Minibus insurance

Some of the insurance companies we work with

What is a minibus?

Classifying a minibus isn’t difficult; it’s basically a small bus that fits between 9 and 16 passengers. It looks a lot like a van but is designed to transport people rather than goods, valuables or packages.

A minibus is a vehicle that seats 9 to 16 passengers and in your V5 logbook it will be classed as M2. If it has more than 16 seats the vehicle is classed as a coach.

If it’s classed as M2 then it is not a car, which means a standard car insurance policy won’t do, and it also means it’s not quite a van, so a standard van insurance policy won’t be good enough either. To get a minibus insurance quote over the phone, call the experts today.

Call us on 0330 022 5970 for a quote over the phone

Minibus insurance advice and FAQs

How much is minibus insurance?

If you’re looking for minibus insurance then you’ve come to the right place because you can get minibus insurance quotes over the phone with mustard.co.uk.

Is minibus insurance expensive?

Minibus insurance can be expensive due the risks involved in carrying passengers and the vehicles themselves can be costly to repair or replace in the event of an accident.

If the minibus isn’t going to be used for hire or for commercial purposes, you may be able to find appropriate cover with a van insurance policy. Short-term insurance might be another option to consider. In most cases, however, a specialist form of insurance is needed and we recommend comparing quotes from different providers to find a policy that best suits your needs.

What insurance do I need for a minibus?

A minibus is essentially in no man’s land, lost in limbo between a car and a van.

While that might sound a bit dramatic and a little mysterious it’s not because minibus insurance is one of a kind. Whether you use your minibus for private or business use, a specialist form of insurance is needed.

That’s because there is more risk involved when insuring a minibus because you could potentially be carrying as many as 16 passengers.

If you use your minibus for commercial purposes then you will need a form of business insurance. There are different types of business insurance for standard vans but there are also different options for minibus use, depending on how you use it.

Most minibus insurers will cover you for a variety of different uses including private hire or if a school or club uses your minibus. You will be able to specify the vehicle type and number of seats during the quote process.

Can I drive a minibus on my car insurance?

You can drive a minibus within the UK if all these conditions are satisfied:

You’re aged 21 or older and held your driving licence for at least 24 months
If you are aged over 70, you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards
You’re driving the minibus as a volunteer and the trip is for social purposes by a non-commercial body
The minibus does not weigh more than 3.5t – or 4.25t including specialist equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp
You are not towing a trailer.

If you receive payment to cover transport costs, you must apply for a permit. This allows you to provide passenger transport exclusively for ‘non-commercial’ purposes or which have a main occupation other than that of a road passenger transport operator. Find out all the details about how to apply for a permit here.

For all other scenarios where you are driving for a profit, and if you are under 21, you need to apply for a minibus licence. Find out how to apply here.

Finally, you’ll need a London Service Permit to run a private bus or coach service in London.