Women van drivers might have to redefine their understanding of what really cheap van insurance means following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.
This is because the court in Luxembourg has ruled that it is illegal for insurers to continue to discriminate on the basis of gender, a practice which for a long time has resulted in women finding it far easier than men to obtain really cheap van insurance.
As a result, from December 21 2012 insurers will have to give men and women equal access to cheaper motor insurance policies.
However, whether the decision will result in men being in a better position to find really cheap van insurance is uncertain.
A spokesperson from the British Insurance Brokers Association comments, "Unisex rates will have to apply for motor insurance with the likelihood of an increase in premiums for females which could typically be up to 25% but in some cases more than 50%. However it's unlikely that premiums for male drivers will reduce much as their risk is still considerable."