Commercial Vehicle Direct

Commercial Vehicle Direct: specialist van insurance broking since 2001

Commercial Vehicle Direct (CVD) is a UK van insurance broker that has been selling van insurance since 2001. It operates as a trading style of Brightside Insurance Services Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm reference No. 302216) and registered in England & Wales No. 04137311. The company is part of Brightside Group Ltd, described in its own material as one of the UK's leading insurance broking and financial services companies.

CVD presents itself as one of the UK's leading specialist van insurance brokers. Its call centres are based in the UK and all policies are sold over the phone, an approach the company says allows it to talk through a customer's needs and find the right level of cover at the best available price.

Van types covered

The broker covers a broad range of commercial vehicles. Its published list of van insurance categories includes:

• Small vans
• Fleet vehicles
• Courier vans
• Imported vans
• Impounded vans
• Camper vans
• Medical vehicles
• Tipper trucks
• Recovery trucks
• Leased vehicles
• Modified vans
• Catering vans
• Ice cream vans

The company also refers to removal vans and refrigerated vans among the vehicles it insures, and states that it covers all trades.

Drivers with specialist circumstances

A significant part of CVD's proposition targets drivers who have found insurance difficult to obtain. The broker explicitly lists the following circumstances among those it caters for:

• Drivers with multiple driving convictions
• Drivers with criminal convictions
• Drivers with multiple claims
• International and EU driving licence holders
• Drivers who have been declined insurance before
• Tradesmen and self-employed workers such as builders, roofers, gardeners and plumbers

It also offers 'any driver' cover and states that it can help drivers with a poor credit history or a previous driving ban. Policies are available for 12 months or on a temporary basis.

Insurer panel and policy options

CVD works with a panel of insurers, which it says allows it to offer policies with varying levels of cover. The insurers named in its material are Aviva, AXA and Allianz, alongside specialist insurers used for less standard risks. The broker states that this panel approach lets it place policies for drivers with penalty points, a poor claims history or a modified van.

Optional extras

Beyond the core van policy, CVD offers a set of optional add-ons intended to give drivers and fleet owners additional protection. These include:

• Tools cover
• Motor legal expenses
• RAC breakdown cover
• Public liability
• Key cover
• Replacement vehicle cover

The company describes these extras as designed for situations such as protecting a new van's original value or safeguarding tools while loading and unloading.

Temporary cover through Temp Cover

For short-term needs, such as moving house or working on a short contract, CVD arranges immediate temporary van insurance through Temp Cover, which it describes as an award-winning partner. Cover ranges from one day to one month.

Structure and contact channels

Commercial Vehicle Direct Insurance Services is a trading style of Brightside Insurance Services Ltd. Its registered office is Markerstudy House, 45 Westerham Road, Bessels Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB. The company operates separate sales and customer service lines and provides an online account area for existing customers to manage renewals, documents and claims.