Tag: vans

Urgent Warning Issued To Van Drivers As Tool Theft Soars

Posted on by News Desk

Van drivers across the UK should implement extra security measures because tool theft rates have soared by 57 percent.

Tackling The Rising Cases Of Tool Theft In The UK

New research shows that only 10 percent of vans in the UK stay in a garage overnight

This according to experts, is a significant concern as tool theft has increased.

Thieves target vans for expensive tools kept inside.

The Metropolitan Police data reported 13,677 cases of tool theft from vehicles between March 2021 and March 2022.

This equates to 37 cases of theft per day.

This article discusses the importance of increasing security measures and some precautionary steps to protect your van and its contents.

The Importance Of Additional Safety Features

The research carried out on 100,000 van insurance policies revealed the importance of additional safety features to deter thieves and improve security.

Even if your vehicle comes with basic security systems, factory-fitted immobilisers, and alarms, they may not be enough.

Modern thieves can evade them with key fob cloning and blocking.

It is crucial to implement additional safety features such as GPS tracking, reinforced locks, and secure shelving to protect your van’s contents.

Installing CCTV cameras and motion sensors can also help prevent theft and provide evidence in case of a break-in.

Precautionary Steps To Protect Your Van And Its Contents

The experts stress that van drivers need to take precautionary steps to keep thieves away.

This would include things such as not leaving valuables in plain sight or in the van overnight.

It is essential to park in a well-lit location and avoid drawing attention to the fact that there may be tools inside the vehicle by not displaying external branding and logos.

Adding decals and signage to a van can increase your insurance premium for that reason.

Thus, it’s better to avoid displaying your van’s content and make sure it looks like an ordinary van.

Checking Insurance Policy Coverage

It is also essential to double-check that your tools are covered by your van insurance policy.

They are not always included as standard, so it is essential to ensure that you have comprehensive coverage for your van and its contents.

In the event of a theft, having the right insurance policy can help keep your business running and minimize financial loss.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rising tool theft rates across the UK should be a significant concern for van drivers.

Implementing additional safety features such as GPS tracking, reinforced locks, and secure shelving can help deter thieves and improve security.

Furthermore, taking precautionary steps such as parking in a well-lit location, not leaving valuables in plain sight, and avoiding external branding and logos can help prevent theft.

Finally, it is crucial to double-check that your tools are covered by your van insurance policy, as they are not always included as standard.

Van Driver Mistakes That Could Instantly Invalidate Your Van Insurance

Posted on by News Desk

By now you should know what you can and can’t do whilst driving a vehicle.

Any vehicle, not just a van.

It does seem though, that some folks need to be constantly reminded of these facts, as some of our weekly stories illustrate.

Hands-Free Or Not At All

Holding your mobile phone whilst driving is a definite no-no; especially more so since the recent changes to the Highway Code.

However, one driver in Pembrokeshire was recently fined £220 plus costs of £90.

He also had the privilege of having 3 points on his driving licence.

Police charged the driver with “not being in proper control of a vehicle,” a Transit van.

They had spotted him using his phone while driving.

The driver also failed to attend the court hearing!

Dangerous Driving

Thames Valley Police recently sentenced another van driver to 18 months in prison after chasing and finally catching him.

The driver had been speeding at 90mph on the M40 and continued at this speed on the A40 after leaving the motorway.

Driving erratically and endangering other road users, the driver tested positive for drugs.

He also lacked a valid driving licence and van insurance.

Motorists Keeping North Yorkshire Police Busy

A team of officers in an unmarked police vehicle observed a van driver.

They were there to target lawbreakers on the roads, in this case, the A1M near Wetherby.

Not only was the driver in question not wearing a seatbelt, but he was also using his mobile phone.

When he saw the officers filming him, he reacted by sticking two fingers up at them.

Unsurprisingly, authorities fined him £200 and added 6 penalty points to his licence.

On Patrol In Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police recently patrolled and decided to investigate a white van and its driver at a roadside stop.

One officer instinctively sensed something was off, although they initially stopped the van for defective lights.

They investigated further and discovered the vehicle lacked tax, had no valid MOT, and the driver’s licence was revoked.

A definite case of “you’re nicked, sunshine”.

Don’t take any chances, and don’t get caught out without insurance.

Have a quick check for the best and cheapest van insurance quotes for your van.

Simply begin by completing this quick 3-minute form.

Unbelievable Van Driver Stories: Ice Cream and You Tube Chaos

Posted on by News Desk

Amazingly, the driver rolled out of the wreckage and seemed unharmed, though he went to the hospital for a check-up.

Let’s hope he learned his lesson about patience on the road—because the van didn’t survive the encounter.

Ice Cream, Anyone?

Some rather bizarre van stories surfaced this week.

First up, police stopped an ice cream van driver near junction 2 on the M60.

When asked to do a saliva test, the driver tested positive for cannabis.

Afterward, he was taken into custody.

No one mentioned what happened to the ice cream van, but we can only hope the police handed over the contents as evidence before they melted.

Don’t Play Chicken With HGVs

A van driver in Turkey barely escaped with his life after a collision with an HGV.

The van, waiting at an intersection, pulled away ahead of the other vehicles.

Was he being impatient?

The HGV coming from the opposite direction couldn’t swerve or stop in time.

The result? A full-on collision with the van’s cab.

Amazingly, the driver rolled out of the wreckage and seemed unharmed, though he went to the hospital for a check-up.

Let’s hope he learned his lesson about patience on the road—because the van didn’t survive the encounter.

YouTube And The Road: A Dangerous Combo

We’ve talked before about drivers without insurance or proper documentation.

But here’s another story to add to the mix.

On the A50 in Derbyshire, a van driver caught the attention of the police—not for speeding, but for doing the opposite.

He was driving at 40 mph on a road with a 70 mph limit.

Why?

He was watching YouTube on his tablet while driving.

After the police stopped him, he tried to give false details, but a quick check revealed he lacked both insurance and a licence.

Needless to say, he didn’t finish watching that video.

Don’t Get Caught Without Insurance

Getting caught without insurancecould put you in a sticky situation.

Ensure you find the best and cheapest van insurance quotes to stay covered.

It’s easy—just fill out this quick 3-minute form, and you’ll be on your way.

A nation divided: are you tickled pink or seeing red?

Posted on by News Desk

Ignore the terrible colour puns, but we’d be telling a white lie if we said we didn’t smirk whilst writing it.

Last week we had drivers versus e-scooters. This week it’s a bright pink van.

Yep, you read that correctly. A pink coloured van in Stoke-on-Trent has divided the nation on where it should be parked – and its colour.

Now, we’re all for colourful vans, to be honest. Perhaps, the brighter, the better? But that doesn’t mean we look down our noses at a neutral palette. We show no prejudice to any van and its paintwork colour here…

However, some of you have declared a worker’s van sporting a rather dashing bright pink colour, to be a ‘monstrosity’. So much so, that neighbours have been leaving notes on the windscreen, asking for it to be parked elsewhere. We only wish we could state they were polite notes.

Are we looking through rose-tinted glasses at this situation?

We’ve seen several brightly coloured vans in our time; from sunshine yellow to boastful oranges, sky blue to royal purple. Some would argue their eye-catching presentation is a positive tool for advertising. After all, you’re a lot more likely to stare and pay attention to a fluorescent pink van, than a bleak grey one. 

The worker, who had parked the unsightly considered van on his street, faced criticism for not having it outside his own home. However, his reasoning seemed just: he didn’t want to congest his street, and felt he’d parked it in the best place to avoid this. His neighbours, feeling the van was an eyesore, considered the reason to be a pitiful excuse. 

And so, the pink van has divided the nation. In colour, and parking position.

Would you leave a (not so polite) note, or speak with the man himself? The comments section (scroll down to the bottom) might leave you feeling blue, or perhaps you might be a green-eyed monster and want a shocking pink van yourself. 

If you’re considering updating the paintwork on your van – to a lovely snowy white or loud lime green – we don’t judge.

However, we do judge van insurance deals, and if they’re not cheap, we don’t want to know about it. Thankfully, we’ve collected all the best deals right here. Fill in the form and see for yourself!

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