Tag: cheap van insurance

Van Theft Hotspots – Don’t Park Here

Posted on by News Desk

Van crime is sweeping the nation like a big sweeping brush and no-one is safe. Trades people and delivery drivers. Everybody is a potential victim.

With that being said, there are some places in the UK where you are more likely to have your van nicked or tools “lifted.”

Van criminals are nippy as well. They are “in and out,” so to speak, and don’t mess about. They train for hours on end to perfect moves such as the “peel and steal,” and then, when it comes time to commit the actual act they are flawless.

Make no mistake about it these are not dumb criminals. These are masters of their craft.

So where is the number 1 place in the UK where they are most likely to strike? Romford to be exact, so be careful if you are doing a job there anytime soon.

You might just go to price up a job or make a quick delivery, only to find your van is gone by the time you get back.

Some van owners even make the huge mistake of leaving their keys in the ignition while they go to buy a kit kat, but if you do that in Romford then you will definitely be taking a break…without a van for the next few weeks.

Of course, some van insurance companies will offer you a courtesy van if yours gets stolen so you can keep on trading, although others don’t. Make sure you check your insurance details.

Birmingham was second on the list of van theft hotspots, with Halifax coming in third and Liverpool 4th.

If you live in any of these towns and cities then you can bet your bottom dollar that van insurance will be getting more expensive year after year. It’s a slap in the face, but what can you do?

The only thing I can think of is to compare van insurance right here at The Nations Favourite…CVI.

It doesn’t matter if you live in Romford, Birmingham, Halifax or Liverpool, when you use the power of Cheap Van Insurance then expect to get quotes that will make you wonder if what you are seeing is real.

Yes it is real, many van owners are saving hundreds of pounds off their van insurance, and its all thanks to our 3 minute form. Go to the top of this page and click on “get a quote.” You won’t be disappointed.

Some van owners might not need CVI quite as much though. For example, in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Kirkwall, Dumfries, Inverness and Perth…van crime is almost non existent.

I still wouldn’t leave your key in the ignition though, and I would still compare van insurance if you live in any of these places. Sure, you might already have it cheap, but with the power of CVI you can get it even cheaper.

The Truth About White Van Men

Posted on by News Desk

After the Dundee fiasco I found myself relegated to the office. A desk jockey, counting paperclips and making endless cups of tea.

I felt like a retired boxer in that office, although I could still smell the leather and hear the roar of the crowd.

As a CNR my natural instinct is to be out there…on the streets…in the action.

Maybe I had one more “prize fight” left in me? Let’s wait and see…

Just then the boss came into my office.

“Our approval rating has gone down 7% in the last 5 weeks among white van men. Research suggests it is your “Cardiff news story” that has led to the drop,” the boss said.

“I was just telling the truth,” I replied.

“Maybe…but white van owners are our bread and butter. I need you to write a piece that puts them in a favourable light. Don’t blow smoke up their rear van doors…just make the white van community look good,” he said.

And with those words the boss walked out of the office.

So here I am right now. Tasked with the assignment of making our nations white van owners look good. Maybe if I do a great job then CVI will get me a new limo and limo driver? I got to work.

The Truth About White Van Men

A common misconception about white van men is they are all dangerous drivers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Actually, during research in 2014 it was discovered they are 50% less likely to be involved in an accident than car drivers.

Another myth about white van drivers is they drive aggressively and get frequent road rage. This is false, or at least, false in the sense they don’t drive any more aggressively than any other road users. There is no evidence to suggest that white van men are anymore prone to road rage than car drivers, motor bike users or cyclists.

One particular false accusation is that white van “men” are all male. Not at all, and just like we have reported about before on our Cheap Van Insurance Blog…it is the white van “women” who are currently taking to the roads in their white Ford transits and LCV’s.

Yet another myth is the belief that white van men get cheaper van insurance than other van owners. Not true. The most important factor is your location. For example, if you own a blue van in Dundee, then you will most likely pay less than a white van owner in London.

The main reason why many white van men pay less for van insurance is because they have made CVI their home.

They fill in the 3 minute form and let us do the hard work. Around 40 quotes later and they find what they are looking for.

“CVI really is the website for white van men,” said white van men all around the country.

Vanarama Unleashes iVan The Terrible?

Posted on by News Desk

“Hi, my name is iVan the chatbot, which of these options can I help you with today?” said the bot at the other end of the webpage.

This is what every visitor to the Vanarama website will see from now on when they want to get help.

So what can iVan help you with? Buying a new van is one of the things you can do at Vanarama, although they also offer van insurance.

“Great. My name is iVan the Chatbot. Can I have your first name, please?” Said iVan as you select the van insurance option.

“Did you have a particular vehicle in mind? I’m pretty sure we’ll have the best prices,” iVan the chatbot goes on to add.

Pretty confident isn’t he? And his smooth talking will probably work on some people…although not on those van owners who have heard of CVI.

Not one to back away from a challenge, or a duel, we are confident CVI is the place where you will find the “best prices.”

Vanarama vs Cheap Van Insurance…

We challenge YOU to put us both to the test…

You can visit Vanarama and then chat with a chatbot and get some monotone responses…

and then

You can visit CVI and fill in our 3 minute form. It’s ridiculously simple and there are no chats bots. Just a no-nonsense style form that is dedicated to getting you results.

Some might describe this battle as like iVan The Terrible vs Alexander The Great.

“Yes they really are great,” many people are already shouting.

“The Nations Favourite!” many will go on to add.

Listen, we are not trying to blow smoke up your rear van door here. This is real. You really can save a packet in the next 3 minutes.

By all means go to Vanarama and see what they are all about with their new chatbot, and then come back to the safe haven of CVI, with nothing automated and nothing futuristic. Just good old fashioned cheap van insurance…the way it should be.

I can’t even imagine your average white van man, so to speak, attempting to have a conversation with a bot.

“Hi, my name is iVan the chatbot, which of these options can I help you with today?” said iVan.

“You what mate?” replied the white van man.

All out anger would likely win the day, and then, right back to CVI…the only place a white van man can get a straight forward quote with no palava.

So Alexander The Great wins this battle, and if you fill out the 3 minute form you will soon find out why we are the greatest…van insurance comparison website.

Van Insurance is Down…OMG!

Posted on by News Desk

A recent report by Consumer Intelligence has come up with one thing we were not expecting…van insurance prices are down.

According to them, the prices have gone down an average of 1.7% compared to last year, giving us an average price of £1240.

However, if you are using your van for work then don’t break out the pot noodles, ham sandwiches and flasks of tea in celebration just yet.

The reason? Because “worker vans” have only seen an average drop of 0.9%, which isn’t really much to get excited about.

On the other hand, people who use vans as a substitute for their car have seen the biggest drop at 5.5% during the last year.

These are the people who check the “social, domestic and pleasure” box on their van insurance application form and then use their van to go and see friends or go on a picnic.

They are not like you, the hard working van owner who is just trying to make their bread and cheese…surely it should be YOU who is making the real savings and not people driving around for pleasure.

That is why I would like to use this blog post as a rally to all those hard working builders, carpenters, roofers, electricians, man with vans, white van men and white van women…

I want you all to UNITE and shout “this is not acceptable!”

“0.9% is a joke,” you should also shout…

You have bills to pay and you have to put food on the table. It should be you with the 5.5% price drop. You are the one who deserves it more than anyone else.

Well, you can use this opportunity to fight the power and hit back with your own counter punch.

If those van insurance companies want to slap you in the face then you should retaliate with right hook.

If those van insurance companies come at you with a baseball bat then you should pull out…

Your smartphone and then go directly to CheapVanInsurance.co.uk

See how those van insurance companies like that. I can assure you they won’t.

Van insurance companies don’t like us. Simple as that. Even those who partner with us. Most of them hate us.

Why? Because we lose them money. Time and time again.

But they have no choice. After all, we are “The Nations Favourite” and the place where ordinary van drivers come to year after year.

We constantly push these van insurance companies further and further…

“More Savings…Cheaper Prices…Van Insurance For Less,” we shout at them over the telephone.

They fight us but it is people power that wins the day. YOUR vote is what counts.

So put your vote in right now…and use Cheap Van Insurance to make real savings on your van insurance.

Save £300 on Van Insurance (Or Pizza)

Posted on by News Desk

I arrived at CVI HQ in the morning to find everywhere locked up. “That’s strange,” I said. “Our CNR should be back from Dundee by now.”

I opened everywhere up and turned on the lights, and then noticed the hotline answerphone was flashing with a message.

“Hi It’s the CNR here. We are in the Scottish Highlands and…”

There was a long pause.

“…Meerkats,” he went on to say and then hung up.

What did our Chief News Reporter mean by this message? What was he trying to tell me?

Perhaps he was suggesting that CVI should go down the “meerkat route” and start offering movie tickets to our customers.

I really don’t think our budget would stretch to the latest Hollywood Blockbusters…but maybe…just maybe we could offer other kind of movies?

Something like classic TV movies from the 1970’s…available in VHS or Betamax format for every CVI customer. Just pay shipping and handling.

It could work. But our customers should be satisfied enough with the cheapest van insurance prices in the UK. Shouldn’t they? Maybe that extra cherry on top would really sweeten the deal.

Well, because our CNR was MIA I didn’t have any news stories to run, so I did what any van insurance comparison website owner would do in this type of situation…

I made a cup of tea and sat down to read the newspaper.

As I was flicking through different stories hot off the press there was one word which suddenly caught my attention.

“MEERKATS.”

It seems the meerkat company had paid for a bit of advertising space in this particular tabloid and were shouting about their so called “deal of the week.”

What they are offering is the ability to save £300 a year when you buy van insurance on their website.

However, this isn’t £300 a year savings on the actual van insurance. Oh no. It’s actually saving £300 on pizza.

“Meerkat Meals,” is what they have called this new venture, and apparently you can save money on meals at restaurants such as Pizza Hut, La Tasca, Zizzi and Strada.

Do you know what though? I reckon the smart van owners out there would prefer to just save money directly on their van insurance. No fancy meal tickets and no-nonsense. Just plain and simple Cheap Van Insurance. The way it should be.

Maybe I’m wrong and maybe our loyal and faithful van insurance customers would like to make some savings on their lunches when buying through our 3 minute form.

If so then…perhaps we could incorporate some kind of “ham sandwiches for a month” promotion, or, “your flask refilled, for free.”

“I could even give pot noodle a call,” I said.

Just then our CNR entered my office.

“Have you got £700 to pay for the taxi outside?” he asked.

“What? Where is the CVI limo and the limo driver? I demanded to know.

“It’s a long story…” he replied.

“We Need More Van Couriers!”

Posted on by News Desk

From Dundee to Ipswich, and from The Scottish Highlands to Cardiff…there is one job which is in demand…Van Couriers!

Thanks to internet sites such as Amazon, the demand for delivery drivers is stronger than ever before.

Unfortunately, the amount of skilled van couriers are in short supply, which means customers are having to wait longer for their deliveries

A recent report by the Department for Transport showed us that 76% of goods were transported by road in 2017. Planes and trains are out…Automobiles are IN.

Not just any old automobiles though. It is vans which are the fashionable vehicle of today, with many van couriers deciding to drive around in LCV’s (Light Commercial Vehicles).

The report went on to find how delivery drivers are competing against the clock more than ever before, because customers expect their parcels today, not tomorrow.

However, this has led to many drivers cutting corners and speeding like they are doing a lap around Silverstone.

“What’s your name,” the police officer will say when they pull over the courier driver.

“Nigel Mansell,” would come the reply.

These type of van couriers might be fast, but they quickly rack up the points on their licence, and then…

…It is game over. Their van courier career is over.

In the future it is the self driving vans and robots who are expected to fill the demand for skilled courier drivers, but right now in 2018 there are companies who are crying out for reliable and trustworthy van couriers.

“We need more van couriers!” they are shouting from the rooftops

The kind of van courier who can get that LCD TV to Mr Smith on time and in one piece.

The kind of van courier who will give a smile to Mrs Jones as they hand over a brand new laptop.

Unfortunately, many would be van courier drivers are not getting their stripes because of how expensive insurance is right now.

Remember, plain old van insurance is not enough…you need special van courier insurance to get on the roads legally and delivering packages.

One way to avoid these ridiculous costs is to visit Cheap Van Insurance and get quotes from around 40 insurers and brokers.

“The Van Couriers Favourite,” is what many of our nations delivery drivers are saying.

Fortunately you can join them right now by filling in the 3 minute form which you can find at the top of the page.

Just scroll up and then start your van courier journey. A few simple details and then, and only then…can you call yourself a real van courier professional driver.

Duel in Dundee, and Beyond…

Posted on by News Desk

We arrived in Dundee and the Limo driver dropped me off at The Hilton. “I will pick you up at 8am tomorrow,” he said.

The next morning and the limo was waiting for me at 8am, and we headed to a bookies in the centre of town. It was a fairly routine story, and my mind wasn’t really on it, but I had a job to do as CNR of CVI…so I got out my notebook.

“White van crashed into the front of bookies. There was a bang when it happened. White van man? Fled! Coke? Puff the magic dragon? High on own supply? Perhaps.”

I had all the information I needed. “That’s a wrap,” I announced to the limo driver. “Let’s get going back to HQ.”

The CVI limo got going on the road and headed towards the outskirts of Dundee. The buildings disappeared and we found ourselves on a deserted road. And then…

…Out of nowhere a tanker truck roared past the limo and nearly took us off the road.

“What the heck,” I shouted.

Then the tanker truck slowed right down and stopped us from getting past.

Eventually the skills of the limo driver won the day and he found a gap past the truck.

We had overtook the truck, but it started blasting its horn and coming at us full speed yet again. I sensed danger.

“Speed up,” I told the limo driver.

Just as the tanker truck was about to crash into the limo…the limo driver put his foot on the accelerator and sped away.

We were driving at top speed out of Dundee…and into the Scottish Highlands.

Then the limo driver started to slow down.

“Don’t stop now, we must keep going,” I demanded.

“We have to stop at a service station…the last one before we enter the wilderness of the Highlands, and get a couple of pot noodles,” the driver replied.

“Ok be quick, that tanker truck is going to be in our rear view mirror again if we don’t hurry,” I said.

The driver went to get some pot noodles and I decided to phone HQ to let them know what was happening.

“No signal!” My Motorola was out of range.

I ran into a restaurant to use the pay phone and then phoned HQ. It was the answerphone.

“Hi It’s the CNR here. We are in the Scottish Highlands and…”

It was then that I noticed the tanker truck parked outside next to the CVI limo.

I looked around the restaurant and noticed everybody was staring at me. Which one was the driver? I thought to myself.

Then I recognised something familiar…a red baseball cap. It was the guy from the service station near Ipswich the previous day…the driver who had used his 2 For 1 vouchers at Pizza Hut.

“Meerkats,” I said, and then I put the phone down.

I acted calmly as I walked out of the restaurant and began walking towards the CVI limo.

I looked for the limo driver but all I found was 2 pot noodles, the kettle and the keys to the limo on the floor.

He had fled. Knowing what was in store.

I had no choice. I had to get in the limo and start driving. It was for CVI. Someone had to step forward.

Within minutes of being on the road I saw the tanker truck appear in my rear view mirror.

“This is it,” I said to myself. “A duel between The Meerkats and CVI. Winner takes all. There is no turning back now.”

The truck followed me through the Scottish highlands, and then I turned the limo round to face the truck in front of a canyon.

I took the pot noodles and locked them on the accelerator with the kettle. Now we were on a collision course. It was the only way.

I jumped free at the last moment and the limo collided with the tanker truck, destroying the limo and sending the truck into the canyon.

I watched as the truck fell to the bottom of the canyon.

“The summer is over, CVI has won this battle and the war. If anyone should be promoting 2 for 1 movie and restaurant tickets it should be us,” I said.

I sat at the Canyons edge and threw stones for the rest of the evening, Watching the sun set.

Motorway Mayhem and Meerkat Madness

Posted on by News Desk

We were somewhere around Ipswich, when the mayhem started to unfold…

A white van seemed to be heading directly at the CVI limo…sideways!

We were driving down the motorway, safely in the left hand lane, when out of the right window it looked as if a white van was about to crash into us.

Then…nothing…

Instead of the expected collision, the van continued past us.

I was baffled.

Once the van was ahead of the limo I could see the problem…it was “Bent.”

The wheels were travelling at a weird angle, although the van was still able to somehow avoid total mayhem despite the fact it kept wanting to shift to the side.

Then the white van disappeared into the distance.

“We need a break, do you want to get a pot noodle? Asked the limo driver.

I shuddered at the thought, remembering the Cardiff incident. Kind of like Pavlovs Dog.

“Er…no, let’s go to a service station and dine out in style…and then put in on the CVI tab, we deserve it,” I replied.

10 Minutes later we arrived at a service station and found a Pizza Hut that was open for business. It was full of commercial drivers, some of whom were no doubt driving lorries and tankers on long haul drives.

We sat down and as I was reading the Pizza Hut menu I overheard the table next to me…

“We’ve got a 2 for 1 voucher for our meal…we got it from buying lorry insurance from Compare The…”

“MEERKATS!” I shouted, unable to help myself.

I turned to the man on the table next to me and said – “Are you seriously telling me you bought lorry insurance from those pesky meerkats just so you could save a bit of money on a pizza?”

“It’s a good deal,” he replied, proudly.

“NO…It’s MADNESS…Meerkat MADNESS,” I shouted, unable to help myself once again.

“Do you not realise that you could go to Cheap Van Insurance and save yourself a packet? Then you could afford to buy yourself a hundred pizzas and still have change,” I lectured him, but I could see nothing was getting through.

At that moment another man in a red baseball cap entered the restaurant and started placing an order for takeaway.

“Oh, I’ve got a 2 for 1 voucher for that…all thanks to those meerkats,” he said with a smug arrogance that sent me over the edge.

“This is MADNESS,” I shouted. “You people are INSANE.”

The restaurant fell completely silent and everybody looked at me, stunned and with their mouths open.

“Go to the Nations favourite…3 minutes is all it takes.”

However, they just looked at me with blank faces.

“I will not stay in this Pizza Hut a minute longer. Driver…let’s go.”

10 minutes later and we were sat in the CVI limo eating a pot noodle.

“How long until those meerkats get a piece of the pot noodle pie,” I said to the limo driver.

“I dunno,” he replied.

I finished my Bombay BadBoy and then realised this Meerkat Madness was taking up too much of my time and energy. We had a mission to complete.

“Onwards to Dundee,” I announced to the driver.

We got back on the road and sailed along the motorway without any further madness.

Then we arrived at the Scottish border and the CVI limo passed through and into a new country.

“Not long until we arrive in Dundee,” the limo driver told me. It was the first words he had said since the service station.

I sensed that a duel was waiting for me in Dundee. Something which could finally bring this story to a satisfying conclusion.

I took this opportunity to send a text back to HQ. “Motorway Mayhem and Meerkat Madness…”

Aviva Attempt to Join Forces With Van Insurance Brokers

Posted on by News Desk

I could see our CNR was disturbed after the Cardiff incident. “Take an easy assignment…there is a story in Dundee,” I told him.

So he headed out of HQ and into the CVI limo. Now I turned my attention to headlines within the van insurance industry. Aviva to be exact, who have recently tried to join forces with van insurance brokers.

The insurance giant have recently launched something called “Fast Trade e-trading quote and buy” which is designed to help van insurance brokers get the best prices so they can compete in a very competitive marketplace.

Not all brokers are able to take advantage of this facility from Aviva though…only those brokers who have an Aviva agency.

This all comes at a time when van insurance brokers have been falling by the wayside, somewhat, in recent years.

Van insurance companies are turning up the heat with free gifts for consumers and hogging all of the advertising space…which means brokers are becoming more and more sidelined, to the point where many are going out of business.

Of course, those van brokers who partner with us here at Cheap Van Insurance are never left out in the cold. There is always a fresh catch of the day, every day. And as our fishing boat reaches the safety of land, we offer our bounty to both van insurance companies and brokers.

So how do you, the van owner, find your way into the net so you can put yourself in the fish market, so to speak? It’s easy…

…all you have to do is fill in the form which can be found at the top of the page you are reading right now. Then, spend around 3 minutes filling in the form and then, just press the “submit” button.

You instantly get around 40 quotes from both trusted van insurance companies and brokers, which puts YOU firmly in control.

This is the point where…the fish becomes a shark.

Back to Aviva and a spokesperson for their company had this to say – “Brokers still get the normal commissions, but we take out the costs and pass on those cost benefits to those who use it. We don’t have any transaction fees from software houses so the prices should be cheaper than the average that they would normally access. It’s a good deal.”

My opinion? Aviva might be on to something here, who knows for sure? What I do know is that both van insurance brokers and van owners should start right here, at The Nations Favourite.

If you are a van insurance broker who wants to get in on the action then give us a ring. We might be able to include you in our comparison service…although places are strictly limited and the application process is tough. We only take the best.

If you are a van owner then all you have to do is fill in the 3 minute form. You only get quotes from the best of the best.

Speaking of the best…I’ve just received a text from our CNR who is on route to Dundee.

“Motorway Mayhem and Meerkat Madness…” was the only words he wrote.

Something tells me we are in for another wild ride. Stay tuned.

The Cardiff Incident – RE: White Van Man

Posted on by News Desk

As I walked back towards the CVI limo I noticed the windows were steamed up. “What are you doing?” I demanded to know…

Hi, It’s the CNR from CVI here and I am probably getting ahead of myself a bit. Let’s start from the beginning, shall we? Ok, here is the bizarre story, involving a…yep you got it, a white van man.

As CVI enthusiasts will know I’ve been in Cardiff on tour, seeking out stories about white van men becoming “unhinged” in this “summer of scam” that is going on right now, as we speak.

I wasn’t disappointed .As soon as I took to the streets of Cardiff I found plenty of stories about white van drivers being unleashed and unchained.

At the end of a long day filling up my notebook with stories I decided it was time to take a break and get some food before heading back to the hotel for the night.

“Take me to Tesco,” I said to the Limo driver, and with those words he drove me through the quiet Cardiff streets to the supermarket car park.

“I’m going to get a pot noodle, do you want anything?” I asked the limo driver.

“yes get me a beef and tomato flavour,” he replied.

“Ok…oh and put the kettle on while I’m gone…we need it for our pot noodles,” I said.

Tesco was empty which meant I quickly located the pot noodle aisle and found a chicken and mushroom flavour for me and beef and tomato for the driver, then I headed for the checkout.

With two pot noodles firmly in hand I walked back out into the quiet car park and what I saw next I couldn’t believe. The end of the day suddenly became the headline of the day.

My first reaction was to drop the pot noodles and reach for my Motorola, but then I remembered it didn’t have a camera. So I did what any Chief News Reporter would do in this situation…I got out my notebook.

I simply wrote what I saw…

“White Volkswagen van driving around Tesco car park, with a man clinging to the top and doing press ups. Another man in the van driving. Man on top still doing press ups. Coked up? Puff the magic dragon? Has the white van man finally become totally unhinged? Still driving around the car park…still doing press ups..it has now driven off into the night.”

What more could I do? I headed towards the limo still in a daze.

As I walked back towards the CVI limo I noticed the windows were steamed up. “What are you doing?” I demanded to know…

The window of the limo opened up slightly and some steam flew out.

“I’m boiling the kettle…for the pot noodles,” the limo driver said.

“Oh” I replied, “of course,” realising I had forgot all about the pot noodles.

I went back and picked them up off the ground and then got in the limo.

We sat there in silence eating our pot noodles. I wasn’t even sure if the limo driver had seen the white van incident because the windows had been steamed up. I wasn’t even sure if this was reality anymore.

Rather than say anything about the incident I decided to finish my pot noodle and then say to the limo driver…

“Take me back to CVI HQ…we must drive through the night.”

I didn’t want to hang around in Cardiff any longer I thought to myself. This summer was getting way too strange.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover