Direct Line business insurance says a total of 9,522 vans were stolen across the UK in 2025, equivalent to a van theft every 55 minutes. With the average used van valued at £8,080 in 2025, the total value of stolen vans comes out at a massive £77m.
And to make matters worse, the majority of vans stolen were never recovered, with around three in five remaining missing.
Analysis by Direct Line shows that two-thirds (64%) of tradespeople surveyed said their ability to work would be significantly affected if their van was stolen, written-off or badly damaged, while a further 26% say it would slightly hinder their ability to do their job.
The financial repercussions are also stark. Even short periods without a van can be damaging with one in three (33%) tradespeople saying that losing access to their van even for a day, or less, would have a negative impact on their business. On average, tradespeople who say their work would be impacted without their van estimate they would lose £420 a day in earnings.
Eva Sandstra-Bennett, van product manager at Direct Line business insurance, said: “Van theft continues to destroy livelihoods across the UK. When a van is stolen, tradespeople aren’t just faced with the cost and stress of replacing their van, many also face almost immediate loss of income if they can’t work. With a van stolen every 55 minutes, the impact on hardworking professionals is severe.
“When choosing van insurance, it’s a good idea to look for cover that includes a courtesy van should your van be stolen, written off or damaged. This can help keep your business moving and protect your livelihood until you’re back on the road again.”
