthly payments of $57.34. 
-Overall – $308 total premium or $272 if you pay in full. 
-Additional fees – $0.50 (Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority fee).  
Policy coverage (for everyone included in the policy):  

-Liability (BI/PD) – $25,000/$50,000/$15,000 (this costs $272 as part of the $308 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Uninsured and/or Underinsured Motorist (BI) – Not included. 
-Medical payments – Not included.  
Van coverage: 

-N/A (no coverage).  

 

    Package Option #2 – Choice Coverage 

6-month plan price breakdown: 

Cost:  

-Monthly – $23.85 for the first month and 5 monthly payments of $62.33. 
-Overall – $335 total premium or $294 if you pay in full. 
-Additional fees – $0.50 (Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority fee).  
Policy coverage (for everyone included in the policy):  

-Liability (BI/PD) – $25,000/$50,000/$15,000 (this costs $272 as part of the $335 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Uninsured and/or Underinsured Motorist (BI) – Not included. 
-Medical payments – $5,000 per person (this costs $22 as part of the $335 overall cost mentioned above).  
Van coverage: 

-N/A (no coverage).  

 

       Package Option #3 – Recommended Coverage 

6-month plan price breakdown: 

Cost:  

-Monthly – $146.41 for the first month and 5 monthly payments of $368.62. 
-Overall – $1,989 total premium or $1,689 if you pay in full. 
-Additional fees – $0.50 (Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority fee).  
Policy coverage (for everyone included in the policy):  

-Liability (BI/PD) – $250,000/$500,000/$100,000 (this costs $370 as part of the $1,989 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Uninsured and/or Underinsured Motorist (BI) – $250,000/$500,000 (this costs $408 as part of the $1,989 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Medical payments – Not included.  
Van coverage: 

-Comprehensive – $500 deductible (this costs $459 as part of the $1,989 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Collision – $500 deductible (this costs $410 as part of the $1,989 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Uninsured motorist PD – Not included. 
-Rental – $40 per day up to a maximum of $1,200 (this costs $42 as part of the $1,989 overall cost mentioned above). 
-Roadside – Not included.  

Progressive Minivan Insurance Sample Quote Details: 

These are the details I used when getting quotes, I designed them to get the most average quote possible. 

  • Van – Chrysler Pacifica 2020 model. 
  • Policyholder details – Male driver, College degree (associate), married, homeowner, valid US driver’s license (of 3 or more years). 
  • Auto-insurance status – Not currently insured and no prior auto-insurance in the last 31 days. 
  • Vehicle ownership – The policyholder is the owner. 
  • Occupation – Electronics repair technician. 
  • Annual mileage – 10,000 to 11,999 miles. 
  • Accidents, violations, or claims – No. 
  • Location – Colorado Springs, CO, US 
  • Vehicle use – Commuting (to work or school). 

 

Sample Van Insurance Quotes for Commercial Use 

Note that getting a relevant commercial van insurance quote for a business requires a lot of specific information. 

This means that it was quite difficult to find insurance companies willing to share a sample quote for example purposes. 

Thankfully, I still managed to come across a company that provided sample quotes, based on generic details and information, so that you have an idea of how much commercial van insurance costs. 

 

Progressive Commercial Van Insurance 

Progressive offers two specific commercial van insurance policies (for 12 or 6 months) and two payment options (automatic payments and “pay by mail”): 

Commercial Insurance Policy Option #1: 12-Month Policy 

1) Automatic Payments 

Cost:  

-Overall – $3,409 total premium.  
Available monthly payment plans for a 12-month policy:  

$568.28 now and then 10 monthly payments of $289.08. 
$681.80 now and then 9 payments of $308.03. 
$681.80 now and then 5 payments of $550.44. 
$852.25 now and then 9 payments of $289.09. 
$852.25 now and then 3 monthly payments of $857.25. 
$1,363.60 now and then 2 quarterly payments of $1,027.70. 
$1,704.50 now and then 1 monthly payment of $1,709.50. 
– Additional fees – $5.00 (per payment).  
2) Pay by Mail 
Cost:  

-Overall – $3,409 total premium or $3,050 if you pay in full.  
Available monthly payment plans for a 12-month policy:  

$568.28 now and then 10 payments of $296.08. 
$681.80 now and then 10 monthly payments of $284.72. 
$681.80 now and then 9 payments of $315.03. 
$681.80 now and then 5 payments of $557.44. 
$852.25 now and then 9 payments of $296.09. 
$852.25 now and then 3 monthly payments of $864.25. 
$852.25 now and then 3 quarterly payments of $864.25. 
$1,363.60 now and then 2 quarterly payments of $1,034.70. 
$1,704.50 now and then 1 monthly payment of $1,716.50. 
Additional fees – No.  

 

Commercial Insurance Policy Option #2: 6-Month Policy 

1) Automatic Payments 

Cost:  

-Overall – $1,739 total premium.  
Available monthly payment plans for a 6-month policy:  

$695.60 now and then 2 payments of $526.70. 
-Additional fees – $5.00 (per payment).  

2) Pay by Mail 

Cost:  

-Overall – $1,739 total premium or $1,554 if you pay in full.  
Available monthly payment plans for a 6-month policy:  

$695.60 now and then 2 payments of $533.70. 
$869.50 now and then 1 quarterly payment of $881.50.
Additional fees – No.  

Progressive Commercial Van Policy Coverage: 

  • Bodily injury and property damage liability – $25,000/$50,000/$15,000 (this costs $1,119 as part of the $3,409 overall cost mentioned above). 
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury – $25,000/$50,000 (this costs $307 as part of the $3,409 overall cost mentioned above). 
  • Comprehensive – $500 deductible (this costs $330 as part of the $3,409 overall cost mentioned above). 
  • Collision – $500 deductible (this costs $1,508 as part of the $3,409 overall cost mentioned above). 
  • Uninsured motorist property damage – Not included. 
  • Medical payments – $5,000 per person (this costs $145 as part of the $3,409 overall cost mentioned above). 
  • Rental reimbursement – Not included. 
  • Roadside assistance – Not included. 
  • Vehicle equipment & value – $0 to $2,000 (total value of all permanently attached equipment). 

Progressive Commercial Van Insurance Quote Details: 

These are the details I used when getting quotes. I designed them to get the most average quote possible. 

  • Van – Ford Transit cargo van 2020 model (trim: T-150, 6-cylinder, 4×2 drivetrain). 
  • Actual GVW (gross vehicle weight) – 5,001 to 10,000 GVW. 
  • Primary vehicle use – Business purposes only. 
  • Business structure – Individual/sole proprietorship 
  • Business type – Contractor (carpentry). 
  • Business owner details – Licensed for at least 5 years, associate degree. 
  • Auto-insurance status – Not currently insured and no prior auto-insurance in the last 30 days. 
  • Vehicle ownership – Owned. 
  • Accidents, violations, or claims – No. 
  • Location – Colorado Springs, CO, US 
  • USDOT number – N/A. 
  • Social security number provided – No. 

 

The Main Factors That Affect Van Insurance Rates 

Insurance companies use various rating factors that determine how much your insurance premium will be. 

Some of these rating factors, such as your marital status or gender, have a lesser impact. In contrast, others, such as your driving history and the type of your van, have a bigger effect on the final cost. 

Here’s a list of the 5 most important factors that have a direct impact on your van insurance premium: 

 

1. The Age of the Driver 

Insurance companies view very young drivers as riskier, which means their premiums will be higher. 

But after the age of 20, this rating factor becomes less impactful and even more so if the driver is aged 25 or older. 

 

2. Previous Driving Record 

Every auto insurance company will check your driving history to see if you’ve accumulated any violations or tickets in the past. 

Thus, if you have a long list of speeding tickets from past violations, then your van insurance premium will go up. 

 

3. Your Credit Score 

Although sometimes overlooked, this rating factor is used by insurance companies to try to predict the potential number of claims that you might file in the future and what the cost of each claim will be. 

Drivers with poor credit tend to file more claims that are also more expensive than claims made by drivers with good credit. 

 

4. The Amount of Driving Experience You Have 

This one’s quite self-explanatory, as the more driving experience you have, the less likely you are to make mistakes that may lead to tickets and claims. 

Insurance companies view more experienced drivers as less risky than newer drivers, so having more experience behind the wheel will translate into lower premiums. 

 

5. Your State and Zip Code 

Insurance companies are subject to state-specific regulations that you are directly affected by. 

For example, those who live in Michigan are required by law to carry unlimited PIP (personal injury protection) coverage, which you have to pay extra for. 

Another thing to consider is the zip code of your area. This helps insurance companies figure out if you live in a place with more drivers, because this increases the risk of a potential incident. It will also bump your insurance costs. 

 

Practical Tips and Ideas to Save on Van Insurance 

Here are a few neat ideas and tips that can help you to lower your van insurance premium: 

  • Speak to your agent and ask for a discount. 
  • Get rid of unnecessary coverage you probably don’t really need (e.g. rental coverage). 
  • Increase your deductibles. 
  • Obtain quotes from several companies to see which one has the best prices. 
  • Consider bundling auto (van) and home insurance. 
  • Install an anti-theft system to your van for extra discounts. 
  • Consider usage-based insurance policy (e.g. black box insurance). 

 

Conclusion 

Insuring a van isn’t that expensive as you can expect to pay around $1,329 annually on average (for non-commercial vans), although the prices can fluctuate quite a bit between insurance companies. 

The annual insurance cost of a van for personal use is comparable to minivans and even many larger cars. 

The most basic limited coverage for a non-work van will cost you roughly $103 per month, while the least expensive full coverage option will typically set you back by $200/month. 

However, commercial van insurance is much more expensive with an average annual cost of around $4,750.