Whether you’re driving a single bus or coach, or managing a fleet of vehicles, you need dedicated bus insurance to cover the risks associated with carrying passengers on UK roads.
In this post we will briefly outline what bus insurance is, and what it covers, before exploring some of the factors that can affect the price of your policy.
If you’re an independent coach driver, or you’re managing a fleet of any size, we can help you get the cover you need at the best price. For more information, call our dedicated team on 0208 290 9099, or email CM@AnthonyJones.com.
What is Bus Insurance?
It is illegal to drive any vehicle on UK roads without at least third party vehicle insurance. Yet if you’re running a bus or a coach business of any size, you’ll need significantly more cover than this.
A dedicated bus insurance policy can include:
- Comprehensive vehicle cover
- Employer’s liability cover
- Public liability cover
- Breakdown cover
- Luggage cover
You may need additional specialist cover depending on the nature of your bus or coach business.
If you operate bus or coach tours, for example, tour operator’s liability insurance can cover any refunds, reimbursements, or other compensation that may be due if you need to cancel a tour for whatever reason.
What Affects the Cost of Bus Insurance?
The amount you pay for your bus insurance will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Your vehicles – Are you looking to insure a single bus or coach, or a fleet of multiple vehicles? Also, different vehicles will cost different amounts to insure. Generally speaking, safe, compact, and low-emission vehicles tend to cost less to insure than larger and more powerful vehicles.
- Your drivers – A driver’s age, along with their driving history, can impact the cost of a bus insurance premium.
- Your location – Accidents may be more likely on certain roads and in certain areas, such as busy city centres or narrow country roads. Plus, if you operate in an area with relatively high crime rates, you may face a greater risk of theft and other crime, which could drive up the price of your policy.
How to Reduce the Cost of Bus Insurance
There are a number of things you could try which may help bring down the cost of your bus insurance:
- Compare quotes – Different insurers will charge different amounts for cover. Get a few quotes, but don’t be tempted to choose the cheapest provider. It’s much more important to get the cover you need than it is to save money on a policy that doesn’t quite meet your needs.
- Get a fleet policy – If you’re looking to cover multiple vehicles, it may be cheaper to get a fleet policy rather than individual policies for every different vehicle. This will also mean you’ll only ever have one payment to think about, one renewal date to keep in mind, and a single point of contact if you ever need to make a claim.
- Invest in training and technology – Advanced driver training could help bring down the cost of cover through making accidents less likely. Security features, such as onboard CCTV, could help reduce the risk of theft and other crimes, which might also make a difference to your premiums.
- Work with a broker – A specialist insurance broker will take the time to understand your business, before finding you dedicated cover that meets all of your needs at the best price.
At Anthony Jones, We Can Help You Get Comprehensive Bus Insurance at a Competitive Price
Whether you’re an independent coach driver, a tour operator, or you’re managing a fleet of buses, we’re here to help.
We can help you conduct a comprehensive risk assessment while advising on the steps you can take to manage and mitigate these risks. We can then help you get the comprehensive cover you need for your bus or coach business at a competitive price. For more information, call our dedicated team on 0208 290 9099, or email CM@AnthonyJones.com.
