Research reveals van brand most likely to cause an accident

More than a quarter (27%) of van drivers at fault for an accident use a Ford.

This is the highest proportion among all van brands in the UK, and is according to MoneySuperMarket research based on 700,000 insurance quotes.

Other van brands that rank highly for accidents include Vauxhalls (17%) and Volkswagens (11%).

Tom Flack, editor-in-chief at MoneySuperMarket, said: “The number of vans on the roads has grown by more than 100,000 over the past five years, but many drivers are unaware that you need a separate van policy - even if you already have existing car insurance.

“This is particularly important if the vehicle is used for commercial purposes, which you must state in the policy. Failing to do so can actually make any claim void in the event of an accident.

“When looking for a van insurance policy, do your research and shop around - there are substantial savings that can be made by comparing quotes and finding a deal that works for you”.

Most accident-prone

The research found by occupation plumbing and heating engineers were the most accident-prone, with one in nine making a claim as a result of an accident they had caused.

Men are more likely to claim for an accident than women, with 12% declaring a pre-existing claim, compared to 10% of women.

After being involved in an incident caused by a third party, male drivers are also more likely to claim, with 8% doing so compared to 7% of women.

The most commonly claimed-against accident when the driver was at fault involved more than one in five (22%) van drivers who bumped into the back of another vehicle.

This was followed by 18% of people who hit a parked vehicle, and 15% who ran into an immobile object, such as a lamppost or wall.