Tag: comparison website

The Truth About Admiral Van Insurance

Posted on by News Desk

A press release about Admiral van insurance has just landed on my desk, and after reading through I decided to write a blog post about them.

“Great reasons to choose Admiral van insurance” was the title at the top of the page, and the writer of this particular piece went on to highlight the key features of becoming a customer over there at Admiral.

As many of you may very well be aware, Admiral are one of the companies that partner the nations favourite van insurance comparison site…Cheap Van Insurance, and if you fill in the quick 3 minute form then you instantly get quotes from around 40 companies…with Admiral being one of them.

There is no doubt that Admiral are a legitimate and well trusted van insurance company, I can vouch for that.

They offer insurance for all types of vans, including small, transit and larger commercial vehicles that weigh up to 3.5 tonnes.

Not only that, but 14 million customers have at one time or another called Admiral their van insurer, while at the same time they offer policies to suit your needs, whether it be third party, fire and theft, or comprehensive.

With all that being said do I recommend that you go directly to the Admiral van insurance website and sign up as a customer? Absolutely not!

Instead, you should do what every smart van driver in the UK does…compare quotes right here at the comparison website that delivers results, not just hype and failed promises. We don’t do any fancy advertising…just a straight forward approach designed for UK van owners.

Cheap Van Insurance is the name and discount prices is the game. You don’t need any other comparison website. Most of them are rubbish anyway.

The great thing about comparing right here is that Admiral could very well give you the best quote for your own unique situation. If that happens then great, you can go directly through to their site from here with the click of a button.

However, it could just be that another van insurance company are the right match for you and your business requirements.

Let’s not forget that there are many different considerations to take into account when comparing van insurance. For example, if you want fleet management insurance then another company might offer you the best quote or most flexible options. The only way to truly find out is to fill in the form right now.

It doesn’t matter if you have a Ford, Renault, VW or Vauxhall. You can get quotes right now for any make or model.

This is the site where van drivers in all professions come to get their quotes, and usually save a packet. So if you are looking for a brand new quote or you want to switch companies then you are most definitely in the right place.

Postie Out, Robots In…

Posted on by News Desk

The days of seeing a Royal Mail van pull up outside your house and a postie in shorts jump out the back may be coming to an end.

That is if the US Postal Service have anything to do with it anyway, as it’s just been announced they have very specific plans for the future of delivering mail and packages. “Postie out, robots in,” is the memo.

In other words, they want to get rid of the humble postie, who over the years has remained dedicated to delivering your mail in all weather conditions…rain, wind, snow, or sunshine, all while wearing a pair of shorts.

Instead, the US Postal Service want robots turning up at the doors of households. Sure, they will be efficient, but will they have any personality? My opinion is no, they will be too…robotic.

A robotic personality maybe, but it certainly appears that robots are the future of delivery. Remember how I reported recently about supermarkets in the UK wanting self driving vans with robots controlling them? Or how about the 4 hour delivery van that only requires a robot? The writing is on the wall it seems.

Or maybe not…we are talking about the “US Postal Service” here, perhaps they wont follow suit in the UK? Unfortunately I believe they will, just like everything else. McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, American Football…the UK ends up getting everything from America and this includes robot posties in vans.

Right now there are 228,000 US Postal vans on the roads of America, and if everything goes to plan the vast majority of these vans will be self driving and featuring robots by the year 2025.

I would expect the UK to jump on board with the same kind of plan as soon as the technology is proven, and once this happens we may never see another postie in shorts turning up at doorsteps again.

Instead it will be the robot with a delivery. Focused? Yes. Time for a chat? No. Robotic by name and robotic by nature.

Will all van drivers be robots in this futuristic Britain? Not at all, because while there are some jobs that can be done by a robot there are others that will always need a human on board.

Take your average roofer as an example. Like posties they also wear shorts in all weather conditions, but unlike posties I don’t think they are going to be replaced by robots anytime soon.

I just can’t imagine letting a robot loose on your roof to change the roof tiles or point up the ridge tiles, that would be a disaster waiting to happen.

Better to keep roofers very much human then, just like the majority of tradespeople such as builders, electricians, plumbers and carpenters.

Skilled workers who get the job done, wear shorts, visit a comparison site for van insurance and sometimes get involved in bouts of rage. The “white van man” so to speak.

Van Rental Company Owner Blasts Criminals

Posted on by News Desk

It’s the perfect match. You need a short term van and go to a van rental company. Unfortunately, not everyone has legal intentions…they intend to be illegal.

Criminals that is, who are renting vans all around the country as a way to carry out their activities without being caught by the cops. Many are getting away with it as well, but the owner of one particular van rental company is fed up.

Andrew Tindall who runs Foxy Rentals in Hull has recently commented to the media about criminals who rent his vans to do illegal activities, and he is not impressed.

“Criminals are using my vans to go on stealing sprees,” said Andrew. “You are only one insurance claim away from closing down,” he went on to add.

In other words, it’s these criminals who are putting his van rental company at risk, because if they keep on using the vans to do things such as armed robberies, shoplifting, smuggling, home theft, crash for cash and drug dealing, then the van insurance company could make his policies more expensive, to the point where it would be almost impossible to make a profit anymore.

While the vast majority of people who rent vans are above board and legitimate people who just need a vehicle to do things like move goods from one house to another or pick up some stock for their business, the problem is that finding the criminals is not easy.

The requirements to hire a van are quite limited in the UK, where people only need to be 23 and have a driving licence that has no more than 6 points on it.

Any criminal with bad intentions can tick these boxes and hire a commercial van with ease, and then be on the road in minutes ready to commit illegal acts of crime that would certainly interest the Police.

Not only that, but many people seem to think that driving in a hired van makes them above the law when on UK roads, with Andrew commenting that “there are some people that will not accept responsibility. They get in somebody else’s property and think they are invincible from the law.

This includes drivers speeding, driving in bus lanes, avoiding tolls, and splashing innocent members of the public with puddles.

Also, let’s not forget that many van drivers have been known to take part in a bit of road rage, with this past Summer being known as “The Summer of Rage.”

Things seem to have quieted down a bit on that front, maybe because it is getting too cold to get out of the van and start throwing punches. Van drivers are wrapped up in blankets and sipping a hot cup of tea, only leaving their vans to do a bit of work before going back to have a sandwich

The one piece of advice I can give to van rental company owners is to always use a comparison website for your insurance.

Yes, you might be getting more expensive rates because of criminals, but if you compare then at least you can get some better quotes and save yourself some money.

Van Drivers – Save £300 a Year on Insurance With Telematics

Posted on by News Desk

A recent study found that only 5% of van drivers in the UK have a telematics insurance policy. It’s amazing when you think about it…really.

Amazing how? Well, that same study discovered that van drivers who do have telematics installed, save, on average, around £300 a year on their van insurance costs. Not exactly small change is it now, and it makes you wonder why so many people are ignoring the power of telematics.

Perhaps the word on the street is that telematics van insurance is something to be avoided? It could very well be.

I myself have heard a few traders and “white van men” speak of telematics as though it is some kind of big brother watching over your shoulder, ready to pounce on any mistake in your driving style and then dish out punishment.

Of course, if you drive like a maniac and regularly break the rules of the road then a telematics policy for your van probably isn’t the best idea, but then again, being on the road probably isn’t a good idea either.

However, as far as I can tell your average van man or woman are a decent lot who want to follow the rules and be safe drivers on UK roads. This is why I reckon telematics would benefit the vast majority of van owners…far more than 5% anyway.

So how do you get started with telematics van insurance anyway? The best way is to contact your current insurer and ask them about it, or even better, use a van comparison website to find out which companies are offering the best deals.

Once you’ve chosen a provider they will probably install a device in your van which runs 24/7 and starts recording every time you turn the key in the ignition. Don’t worry, it isn’t recording your conversations. This isn’t the FBI, it’s telematics.

All they are interested in is driving data such as how fast you accelerate, how harsh you brake, and if you obey the speed limits. What is really impressive is the fact that all of this data is then available to view in Apps where the driver is given a score or rating.

Some van insurance companies even reward their customers with more discounts and prizes each month if you really impress with your driving.

So the incentive is definitely there to be on your best behaviour…but will British van drivers actually take the bait, or will they continue to pay sky high insurance rates, year after year? In my opinion, it could be the latter.

Which is a shame really because with the average van insurance quote reaching £1500 for the first time this year, I think a lot of van drivers could do with a £300 discount.

When you combine telematics with the power of a van insurance comparison site, then the potential to save even more cash is right there for the taking.

Van Driver Surfs Internet While Driving

Posted on by News Desk

One thing every van driver should be doing is keeping both hands on the wheel and their complete focus on the road. Not surfing the internet.

Not every van owner seems to have got this memo however, as a lot of drivers whip out their smartphones and then start checking Facebook and posting selfies on Instagram.

Take the recent story of a man driving a white Ford transit van in Surrey, who caught the attention of Police sitting in an unmarked vehicle. Why did he catch their attention? Because he wasn’t watching the road, he was looking at his smartphone instead.

What really takes this story to the next level is the fact that once the Police started flashing their lights and telling him to pull over, he decided to try a getaway by speeding off.

This led to a short pursuit, but eventually the van driver came to his senses and decided that it wasn’t worth an appearance on Britain’s Most Wanted over looking at some websites on his phone.

We can only wonder what type of sites he was browsing when driving around the streets of Surrey…perhaps this website, Cheap Van Insurance? It definitely would make sense if he was after cheap quotes for his white Ford transit van, but it was obviously the wrong time to be doing it.

I would just like to take this opportunity to remind all van drivers that when it’s time to visit the nations favourite van insurance comparison website, make sure you do it when not driving your van.

The best place is while relaxing at home if you ask me, where you can put your feet up and then use your laptop or tablet to fill out the simple 3 minute form.

You could also park up your van and turn off the engine and then visit this website using your smartphone. Just make sure you are not on the road and driving because the Police are looking out for offenders, and they only need the smallest excuse to go after van drivers.

The punishment for this particular van driver from Surrey who was caught surfing the internet? £250 in fines and 6 points on his licence. Not exactly ideal is it, especially when you consider that another 6 points and he loses his licence.

Not only that, but the van insurance companies also take note of any points on your licence, and are less likely to give you cheaper quotes when it comes to time to compare.

I’m sure the van driver from Surrey is going to be careful in future and hopefully there won’t be a repeat performance.

This goes for all van drivers around the UK…don’t surf the internet while driving, even if it’s to visit Cheap Van Insurance to get a quote. Wait until you are off the road or back home, otherwise the Police are going to be after you.

How to Get Cheap Van Insurance – 2017 Edition

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We’ve been hearing a lot recently about how van drivers are causing havoc on the roads of the UK and getting their vans stolen while watching TV.

Is it really all doom and gloom? It doesn’t have to be, and in fact, if you get cheap van insurance then you might just save yourself a packet.

I’m sure that would put you in a better mood and less likely to go into a rage the next time a cyclist does something annoying.

Firstly, let me just say that insuring your van in 2017 is a requirement by law, and if you don’t get it then you are driving illegally.

This means when you get pulled over by the cops (and it will happen because they have the technology now to catch you) not only will they take your van away, but you will also get a fine and points on your licence.

So we know that you definitely need van insurance, but does that mean the cheapest van insurance is always the way to go? In my opinion, no, because while you might be able to find a really low quote, and there are plenty of those here at CHEAP VAN INSURANCE, it might not always be the best option for your own needs.

For example, if you just get third party van insurance cover, then you are only covered when you do damage to other vehicles on the road. If your own van gets written off or stolen, then you have to pay for it out of your own pocket, which isn’t always ideal.

That is why many van drivers opt for third party, fire and theft insurance, because if their van is damaged by fire or stolen, then at least they have some kind of coverage.

You must understand that although this does cover you for theft of a van, if your tools are stolen then you won’t receive a penny, and as we’ve been hearing a lot about recently, thieves are having a field day when getting into vans quickly and easily to steal tools. It’s all to do with these magic keys that are sold on the internet.

This means that if you do want to be covered for theft of tools then you need to opt for a fully comprehensive van insurance, although be aware that not every policy is the same.

Many times you will have to buy “goods in transit” cover as an extra to be covered for tool theft, so make sure you check that before handing over your cash to the insurance company.

Once you’ve chosen what type of cover to get, then how do you get cheap van insurance and not get left paying full price? Good question…here are a few ideas.

Ask about discounts

One way to get cheap van insurance in 2017 is to speak directly with insurance companies about any discounts that might be available

For example, a no-claims discount is something that is offered a lot, as well as special fleet discount insurance when you you want to cover more than 1 van.

Always tell the truth

I know there are some van drivers out there who might be tempted to lie a bit when trying to get cheap van insurance, and although it might work at first, if you ever need to make a claim then you might find yourself out of pocket.

A good example of this is van drivers who say they park their van in a garage overnight, even though it is parked on the street. You might get a cheaper quote by saying this, but if your van gets stolen then the insurance company will quickly rip up your policy and ignore your calls.

Use a comparison website

There are so many insurers out there in 2017, how do you know that your current provider is offering very cheap van insurance? The simple answer is…you don’t, and that is where a comparison website comes into the picture.

All you need to do is enter your details in the form once, and then all of that information is instantly sent to around 40 different companies. Getting cheap van insurance has never been so easy.

ALERT: Van Insurance Scam – Ghost Broking

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All van drivers are being warned about a new van insurance scam that has been sweeping the nation. It’s called ghost broking.

Car owners have mostly been targeted so far, although van drivers are expected to be hit by criminals so it’s important that you know about it.

Basically, what seems to be happening here is that these scammers are using details of innocent UK citizens to setup “ghost van insurance policies” and then selling them on to members of the public at reduced prices.

That means there are two potential ways you could end up getting scammed here, whether it is with the criminals using your details or if you buy a dodgy policy from a ghost broking van insurance site.

One van driver who wishes to remain nameless became a victim to ghost broking, and he had hundreds of letters sent to his house, each addressed to a different person and all with the usual van insurance documents inside.

That is why van owners are being told: if you start getting strange letters addressed to other people and inside there are insurance documents…don’t ignore it, tell the Police.

Not only that, but when shopping around for van insurance make sure you use a trusted site with a good reputation.

If you buy a policy from one of these ghost broking sites then you are breaking the law even if you don’t realise it.

Also, the van insurance policy will not be worth the paper it is printed on, and you won’t be able to make a claim if you need to. In other words, it’s a complete waste of time.

Instead, just stick with a site like this one, Cheap Van Insurance, where you can be 100% confident that every quote is legitimate and from recognised companies.

Anyone caught with a ghost broking policy could even have their van taken away by Police, as well as facing a potential fine of £300 and having to buy new insurance for the time you didn’t have any.

Listen, I know that van insurance is really expensive right now and some van owners are looking to save some money, but purchasing fake policies is definitely NOT the way to go.

You are much better off buying a real policy through a van insurance comparison website, and then at least you have peace of mind.

So always look for the “Cheap Van Insurance” logo when comparing quotes, and if you can’t see it then you are on the wrong site…and potentially on a ghost broking site. Click away and come back here.

24% of Van Drivers Lie On Their Insurance Application

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A new study looking at the habits of van drivers found that nearly a quarter lie about various things on their van insurance application form.

I must admit, I’m shocked to find out that so many van drivers would actively lie when applying for van insurance, it was always my opinion that most, if not all, were an honest bunch who wanted to tell the truth.

Well, I suppose that approximately 75% do tell the truth, or they just didn’t admit to lying when asked about it in the study, but I would like to think that most van drivers are honest and tell the truth…especially when using a comparison website.

Let’s say that you fill in the form on this website, which should take you no more than about 3 minutes.

It’s very important that you tell the truth and nothing but the truth, because when we send off your details to around 40 van insurance companies they really need to know the facts about your situation so they are able to give you an accurate quote.

Do you know why you should always be completely honest when filling in any kind of van insurance form? Quite simply, because if you withhold details or bend the truth slightly, then when it comes take to make a claim you might not be able to.

That’s right, when you lie there is a risk you could invalidate your policy completely, to the point where your van insurance is not even worth the paper it is printed on.

You end up losing out twice, because you are essentially paying for a policy that isn’t even active and then if you need to make a claim for damage to your van or something like that you won’t get a penny.

Not only that, but most van drivers are not aware that it’s against the law to lie on your insurance application. Don’t believe me? Then you should refer to the Road Traffic Act, van insurance section, where it quite clearly states that it is an offence to withhold information when applying to an insurer for cover.

According to the study one of the main areas where van drivers bend the truth is about penalty points on their license. Most of the time they “forget” to mention they have 3 or 6 points in the hope that they will get a cheaper quote.

As you are no doubt aware, insurers look at your complete driving profile when coming up with a quote and if you have points on your license then it does typically make it a bit more expensive.

It seems that nearly a quarter of van drivers think they are being clever by lying about penalty points, because they do get a cheaper quote initially, but of course, if they need to make a claim then any insurer will look more closely at the details provided, and if it doesn’t match up then forget about any kind of payout.

The message here is clear if you ask me. Don’t lie on your van insurance application. Just tell the truth, even if it means you pay a bit extra.

New Study – Best Places to Appeal Van Parking Tickets

Posted on by News Desk

Ever wondered why you always seem to get a parking ticket? It’s because you are a van driver…that’s why.

I’ve reported before about how van drivers are being singled out by over eager traffic wardens, with some owners getting a ticket when their van is parked on the drive at the front of the house. You couldn’t make these kind of stories up.

While there isn’t much you can do about finding a ticket slapped onto your front windscreen, you might be pleased to hear that you can fight back. Even better, according to a new study, there are some places in the UK where you are more likely to be successful in your appeal.

This has led pundits to refer to it as a “ parking ticket postcode lottery,” where some van drivers are going to be successful in their appeals, while others are left wondering just what is going on.

I suppose it is a bit like van insurance really. Some van drivers live in the right postcode and get rewarded with cheap quotes, while others, especially those in East London, get the highest van insurance quotes ever seen.

If you have just been quoted an expensive price for your van insurance, then my advice is to shop around on a website like this one. It only takes a few minutes, and you should start to see cheaper quotes almost instantly.

Back to the parking tickets for van drivers and you are no doubt wondering just what are the best places to appeal? The study mentions that some councils approve almost every appeal while others the ratio is just 1 in 10, so it’s definitely worth knowing which places are the most van driver friendly.

To give you an example of how bizarre this can be…last year a place called Runnymede in Surrey only approved 9% of appeals by van drivers, while just 30 miles away in Basingstoke and Deane in Hampshire 95% of the appeals sent in got a stamp of approval.

Other places where you are more likely to find success are Waveney in Suffolk, Swale in Kent, and South Tyneside in Kent.

Should you always appeal a parking ticket though, or are there times when you might be better off just accepting your punishment? In my opinion, if you genuinely are in the wrong then maybe it’s a good idea to simply pay up and move on with your life. However, if you think the parking ticket has been issued unfairly, then fighting back is a good option.

For example, if the signs were wrong, the traffic warden got it wrong, there was an error on the ticket, a thief stole your van and parked illegally, or if you just think you have been singled out because you are a van driver…then do everything in your power to appeal.

Prison Van Gets Parking Ticket…Outside a Court

Posted on by News Desk

In news that proves traffic wardens have lost the plot, it was revealed that a prison van got a ticket while parked outside a court in Sussex.

The whole incident was caught on video camera, where the warden can be clearly seen walking directly up to the prison van and then slapping a ticket right on the windscreen…before calmly walking away.

Did he not even notice this was a prison van…outside of a court? If the van wants to park on double yellow lines then it can, because it’s probably there to pick up criminals and take them to prison.

Much better if the driver does that rather than parking half way across town, where a dangerous criminal then has many potential options to escape on the walk from court.

In my opinion, this is just another example of these power hungry traffic wardens and the companies they work for, who seem to think they rule the cities and towns of our country. Well, they don’t, and something needs to be done about it.

Many of you agree with me as well, because every day I am getting emails from van drivers around the country who are fed up of being targeted by these traffic wardens.

A lot of hard working van owners are simply trying to get a job done or make a delivery, only to find a parking ticket on the windscreen as soon as they go to get a cup of tea. It just isn’t on.

As if you all don’t have enough expenses to be contending with right now, such as van insurance and tax…do you really need these parking firms adding more expense to your accounts? I don’t think so.

Unfortunately, fighting back against parking tickets is usually a waste of time, even when you drive a prison van it seems.

Instead, the best way to fight back against expensive motoring is to always compare van insurance when you have to renew.

Never let your policy auto renew, because I can tell you now that you won’t be getting the best deal if you do that, because your current insurer wants to get as much money out of you as they can.

You have to be smarter about van insurance in order to win, and it starts by using a comparison website.

This puts you back in control, and gives you some bargaining power if you want to confront your current insurer about their expensive prices. They are more willing to listen if you have other offers on the table.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover