Tag: May

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Posted on by News Desk

How is everyone this week? Whether you’re currently locked down or out on the road, rest assured we are here, cheering you on, whatever is happening in the world. Week nine of lockdown may be sending us slightly stir crazy, but it won’t stop us in our quest to bring you, our trusty van drivers of the UK, the latest news and opinions in the van driving world.

Let’s start with some good news – if some of you have lost your jobs as a result of COVID-19, there appears to be a marked increase this week of companies seeking reliable van drivers up and down the UK. It appears that employers are ready to start their recruitment engines as things start to get back to normal. And for those of you who have been waiting on self-employed government payouts, the Self Employment Income Support Scheme is now live and processing payments to those who saw significant business interruption. There are also new bounceback loans available through all high street banks, which offer a government-backed loan of up to £50,000 for small businesses. These loans are interest and payment-free for the first year. 

And it seems the UK government is also ramping up to get the country moving again, although, with the new fuzzy messaging, we’re not entirely clear on what changes when, but then we don’t think anyone else really knows either. But let’s be optimistic and hope it starts to gear up again soon, like we anticipate it will.

Less good news is that the rebates for van and car insurance that we hoped would be forthcoming as they have been in other countries, has not yet rolled out through the UK. Two insurers are offering a small rebate, but we still hope to see all van insurance companies giving their customers some of their profits back, given the huge drop in claims they have seen as a result of the lockdown. 

And absolutely terrible news for those in the south of the country is that London Mayor, Sadiq Khan has raised the congestion charge to £15 (including weekends) whilst simultaneously outlining plans to close major London roads over the next six weeks, to make way for walking and cycle routes. Good luck if you’ve got deliveries in the capital – seems like the mayor is expecting you to bike them in from the suburbs. More on this next week as we get to grips with all the implications.

So there we have it – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. But to end on a high note, don’t forget we can make your life that little bit easier if you need to renew your van insurance policy with our free 3-minute quote tool to give you the best deals around.

Until next week  – stay safe. 

Need a New Van? Sit Back and Wait

Posted on by News Desk

So, instead of all the doom and gloom you read elsewhere, you know we always try to do our bit here at CVI where we can to keep you van drivers smiling. 

And there is potentially some good news on the horizon. We suspect that if you are in the market for a new van, the end of this year could see some absolute bargains to be had.

Reports show that new car and fleet sales were down in April by a massive 97 per cent, the lowest level since 1947 for new vehicle sales in the UK. The Mercedes Sprinter was the best selling fleet vehicle in April, selling an underwhelming 814 vehicles, while the Ford Transit could only muster a disappointing 138 sales. A huge backlog of new vehicles is gathering in car parks and airfields up and down the country as dealerships wait to reopen. The date they are working to is June 1st, when, subject to health and safety legislation, they may once again start to do business. 

But that isn’t the time to go spending your money on a new motor. Analysts are forecasting some pent-up demand and so many dealerships will inevitably be busy with sales over the next few months to accommodate those who simply can’t wait for their new car or van. Slow your roll, there. Because once that rush of sales has happened, and even excluding the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus bringing everything to a grinding halt, there is going to be literal tumbleweed swirling between that backlog of used vehicles. Which means that there are going to be deals to be done, possibly the biggest we’ve seen in living memory, as manufacturers struggle to shift that stock that is just sitting around, depreciating by the day. 

Come September, we think you could be stumbling onto the deal of the decade if you’re in the market for a new van, especially if you’re open to one of the less popular models, such as an Iveco or Nissan. For once, it feels like the customers will be the winners, snapping up bargains as dealers focus on shifting volume sales at lower margins to be able to clear the decks before the new 2021 models are launched.

So sit back, give your current van a little bit of TLC to keep her going for now and wait and see what happens. We think if you’re buying a new van this year, you’ll be in for a treat. And don’t forget, your new van will need new insurance and, as always, even in times of corona, our 3-minute form can help bag you the sort of savings you’ll love, without having to hold out until later in the year.  

Locked Down, But Branching Out?

Posted on by News Desk

We’ve spoken a lot these last few weeks about the many van drivers who are still on the road and keeping the country moving, but for some of you out there, you too may have found yourself grounded due to the lockdown. If your business is temporarily suspended, hopefully, you’ve found yourself furloughed and are not reduced to claiming Universal Credit or waiting for the Coronavirus Payment Scheme for the self-employed to kick in.

Hopefully, the other thing that you’ve remembered to do is go and start your van at least once a week to prevent a flat battery. A gentle rev for 15-20 minutes a week keeps the roadside recovery at bay, or so the saying might go, if it was written for van drivers.

So, for those of you who aren’t working right now, what are you up to? New research shows that Brits are making the most of lockdown and teaching not just the kids, but themselves a whole load of new skills in the downtime.

Maybe you’ve taken the time to work on your fitness. If it’s anything like where we live, there are a whole plethora of new exercise nuts out every day pounding the pavements on a daily jog, or the road on their bikes. Some of you have even been finding their inner zen, with more people than ever turning to online yoga classes (ourself included). 

Or something more domesticated, perhaps? A bit of home baking explains the shortages in the shops of eggs and flour which still seem to be in short supply. Research shows that banana bread has been a particular favourite with lockdown Britain.

DIY – yes, the photos of the massive queues outside the home improvement stores are for real, as many have decided now is the time to paint that room or fix up those odd jobs your other half has been on your case about for years. We may be locked down, but at least we’re in a nice place to be.

Gardening has also understandably been popular, especially given the good weather and sunshine we’ve been lucky enough to be enjoying. Although for many of us with garden waste services suspended and tips still closed, the productivity and amount of work that can be done might be easing off with nowhere to put the cuttings and shavings. 

And, rounding out the popular pastimes has been learning a language. Yes, we may have left the EU, but that hasn’t stopped the people of Britain polishing up their parlez-vous or honing their hola. 

Which all goes to show, we may come out of this coronavirus poorer, but we might find our lives have been enriched in other ways. 

And if you are still out on the road – stay safe. 

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