Best and worst places in the UK to drive a van

Insurance data reveals North-West London has highest accident rate for vans, while Greater London as a whole is the worst for thefts

Volkswagen Transporter TSI petrol review

The best and worst places to drive a van, based on the likelihood of accidents and thefts around the UK, have been revealed. Admiral compiled the list, with North-West London named as the area you're most likely to have an accident.

In fact, the top 10 list of the worst places is made up almost entirely of regions in Greater London, where 17 per cent of van drivers have had to make an accident claim. In the list, South-West London came second and Ilford was third.

• Van of the Year 2019: Vauxhall Combo Cargo

Harrow was the fourth most likely area for van drivers to have an accident, followed by Bromley, Sutton, West London, Watford, Uxbridge and Dartford.

At the other end of the scale, Belfast was ranked as the least likely place for a van accident, with Inverness and Dumfries & Galloway in second and third safest respectively.

The rest of the top 10 list of places with the lowest accident rate consisted of Aberdeen, Shrewsbury, Llandudno, Darlington, Hereford, Blackpool and Galashiels.

• Best small vans to buy 2019

Admiral saw the highest number of claims for van thefts in Greater London, followed by Yorkshire and the West Midlands. In contrast, Northern Ireland is the region were van drivers are least likely to be the victims of theft, with Scotland and East Anglia in second and third-best.

In addition, Admiral found that builders were the most likely to have their van stolen, while carpenters and company directors are also particularly at risk.

Mark Gabriel, head of van insurance at Admiral, said: “When it comes to theft, we recommend van policyholders – whatever their profession – consider additional safety features for their vehicle to deter criminals. They should also not leave anything on show in their van and always park in a well-lit public area.”

Click here for our list of the best large panel vans on sale in the UK...

Recommended

UK firm fitting ‘pop bang’ aftermarket exhausts fined in landmark court case
MINI Hatch exhaust
News

UK firm fitting ‘pop bang’ aftermarket exhausts fined in landmark court case

A successful court action against a workshop advertising and fitting non-standard exhaust parts is ‘a lesson for businesses’ from the DVSA
23 Nov 2023
Why is electric car insurance so expensive? EV vs ICE cost analysis
BMW iX3
News

Why is electric car insurance so expensive? EV vs ICE cost analysis

We look into claims that electric cars face higher insurance premiums than ICE equivalents
22 Nov 2023
No help for electric car buyers in Autumn budget statement
Parliament
News

No help for electric car buyers in Autumn budget statement

Chancellor resists calls from industry to fund EV purchase grants or reduce VAT on public charging
22 Nov 2023
What’s in the 2023 Autumn Statement for drivers? EV incentives, fuel duty or VAT on charging?
News

What’s in the 2023 Autumn Statement for drivers? EV incentives, fuel duty or VAT on charging?

We look at some of the options for chancellor Jeremy Hunt when he announces his plans on 22 November
21 Nov 2023

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio
Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler holding a speaker developed by Warwick Acoustics
Features

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio

British firm is planning to shake up the in-car hi-fi world with its audio panels that replace traditional speakers. We sound them out
27 Nov 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023