Tag: van insurance renewal

British Gas Vows To Electrify With New Vauxhall Vivaro E Vans

Posted on by News Desk

Are electric vans the future…

With potential fuel tax hikes, van and delivery drivers may face tough times ahead.

As it stands, fuel costs are already rising quickly.

Furthermore, an additional 3p per litre could add £1 billion to the UK Treasury.

But for van drivers, this means an extra £250 a year on fuel.

Reports say that after a 9-year freeze on fuel tax, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering lifting it.

The aim?

To help pay off lockdown costs.

But at what cost for delivery drivers?

Rising Fuel Costs – What’s At Stake?

For van drivers, these hikes don’t just impact the bottom line.

Each added expense eats into profits, especially for small businesses and independent drivers.

The increase, while seemingly small, compounds over hundreds of fill-ups.

It’s a relentless drain on resources.

So, what options are there?

Could Electric Vans Be The Future Of Britain’s Fleets?

With these rising fuel prices, the future of Britain’s vans could very well go green.

In fact, more motor companies are now pledging to produce only electric vehicles by 2030.

But here’s the real question:

Could this shift not only cut costs but also benefit the environment?

Electric vans, while an upfront investment, can lead to lower fuel costs and reduced maintenance over time.

As traditional fuel costs soar, the cost-benefit of going electric looks more attractive.

British Gas certainly thinks so.

British Gas Takes A Bold Step Toward Electric Vans

In fact, British Gas is taking major steps toward a greener fleet.

Recently, they made the biggest electric vehicle order in the UK.

They’ve ordered 1,000 of Vauxhall’s new, all-electric Vivaro-e vans.

This is just the beginning.

Once available, they plan to add more electric vans to their fleet.

Electric vans can help companies cut down on emissions and lead by example.

British Gas, a significant employer of van drivers, is setting the standard.

The New Vauxhall Vivaro-e: A Game-Changer For British Gas

And they’re not stopping there.

The Vauxhall Combo-e, launching this summer, is also 100% electric.

It’s quickly emerging as a strong contender in the small van market.

Moreover, British Gas, owned by Centrica, has ambitious environmental goals.

Specifically, they’re aiming to transition their entire workforce to electric vehicles by 2030.

This move goes beyond compliance—it’s about future-proofing their operations for sustainability.

Preparing For an Electric Fleet By 2030

How will they make it work?

British Gas has plans to provide electric vans to employees who volunteer for the switch.

Additionally, they’ll prioritise areas with high emissions or places where van replacements are needed most.

This targeted strategy ensures that their electric fleet makes a meaningful environmental impact.

What started as an idea—the switch to electric vehicles—is now in full motion, with real changes underway.

Installing Charging Stations For A Greener Future

Worried about charging stations?

Don’t be.

British Gas is installing home chargers and training engineers in electric vehicle use.

This proactive approach means they’re prepared for a seamless transition.

Their engineers won’t be scrambling for charging points or dealing with long downtimes.

With infrastructure in place, the goal of a fully electric fleet is more achievable.

British Gas Commitment to “Net-Zero” Targets

British Gas’s commitment to achieving “net-zero” targets is truly setting a new standard.

Their efforts focus on reducing van emissions while improving local air quality.

But they’re not stopping at promises—they’re taking action.

Lowering van emissions is key to shrinking their daily carbon footprint.

Over 4 Million Deliveries: Supporting Communities In Need

Since the pandemic began, British Gas engineers have delivered over 4 million meals to those in need.

These deliveries highlight the crucial role that van drivers play in supporting local communities.

Their dedication goes beyond just work; it’s a lifeline for many.

This commitment highlights the importance of protecting these essential drivers for many households.

Thinking About Electric Vans? We’ve Got You Covered

So, is it time to think about an electric van?

Perhaps you already own one.

Rising fuel costs and environmental goals could make electric vehicles the new norm.

Whether you’re exploring electric options or already on board, the right insurance is key.

Having the right coverage can make all the difference when making the switch.

Either way, we’re here to help with affordable electric van insurance.

We’ve got you covered—because the future of vans might just be electric.

Top Tips for Keeping Van Insurance Down

Posted on by News Desk

You know us, here at Cheap Van Insurance. Always on your side, always backing the little guy, the honest van drivers of the UK, as you speed up and down the country, doing what you do best – getting stuff done.

So, this week, we thought we would put together a little aide memoire of all those tips and tricks we like to share with you each week, of how to keep your costs down when taking out your next van insurance policy. 

1: Shop around

It goes without saying, but you’re in the right place to start. Everyone should shop around for their van insurance, to find the best possible deal, but there’s no need to traipse from site to site, or broker to broker. Who has time for that? Our simple form gets the brokers and insurance providers coming to you, with their best deals and offers. 

Because let’s face it, life is hard enough. But shopping around for the best van insurance deal doesn’t have to be.

2: Don’t auto-renew.

Shop around! Last year’s van insurance may have been the deal of the century at the time, but as we have reported here, a lot has changed in the last 12 months (even more than usual), so it makes sense to see what new deals are out there and have some better quotes to go back to your current insurer with, should you really want to stay with them.

Knowledge is power.

3: See what else you can get:

Once you have some competitive quotes, see if you can haggle a bit. See if one of the companies will throw in a useful added extra (we don’t mean a cuddly toy – something actually useful) that will save you money. 

4: Mileage:

Don’t underexaggerate how far you travel. Often, the difference between mileage is negligible when it comes to the cost of your van insurance premium, so do the right thing and tell the truth. The same goes for where your van is kept and what it is used for. 

5: Named drivers

You may have always had the missus on your van policy, just in case, but if she has got some points on her car license recently, you may wish to reconsider if she doesn’t actually drive the van. It’s the same with employees – only have those ones on the policy that will actually drive the van. And make sure you are hiring people with a clean license that won’t cost you a fortune to cover in van insurance fees.

6: Tools:

We talk about this in-depth next week, but it’s essential that your tools are covered with a good policy. The optimum is the firms who offer 24-hour replacement for stolen tools, so you’re not stuck twiddling your thumbs, waiting for your replacements to come through.

Do all the above and make the most of our free quote tool, and you can thank us for making your life that tinny bit easier. 

You’re welcome. 

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. 

The Best Day To Buy Van Insurance

Posted on by News Desk

Buying van insurance is something you must do by law, but when should you do it? Keep reading because we are going to tell you.

Here at CVI we supply thousands of van drivers with quotes every single year, so we know a thing or two about getting cheap prices.

We have looked at the data, and by our calculations you should buy van insurance…exactly 21 days before your renewal date.

If you do, then expect to potentially save £100 or more, and when you combine your early timing with the power of our 3 minute form, then expect to potentially save at least £100 more.

Write this calculation down – 21 days + CVI = Very Cheap Van Insurance!

It really is all you need for low van insurance prices year in and year out.

While being an early bird is a good idea, you don’t want to hatch your eggs too early, because our data shows that buying van insurance a month or more before your renewal day means you could pay more.

With that being said, you don’t want to be a last minute loser either. If you leave buying van insurance right until the final few hours then you might be out of luck. And cheap van insurance will be out of your grasp.

Of course, if you use CVI then you always have a good chance of getting the cheapest quotes in the country, but the longer you leave it, the less you will save…and that’s a fact.

We are not going to insult your intelligence and tell you that CVI can get you the very cheapest quotes, no matter what the situation. It just isn’t true. Nobody can guarantee you that.

For example, if you leave it to the last 30 minutes before renewal, and then you use CVI to compare quotes…you will probably still get cheap quotes…but not as cheap as if you had compared 21 days earlier.

Why exactly do you get cheaper van insurance for being an early bird? According to our van company buddies, it’s all to do with risk.

In other words, if you get quotes a few weeks in advance then you are the type of person who is careful and organised. On the other hand, if you wait until the last few minutes then you are “profiled” as someone who is generally all over the place.

Research suggests the former are more careful drivers, while the latter are more prone to getting in accidents and making claims.

Whatever you do…make sure you compare van insurance right here at CVI. It doesn’t matter if you have 21 days or 2 minutes until your renewal, we are the place to be for every van owner in the UK.

Van Meets Lamppost in Somerset – “I Can’t Believe It”

Posted on by News Desk

Somerset…the land of rolling hills, endless farm land and apples, so sweet and tasty, you could eat them all day.

It is also the land of lampposts, according to one resident who wishes to remain nameless. Although many of these lampposts are positioned away from the road, in designated pedestrian areas that are safe for power walkers and joggers.

So you can imagine the confusion when residents of a sleepy Somerset village awoke one morning and they looked out of their windows and saw…a council van smashed into a lamppost

This wasn’t an ordinary crash either. This was a full on SMASH. The kind of collision which means the van was a total writeoff.

What makes this story even more bizarre is the fact that the lamppost was nowhere near a road. Farm land? Yes. Apple trees? Yes…but roads? No.

According to one eye witness the council van had the wing completely ripped off and was in a state of such destruction the only logical place to take it was the scrap yard.

It really does make you wonder just what happened here? What caused this van to take a detour away from the roads and then drive along a pedestrian zone with such speed and power…that the collision meant a total writeoff.

Obviously the residents of this Somerset wanted answers so they turned up outside the council offices (without pitchforks) and demanded a spokesperson for Somerset council address the crowd.

It seems the South Somerset District Council are still not entirely sure what exactly happened, which means the crowd didn’t get the answers they demanded.

An official statement has mentioned that an investigation has been launched into the matter and the driver of the council van is unhurt but embarrassed

Apparently, one resident did offer the van driver a cup of tea although any other information is still light on the ground.

One clue that may shed some light on the situation is a grainy photo taken on the morning when the carnage was discovered.

While it isn’t exactly clear what we are looking at, the picture does seem to suggest the lamppost was directly in the middle of the foot path.

Could the council van have been trying to pull off some kind of spectacular manoeuvrer to swerve around the lamppost..only to have lost control at the last second? We may never find out the exact answer.

It remains a mystery, but the one thing that doesn’t remain a mystery is how to get cheap van insurance.

Van owners in Somerset flock here to CVI every year, and every year they are rewarded with cheap van insurance.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover