Minibus Insurance
Competitive Minibus Insurance Backed By ‘Exceptional’ Service
Want to save on your minibus insurance? Let the minibus insurance specialists at Coversure Hull compare our markets to find you the minibus insurance quote that’s right for you. Whether you need cover for one bus or a minibus fleet, call us today on 0800 977 6037 and let our award-winning team help you.
Minibus insurance backed by ‘Exceptional’ service
Our award-wining team is rated as ‘Exceptional’ by feefo and with over 50 years of minibus insurance experience, you can rest assured you’re in safe hands. Being independent we can put your needs first, and we’ll compare the market to find you great cover for a great value premium. To find out more, call us free on 0800 977 6037 or start your minibus insurance quote today.
What Is minibus insurance?
Minibus insurance is a specialist form of cover designed to meet the needs of minibus, people carrier, coach and other public service vehicle (PSV) drivers. A typical policy can cover your vehicle and passengers from a range of risks and is a legal requirement for driving on the UK’s roads.
Which vehicles can a minibus policy cover?
While it may be called minibus insurance it can cover a wide range of vehicles. Most policies are designed for vehicles with 6 or more seats with the maximum usually set at 17 seats, so a small coach. It can cover minibuses being used for private use, for not-for-profit organisations such as schools, clubs, nursing homes or clubs, or it can cover multi person vehicles (MPV) that are being used as taxis.
What levels of minibus insurance are there?
As with car insurance, there are three levels of minibus insurance cover:
- Fully comprehensive - this is the highest level of cover and includes third party, fire and theft and pays for repairs or the replacement of your minibus if it’s damaged maliciously or involved in an accident
- Third party, fire and theft - protects your minibus, coach of MPV from damage caused by fire or theft. It won’t pay out if the damage is caused by something else such as an in an accident, but will pay for damage to another’s vehicle if that accident is your fault
- Third party only - this is the minimum level of cover required by law. It covers you if you damage someone's property or injure them while driving and it also protects any passengers if they’re injured in your minibus. It won’t pay out if your minibus is stolen or damaged or destroyed by fire
In addition to this you can specify the type of use your minibus will be covered for. These options include:
- Social, domestic, and pleasure – SDP cover as it’s known, is for people who don’t use their minibus, coach, or MPV to carry paying passengers
- Public or private hire – this is for vehicles that can be hailed by people on the street or booked in advance. Most minibuses will need private hire cover, which covers trips that are booked in advance only
- Minibus fleet insurance – if you have two or more vehicles, you can get a minibus fleet insurance quote and potentially save money on per vehicle cover and cut down on time spent on admin
To get the minibus insurance that’s right for you, please call us free on 0800 977 6037. We’ll get to know your needs before comparing our markets to find you a great insurance quote.
How to get cheaper minibus insurance
Everyone wants to find ways to save on their insurance without compromising on the quality of cover. You can potentially cut your minibus policy costs by:
- Increasing your excess – increasing your excess – the amount you pay in the event of a claim – is a simple way to reduce insurance premiums
- Secure your minibus – insurers will often provide discounts on more secure vehicles, as it reduces the risk of them being broken into or stolen. By fitting extra security features like internal cameras, alarms, and deadlocks you can reduce the chances of it being stolen and you may also get cheaper minibus insurance quotes
- Build up your no-claims discount (NCD) – insurers routinely offer discounts based on how long you have been claims free, so avoid making small claims. If your driving history is as a named driver rather than as the policyholder, you may not be able to get a NCD. If this is your situation, ensure you become a policyholder as soon as you can so you can reap the benefits of a NCD
- Install a telematics system – telematics black box devices have become more common in relation to insurance policies. This is because they provide insurers with more information and prevent them from being left in the dark over a claim – especially when claims are disputed. A black box telematics system fitted in your minibus could be a way to save money on your cover
- Have a named driver policy – specifying who can drive the vehicle rather than having an any driver policy can also reduce your premiums
- Train your drivers – a recent Department of Transport report on driver training suggested if drivers had better hazard perception training, it could lead to an 11% reduction in collisions, and fewer collisions can mean fewer claims and lower minibus insurance premiums
What minibus insurance options are there?
Depending on the policy you choose, the following may be included or come as optional extras:
- Public liability insurance for private and public hire minibuses - if you are responsible for causing injury or damaging the property of a member of the public and they decide to take legal action against you, you’ll be glad you have public liability insurance. It will help with the costs of mounting a defence and paying any compensation awards
- A replacement vehicle for non-fault accidents – could be vital if you need to use your minibus every day for work
- Minibus breakdown insurance - adding breakdown insurance to your policy can help you get back on the road sooner. Cover can be extended to include home start and European options
- Protected no claims bonus insurance – so that in the event of a claim, you won’t lose your no-claims discount
- Excess protection - if you’re required to pay an excess, such as if an uninsured driver hits you or you’re at fault in an accident, you’ll be insured against the excess costs
- Motor legal insurance – accidents will happen, and you can protect yourself and your organisation with up to £100,000 of motor legal cover, including recovery of uninsured losses, personal injury cover, and a guaranteed replacement vehicle regardless of fault
How much does minibus insurance cost?
The cost of your policy will depend on things like:
- Your age - younger drivers and much older ones are likely to pay more. Many insurers will only cover people aged 21-70, and you will need to be 21 or over and have been driving for at least two years before you can drive a minibus
- Your postcode
- Your claims history
- The type of driving you do – private usage or for hire
- Where the vehicle is kept – off-street parking or it being garaged will usually lead to cheaper minibus insurance quotes
- How much no claims bonus you have
- The value of the vehicle(s)
- How long you’ve been driving a minibus – more experienced drivers can see reduced premiums, depending on their claims history
- Annual mileage – the higher the mileage, the more you can expect to pay
- Your access to other vehicles – having access to other vehicles is likely to reduce your premium
- Whether you want to add other named drivers to your policy
- The type of organisation the vehicle belongs to
Minibus insurance FAQ
Minibus insurance is a complex area of insurance and it’s important to get it right. To help you get the cover that’s right for you, here are our minibus insurance frequently asked questions. We hope they will prove helpful, but if you’d like to get some independent advice, then please call us free on 0800 977 6037. Our team of insurance specialists will be happy to talk you through the options to ensure you get the protection that’s right for you.
Q. Is minibus insurance a legal requirement?
A. Yes if you want to drive it on public roads
Q. What sort of licence do I need to drive a minibus?
A. You must hold a full category D1 driving licence. In addition, drivers operating minibuses for hire and reward must also hold a public service vehicle (PSV) operator’s licence from a local authority. Not-for-profit organisations such as schools and charities may be able to operate minibuses without a PSV operator’s licence if they hold a Section 19 permit
Q. Can I drive a minibus on a car insurance policy?
A. No, there are specific risks associated minibuses and coaches. These are large vehicles, and they’re often used for profit – hire and reward - so the risks involved are different, and a special type of insurance is required
Q. How much does minibus insurance cost?
A. Everything from your postcode to the age of vehicles and where they are stored will be factors in determining your minibus insurance quote. if you’d like to get some independent advice, then please call us free on 0800 977 6037
Q. Can I get cover to drive in Europe?
A. Yes
Q. Are there discounts for charity minibus drivers?
A. Yes, providing you have the proper paperwork to prove that your minibus is used for charitable purposes, you will be able to get a discounted charity minibus insurance quote
Q. Can I add additional drivers to my minibus policy?
A. Yes, but the insurer will need to agree to them subject to their status
Q. What type of vehicle can be covered under the minibus insurance policy?A.Typically cover is available for minibuses with 6-17 seats
Q. How can I get a minibus insurance quote?
A. Getting an insurance quote from us is easy. You can call us on 0800 977 6037 or get your minibus insurance quote here. Thanks to our wide range of insurance providers, we can compare our markets to find you the cover you need at a premium you’ll like.
Get a minibus insurance quote
If you'd like some independent minibus insurance help or a minibus insurance quote, call us on 0800 977 6037. We can give you all the advice you need and can compare our markets to find you the cover you require.
