Running a business from more than one location can make managing your vehicle fleet more complicated. You may have cars, vans or HGVs based at different offices, depots, branches or sites, with employees using vehicles across the UK.
So, how does fleet insurance work when your business has multiple locations?
The good news is that business fleet insurance can bring multiple vehicles under one policy. However, where your vehicles are kept, how they are used and who drives them can all affect the cover and the price.
Can fleet insurance cover vehicles at multiple locations?
Yes, a fleet insurance policy can potentially cover vehicles that operate from different business locations. However, you should tell your insurer or broker about all the locations where your vehicles are based or regularly kept.
Insurers use information about your business, vehicles, drivers and operating arrangements when assessing risk. This means that adding a new depot or moving vehicles to another location could require an adjustment to your policy.
Insurance Revolution already offers fleet policies that can cover different types of vehicles, including cars, vans and HGVs, under one policy. This can make managing a multi-location fleet simpler than arranging separate insurance for every vehicle.
Why does location matter for fleet insurance?
The location of your vehicles can affect the risk an insurer considers when pricing your policy.
For example, vehicles kept at a secure depot overnight may present a different risk from vehicles parked on public roads or at employees’ homes. Your insurer may also want to understand:
- Where each vehicle is normally kept overnight
- Whether vehicles are stored at secure premises
- How many vehicles operate from each location
- The areas your drivers cover
- Whether vehicles regularly travel between sites
- The type of work carried out from each location
You should provide accurate information when taking out or changing your fleet insurance. If your business opens a new branch, moves premises or changes where vehicles are normally stored, speak to your broker or insurer before making the change.
Can employees drive fleet vehicles between different locations?
This depends on the terms of your policy.
Some businesses need employees to collect vehicles from one branch and take them to another. Others may have drivers travelling between offices, customer sites, warehouses and depots every day.
Your fleet insurance needs to reflect the way your vehicles are actually used. If employees need to drive different vehicles, an any driver fleet insurance policy may provide greater flexibility than a policy that restricts each vehicle to specific named drivers.
However, any driver cover does not automatically mean that every employee can drive every vehicle. Age restrictions, driving history, licence requirements and other policy conditions can apply.
Always check the terms of your policy before allowing a new driver to use a company vehicle.
What happens if you open a new business location?
Opening a new branch does not necessarily mean that you need a completely separate fleet insurance policy.
Instead, contact your insurance broker and explain what is changing. Depending on the insurer and policy, you may be able to update your existing fleet policy.
You may need to provide information such as:
- The address of the new location
- How many vehicles will be based there
- The type of vehicles involved
- Where vehicles will be parked overnight
- How the vehicles will be used
- Details of any new drivers
Insurance Revolution notes that changing a business address can be a mid-term adjustment to a fleet policy. This makes it important to keep your policy details up to date as your business expands.
What if vehicles move between locations?
Vehicles do not always stay at one branch. A business might move vans between depots to meet demand or send company cars between offices.
This does not automatically mean you need separate insurance for each location. However, your insurer needs an accurate picture of how the fleet operates.
For example, regularly moving vehicles between several sites is different from permanently relocating the fleet to a new address.
Keeping your broker informed can help ensure your policy reflects your current operations and avoids problems if you need to make a claim.
Is fleet insurance useful for multi-site businesses?
Managing individual policies for vehicles across several locations can create extra administration. You may have different renewal dates, insurers and policy documents to keep track of.
A fleet policy can bring multiple vehicles together under one insurance arrangement. Insurance Revolution’s fleet insurance can cover two or more vehicles and can accommodate different vehicle types, depending on the policy.
For a growing business, this can make it easier to manage vehicle additions and changes as new locations open.
However, a fleet policy is not automatically the cheapest option for every business. Insurers assess each fleet individually, so the cost will depend on factors such as the vehicles, drivers, claims history, use and locations involved.
How can you keep your multi-location fleet properly insured?
If your business operates across several locations, review your fleet insurance whenever something changes.
Make sure your insurer or broker knows about:
- New or closed business locations.
- Changes to where vehicles are stored.
- Vehicles moving permanently to another site.
- New vehicles being added to the fleet.
- Changes to drivers or how vehicles are used.
- Changes to your business activities or operating areas.
Keeping this information accurate can help ensure your fleet policy continues to match your business.
Get a Business Fleet Insurance Quote
Managing vehicles across multiple locations does not have to mean managing multiple insurance policies.
At Insurance Revolution, we can help businesses find business fleet insurance suited to their vehicles, drivers and operations. Whether you run cars, vans, HGVs or a mixed fleet, we can compare available options and help you find cover that fits your business.
Ready to protect your fleet? Get your fleet insurance quote today.
Footnotes and sources
- Association of British Insurers, Commercial Motor Insurance. ABI: Commercial motor insurance
- Business.gov.uk, Insuring your business. Business.gov.uk: Insuring your business
