Looking to buy a van, I cant get an insurance quote.

Andy-Pandy

I've a bit of a problem. At present I am employed as a gardener for a company. I've just come into a small bit of money and I am looking to purchase a van. I plan on becoming self employed in the near future and thought that it would be best for me to buy a van now while i have the cash, i dont plan on using it as a commercial vehicle till i am self employed but as my main form of transport. I just called one of the main insurance companies and they wouldn't quote me. I explained above and was cut off abruptly and told under no circumstances would they quote me.
Is there any way to work around this or are people not allowed to insure vans for non commercial reasons.

Thanks in advance,

A

Supergurrier

Insuremyvan.ie

findersteve

Setanta van insurance were the cheapest i could find.
But you need to go through a broker. I used Sheridan van insurance. google them.
Don't delve into any details they don't ask,
Just ask for a quote on your van and give the details they ask.
You are a gardener and you are using the van for work..


If you want to go the full letter of the law, you shouldnt buy a van because you can only get commercial Insurance and technically you need to have a business. In order to tax you need to declare (in the presence of a Garda) that you will only use the van for commercial purposes. For example, you cant pick your kids up from school.
So as i said if you intend on following the law to the letter, best not to get a van.
Steve

oldyouth

Supergurrier wrote: »

Insuremyvan.ie

Someone posted similar circumstances to you OP and this insurer helped them out.

One bit of advice though, insurers automatically get cautious when they hear Gardener as an occupation. It is a very honourable profession, but it is often an occupation certain members of our society declare in order to insure their vans. Just assert that you are genuine.

findersteve

oldyouth wrote: »

Someone posted similar circumstances to you OP and this insurer helped them out.

One bit of advice though, insurers automatically get cautious when they hear Gardener as an occupation. It is a very honourable profession, but it is often an occupation certain members of our society declare in order to insure their vans. Just assert that you are genuine.

"Landscaper"

oldyouth

findersteve wrote: »

"Landscaper"

Yep, that one too

Stavros Murphy

oldyouth wrote: »

Yep, that one too

I thought it was Tarmacker. There seems to be a big trend with sign-writing "Highway repairs" on their vans as well. I did wonder how they got commercial ins. with no VAT number etc.

Stella Virgo

Stavros Murphy wrote: »

I thought it was Tarmacker. There seems to be a big trend with sign-writing "Highway repairs" on their vans as well. I did wonder how they got commercial ins. with no VAT number etc.

you DONT NEED A VAT NUMBER to commercially insure a van. ...jeez, how many times do ye need to be told this !!!!! you supply your pps number to TAX the van. at least 60% (or more) of self employed people dont have or need a vat number.most self employed painter,mechanic, tiler,maintenance man,carpet cleaners,etc will never need a vat number because their income is below the level required for vat registration.

Del2005

findersteve wrote: »

If you want to go the full letter of the law, you shouldnt buy a van because you can only get commercial Insurance and technically you need to have a business. In order to tax you need to declare (in the presence of a Garda) that you will only use the van for commercial purposes. For example, you cant pick your kids up from school.
So as i said if you intend on following the law to the letter, best not to get a van.
Steve

If you're intent on following the letter of the law for private use of a van you can tax it as private.

Stavros Murphy

Stella Virgo wrote: »

you DONT NEED A VAT NUMBER to commercially insure a van. ...jeez, how many times do ye need to be told this !!!!! you supply your pps number to TAX the van. at least 60% (or more) of self employed people dont have or need a vat number.most self employed painter,mechanic, tiler,maintenance man,carpet cleaners,etc will never need a vat number because their income is below the level required for vat registration.

I have a VAT number. Just saying like.

findersteve

My point is related to only insurance. All of a sudden the thread becomes nothing about the original posters question. He's asking about insurance. I have a van and private tax as Del2005 pointed out. Im insured but vans are a pain to insure because only certain insurers quote vans. And they are picky about professions like the OP stated. If you say you are a student or a gardener they won't quote you for example.

Stavros Murphy

findersteve wrote: »

My point is related to only insurance. All of a sudden the thread becomes nothing about the original posters question. He's asking about insurance. I have a van and private tax as Del2005 pointed out. Im insured but vans are a pain to insure because only certain insurers quote vans. And they are picky about professions like the OP stated. If you say you are a student or a gardener they won't quote you for example.

Don't say you're a student or a gardener then? Say you are a Horticulturalist, or a window cleaner. (Clean your mas windows to make it the truth. She'll thank you anyway).

Andy-Pandy

Thanks everyone for the replys, lots of help. I've a degree in horticulture so im happy enough saying i'm a gardener to people, as opposed to telling them I'm a horticulturist (sound very pompous). The van will be turned over to commercial use in a few months. Just sorting out my finances and ill give them a call in a few days.

Quick question in regards to tax etc. I've yet to set myself up as a sole trader as I am an employee at the moment. If I was to tell them it was for work now would that have any negative/legal impact. I like to do things by the book and dont want to put myself in a situation that could come back to bite me.