A Lesson In Dogonomics

A survey earlier this year reported that almost half of UK van drivers take their dogs to work.

If we consider that there are estimated to be 2.5 million vans on the road in the UK (which makes 1 in 24 of us a white van driver), that’s almost 1.25 million dogs. 

With a total of 9 million pet dogs in Britain, that means that 14% of the entire dog population of the UK are owned by van drivers.

Aww, how cute, right?

But what about looking at it from the other side?

Not only are these dogs getting free travel up and down the country that the rest of us would have to pay for, but some of them are taking an active role in the teamwork at the job sites they are going to. From supervising site operations, or sitting on parcels to make extra space in the van, all of this work is unpaid. 

(They’re taking our jobs)!

The average van driver covers 12,811 miles each year. We know that 1.25 million dogs are on the road, so they are covering over 160 million miles each year, without paying a penny toward diesel. Talk about getting a free ride! Touring the country, and, with the exception of the working dogs we’ve mentioned, barely lifting a paw to help out. Be assure, they are absolutely no bloody use when the M25 is backed up (again) and you need an alternative route, because their paws can’t work the satnav. The freeloaders. 

But do you know there are rules around taking your dog in your van? A dog without a harness, a cage or a dog guard is not only asking for trouble, but it also breaks the Highway Code (it’s Rule 57, if you suffer from insomnia and need something to help you sleep). 

If the worst does happen and you have an accident and your insurers discover your dog wasn’t restrained, it could invalidate your van insurance claim. And if your furry friend gets injured, you’ll also be in need of pet insurance, as any claim for doggy injuries won’t be covered. 

We don’t offer pet insurance, but if you are looking for a great van insurance deal that will be there if you (and your unpaid labour) need it, fill out our short form and save on your van insurance. We think you really should be asking Fido to pay his way too, but we’ll leave that bit to you. 

38, Mate? Van Insurance Liar!

No word from our Chief News Reporter in Paris, France. No pictures. No telephone calls. Nothing. Just what is going on here? I don’t know.

What I do know is that all of you CVI enthusiasts will have to wait for the official Instagram page to be launched. Social media domination will be ours…just not yet.

While I’m waiting for word from our CNR, the only thing left to do is bring you some van insurance news.

So…in the absence of the Chief News Reporter I hand the torch over to the…Junior News Reporter.

JNR, it’s over to you…

It seems van drivers in the city of Blackburn are in a rush to age themselves. Forget about plastic surgery to look younger, these van owners are using van insurance applications to become older.

Take the story of a 20 year van driver as a prime example. Not happy with drinking from the fountain of youth, this kid wanted to become a man…a 38 year old man.

So when he filled out his online van insurance form he didn’t tell the truth. What he did was put “38” in the age box.

The reason? For cheap van insurance of course. Why else? There is no other reason.

As we have reported about before…young van drivers really do get hit in the wallet when insuring their van. Especially in cities such as London, but also in places such as Blackburn.

Unfortunately for the 20 year old van driver from Blackburn, his lies didn’t slip through the net, and the online lie detector machine “blew up” virtually when processing his van insurance application form.

It wasn’t just his age he was lying about either. He also had two speeding convictions which didn’t get mentioned on his application.

This brought his annual premium down to an affordable £924, although it was all based on a web of lies.

A few months later and the van driver was stopped on the M65 for speeding. Surprise, surprise. And Police quickly cottoned on to the fact this guy has been telling a few pork pies.

He then found himself in a courtroom where he had no choice but to plead guilty, which led to a conditional discharge for 6 months with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

The lesson here? Don’t lie on your van insurance application form. It really is as simple as that. You will get found out.

It’s a much better idea to use our 3 minute form here at Cheap Van Insurance. Then tell the truth, and nothing but the truth and you will be rewarded with amazing quotes from trusted van insurance companies and brokers.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover