17 and needs to get van insurance

LovelySpuds

Hi there,

So I'm 17 and still in full time second level education. I'm 18 in a few months and plan on registering as a sole trader repairing computers, which I already have a name around the area for doing. I also do a bit of DJing on the side and I've just applied for my theory test which I will sit early next month. With the nature of my work, I need to get a small van (Berlingo, Partner etc.). I am just wondering what the cheapest way to insure and tax the van would be as insuring it privately is completely out of the question due to the sheer expense of it and the fact it would set alarm bells off with insurance companies. I am definitely not the type who would abuse the whole commercial tax thing and turn the van into a racing machine, I just need a cheap van to get me and my gear from A to B.

Thanks in advance!

corktina

ask a broker would be your best bet

ironclaw

Speaking as someone who did something similar to yourself and DJ'd for a few years, I'd do you math on the costs if its your sole income. The cost of running a vehicle can be high, that's before tax, insurance and fuel.

Pretty much worked out that unless I was gigging every weekend, pretty much full time, (Say €300 per weekend) that's only €15,600 before tax. And at least €3k of that is going to be in fuel, tax and insurance. Probably alot more. For persepective, I burn upwards of €60 fuel every 7 days. Its not much, but if you are only doing €300 to €500 per week, its a lot. You then have to buy, insure and run the van.

And thats assuming you have a gig every single weekend of the year. Its not impossible but its tough grind. Also, your gear must be properly insured both when you are working (Liability) and in the van (It and the gear s for commercial use) So the costs start to increase.

Personally, I'd get some capital under your belt first. Beg, borrow or steal some transport when you need it. And when you have the buffer of a few euro's in the bank, get your own wheels. Your obviously entrepreneurial, so you may have thought of this already, just wanted to chime in my personal experience.

Mechanic365

Good luck with that!



Take into account aswell that if you want to insure a car in the future most insurance companies wont recognise no claims from your van driving

Mark Tapley

Have you considered a Berlingo Multispace. I have a petrol 1.4.
You can fold the seats out of the way when you need to. Its classed as a car rather than a van.

mossy50

INSURE MY VAN .IE
best place to start before buying anything

padd b1975

Mark Tapley wrote: »

Have you considered a Berlingo Multispace. I have a petrol 1.4.
You can fold the seats out of the way when you need to. Its classed as a car rather than a van.

Not exactly classed as a fanny magnet either though.:cool:

Mark Tapley

padd b1975 wrote: »

Not exactly classed as a fanny magnet either though.:cool:

I don't think either me or my car would be classed as a fanny magnet. I think my insurance should be lowered as compensation for my lack of magnetism.

dr.fuzzenstein

Mechanic365 wrote: »

Good luck with that!



Take into account aswell that if you want to insure a car in the future most insurance companies wont recognise no claims from your van driving

Some do. I was an employee working in the field, driving a van and that was insured by my employer, I wasn't even a named driver. I did not own a car during that time, only using the company van to get me around.
When I was let go I had to get a car and insurance and my last no claims discount had lapsed years ago. I was able to get credit for 9 years claims free driving for my new car.

corktina

Mark Tapley wrote: »

I don't think either me or my car would be classed as a fanny magnet. I think my insurance should be lowered as compensation for my lack of magnetism.

My car definately is....right up to the time I climb in it.