Tag: cheap van insurance

5 Van Insurance Companies Join Forces = 1 Super Company!

Posted on by News Desk

In a deal that has been the talk of the van insurance world, it has just been announced that 5 companies are to join forces.

Autonet, Towergate, Chase Templeton, Ryan Direct, and Price Forbes are the van insurance companies who have come together, in a move that many industry insiders are calling “monumental.”

It is thought that this super company will now focus all of their attention on offering van insurance for the “man on the street” or the “white van man” as some people might say.

There has also been talk that during top secret meetings and calls, the 5 companies referred to the deal as “Project Kairos,” which is a Greek work that simply means…the right moment.

Let’s hope that it is the right moment for these van insurance companies and their newly formed super company, although they are certainly entering a competitive market where things are not easy.

This is good for the consumer though, where they now have many different insurance companies all vying for their business.

If you are the “man on the street” or “white van man” and you want van insurance at a fair price, then what better place to start than right here? Sure, you could go directly to this newly formed company for a quote, or even to one of the other well known insurers, but it’s much better idea to start at a van insurance comparison website.

The reason? Because you get a much better sense of what is out there, as you are able to instantly compare quotes and deals from over 100 insurance companies.

Yes, you very well might get a better quote elsewhere by going directly to a company, but you don’t know until you compare online first. It gives you a better idea of the market and what is out there.

Back to the newly formed van insurance super company, and if reports are to be trusted then it’s understood that they will now attempt to raise £800 million worth of capital.

This will involve US private equity groups apparently, although it does make you wonder what they need all this cash for…maybe to make some TV adverts? Hopefully not.

The new company is temporarily named Kris, although if you ask me, they might want to get back to the drawing board on that one. I’m sure some of that £800 million can go towards hiring someone to come up with a decent name.

They currently have 5000 staff across the 5 companies who will now all come under the one company, and estimated revenue for this year will be around £500 million.

You might very well find the cheapest van insurance with Kris, but you should start here first where you can compare over 100 companies.

Driving at 31mph Could Mean Very Expensive Van Insurance

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As the Police are getting tougher on motorists who speed on the roads, van drivers are being warned about the potential expense of being pulled over.

This comes after reports of a van driver who was stopped by the cops for speeding at 31mph in a 20mph zone, and after a good telling off they decided to slap 6 points onto his license. Not exactly something you want to happen is it, but Police now have orders to be tougher on anyone caught speeding.

If 6 points on your license isn’t enough punishment, van drivers are being made aware of the potential expense it could mean for their wallet…when it comes to van insurance that is.

The amount of points you have on your license is taken into consideration by the van insurance companies when you send in your application, and when they see a recent 6 points, and for speeding as well…then don’t be surprised if you find yourself paying hundreds of pounds more than you expect.

One site even did a calculation on exactly how much 6 points on your license could add to your insurance, and they came up with a number of £328, which on average, could very well be put on to a van insurance quote.

Let’s face it, van insurance is expensive enough right now as it is, do you really want to be paying more? Of course not, and that is why you should always watch your speed and keep it within the limits. Even going a few miles per hour above the speed limit can result in a fine and points. Don’t take the chance.

You might want to consider telematics insurance for your van, where all of the driving data is recorded and then sent off to the insurance company.

If you stay within the speed limits and drive safely, then not only will you keep out of trouble with the law, but your van insurer will also see what a good driver you are and hopefully reward you with a cheaper policy, not a more expensive one.

Another good way to make sure you get cheap van insurance is to visit a comparison website, where in only 3 minutes you can put in some basic details about yourself and your van, and then instantly get access to over 100 quotes.

Also, don’t forget that you can get a quote at anytime even if your renewal date is a few months away.

What a lot of drivers do is to start comparing quotes around 2 months before their renewal comes up, then if they find a really cheap deal they can simply pay a small cancellation fee with their current provider to end the coverage early and begin with the cheap van insurance right away.

Drivers “Optimistic” About New Van Technology

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New van technology is here, and it is here to stay. Drivers have not always embraced this kind of technology..until now? A new survey reveals all.

This survey was actually conducted by a van insurance comparison website, a bit like this one, although we think our site is much easier to use. Straight to the point and no-nonsense.

Out of all the people asked in the survey, more than 50% said they were concerned about safety when it came to new technology in their vans.

I can see where they are coming from with that one, because at the end of the day, when you have all these new gadgets installed in your van it often takes your attention away from the road.

Just under 50% of those surveyed admitted that new van technology could very well make them too reliant on gadgets, to the point where it would diminish the actual skill of the worker.

I agree with that one. Yes technology is good, but I think we could soon get to a point where the reliance on technology is just too much, and the skill level of van drivers is not what it was.

Not surprisingly, only 1.5% of van drivers said they wanted technology that allowed them to run apps in their vans. I’m sure that most drivers still struggle to operate the apps on their phone, never mind starting to integrate it into the vehicle. Too confusing.

Automatic parking fared a bit better in the survey, with many van drivers admitting they prefer to let the vehicle do the work rather than having to park themselves.

However, when it came to the subject of driverless vans many people were not so keen, obviously because if a van doesn’t need a driver then many of those who were surveyed would be out of a job.

Drivers also didn’t like the idea of telematics that is designed to monitor driving style in a bid to get cheap van insurance. Although they like the idea of paying less, the “big brother” nature of telematics is a bit off putting for many of those surveyed.

In my opinion I don’t think they have anything to be concerned about when it comes to telelmatics, as long as they are obeying the laws of the road of course.

Cheap van insurance is difficult enough to find, so anything that can be done to gain trust of the insurance companies should be applauded and not ignored.

Just like a van insurance comparison website. Every van driver should use one if you ask me, mainly because you can find many different quotes and then instantly compare them.

Overall, the survey found that many drivers were “optimistic” about new van technology, with 82% being interested in some form of technology that is on offer right now.

Clean Van = Cheap Van Insurance? NO!

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A recent survey gives us an insight into van drivers around the UK and how they look after their vehicles. The results are interesting.

The one statistic that I noticed right away is how 45% of van drivers in Sheffield never wash the outside of their van at all, leaving them with the dubious title of “dirtiest vans in the UK.”

In contrast, van drivers in London are considered to be the cleanest, with 38% of drivers washing their vans every week. However, this isn’t a job they tend to do themselves, instead hiring a cleaning or valet company to do the work.

It doesn’t seem that a clean van means cheap van insurance though, because as I’ve talked about before, London has the most expensive insurance quotes, while places such as Sheffield in Yorkshire have some of the cheapest.

Imagine if van insurance companies started noting how clean you kept your van, and then gave you more expensive quotes if it had not been washed for a long time. I’m sure that drivers in Sheffield would soon start getting that bucket and sponge out.

Overall, 17% of those surveyed around the country admitted they never washed their van at all…perhaps they just prefer to wait for the rain? Maybe that is why Sheffield has very little washing going on, because they get the most rain!

67% of those who took part in the survey also said their van is typically filled with food and drink wrappers, and they only clean it up once it literally becomes unmanageable

22% also confessed they use a spare seat in their van as a rubbish bin, while 62% said they prefer to pay someone else to clean their van.

It isn’t just London where vans are a lot cleaner. Cities such as Belfast and Birmingham also see van drivers giving their vehicles weekly cleans, although in these cities they are more reluctant to pay someone to do the job, preferring to do the washing themselves.

While all of this does make for some amusing reading, let’s not forget that if the van is the face of your business and is often the first thing a potential customer looks at, then it makes sense to at least give the outside of your van a wash once a week.

Never washing it all, like 45% of van drivers in Sheffield, might save you a bit of time, but you can also lose valuable customers and business.

Talking of saving time, if you are looking to get a cheap van insurance quote but don’t want to spend hours contacting different companies then you are definitely in the right place. Just use our simple form to get started, and then get quotes from many different companies almost immediately.

It has never been easier to compare van insurance quotes, saving yourself both time and money. Give it a try right now.

Van Drivers Told – “Demand Cheap Insurance”

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Ever think to yourself that van insurance is getting more expensive? You are not alone, as millions of drivers around the country get hit in the wallet.

Should you just take it though and accept these expensive prices? One leading insurance expert says no, and in fact, you should actually demand a cheaper quote.

As we speak, the average van insurance policy costs £1500, although in certain parts of the country, such as East London, you can expect to pay even more.

The problem is that many van drivers think there is nothing they can do about it, especially as most quotes are generated by big multi-national companies worth billions.

The general thought process is that you can’t haggle with these companies to get cheap van insurance, but in most situations you can, and if persistent you will win.

I reckon the message here for van drivers around the country is clear…”demand cheap insurance.”

A new report that was recently published announced that van drivers who haggle and don’t take the first quote they are offered, typically save on average about 10%.

Not only that, but if you use the haggling technique in conjunction with a van insurance comparison website, like the one you are on right now, then you could potentially save even more.

Say goodbye to the average van insurance price that everyone else pays, and say hello to your special price, the one reserved for those van drivers who are prepared to go the extra mile.

Most people assume that big van insurance companies won’t haggle and would simply laugh at the very notion, but no, they are more than prepared to listen to your pitch and the reason for this is…competition.

That’s right. The fact of the matter is that competition is fierce right now between the insurance companies, and they all want your business.

This is why I am always telling van drivers…use a comparison website to find some cheap quotes and then phone them up to haggle and play them against each other.

However, even though many people listen to my message, only around 27% of van drivers do any kind of haggling when it comes time to get a new policy or renew.

Fortunately, you are now one of the insiders, and have the knowledge needed to get cheap van insurance quotes even when it is getting more expensive for everybody else.

So what are you waiting for? Compare van insurance right now and then be prepared to haggle if you really want to save money.

New Survey: How to get the Best Value Van Insurance

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Ever wondered why some business owners always seem to get the best value van insurance? It isn’t by chance I can tell you that.

Thanks to a new survey of van drivers in the UK, we can better understand exactly how smart business owners get cheap insurance for their vehicles. Yes you heard that right. A few hundred people were surveyed, and they gave their best tips so that you can save money.

When I read the results of the survey, I must admit that I’ve heard all of these tips before, but it’s always a good idea to remind yourself of them if you want to get the best value van insurance.

Tell the truth

I know there are a few van drivers out there who might be tempted to make a few things up on their van insurance application. My advice? Don’t do it.

If you have to make a claim but your insurer finds out you didn’t tell the truth, which they probably will, then expect to have your policy cancelled. It goes without saying this is going to be very costly for you. Just tell the truth.

Multi buy discounts

One of the best ways for business owners to get cheap van insurance is to find out more about multi buy discounts.

This works out really well if you have two or more vehicles in your company, because you can then put them all on one policy and the insurance company rewards you for that.

Keep your vehicle safe

I have reported before on how Police are being called out to more van break ins than ever before, and from what I’m hearing this is a problem that is not going away. Unfortunately, criminals see vans as an easy way to carry out their activities, but this only serves to make van insurance more expensive.

This is why I advise everybody….keep your vehicle as safe as possible, including any tools that you have. The ideal scenario is to park your vehicle in a garage away from the street and to always take out tools at the end of the day.

If you can prove to insurers that your van is not going to be on show for every criminal in your area to get a look at, then you have a very good chance of getting the best value van insurance.

Shop around

When you have been with an insurance company for many years then you might feel a sense of loyalty to that company. However, in my experience you are not usually rewarded for your repeat business, and if anything, you could actually get a cheaper deal by going elsewhere.

Finding other quotes by shopping around might appear to be a hassle, especially when you are busy, but in fact it really isn’t that difficult when you use a comparison website. You can then find the best value van insurance.

Derbyshire Police to Focus on Van Break Ins

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Police around the country do their best to stop van break ins, but in Derbyshire they are setting up a team to focus all their efforts on this problem.

This comes at a time when reports of criminal incidents involving vans has become a daily occurrence in Derbyshire, especially with trade vehicles that keep a lot of power tools in the vehicle overnight.

Specifically, the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales have become local areas where van break ins are happening just about every week, and this has led to the Police stepping in to take action.

“Despite our best efforts, theft from vans continues to be an issue in the High Peak and also Derbyshire Dales,” commented a spokesperson for the Police.

In my opinion this is definitely something the Police need to do something about, because if they don’t, then it is almost certain that many van drivers in Derbyshire will see their van insurance become more expensive.

We are already in a time where van insurance companies are finding any excuse to make it more expensive…why give them another one? Everybody wants to pay less, not more.

It’s not just the Police who need to take action though, the van owners should also be doing their bit. For example, if you own a van and leave tools stored in the back overnight, then criminals will notice. Don’t think you can get away with it or it won’t happen to you, the chances are it will.

This is why you should always take all tools out of the van at the end of a working day and store them somewhere safer…somewhere which is more difficult for thieves to get to.

The main reason why so many of these criminal gangs go after vans is because they are easy to break into. However, when you start storing tools in the garage or in your house then thieves will probably just move on.

Yes it does take a bit more time at the end of the day to take your tools out of the van, but it’s just one of those jobs that needs to be done.

Also, you might want to try making sure the van is always probably locked up before going into your house at night.

Many times, van owners simply forget to secure their doors. Not only that, but try and park your van off the street if possible, in a garage is ideal, but if it has to be on the street then park it in a well-lit area.

It won’t guarantee that your van is 100% safe from criminals, but it makes it a more challenging van to break in to and the chances are they will move onto another one.

If all van owners in the UK followed this simple advice then van break ins would become less of a problem, and more importantly, cheaper van insurance is something most people could find.

You can Save Money on Van Insurance According to Experts

Posted on by News Desk

If you are a business owner in the UK then you’re no doubt aware just how expensive van insurance is these days. It’s just too much.

However, owning a van or numerous vans is often necessary to keep your business running smoothly, whether you need to make deliveries, visit different sites, or simply go to meetings, a van is the number one choice for many people.

In my opinion, I think that many van insurance companies have been getting a bit too complacent just recently, which has resulted in many quotes being twice as much as car insurance quotes.

While van insurance is always going to be more expensive that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do.

Many of the top motoring experts in the UK say you should always compare van insurance, and I agree completely. You can easily do this with a comparison website and get more than enough quotes in minutes.

The good news is that many of these experts have been talking to the media recently about ways business owners can save money on van insurance. Make sure you pay attention to the following tips.

Insuring young van drivers

If you are a small to medium sized business who employs people under the age of 25, then you may have found your van insurance becoming more expensive recently. The simple reason is that young drivers are seen as more of a risk by the insurance companies, so they make their quotes according to this.

Fortunately, there are ways to save money on van insurance for young drivers. One of the best ways according to experts, is to put the drivers on a Pass Plus course that usually costs a few hundred pounds and takes around 6 hours to complete. However, once they have passed the course then expect to save around 20% on the van insurance policy for that driver.

Buying a fleet policy

Another great tip is to buy your van insurance in bulk rather than numerous single policies. This is known as a fleet policy, and many insurance companies are only too pleased to offer you this kind of deal because it means they get all of your business.

The main benefit of buying your van insurance in this way is that you often get discounts, especially when you shop around and speak to different companies.

Telematics and GPS

I’ve talked a lot about telematics and similar technology on this blog, and for good reason, as many experts agree this kind of thing is the future.

This is why business owners who install telematics and GPS tracking devices are often rewarded with cheaper van insurance, because it allows them to track the driving style of their drivers, and if the drivers obey the rules of the road then insurance companies are more confident about giving you better quotes.

Man Admits Driving Without Van Insurance

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A man in Lancashire was spared a prison sentence when he admitted to driving his van without any kind of insurance.

Not usually something they send you to prison for anyway you might be thinking, but when you consider he was also a disqualified driver then it becomes a more serious offence.

The man, who is 34, plead guilty in a court of law for not having a driving license and not having van insurance, although the judge decided not to send him to prison.

Instead, he got a suspended 8 week sentence, which means if he commits an offence again, especially driving a van without insurance, then he will be sent to prison for around 2 months. Not only that, but he also has to follow a 6 week curfew which does not allow him to leave the house between 8pm and 6am.

He was also given a 12 month driving ban, had 6 points put onto his license, given a 6 month supervision requirement and had to pay costs that came to £200.

The sentence was handed out because the man had only recently been banned from driving, and had significant previous offences.

It just goes to show you that driving without van insurance is something that can get you into a lot of trouble. Even if you don’t have any previous offences or a history of being in trouble with the law, if you get caught driving without insurance then the Police will not be very impressed.

You could find yourself in a lot of trouble, and may even have to go to court. As we’ve just seen, a prison sentence is unlikely, but you could easily get a suspended sentence, as well as fines.

My advice is simple…always make sure you get van insurance, and never drive without it. I’m hearing a lot of complaints recently about how “insurance is so expensive” and “I don’t want to pay it anymore,” but in reality you don’t have any choice.

It is UK law that your van must be insured, so if you don’t have a policy right now you must do it right away.

Sure, van insurance is getting more expensive, but if you shop around then you might be surprised to find out exactly how cheap it can be.

The best way to do this is by using a van insurance comparison website so you can have your details sent off to all the major insurance companies, and then within a few minutes you get all the quotes right there in front of you.

Some people have reported saving hundreds of pounds on their van insurance by doing this, so in my opinion, anyone who wants cheaper insurance should give it a try.

Fleet insurance options expand for UK companies

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Tired of not being able to find cheap van insurance? New fleet options are coming our way in less time than it takes to spell ‘fleet insurance.’

Boutique insurance provider Origin UW has come through in a major way for anyone who wants to find a better option for their commercial car insurance needs. Last November it began its foray into commercial cover, and now it’s recently announced that its new fleet insurance product, named ‘Motor Fleet,’ will be ready to go in mid- or late March, building on the company’s already established property owners, office, contractors, and combined cover policies.

One of the newest SME underwriting agencies around, Origin UW is an exclusive managing general agent that has full Lloyd’s Coverholder approval. The firm says it has created its products using the latest in cutting-edge technologies in order to provide quick and responsive insurance solutions, especially for small businesses. How this is going to translate into truly excellent fleet insurance is anybody’s guess, of course; and since Origin UW hasn’t actually publicised any additional details on its new Motor Fleet insurance product as yet, your guess is as good as mine as far as what levels of cover are going to be available for SMEs that have a large cadre of cars, lorries or vans to insure.

Still, all things considered it looks like that we’ll be seeing Origin UW’s reveal very shortly. This means we’ll be able to make our own decisions as to whether this new fleet insurance cover is going to be a winner or not. Personally I would love to see a real contender show up on the scene. The commercial vehicle insurance market is not really as robust as it could be, and as a result there’s a bit of stagnation when it comes to finding cheap van insurance or commercial car insurance. New blood could be just what the industry needs to revitalise itself.

Or it could completely fall on its face. I mean I hope not, but it’s always a possibility, and not facing that fact isn’t doing anyone any favours, especially SMEs who need to keep their fleet of vehicles insured safely without going over budget. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed and we’ll see the lie of the land when it’s time, shall we?

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