Tag: van insurance comparison website

How Branding Can Affect Your Van Insurance

Posted on by News Desk

Sigh. The things we need to declare on our vehicle’s insurance, eh?

Goss, that’s hot off the press. The simple act of advertising your company — for example, placing a sticker of your logo or something to do with your brand — can actually affect your van’s insurance policy.

Now, this is simply a warning. Every van insurance provider will work to their own rules and policies, but a leading van insurance provider has spilled the beans on how simple branding could nullify your insurance.

So, whether you’re advertising your building company, painting and decorating services, or dog hair cutting salon… Please be aware, treasured van drivers. 

How might my van insurance be declared void?

For some providers, it is necessary to declare any way in which you might be advertising your brand or company. This is because it can be seen as a modification to your van. That’s right. Signage on your van can be seen as modifying your van. It’s not like you’ve got new alloys or painted a Formula 1 flag on your bonnet, but…

Look, we’re shaking our heads, too.

Another reason this could result in your van insurance being void, or rates being higher, is because thieves exist. Unfortunately, those dastardly buggers are a direct link here. 

Let’s use an example: you work for a tree surgeon company, and you have a branded sticker on the side of your van. The smarter thieves out there will see this as an opportunity. They’ll saunter up to your van, assuming you have valuable tools hidden in there somewhere, and break in. Okay, they probably won’t saunter, but you get our point. 

Let’s add the fact that stickers, or whatever you use as an adhesive on your van, could potentially cause damage to the paintwork. Or, require more monies if, heaven forbid, you were in an accident, for example. Yet another reason for van insurance providers to scowl at you.

With the recent rise in van sales due to a shortage of drivers, it’s best to declare everything. This ensures you’re getting the best deal for your van insurance. It’s also something we’re proud to be able to help with. Fill in your details here, and see what we can do for you!

The White Van Dog

Posted on by News Desk

You’ve heard of the Pink Panther, Green Hornet and Red Dragon…now get ready for the White Van Dog.

A French Mastiff named Roxy to be exact, who currently resides in our nations capital, London.

As the story goes, Roxy travels in a white van with her owner Nicky Morris on a daily basis. He is a delivery driver, who is always busy delivering parcels all around London, day in and day out.

Roxy is right there by his side, with her seatbelt on, keeping Nicky company and guarding the van while he makes a delivery to Mr Smith or Mrs Jones.

As regular readers of the CVI blog will be well aware…van crime is a national sport these days, which means having a bit of “protection” in the van is always a good idea.

As well as being a thief repellent – get this…Roxy has also perfected…

The white van man pose!

That’s right. Pictures confirm that Roxy the French Mastiff dog does a really good impression of a white van man, especially when leaning out of the window and giving you a stare.

Fortunately Roxy doesn’t follow up the impression with swear words and all out rage. She is a very chilled out dog, even if she does enjoy imitating the white van man.

Of course, the white van man reputation is very much exaggerated. If you ask me they are among the calmest and safest drivers on the road. That’s a fact.

Roxy, The White Van Dog, has built up her very own social media following with her impressions and impersonations.

Do you know what else? I reckon our favourite White Van Dog would also be a good match for CVI.

“Which one do you prefer…1 bark for those Meerkats…or 2 barks for CVI?”

“Woof Woof!”

The Nations Favourite White Van Dog and The Nations Favourite Van Insurance Comparison Website…the perfect match.

Then, as soon as 40 quotes come through from trusted companies and brokers…

“Are these the best quotes you have ever seen?”

“Woof Woof Woof Woof!”

“Good girl. Time for a treat!!”

According to Nicky, The White Van Dog is -”not just a pet, she is a celebrity courier, who drives around London delivering parcels to people. She has been with us for seven years, since she was a puppy.”

Here at CVI we raise our glasses to the White Van Dog. Long may you be delivering parcels in our nations capital and keeping up the good reputation of white van owners 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.

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.

Why Haven’t Van Owners Been Told About The “Peel and Steal”?

Posted on by News Desk

Van criminals are roaming the streets looking for YOUR parked van and they have one simple magic move that instantly works.

It’s called the “peel and steal,” which one expert described as like “peeling the top from a can of sardines.”

These van thieves are not smart and they don’t have expertise…but when breaking into a van is as simple as opening a tin of fish, then it’s no wonder we are right in the middle of…

The biggest van crime spree in the history of the world.

That’s right. At no other point in history has van crime been so easy for criminals. Even complete idiots with no previous criminal education or experience…even they are “peeling and stealing” their way to the top.

Thousands of pounds worth of tools are swiped in seconds, and then gone. Without warning and without any clue.

“I’m baffled,” Police officers are known for saying when they eventually turn up to the crime scene.

“What should I do now?” you ask.

“My only advice would be to visit Cheap Van Insurance,” the Police officer would offer, as a way to protect yourself in the future.

“Yes…I’m beginning to wish I had gone to Cheap Van Insurance before this whole mess occurred,” you might reply.

“Everybody says that…” the police officer says before beginning to walk away…

“Oh, and just one more thing…” he would say as leaving your house

“Where were you the night this happened…?”

I think we can all agree the only way for every single van owner in the UK to protect themselves against the “peel and steal” is to take 3 minutes of your time and fill in the form here at Cheap Van Insurance.

Even if it wasn’t recommended by the law and talked about by those in authority, it would still be the place to be.

Do you know why? Cheap van insurance quotes…that is why.

Protection against the peel and steal is important, but the cheapest van insurance quotes in the UK is even more enjoyable.

Why pay more, year after year, when you could be paying less. Stick your fingers up to your van insurance company and never look back.

“I’m going to CVI,” you say, and with those words you are on the road to saving a fortune.

So take action right now and join the thousands of van owners who insure their van and tools at prices many would not believe…if they didn’t see the quotes right there in front of them.

“It’s just like magic,” said one van owner.

December is Over…Insure Your Van NOW!

Posted on by News Desk

All through the month of December van owners were being warned to NOT insure their van. “Just don’t do it,” they said.

Who exactly? Experts of course, who after going through the van insurance prices for every month of the year, they found that December was the most expensive time to get a quote and sign on the dotted line.

Fortunately, December the 31st has now passed and the drunk behaviour of New Years Eve is beginning to turn to plain sobriety, and this means one thing and one thing only…buy van insurance right NOW!

That’s right. If December was the month for buying Christmas presents then January is most definitely the month for buying van insurance.

Research found that in January and February you will automatically save, on average, around 20% for van insurance compared to the exact same policy in December.

Not only that, but if you visit the nations favourite van insurance comparison website first, then, get ready for even more potential savings.

Why such a change in price anyway, after all, it is only a new month? According to experts, it has something to do with the fact that van insurance companies like to relax a bit during the month of December, which means when it comes time for a van driver to get a quote there is less competition between the companies, leading to more expensive prices.

Then January comes around and all of those van insurance companies are done with putting their feet up…what they want now is some action and they are determined to get it.

Action in the form of new customers and more money of course, and what happens is that the industry becomes extremely competitive.

It is the van owner who wins. The average van driver who just wants a fair price. The white van man or woman, so to speak, who are the foundation of this very country.

Well, to all commercial vehicle owners in the UK, get ready to save 20%, 30%, 40% or even 50% on your van insurance, because right now is the best time to get started.

What better place to get started than right here at Cheap Van Insurance? There is no better place, as we have not been called the “Nations Favourite” for nothing.

“OBEY!” is what we say when it comes to the opinions of experts, and if they are saying “buy van insurance in January,” then you should stop thinking and just “OBEY!”

All you have to do is fill out the simple 3 minute form right here on our website and you instantly get quotes from around 40 van insurance companies.

Ford Want Self Driving Vans on the Road by 2021

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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.

Don’t Defrost Your Van Insurance This Winter

Posted on by News Desk

It’s that time of year again, where morning temperatures are mostly in the minus and van drivers around the country are defrosting windscreens.

Police have recently taken to the airwaves in a bid to warn van drivers about the dangers of not defrosting windscreens correctly and leaving their van unattended

For example, did you know that if you are pulled over by Police this winter and you still have ice on your windscreen, then the Police officer will instantly slap a £60 fine on you? They are just doing their job.

Also, were you aware that if you leave the engine of your van running on the roadside while defrosting the windscreen, the Police officers have been instructed to give you a £20 fine? With all these fines, van drivers will be going without ham sandwiches and flasks of tea before too long.

Perhaps most alarming of all is the message from Police, that if your van is stolen why you were defrosting your windscreen, and you had just nipped into the house to “warm up for a bit,” then your van insurance company probably won’t pay out.

That’s right. Thousands of pounds worth of your property could disappear into the cold winter morning and there is not a thing you could do about it. Your van and power tools just gone, leaving you to start all over again…or go down the local job centre.

The message here is clear if you ask me…do not leave your keys in the ignition while defrosting the windscreen, especially if you plan to leave the van unattended, even for a few seconds.

Gangs of van thieves are everywhere right now, patrolling the morning streets of the UK just looking for that one opportunity. They are organised, quick, and fearless, and will think nothing of taking away everything you have worked hard for over the years.

This has led the Police to give out advice on what van drivers should be doing on those cold and freezing mornings.

Firstly, make sure you give yourself enough time to defrost your window. One of the main reasons why people get it wrong in the first place is because they are rushing.

Secondly, be prepared by using a windscreen shield overnight, and then in the morning, get rid of the ice with a basic scraper. Don’t turn on your engine and then leave the vehicle

Unfortunately, I think many van owners are going to ignore this message from Police, which means this winter could prove to be costly for many of our nations tradespeople and delivery drivers.

With that being said, you can make it not so expensive, and even a bit cheaper, by using a van insurance comparison website. Simply fill in the form and then get instant deals from around 40 companies.

Vans in The Village Not So Safe, Anymore

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Theft from vans is a daily occurrence in cities and towns around the UK, we know that for sure, but the quiet village? It’s not so quiet right now.

Instead, if you take a walk around any village in the UK at night and in the early hours of the morning, then if you listen closely you will hear the sound of ambitious van thieves going about their trade.

The most common target for these thieves is power tools, that are often left in the back of vans by tradespeople such as builders, roofers, electricians, carpenters, and welders.

Back in the good old days your typical UK village was a safe haven from the nightly crimewaves that were gripping cities and towns.

You could park up your van in a country lane, go to a local village pub with your mates, and then when you got back everything would still be there…power tools as well.

These days, if you park your van down a country lane and go for a walk across the local farm, then by the time you get back your van will have been stripped bare, to the point where all you will be left with is the wellington boots on your feet.

Take villages in Cambridgeshire as a recent example, once safe and picturesque places to visit but now a prime target for those van criminals.

Between October 17th and 24th there was a reported six incidents of van crime in just two Cambridgeshire villages, where an estimated £8000 worth of power tools were stolen.

Police in the area are advising the public to be vigilant, and if they see anyone acting suspiciously then contact them immediately.

The problem is that these criminal gangs are so organised, and so well versed in what they do…that they are often in and out before anyone knows they were there.

Even if you do see something or catch them in the act on CCTV, the Police are typically so slow to respond that it isn’t even worth the bother. The van criminals are long gone before the cops show up…back to their base in the city where the loot can be offloaded.

“Just let your van insurance company take care of it,” a normal response might be from the Police, and ideally that is what would happen.

However, many tradespeople are deciding not to insure the contents of their van, which means when power tools go missing they have no cover. They have to be replaced out of their own pocket.

My advice to any van owner in the villages around the UK is to make sure you are fully covered for everything you keep in your van. This means power tools of course. Use a van insurance comparison website site to get the really cheap prices.

Working as a Van Courier? You Need to Know This…

Posted on by News Desk

Next day deliveries have become very common recently and to fill that demand van couriers have stepped up to the plate.

They get the packages from a central depot and then spend their days and nights driving all around the UK, making sure consumers get the goods they have paid for.

Sometimes they have to “leave the package behind the gate” or “drop it off at Mr Smith’s next door,” but most of the time they put it into the hands of the person it was intended for.

Of course, as regular readers of this blog will be well aware of…self employed van couriers may very well soon be of a robotic nature, but for now the industry is very much human.

Especially as Christmas is only a few weeks away and those packages need delivering more than at any other time of the year. In fact, many people decide to become van couriers for a month or two to fill the demand for delivering packages at this time of year, but there is one thing that many of them are not aware of.

“A man or woman with a van required” is often the headline in a job advert for temporary van couriers, where they are expected to use their own van in a self employed manner.

However, what the job adverts mostly do not state is that anybody working as a van courier requires specialist courier insurance in order to have full coverage, both for their van and any packages that are riding along in the back.

Many couriers wrongfully believe that normal van insurance will be sufficient or that the company they are doing deliveries for will cover them if anything goes wrong. This is far from the truth.

The reality is that if you don’t sort out courier insurance for yourself then it’s you that is liable in the event of an accident or lost packages.

In other words, if you are transporting the latest LCD TV to Mrs Jones and someone crashes into the back of your van sending the TV crashing to the floor…then it is you that is going to pay Mrs Jones for the TV. It could be thousands of pounds, think about that for a minute.

Let’s not forget that Christmas is the season for thieves, and there is nothing they like better than a van full of packages. A team of thugs are in and out of your van faster than you can say “Dude, where are the packages?” and then they are gone.

In this kind of situation you could very well be responsible for a whole van full of packages, which might be worth many thousands of pounds.

That is why I advise everybody to get courier insurance immediately, and use a comparison website like this one to find cheap prices.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover