Will Van Insurance Provide a Replacement Van if Robbed?

Caeva O'Callaghan | April 18th, 2023

It’s a worst-case scenario – your van is stolen, and you can’t work without it. But will your van insurance pay for a replacement?

It depends on your insurance company – some will provide a replacement van if yours is stolen, and others will not.

The length of time you’ll get to use a replacement van also varies, but typically only lasts 2 to 5 days. You should make sure if you absolutely need this benefit before you purchase it as an add-on to your existing policy, because it may not be as useful as you think depending on your needs.

In this article, we’ll cover the following questions:

• What insurance do I need to get a replacement van?
• Will my van insurance cover repairs from a theft?
• What should I do if my van is stolen?

If your van is stolen, ultimately it is up to you to arrange and purchase a replacement vehicle. However, there are some instances in which your insurance can help.

What insurance do I need to get a replacement van?

You need theft cover which includes a replacement van in the policy in order for your insurance to provide you with a replacement vehicle.

Third party only is the minimum insurance needed to legally drive in Ireland. It covers damage to the other party only: not to your vehicle. Third party, fire and theft, however, covers third party liability, as above, but also includes fire and theft.

This means that if your van is broken into or stolen, a successful claim will include the cost of damages and losses if your vehicle cannot be recovered. Whether you get a replacement van during this time depends on your specific insurer. However, replacement vans are typically only loaned to you for 2 or 5 days, and it might take much longer for the Gardai to locate and recover your vehicle.

Will my insurance cover repairs from a theft?

Yes. If your van is damaged in the process of being stolen, your insurance provider will pay for repairs once it is recovered.

You should always report a stolen vehicle to the Gardai immediately. They can then start an investigation with the goal of recovering your vehicle safe and sound – but it’s likely it was damaged in the process of being stolen.

For example, it may be that the thieves used invasive methods to gain entry to your van, by smashing the window or interfering with the locks for example. They may have used your van as a getaway, or for other nefarious activities, smashing it up in the process. They may have gutted it for parts. And often, vehicle thieves try to dispose of evidence by setting fire to the vehicle or otherwise destroying it.

Once your van is recovered – and if it’s in a repairable state – you should agree with your van insurance provider that it is taken to a garage or repair shop that they approve of. If you do so, there will be no excess charged to the repairs of your vehicle.

What should I do if my van is stolen?

You must tell your insurance provider and the Gardai immediately. As long as you have theft cover, your insurance provider will give you the market value of your van if it is not recovered.

Keep your insurance in the loop of what’s happening while the situation is ongoing. Don’t worry about costs or claims for now: and rest assured, your no claims bonus will not be affected or reduced if you have a theft claim.

Whether your van is recovered safe and sound, or a bit worse for wear, you need to tell your van insurance about its condition and enquire about next steps. You may be asked to take it to an approved garage for repairs, or be offered a replacement if you have a new for old policy.

Loss or damage caused by theft or attempted theft if the keys (or keyless entry system) are left unsecured or left in or on an unattended van will never be covered by your insurance. Always ensure your van is kept safe by keeping keys with you at all times.

 Call our van insurance experts with all your questions any weekday between 8.30am and 5.30pm on 0818 224433 or 042 9359051.