Tag: Ford

Waymo Self Driving Vans – Why So Much Hate?

Posted on by News Desk

We haven’t seen too much of self driving vans here in the UK…but across the pond in the USA…they are starting to attract attention.

Take Arizona for example, where a Waymo self driving van attracted the wrong kind of attention.

A shirtless man jumped in front of the Waymo self driving van and pulled out a gun. A 22 caliber Harrington and Richardson Sportsman revolver to be exact.

He pointed the gun directly at the self driving van, but no bullets were fired that day.

Police are saying this was an act of intimidation towards the Waymo. A way of saying…”get out of my neighbourhood, you are not welcome here.”

The man was later arrested (still with no shirt on) and taken to County Jail where he was charged and awaits sentence.

Arizona Police have warned this is not an isolated incident and is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to “Waymo HATE” in the scorching heat of the Arizona Desert.

Apparently it is a common sight to see rocks being thrown at self driving Waymo vans, and one van even had its tire slashed while stopping at a red light.

Other enraged Arizona residents have gone on yelling tirades against the Waymo vans, while another vigilante in a jeep forced the same Waymo self driving van off the road 6 times.

Why so much hate? I think many humans are starting to feel marginalised in this new world of automated technology and robots. Maybe they even feel threatened, almost as if the robots are taking over?

In my opinion this is just their way of saying…”we are still here. We still run this town.”

Only it is a losing battle, because self driving vans are very much here to stay both in America and around the world.

Here at CVI we applaud the efforts of Waymo and their self driving vans and we condemn vigilante acts in Arizona or anywhere else in America.

Hopefully the same thing doesn’t start to happen here on UK shores when Waymo, Ford, Apple, and Tesla start ruling the roads with their self driving vans.

We hope all of you van owners embrace the change and roll out the red carpet for this new technology.

Unfortunately I reckon there may be some problems. Perhaps some disgruntled (former) delivery drivers who are out of a job or a white van man just looking for any opportunity to let off some steam and some rage.

Fortunately you will be able to read about all of the exploits here at the CVI Blog. While at the same time comparing van insurance from around 40 companies and brokers.

Van Drivers EXPOSED

Posted on by News Desk

Just who is that man or woman behind the wheel of a Ford Transit these days? We know most of them use CVI…but who are they exactly?

Well, thanks to new research we have gained a better understanding of exactly who is driving up and down the roads of our nation.

You might think it is the stereotypical “white van man” such as a builder, painter, carpenter, delivery driver, or electrician, and you would be right, they are the foundation of the van economy and the main user of CVI.

However, the research does suggest the landscape of van driving is changing. For example, 14,000 vans are owned by housewives and house husbands and many are used for business and pleasure. Even to take the kids to school.

Do you want more numbers? How about the fact that 414 waiters in the UK own a van. Or how about the fact that professional knitters are now prime targets for the van companies who want to make a sale.

We can’t mention vans without talking about accidents can we? The most accident prone van drivers are plumbing and heating engineers. Sure, they are good with their plungers and they enjoy eating their iced buns, but when it comes to getting into fender benders they are right there at number 1.

Company directors follow up plumbers on the list of accident prone van drivers, followed by carpenters and then joiners.

They are all welcome to fill in the 3 minute form here at CVI though. We forgive you.

When it comes to the battle of the sexes, men vs women, then who can be trusted more on UK roads to drive safely and obey the laws of the road?

The research shows it is women who are safer, with men more likely to get in an accident. 12% to be exact compared to 10% of women van drivers.

Both men and women van drivers visit CVI on a regular basis, with many calling it their home. They access it on their computer, tablet and smartphone, and tell all their family and friends about the power of CVI and the famous 3 minute form.

Back to accidents, and it’s Ford, Volkswagen, and Vauxhall which are the most likely brands to be involved in a crash.

Citroen are hot on the heels, with Renault, Mercedes, and Peugeot not far behind.

Yes you guessed it. CVI welcome all of these van brands and will provide you with a quote no matter how old or new your van is.

We also give quotes for Nissan, Mitsubishi and Fiat vans. Just fill in the simple form and be amazed at the magic of Cheap Van Insurance.

Ford Want Self Driving Vans on the Road by 2021

Posted on by News Desk

One topic I’ve talked about on this blog quite a bit is self driving vans, everyone is interested about them. Well, Ford could be first to market.

The self driving van market that is, which is expected to be worth billions of pounds in a very short amount of time.

Builders, roofers, delivery drivers, electricians, and trades people all around the country are waiting with baited breath…wondering just when one of these driverless machines will become available to buy.

The popular and well known motor company Ford are one of the major brands vying for a piece of the market, and from what I’ve been hearing they are right at the forefront of technology.

So much so that a recent statement by Ford mentioned that a self driving van could be on the market by the year 2021. The future is nearly here, it seems.

According to experts, one of the main reasons why Ford are potentially ahead of the competition when it comes to self driving vans is because they already have many years of experience in the commercial market.

Not only that, but they also own a major share in a company called “Argo AI” which many are calling the best self driving sensor hardware out there right now.

This type of Artificial Intelligence will soon be driving the van, while the owners themselves will be able to put their feet up, read the paper and enjoy a ham sandwich without being disturbed.

In my opinion, I think self driving vans is going to be a good thing for van drivers, especially the so called white van man who has been known to lose control and fly into a rage at times.

Being able to put their feet up and relax will no doubt go a long way in reducing that anger that can sometimes erupt. Who cares about a traffic jam or annoying cyclists when you are browsing social media and drinking a cup of tea? Many van drivers won’t, I’m sure.

Interestingly, Ford have been working closely with Domino’s Pizza in this self driving venture, as they look to better understand what companies want out of vehicles that have to make deliveries.

Does this mean that UK delivery drivers should start writing their resignation letters? Absolutely not, because while Ford may very well have a driverless van in 2021 that could take over the role of doing the actual driving, there will still need to be someone there to make the deliveries and take over when there are any glitches. I’m sure there are going to be many of those during the first few years.

It’s the robots that delivery drivers should fear if you ask me. Once robots start getting in the drivers seat then the traditional human delivery driver could find themselves out of a job. We are all friends now though, for now.

The good news is that in 2021 van drivers will be able to visit the nations favourite van insurance comparison website to get the best quotes. Just fill in the simple form and instantly compare around 40 van insurance companies.

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.

CCTV Catches Van Thieves, Still “Isn’t Enough”

Posted on by News Desk

Van theft is a problem that affects trades people around the UK, but even when you catch them in the act via CCTV it still “isn’t enough” for Police.

Take Chris Webb for example, an electrician who was innocently sat at home watching TV with his family…completely unaware that just metres away on his driveway van thieves were striking, and in minutes his van would be gone.

Unfortunately, Chris was unaware of what happened, until he went out the next morning to get in his van, only to find an empty space.

It was a £10,000 Ford Transit Sport that had vanished into the night, but to make matters even worse, £5000 worth of Bosch power tools also went in the theft, which means Chris is now £15,000 out of pocket.

You might be wondering how these criminals can break in to vans so quickly and quietly? As I’ve talked about before, it’s these “magic keys” that are becoming popular among thieves, that unlock a lot of Ford vans and can be purchased online for around £20. Ford say they are doing something about it, but many people remain unconvinced.

What about the Police, are they doing something about Chris Webb’s stolen van? Well, despite the fact he has the thieves caught on CCTV with a lot of clear footage it appears they are not really that bothered.

According to Chris, he phoned the Police immediately once he realised the van had been stolen but it took then 2 days to even ring back.

When he eventually did get to speak with an officer Chris mentioned about the CCTV footage which he was told to send over to the station. However, since that time nothing has been done and a spokesperson for the Police has said they cannot view the material and want it to be sent again.

I’m sure the Police do their best in situations like this, but it is frustrating when they don’t seem to be doing enough especially when the victim has clear CCTV footage.

The £10,000 Ford Transit Sport van should be covered by his insurance. Unfortunately, his power tools were not on the insurance, which means he has started to buy replacement tools at a cost of £1500 so far.

This is why I always advise van drivers, make sure your tools are not kept in the van overnight, or you could also insure your tools at extra cost, especially if you keep £5000 or more of power tools in the van.

One of the reasons why van insurance is getting more expensive is because van theft is a real problem. Everybody needs to be doing their part to stop it…van manufactures, van drivers, the insurance companies, and the Police. Together we can beat the criminals.

Thieves use “Magic Keys” to Unlock Vans

Posted on by News Desk

Just when you thought van crime couldn’t get anymore unusual, well it did…this time in a place called Stapleford, a town in Nottingham.

So what exactly happened here? It appears that criminals have been purchasing “magic keys” on the internet, which basically are able to unlock certain types of vans, mainly Ford vans I’ve been hearing.

One of the recent victims to these thieves is a Stapleford Roofer, after his van was broken into and tools stolen while parked overnight on New Eatons Road. Drills, impact drivers and saws were taken, with an estimated value of around £1500.

Of course, there was no sign of a break in when he went to his van in the morning, and it was only once he checked in the back did he realise what had gone on. The thieves had simply unlocked the van with the magic keys, and then proceeded to grab as much as they could before disappearing into the night.

Anyone that lives in Stapleford will know this is a common occurrence, but it makes it even more frustrating that van thieves are now able to do it so easily. With most break ins they can be done in seconds, and then off with thousands of pounds worth of equipment.

In situations like this many van owners decide against claiming on their insurance though. Why? Because they lose valuable no claims bonuses, which only serves to make their van insurance more expensive the following year.

For most people, they decide to simply buy some more tools out of their own pocket, sometimes on the second hand market to keep costs low.

If you ask me there needs to be something done about these so called “magic keys” that are being sold on the internet. Very often criminals can get them for under £20.

I’m really not sure what is going on here but it has to stop…the Police and van manufacturers should work together to put an end to this problem once and for all.

Sure, you are never going to stop van break ins completely, but when you make it this easy for a thief to break in to vans then it’s laughable really.

People are having their businesses almost destroyed just because people in authority won’t do anything about these keys being sold on the internet…hopefully that is about to change.

Towns close to Stapleford have also been experiencing a wave of van break ins, with Eastwood being one of the main areas after 10 thefts were reported within 5 days. All of these vans were Ford Transit brands, which means it looks like the internet keys worked their magic for the criminals once again.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police recently said, “we would like to remind all van owners to remove their tools from their vehicle when it is left unattended overnight.”

I agree. Yes it is a hassle, especially after a long day at work, but when you have criminals going around who can break in to vans within seconds, the only way to stop them is by having nothing in the van to steal. It really is the only way.

Also I would just like to remind everybody to always compare van insurance when it comes time to renew. This can easily save you a few hundred quid, so definitely worth it.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover