Refrigerated van insurance for loads where temperature is everything
If your cargo has to arrive cold, your van is more than transport: the refrigeration unit is the whole point. We arrange specialist policies covering the vehicle and its temperature-control equipment, for everyone from butchers and fishmongers to pharmaceutical couriers.
- Refrigeration equipment and fixtures covered as standard
- Fire cover included as standard
- Optional stock, spoilage and frozen food extensions
- Single vans and fleets, with a fleet discount from two vehicles
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Refrigerated van cover at a glance
What you get
- Comprehensive, third-party fire & theft, or third-party only
- Fire cover included as standard
- Refrigeration equipment and fixtures covered as standard
- Public liability up to £5 million available
- Employer's liability up to £10 million available
- Modified refrigerated vans accepted
What's not covered
- Personal use, unless declared on the policy
- Wear and tear or mechanical breakdown of refrigeration units
- Stock spoilage from equipment failure, available as an optional add-on
- Items left unattended outside the locked van
- Vehicles used for hire and reward
Be clear on the spoilage point: if the fridge unit fails and the load is ruined, that's only covered if you've added the optional stock or frozen food extension. We'll price it with your quote.
What the policy actually protects, and one honest gap
A standard van policy treats a refrigerated van like any other box on wheels, ignoring the expensive part: the compressor, condenser and temperature-control system built into it. The specialist policies we arrange cover all permanently installed refrigeration and insulation equipment as standard, alongside the vehicle itself, with fire cover included.
One thing to understand before you buy anywhere: mechanical breakdown of the fridge unit itself, and stock ruined when it fails, are not covered as standard on any refrigerated van policy. Spoilage and frozen food cover exist as optional add-ons; if a lost load would hurt your business, tell us and we'll build it into the quote rather than let you find the gap at claim time.
One policy shape, many trades
Temperature-controlled transport runs through more industries than people expect. We arrange refrigerated van cover for restaurants, butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, food and catering companies, pharmaceutical businesses and florists. The cargo differs; the risk profile is the same: a load that's worthless if the cold chain breaks.
Whether you run one van on daily fresh-produce rounds or a multi-vehicle delivery operation, the insurers on our panel understand temperature-controlled logistics and price it properly.
Extensions worth weighing
Beyond the core cover, our refrigerated van policies offer a set of optional extensions. Which ones make sense depends on what you carry and who you employ; we'll talk you through it rather than bolt on everything.
- Breakdown and recovery: a stranded refrigerated van is a race against the clock
- Loss of stock and frozen food cover for the load itself
- Business interruption, for when the van is off the road
- Public liability up to £5 million and legal expenses
- Employer's liability up to £10 million, a legal requirement if you employ anyone
- Replacement keys and locks cover up to £300, and a fleet discount from two vehicles
From enquiry to insured in three steps
Tell us what you need
Fill in the two-minute form with the cover you're after and when to call you, or ring us directly on 01323 416706.
We search our panel
Our brokers match your details against a panel of UK insurers and call you back at your chosen time with the options and prices.
Covered the same day
Happy with a quote? We arrange the policy there and then, and email your documents the same day.
Questions drivers actually ask
Straight answers from the team that arranges this cover every day. Anything else? Call 01323 416706 and a human will pick up.
See all FAQsWhat is refrigerated van insurance?
A specialist commercial vehicle policy for businesses transporting temperature-sensitive goods in refrigerated or insulated vehicles. It covers the van and its refrigeration equipment, with liability and stock extensions available. Call 01323 416706 for a quote.
Is the refrigeration equipment itself covered?
Yes, all permanently installed refrigeration and insulation equipment is covered as standard, including compressors, condensers and temperature-control systems. What isn't covered is mechanical breakdown of the unit through wear and tear; that's an exclusion on refrigerated policies generally.
Is stock or food spoilage covered if the fridge fails?
Not as standard: this is the gap that catches people out. Optional cover for spoilage caused by fridge or freezer breakdown can be added to your policy, along with loss of stock and frozen food cover. Ask on 01323 416706 and we'll price it in.
What types of businesses do you insure?
Restaurants, butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, food and catering companies, pharmaceutical businesses and florists: anyone moving goods that must stay cold. Single vehicles and fleets are both covered.
Do I need public or employer's liability?
Public liability up to £5 million is optional but worthwhile if your work brings you into contact with the public or their property. Employer's liability is different: it's a legal requirement in the UK if you employ anyone, and cover up to £10 million is available on your policy.
Do you offer fleet cover for refrigerated vans?
Yes. If you run two or more vehicles, a fleet arrangement earns a discount and puts everything under one policy with one renewal date. Call 01323 416706 to talk through the operation.
Keep the cold chain covered
Two minutes on the form, a callback at your chosen time, documents the same day, with the spoilage question answered before you buy.