Moving house is an expensive ordeal. Beyond the cost of buying or renting the property itself, all the additional fees to move you out of one home and into another add up quickly. It's important to be prepared for these additional expenses.

Some common costs include:

Deposit

Stamp Duty: A property tax in England and Northern Ireland that must be paid within 14 days of completing the purchase. First-time buyers are exempt from paying this on properties up to £425,000.

Solicitor Fees

Surveyor Fees

Removal Costs: Hiring professional movers is costly.

New Furniture and Appliances

Cleaning Costs

Storage Fees: If there is a gap between moving out and moving in

Packing Materials: The price of boxes, tape and bubble wrap adds up

Hiring A Moving Van

To cut down on costs, you might be considering hiring a van and moving everything yourself. This can be a cheaper option, as long as everything goes smoothly and you're able to return the van in the same condition you collected it in.

However, moving can be stressful and sometimes requires new challenges. Whether you need to navigate narrow streets, reverse into small driveways, parallel park in unfamiliar places, or just adjust to driving a larger vehicle, the likelihood of minor bumps, scrapes and scratches increases.

Returning a hired van with even minor damage could leave you with a hefty credit card bill to cover the excess fees that are sometimes thousands of pounds. These charges are not just for major collisions either; they could be the consequence of small things like minor scratches to the bodywork or small cracks in the windscreen. After accruing so many unavoidable expenses in the process of moving house, another expensive, yet avoidable, cost is the last thing you need.

This is where van hire excess insurance comes in to provide peace of mind.

Van Hire Excess Insurance

What is Van Hire Excess Insurance?

A van hire excess insurance policy is an affordable insurance policy that protects you from large excess fees charged by hire companies if the van is damaged or stolen during your hire period.

Basic insurance, including third-party liability and theft protection, is included in the cost of hiring a van; however, excess insurance is not included. This means you could be left liable for thousands of pounds in damage costs, regardless of how minor it is.

Van hire excess insurance reimburses you for these charges, meaning you can have peace of mind in the midst of the stress of moving - for as little as £4.86 a day.

What's Included in a ReduceMyExcess Van Hire Excess Insurance Policy?

Our excess policies cover the following:

Damage to tyres, windscreeens, undercarriage and chassis

Hire periods up to 30 days (currently, we do not offer annual cover for van rentals)

Anywhere in the UK (residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are excluded)

Up to £10,000 for excess reimbursement

Our policies are designed for one-off van hires, which is why a policy with us will help the process of moving go so much smoother.

Top Tips for Moving House

Inspect the van before driving off and take clear photos of any existing damage

Ask someone to help when parking or reversing

Don't overload the van as this could lead to damage to the hire van and impose serious safety risks

Final Thoughts

Van hire excess insurance is a must for those looking to DIY a house move in the hope of making the whole process a bit cheaper. It covers the unexpected costs for minor damage and theft, offering you peace of mind from just £4.86 a day.