Tag: white van man

Welcome to a Week in the Life of a Van Driver

Posted on by News Desk

If, like us, you’re sick of the ‘White Van Man’ outdated stereotypes and would like to read something about modern van drivers, then this post is dedicated to you, sir or madam.

A survey has resurfaced this week, so it’s doing the rounds across the internet. We thought it would be a great way to, once again, talk about the great things our van drivers are currently all about and have to put up with.

What does the typical week of a van driver entail?

Obviously, these statistics are all averages, but you might be shocked to learn the following:

  • 13.5 hours are spent on the road
  • A whopping £71 goes towards fuel costs
  • 14 hot drinks to keep the day rolling (10% prefer green tea)
  • At least 3 lunchtimes will be taken in the van
  • Nearly an hour stuck in traffic

It’s no surprise that 3 in 5 van drivers feel like they may as well live in their vans, and 1 in 4 sometimes have a nap in them. 

What about a year in the life of a van driver?

Once again, these are on average, but they may hit home for a lot of you. A van driver will:

  • Cover a colossal 16,000 miles
  • Enjoy (we use this word loosely) 47 hours worth of traffic 
  • Feast on at least 156 lunches (in the seat of their vans)

Let’s leave the stereotypes behind…

These further facts were too good to ignore, so we felt they were also worth a mention. When you think of a van driver, people are quick to picture your classic ‘white van man’.

However, your modern van drivers are quite the opposite. Take a look at these statistics:

  • 4 out of 10 van drivers who took the survey, were female
  • 31% claim to be vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian to benefit the environment
  • 40% of van drivers are considering an electric van for their next purchase

If you’d like to take a gander at the study from Lombard in more depth, you can view it here. There is further information about other subjects that were in the poll. It’s a must if you’re keen to help the environment, too.

If you do take the leap to an electric van (or even if you don’t), you can view our cheap van insurance prices, by completing this quick and easy form.

White Van Man Goes Green

Posted on by News Desk

We have said it before and we will say it again – you bunch never cease to surprise us.

News this week is that the typical white van man of all the social stereotypes is seemingly a thing of the past.

Replaced by a newer, greener van man (or woman) of the future.

It seems that a huge 91% of you believe that we should all be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Two-thirds of you support government initiatives for fewer vehicle emissions on the roads.

A huge 84% of you think companies should be running environmentally-friendly vehicles.

And 35% of you are considering an electric van when the time comes to upgrade your motor. 

The survey, commissioned by Fiat, to launch its new electric van the E-Ducato,

also found that many of you are not as beloved of the beer and fry-up’s diet as stereotypes may suggest.

In fact, one in five van drivers are either vegetarian or vegan,

and most prefer a cereal bar or bagel to bacon and eggs to get you going in the morning. 

You’re also a sensitive bunch too, with two-thirds of you claiming to be offended that other motorists consider van drivers to be aggressive on the road.

The majority claim to take pride in their vans, keeping them clean and tidy at all times.

And are often to be found foot tapping along to the gentle sounds of Radio 2’s greatest hits, rather than blasting out beats whilst cutting up other road users.

Whether you’re a devotee or diesel, a die-hard petrolhead or an electric eco-warrior, you all deserve the recognition that you deserve for keeping us going through lockdown.

But you also deserve the easiest way to renew your van insurance, whatever type of vehicle you drive.

And that’s why we are here for you – just a few moments using our free quote tool can deliver the best van insurance deals to your inbox, so you can get back to your spirulina smoothie.

COVID Cycle Lanes – Coming to a Town Near You

Posted on by News Desk

You know when you open up Cheap Van Insurance to see what’s new, that you’ll always be met with the latest news, views and opinions from the world of van driver news and motoring. And, dear readers, while we don’t like to blow our own trumpet (bar the odd toot), it seems rumblings posted here first are gathering momentum.

Yes, it seems the mainstream media have cottoned on to our lament of some weeks now – that cyclist groups and teams of eco-warriors are using the COVID crisis to take advantage of local councils and use the current health crisis as an excuse to close roads and put restrictions in place.

Yes, we called it some weeks ago, but it seems our local case is not in isolation. Up and down the country, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, York, Oxford, Derby, Nottingham and Cardiff are all seeing the very thing we warned against. 

Thanks to these groups, van drivers up and down the country are seeing road closures, parking bay suspensions, major diversions and extra cycle lanes appearing out of nowhere. But, far from making everyone’s lives better, these restrictions and alternations are making the life of van drivers in particular, absolute hell.

Traffic jams, causing pockets of super high emissions and pollution hotspots are springing up left, right and centre, as tailbacks mount as a result of these changes. Not only are van drivers getting held up on their deliveries, but once they reach their destination, they are finding parking to drop off impossible, thanks to parking bays being suspended in a bid to free up road space for pedestrians’ use. 

Cycle lanes that are barely being used are causing huge tailbacks as roads are narrowed to single lanes to accommodate them. 

The movement is said to be spending upwards of £225m on these changes, most of which are being sneaked through without any, or very little, public consultation. Were there consultation, we know that ordinary motorists, van drivers and business owners would all have quite a lot to say about these changes. Business owners are not only struggling to get deliveries, but also missing out on vital business that comes from people who need to drive to reach them and find themselves unable to park.

Think about it – those who are reluctant to use public transport – quite a few in these COVID teams we are living in, are being prevented from getting into their local towns because the local councils have made it all but impossible for them to park.

The knock-on effect is catastrophic. No businesses means no van deliveries. Which means no jobs. These short-sighted councils are seemingly hell bent on putting green policies ahead of keeping struggling small businesses (and all the trade they generate) out of business. 

If it is happening near you, we urge you to take action. Speak to your council. Sign petitions. Speak out. Otherwise we all face a future where you may not need the best deal on van insurance – because there are no businesses to deliver to.

It’s time for UK van drivers to come together and have their say. 

A Week of Heroes and Villans

Posted on by News Desk

We start this week with some good news for a change. Yes, despite the weather being more variable than a typical Aston Villa footballing season, we have some good news this week. (No, Villa haven’t signed Gareth Bale – well, not yet, anyway).

The good news is that since lockdown, the average cost for van driver insurance is down. Not by a massive amount, but by 2.3%, which can still represent a good saving on van insurance for most van drivers.

Latest research shows that the van insurance industry has put a pause on their typical insurance price increases, and instead of a hike, have taken a cut.

This is a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has seen a marked reduction in the number of white van men and women on the road throughout the UK. This has meant that unsurprisingly, there have been fewer van insurance claims made and so the cost has come down. 

This is particularly good news because prior to COVID bringing the UK industry to a grinding halt, van insurance premiums were at something of an all-time high. 

The group of van drivers who have seen the biggest drop in their van insurance renewal costs are young van drivers, who have seen the cost of insuring their vans decrease by around 14% (although bear in mind, van insurance for young drivers remains eye-wateringly expensive, with an average annual policy costing upwards of £3,000 compared to the overall average policy cost of a smidge over £1000 – representing a drop of 2.3% in the last few months.

The average premium on van insurance has seen a drop of 0.9% over the last year, so the recent drop of 2.3% is a big change downwards, by comparison.

If you are driving your van for work and using it at home on a ‘Social, domestic and pleasure’ policy, if your van insurance is due, you too, should see a drop although it will be around the more modest 1.2% mark.

Of course, like most good things, they are often fleeting (like the feeling of relief felt when Villa scraped through being relegated), because the future is, like football, less certain. With things returning to normal on the roads, there will inevitably be more accidents, and with more accidents come more claims and that of course means an increase in insurance premiums too. 

So, if your van insurance is due any time soon, make hay while the sun shines. Use our free quote tool, to triple check that you are getting the best possible van insurance deal. 

… And finally,  before anyone writes in to complain of Aston Villa bias or to send Villa-related abuse, let us remind you that the future King of England is a Villa fan, and if he has anything to do with it, you’ll all be Villa fans when he’s in charge.

Until next week.

We’re Leaving Home…

Posted on by News Desk

Another week dawns, and with it, we finally have some reasons to be cheerful. First of all, FOOTBALL IS BACK! We’ve got La Liga with crowd noises finally feeling like footy used to feel, and the Prem kicks off this week with your trusty editor’s team of their birthright, relegation-facing Aston Villa vs. Sheffield United this Wednesday. 

For van drivers around the UK, life is also starting to form a semblance of normality, with shops and non-essential retail reopening from today, meaning deliveries need to be made and people need to buy things – and, if the reports of people queuing round the block to get into Primark and Next are true, then that’s a lot more deliveries that are going to be happening. Will the bubble of retail enthusiasm last? It remains to be seen, but it surely bodes well for the lifeblood of the UK economy, the white van man. 

With it though, comes more stupid drivers out on the road, some of whom haven’t been out in their car for the best part of 3 months. Just as we cautioned last week, there’s a lot of it about, and reports this week show that there has been a massive increase in insurance claims for accidental damage, as Doris reverses into that bollard, or Clive scrapes that car he’s trying to parallel park next to. 

In the South-Central region, vehicle insurance claims for accidental damage are up a whopping 48%, compared to the previous week, with numbers similarly bad in London and the North East. So, while your white van men and women get on with doing what you’ve been doing, keeping the country moving in bread and value pack knickers, it is a case of worrying about what the other idiots on the road are doing and going all out to avoid them. 

Also, worth avoiding are any retail parks where there is a fast food outlet, as reports reach us of queues around the block for certain Mcmeals which are back on the menu. Queues of up to 3 hours have been reported at some branches for a drive-thru after months of home-cooked food only. And we see a great deal of you have been in those queues yourselves. Was it worth it? Just be aware that in some areas you’ll find whole lanes queuing for a taste of those golden arches, so if you’re in a hurry, maybe give those hotspots a swerve.

We hope your lives are returning to normal. We’re sure by next week our soccer enthusiasm will be back to despair, meaning life really has resumed its status quo. In the meantime, safe driving. 

Beware! Dangerous drivers!

Posted on by News Desk

If you’re out on the road this week, keep an eye out. What for? Those fresh-out-of-lockdown drivers who have forgotten how to actually drive. 

Up to a fifth of motorists say that they have struggled to get to grips with gearing back behind the wheel after months of staying home in lockdown.

Many car owners have driven just 90 miles (some fewer than 25 miles) while restrictions have been in place, meaning they are considerably out of proactive and an even greater liability to van drivers of the UK, who never stopped motoring through the crisis. 

This is bad news for everyone, with the added possibility of un-roadworthy vehicles out there, thanks the waiving of the MOT scheme. 

In other news, there are a number of initiatives underway that are aiming to boost the high street when it reopens, but that may have huge impacts for van delivery drivers. Many high streets are calling for pedestrianised streets, restrictions in speed limits and no-go zones for vehicles, all in a bid to drive foot traffic back to shops when the time comes for them to reopen, with sufficient space for social distancing outdoors. What this does mean, where it goes ahead is little to no van parking, restrictions on out-of-hours delivery times and slower deliveries, as a result of speed restrictions. 

Thankfully, some traders are banding together to object to these well-meaning plans, seeing not just the issues for white van men, but for those who are unable to walk far, or those who need to collect or drop off goods by car. If they do happen, you can kiss goodbye to the quick drop off on the High Street that you know and love. Fingers crossed that people see that these well-meaning ideas will kill the high street, not bolster it.

As always, stay safe out there.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

Posted on by News Desk

Another week, another series of trials and tribulations for van drivers up and down the UK. As lockdown slowly eases, the roads are starting to return to normal and, with more traffic on the road, for you, the trusty van drivers of the UK, the stresses and strains of life on the road are also on the up.

The good news is that with more non-essential shops scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks, there should be more work out there for everyone and even more, when, all being well, more of the rest of the country opens up again in early July. 

But, with the lack of traffic on the road you have been used to, there have also been more and more stories in the press of van drivers behaving badly. From hit and runs, to intoxicated drivers, and speeding and dangerous driving, it appears the quieter roads have had a bad effect on some of you. And let’s not forget, anything stupid in your van and you’re not just risking your license, but also your career too. 

Meanwhile over in Ireland, Yodel have dealt a blow to their delivery drivers, who have been banned from taking their vans home overnight, forcing many drivers to need to use public transport to get home at night from their depots. At a time when nobody wants to be on public transport unless they absolutely have to, the timing and tone-deafness to what is going on in the world couldn’t have come at a worse time. 

On the upside, over in London, some savvy business owners have found the best use ever for a white van, turning one into a mobile pub on wheels. The ‘tactical beer response unit’ is on the streets of East London, the back of the van full of kegs of their craft beers, serving customers pint glasses of the good stuff at their doorstep. As one of his customers commented – ‘not all heroes wear capes.’ And who doesn’t miss a pint outdoors in this weather?

And on that note, safe driving. 

New Report Shows White Van Men are Turning to Healthy Eating

Posted on by News Desk

Well, it’s almost as if you lot almost listen to us, isn’t it? A new study, commissioned by Vauxhall Motors has found that white van men (and women) are ditching both the booze and the fast-food in search of healthier lifestyles. 

Well done, you guys.

The report fid that 37% of you cut back on the booze, trying alcohol-free beer and wine and many of you are even working out more outside of the van driver working day, hitting the gym and, for 2% of you, going so far as to take up yoga or Pilates. 37% of van drivers are now hitting the gym, according to the report and you’re even cleaning up your smoking act, with 22% of you saying you have reduced how much you smoke or quit entirely.

If that wasn’t enough, more of you are also turning vegan, and 2 in 10 of you are opting for vegetarian or meat-free meals. And even those of you who aren’t giving up old habits are saying you wished you could eat more healthily (31%). This is big news, considering previous reports have said up to 60% of you admit to not eating healthily and not eating fruit or vegetables every day. 

It seems that more and more of you are searching for a healthier lifestyle and are doing more than many others to make those positive lifestyle changes. 

While we undoubtedly applaud you for taking those positive steps, we can reassure you that we will continue to bring you the latest in all news from the world of van driving and won’t be turning into a lifestyle blog and teaching you how to knit your own vegan quinoa any time soon. Nope, we’ll just stick to doing what we do – bringing you the best possible van insurance deals and the latest news, views and opinions from here at the heart of CVI HQ. But we just may do it, sipping on a fruit and wheatgrass smoothie, once in a while. After all, we can’t have you lot putting us to shame, can we? 

Perfect Christmas gifts for Van Drivers

Posted on by News Desk

Okay, so you’ve been asked what you’d like and besides that box set and PS4 game that you know you’re not going to get, what can you ask for?

Here are our top ideas to make any driving days just that little bit better.

Like your coffee? How about a portable espresso machine? Perfect for coffee on the go. This takes classic coffee pod filters, and can be plugged in to your van’s power socket.

Or what about a heated lunch box? This is great for those who drive long distances and want a hot meal, without paying an arm and a leg at the service stations – just plug it in to your car charger socket and enjoy a nice warm lunch, rather than a chilly limp sandwich.

Magnetic phone and coin pads.Never be rifling around for coins again, have your phone where you can see it, and generally be a little more organised with one of these. 

Heated seat pads. Because there’s nothing like a warm bum on a cold day! Or, go the whole hog and ask for an in-car electric blanket. Perfect if you’re a driver up north who frequently battles with the snow and can sometimes see yourself stuck in accident traffic or impassable roads. 

In-car Wi-Fi. Turn your cab into your office with one of these great gadgets. Be always on, listen to music, game while you’re waiting for a pick-up (but not in a traffic jam, please)

Mini hoover.Let’s make spiders dropping from the visor a thing of the past, people. An in-van mini hoover can help clear up those crumbs and that dirt in no time. 

Hanging storage. Keep all your paperwork in one place, and find things fast. It will shave a few minutes off your day, and in an industry where every second counts, you’ll be thankful for it.

A lumbar support cushion. Because being a van driver plays havoc with most people’s backs, given enough time behind the wheel. A solid, supporting cushion for your back will pay dividends and save the cost of those trips to the osteopath. (although we can recommend a brilliant one, if you do need one). 

Van detailing kit.Because we all like a nice, clean van, don’t we? Oh, wait. Well, maybe if you get one, you’ll actually use it. We can’t force you to, but you know, it might just give you the motivation that none of the lads have managed. Make it a new year’s resolution. 

A driving experiences.No chugging along, waiting for the diesel to finally kick in and give you some oomph. Blast out your driving frustrations with a track session in a supercar at one of the U.K.’s race tracks and unleash your inner Lewis Hamilton (other F1 drivers are available). 

White Van Men Are Great In Bed, Study Finds

Posted on by News Desk

Well, well well. If this wasn’t something you didn’t already know but are bloody chuffed to read again, here it is…

White van men are good in bed. It’s official! And, as your cheerleaders and (un)official sponsors of white van men and women everywhere, we felt we simply had to share it!

The poll, commissioned by online doctor service, Zava, decreed that while white van men were king of making the moves between the sheets, while tradesmen, managers and house-husbands all left a lot to be desired (probably something to do with the hunky WMV down the road). 

A huge 20% of all the respondents in the survey, white van men included, said stress was a major issue that hampered their love-lives. 

While many men of the 1035 surveyed said at some points in time that they struggled to rise to the occasion, most said that they felt unable to talk to their partner or their doctor about it, and 17% had secretly resorted to taking little blue pills to help alleviate the issue.  Over 60% of managers admitted to struggling to get things moving, 20% more than those who work in skilled or semi-skilled jobs, such as white van men. And the good news is you can feel a little bit sorry for all the rich gits swanning around in their fancy cars and posh suits. Those earning between £60,000 – £100,000 were most likely to report ED issues, the study found.

Something that others, who aren’t white van men, have observed is that there’s something very primal and macho about being a white van man (as if you didn’t know), which probably contributes to their stellar performance in the bedroom. If you’re spending all day being macho and manly, it makes sense that carries on home to your private life. It’s just a more blokey way to live and comes with a certain power and status that other road-users simply can’t muster. 

So, you can keep your suits, and your flash cars and give your van a little pat on the bonnet for making you what you are. A tiger in the bedroom. As soon as you’ve helped the wife with the washing up, that is. 

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