With motor insurance pay-outs amounting to £11.9 billion across 2.5 million claims in 2025,¹ it’s clear that driving on UK roads isn’t getting any safer. And with over 5 million light commercial vehicles on UK roads, couriers are operating in increasingly busy and complex environments.²
To better understand the risks couriers face, Business Choice Direct (BCD)’s Courier Insurance team have analysed claims data from the last two and a half years to uncover:
- The most common Courier Van Insurance claims in the UK
- What proactive steps you can take to manage risks when driving and operating a Courier Van
What are the most common Courier Van Insurance claims?
The most common Courier Van Insurance claims fall into three main categories:
- Road traffic incidents
- Vehicle damage
- Vehicle theft
We analysed claims data from the last two and a half years and, while some of the findings confirmed well-known risks that couriers may already be aware of, others may come as a surprise. Key findings from our claims analysis include:
- 19% of claims involve parked vehicles
- 19% of claims involve rear-end collisions
- 13% of claims are theft-related
- 10% of claims caused by reversing incidents
- Just 1% of claims involve head-on collisions *
*BCD Claims Data 2023 – 2025
Commenting on the findings, Tristan Scaife, Business Choice Direct (BCD) Director of Commercial Insurance said:
“Although van theft remains a major risk, our claims data shows that many collisions occur during every day, low-speed manoeuvres, which by nature couriers do a lot of in busy residential areas. This makes them more likely to bump walls, scrape parked cars, or run over the occasional garden gnome. These findings highlight the continued importance of having the right Courier Van Insurance cover in place.”
Most van claims occur at low speeds and are largely preventable
Busy urban roads and the frequent stop-start nature of courier work can significantly increase risk. Our claims analysis shows that a high proportion of claims arise from low-speed, day-to-day driving incidents and everyday manoeuvres rather than from major accidents.
The data reveals that:
Almost 1 in 5 claims involved park cars
Of these, 11% involved couriers causing damage to parked cars, while 8% occurred when a third party damaged the courier’s parked van.
19% of claims involve rear-end collisions
Rear-end collisions are equally common, making up 19% of claims involving courier vans. In most cases the courier was responsible (12% of all courier claims), while 7% involved a third party driving into the rear of the courier’s insured vehicle.
Other common causes of low-speed claims include:
- Changing lanes (5% of claims)
- Incidents at roundabouts (3%)
- Pulling out of side roads (3%)
- Failing to give way (3%)
Together, these findings highlight how everyday driving in busy urban environments continues to be one of the biggest sources of courier claims.**
**BCD Claims Data 2023 – 2025
Reversing incidents are one of the most common causes of claims
Industry research suggests that around 25% of van accidents occur while reversing.3 Reversing into objects (bollards, walls or other vehicles) is especially common for couriers, given the high number of stops they make.
Business Choice Direct’s own claims data reflects this trend, with 10% of claims caused by reversing incidents involving third parties. 7% of these were caused by the insured courier reversing into another vehicle, while 3% occurred when a third party reversed into the courier’s van. ***
***BCD Claims Data 2023 – 2025=
**** BCD Claims Data 2023 – 2025
Van theft continues to be a significant issue
Van theft continues to be a serious risk with an average of around 30 vans stolen per day. A large proportion are never recovered.5
Business Choice Direct’s claims data reveals that van theft related incidents – including theft from the vehicle, attempted theft and vandalism – account for 13% of all claims.
Just 32% of stolen vans were recovered, meaning more than two-thirds were never returned to their owners.
Research has shown that the Ford Transit is the UK’s most frequently stolen van. In 2024 alone, around 5,900 Ford Transits were reported stolen.6 Other regularly targeted models in 2024 included the Mercedes Sprinter (1,081 stolen), Peugeot Boxer (905 stolen), and the Vauxhall Vivaro with 406 stolen.7
How much does the average Courier Van Insurance claim cost?
Over the last two and a half years, the average Courier Van Insurance claim cost £4,538.48.
This shows that even relatively minor incidents can quickly result in substantial repair bills. Claims involving third parties and vehicle theft are often the most expensive. The average cost of claims involving third parties was £2,936 and the average for claims involving vehicle theft was £6,335.
Tips to help reduce your risks
While no driver can eliminate every risk, understanding how and why these incidents occur can help couriers take practical steps to reduce the likelihood of making a claim.
How to prevent accidents in your Courier Van
Take extra care when reversing. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to get out and check for any objects or people in the vicinity. Avoid rushing manoeuvres or junctions, even under time pressure.
Use a dashcam where possible – and make sure you understand how it works, including how to save and retrieve footage so it isn’t automatically overwritten when you need it most. Install reversing sensors to help with manoeuvring and parking.
How to reduce the risk of theft
Always lock the vehicle, even for very short stops. Keep contents out of sight and, where possible, park in well-lit or secure areas. Ensure loads are properly secured and recorded.
What to do after a road traffic incident
If an incident does occur, take clear photos of the scene and any damage, and note down all relevant details at the time – it’s far more reliable than trying to recall everything later.
Don’t admit fault at the scene and avoid accepting any on the spot monetary payments. Inform your broker or insurer and let them handle the rest.
If you’re searching for Courier Van Insurance and you’re unclear as to whether a Fleet Insurance policy or a Single Van Vehicle policy would be most suitable, read our article: Fleet Insurance vs Single Vehicle Policy: What’s right for your business?
For more information, or to review your current insurance policy, contact us today by calling 0330 043 6322 or you can get a quote online here.
3. https://onoapp.co/courier-fleets-where-van-accidents-happen-uk/
4. https://www.rhinovans.co.uk/news/low-speed-lapses-are-causing-more-van-collisions-than-you-think/
5-7. https://autosparx.co.uk/most-stolen-van-uk-2025/
Business Choice Direct Insurance Services® is a trading name of Specialist Broking Retail Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. (FRN 927512). Registered in England No. 10301653. Registered office: Affinity House, Bindon Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AA. Calls may be recorded for use in quality management, training and customer support.