Small fleet insurance for businesses ready to move off separate policies
Bring a handful of cars or vans together on one policy with one renewal date, instead of keeping track of a separate policy for each vehicle. Fill in one short form to be put in touch with specialist brokers who arrange small fleet cover for UK businesses.
- Often from two or three vehicles
- Cars, vans or a mix of both
- Help bringing separate policies together
Small fleet insurance in brief
Small fleet insurance is one motor policy for a business running only a few vehicles, which would otherwise insure each vehicle on its own policy. It suits sole traders, partnerships and small companies, whether that means a few trade vans on one fleet policy or a couple of company cars, and many insurers offer it from two or three vehicles.
The smallest fleet an insurer will accept varies, and some want to see a driving or claims history before they quote. A business that has only just started trading may find new business fleet insurance the closer fit.
Who it is for
Is a small fleet policy right for your business?
A small fleet policy tends to make sense once keeping separate policies becomes a job in itself. Businesses with cars, vans and a lorry together usually look at a mixed fleet policy covering different vehicle types instead.
Moving across
Separate policies or one fleet policy: what changes when you switch
Moving a few vehicles onto one policy changes how renewals, drivers and new vehicles are handled. It also changes how the business builds up a record with insurers.
| What changes | Separate policies | One small fleet policy |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal dates | One for each vehicle, often spread across the year | One date for every vehicle on the schedule |
| Drivers | Set separately on each policy | Set once across the fleet, named or open |
| Adding a vehicle | A new policy to find and set up | Added to the existing schedule, with the premium adjusted |
| No claims bonus | Built up by each policyholder on each vehicle | Usually replaced by the business's own claims record |
| Paperwork | Several certificates, insurers and payment dates | One schedule listing every vehicle |
| Vehicle types | Each policy suited to one vehicle | Cars and vans can often sit together |
A small fleet policy is not always cheaper than separate policies, and the terms vary between insurers. Comparing both before the switch is worth doing.
No claims bonus
What happens to your no claims bonus on a small fleet?
This is often the first question from businesses moving across. The answer depends on the insurer, but a few points come up again and again.
Personal no claims bonuses
Some insurers take proof of each driver's no claims bonus into account when pricing a first small fleet policy. Others look mainly at the drivers' records and any claims.
- Proof usually comes from the current insurer
- Bonuses on business policies count more with some insurers
- Proof is often only accepted if it is recent
The business's own claims record
Once vehicles are on a fleet policy, insurers usually look at the claims made by the fleet as a whole rather than a bonus on each vehicle.
- Claims by any driver affect the whole fleet
- A clean record can help at renewal
- Insurers may ask for claims experience each year
If a vehicle or driver leaves
A bonus earned while driving on a fleet policy usually belongs to the business, not the driver.
- Some insurers will confirm a driver's claims-free years
- This is worth asking about before switching
- Protected bonuses on old policies may be lost when they end
Making the switch
Getting ready to bring separate policies together
A little preparation makes the move to one small fleet policy smoother and avoids any gap in cover between the old policies ending and the new one starting.
- Line up renewal datesSeparate policies rarely end on the same day. Some businesses move each vehicle across as its old policy ends; others cancel early.
- Check cancellation chargesEnding a policy part way through the year can mean a fee or a reduced refund, depending on the insurer.
- Gather driver detailsLicence details, ages, any convictions and recent claims for everyone who will drive.
- Ask for proof of no claimsA letter or renewal notice from each current insurer showing claims-free years.
- List every vehicleMake, model, registration, value, any changes made and where each one is kept overnight.
- Note finance and lease vehiclesSome finance and lease agreements ask for set cover levels, which are worth checking before the move.
How it is priced
What insurers look at on a small fleet quote
With only a few vehicles, each driver and each vehicle carries more weight in the price than it would on a much bigger fleet.
- The number of vehiclesSome insurers have a minimum fleet size, so a very small fleet may suit fewer insurers.
- The type of vehiclesCars, small vans and larger vans are rated differently on the same policy.
- Who drivesAges, licence history and convictions. Opening the policy to anyone in the business is covered on our page about any driver fleet insurance.
- The work the vehicles doBusiness use, carrying your own goods or carrying goods for payment.
- Driving and claims historyProof of no claims bonuses and any claims made over recent years.
- Where the vehicles are keptA yard, a driveway or the street overnight.
How it works
One quote form, specialist fleet brokers
Insure Fleet is an information site, not an insurer or a broker. We link you to MyMoneyComparison.com, a comparison service that gives businesses a gateway to brokers who arrange fleet insurance every day.
Start your quote
Get my fleet quote takes you to our partner, MyMoneyComparison.com.
Describe the small fleet
The form asks about the vehicles, the work they do and who drives, so you can be matched with a specialist fleet broker.
Compare and decide
A broker contacts you with options, subject to insurers' acceptance criteria. There is no obligation to buy.
Before you buy
Questions worth asking before moving to a small fleet policy
Moving a few vehicles onto one policy is usually straightforward, but these are the points businesses most often wish they had asked about first.
- What is the smallest fleet this insurer accepts?Some start at two vehicles, others need more.
- Will our no claims bonuses be recognised?Ask how proof is used and how recent it needs to be.
- Can a driver get claims-free years confirmed later?Useful if someone leaves and needs their own policy.
- Can cars and vans go on the same schedule?Most small fleet policies allow it, but check each class of use.
- How are new vehicles and drivers added?Some cover a new vehicle for a short time; others need it declared first.
- What happens if we drop to one vehicle?Some insurers need a minimum number of vehicles to keep the policy.
- Is there a charge for cancelling old policies?Worth checking with each current insurer before switching.
- Can payments be spread across the year?Monthly payment options vary between insurers.
FAQs
Small fleet insurance questions
What is small fleet insurance?
Small fleet insurance is one motor policy covering a few vehicles run by a business, instead of a separate policy for each vehicle. It puts every vehicle on one schedule with one renewal date and one set of driver terms.
How many vehicles count as a small fleet?
It depends on the insurer. Many offer fleet policies from two or three vehicles, while some only start at a higher number. A broker can explain which insurers accept a fleet of your size.
Will I lose my no claims bonus if I move to a fleet policy?
Some insurers take proof of each driver's no claims bonus into account on the first fleet policy, and others look mainly at the claims history. Once on the fleet, a bonus usually builds up for the business rather than for each driver, so it is worth asking how the insurer treats it before switching.
Is a small fleet policy cheaper than separate policies?
Not always. It depends on the vehicles, the drivers and the insurer. Many businesses move across for the simpler admin, a single renewal date and flexible driver options, so comparing both is worth doing.
Can I add a family member to drive the vehicles?
Often, yes. Family members who drive for the business can usually be added as named drivers, subject to the insurer's age and licence terms. Some policies also cover partners for personal use.
Can a car and a van go on the same small fleet policy?
Usually, yes. Many small fleet policies cover cars and vans together, with each vehicle insured for the use it needs. Vehicles carrying goods for payment usually need hire and reward use.
What happens if one of our drivers has a conviction?
Drivers with convictions can often still go on a small fleet policy, depending on the conviction and the insurer. Some businesses with several such drivers look at fleet insurance for convicted drivers from specialist insurers.
Does Insure Fleet sell insurance?
No. Insure Fleet is an information site and an affiliate of MyMoneyComparison.com, a comparison service that gives businesses a gateway to specialist brokers. When you start a quote you continue to MyMoneyComparison.com, and we may be paid a small commission if you are matched with and speak to a broker.
Ready to bring your vehicles onto one policy?
One form, specialist fleet brokers, no obligation.