Short answer: yes — and the insurance you already have on your van almost certainly doesn't cover you for this work. Carrying other people's goods for money changes what you need. Here's the plain version. (This is general guidance, not advice — always check the detail with a broker or your insurer.)

Why your normal van policy isn't enough

Standard van insurance usually covers social, domestic and pleasure, and maybe your own goods. The moment you're paid to move someone else's belongings, you're a different risk, and a normal policy can leave you uncovered exactly when you'd need it. You need the right class of use.

The covers that matter

• Hire and reward / courier use — this is the big one. It's the class of use that covers you for carrying goods for payment. Without it, a claim can be refused.
• Goods in transit — covers the customer's stuff while it's in your van or being carried. If a wardrobe goes through a windscreen, this is what pays for it.
• Public liability — covers you if you damage someone's property or a person gets injured — scuffed a wall, dropped something on a foot. In this trade, that's not a rare event.

What it costs, and why it's worth it

It costs more than standard van cover — that's the trade-off for actually being protected. Weigh it against the alternative: one refused claim for a damaged sofa or a scraped hallway can cost more than a year's premium. It's the price of running a real business, and it's tax-deductible.

Keep the proof handy

Customers — especially trade and letting agents — increasingly ask if you're insured. Being able to say "yes, fully" and show it wins you the more serious, better-paying work. It's a selling point, not just a cost.

Get a broker who knows commercial motor. Tell them exactly what you do. Don't guess at this one.