Van, motorbike and gadget cover share one trait: the cheapest quote is often the one most likely to fail a claim, because each has a setting you have to get right. In 2026 UK van premiums average about £432 (down roughly 14% year-on-year), motorbike cover averages £297, and phone or gadget insurance runs from about £2–15 a month depending on the device. Here’s what actually matters for each.
Vans: the use class is everything
The single biggest mistake on van insurance is the wrong use class. ‘Carriage of own goods’ (you, carrying your own tools and stock) is not the same as ‘hire & reward’ (courier and delivery work, carrying other people’s goods for payment). Insure for the wrong one and a claim can be voided outright. If you do any delivery or courier work — even occasionally — you need hire-and-reward cover.
Tools-in-transit and overnight cover
For trades, tools-in-transit cover is essential — but read the overnight exclusion carefully. Many policies won’t pay for tools stolen from a van left on the street overnight, which is exactly when most theft happens. If you can’t empty the van every night, you need a policy that covers overnight-in-vehicle theft, and you’ll want to know the per-item and total limits.
Motorbikes: agreed value and declared mods
Two things keep a bike payout honest:
- Agreed value: for anything modified, classic or cherished, agree the value upfront with the insurer (with photos and receipts) rather than leaving it to a ‘market value’ argument after a write-off.
- Declared modifications: exhausts, rearsets, paint — declare them. Undeclared mods are a common reason claims are reduced or refused.
Helmet and leathers cover is usually a cheap add-on and worth having; a single set of protective kit can cost more than a year’s premium.
Gadget cover: loss is the differentiator
For phones, laptops and cameras, the feature that separates good policies from cheap ones is loss cover. Plenty of low-cost gadget policies cover theft and accidental damage but not loss — and losing a phone is far more common than having one stolen. Check that, the excess, and whether you’re covered worldwide if you travel.
Before you buy standalone gadget cover, check what you already have
This is the easiest way to avoid paying twice. Many packaged bank accounts include mobile and gadget cover, and your home contents policy may already cover personal possessions away from home (sometimes as an add-on). Check both before buying a separate policy — duplicate cover is wasted money, and you can only claim once anyway.
The quick checklist
- Van: right use class, tools-in-transit with overnight cover, realistic limits.
- Bike: agreed value, every modification declared, helmet & leathers add-on.
- Gadget: loss included, sensible excess, no duplicate cover from a bank account or home policy.
Compare van, motorbike and gadget insurers — including Admiral, Direct Line, Carole Nash, Bikesure and loveit coverit — with typical prices on our van, bike & gadget comparison page.
Figures are researched UK market averages correct as of June 2026 (sources include ABI premium trackers and major comparison-site indices) and are not personalised quotes. Some links on our insurance pages are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.