2020 – Are We There Yet?

So, delivery drivers are (somewhat) breathing a sigh of relief that Christmas is finally over and the last-minute deluge of everyone needing everything yesterday has almost abated. (Unless you’re still working like a dog delivering sale parcels here, there and everywhere). Hopefully, you’ve had a good few days off, will enjoy another this week before things start to resume an air of finally getting back to something approaching normality. 

Spare a moment for some reflection on the year you’ve had. Maybe you’ve got a new van, maybe 2020 is the year you’re going to. What lessons did you learn this year? How many parking fines, tickets and arguments with traffic wardens did you get into? If it’s single digit, you’re doing okay. If it’s more, maybe the new millennium will be the time for you to think about how you can redress the balance a little. 

How’s your health been? Sitting behind the wheel day after day isn’t the healthiest life, and the stress of being on the road doesn’t just wash over most people. Are there things you could do better or do you need to work some regular exercise into your routine? Or find a better way to blow off steam at the end of a working week than sinking a few pints in the pub. 

How about your driving? Did you have any near misses or scrapes and dings you could have avoided with a little more care and attention? Did your rush to be at your destination get the better of you sometimes and lead to silly mistakes you didn’t need to make?

Did you get any speeding fines or other points on your license this year? Could you have avoided them? If you did, no doubt you’re paying the price in terms of your van insurance premiums. If you already have a few convictions are you going to find yourself in a tough spot if you rack up any more this year? 

Did you neglect keeping on top of your servicing and van maintenance? Did a little problem become bigger as a result? Driving without up to date tax and insurance is just foolish and keeping your van on the road when it needs some TLC is equally irresponsible. 

Buying a new van? How will you finance it? Make sure you look into all the different options that are available before committing to whatever the dealership suggests. 

What will the next few years hold? Maybe you’re happy to just keep on trucking, but maybe you’re looking forward to working a new patch or changing what your day to day driving involves. If so, make some tangible goals you can work towards getting to where you want to be.

Wherever you’re going, and whatever you’re doing, just remember if you’re van insurance requirements are going to change, we’ve got your back. Just fill in our simple form for the best quotes for van insurance to be coming to you direct, leaving you free to worry about something else (possibly) far more interesting.

Van drivers, we salute you all and wish you a very happy new year.

The Van Driver’s Carol Service – Part Two

Wow – we were blown away by last week’s carols – you LOVED them!

So, who were we to say no, when you asked for more? But, with just 2 days before Christmas, before we bless you with yet another CVI belter, we did just want to take a moment to thank you all. You keep our country moving. Businesses, big and small simply couldn’t function without you. Hopefully, it’s just a matter of hours before you can deliver that last parcel, hang up the van keys and just relax for a few days, before it starts all over again.

Van drivers of the UK; we salute you.

On the First Day of Christmas:

On the first day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Insurance savings for all to see

On the second day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see

On the third day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see

On the fourth day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see

On the fifth day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Five-staaaar service, four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see

On the sixth day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Six footwell mats, five-star service, four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see

On the seventh day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Seven pairs of socks, six footwell mats, five-star service, four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see

On the eight day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Eight London jobs, seven pairs of socks, six footwell mats, five-star service, four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see

On the ninth day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Nine parking tickets, Eight London jobs, seven pairs of socks, six footwell mats, five-star service, four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see

On the tenth day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Ten roadside repairs, nine parking tickets, Eight London jobs, seven pairs of socks, six footwell mats, five-star service, four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, CVI gave to me 

Eleven football shirts, ten roadside repairs, nine parking tickets, Eight London jobs, seven pairs of socks, six footwell mats, five-star service, four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, CVI gave to me

Twelve months of savings, eleven football shirts, ten roadside repairs, nine parking tickets, Eight London jobs, seven pairs of socks, six footwell mats, five-star service, four 4 by 2’s, three furry dice, two magic trees and insurance savings for all to see 

Happy Christmas everyone! Safe driving!

Winter Driving – Are you prepared?

As winter spreads its icy tendrils out over our green and pleasant land, most of us don’t do anything to prepare either ourselves or our vans for winter. But the days are most definitely shorter, and the north of the country has already seen its first snow, and some are saying it’s going to be our worst winter for a while. So here at CVI, in the name of being responsible writers, we thought we’d arm you with our top tips for staying safe this winter.

  1. Give yourself more space to the car in front. Yes, we know this goes against everything many van drivers believe, but being bumper to bumper with the car in front isn’t actually a good idea, especially in winter. Slowing down and giving yourself more space to the vehicle in front, so you have a greater chance of recovering the van if you do lose control can be the difference between life and death – not just yours, but of other vehicles around you. 
  2. Check your van is ready for the road. That means checking your tyre pressures are ok, (even better if you have a set of winter tyres for this time of year), your fluids are topped up, including some de-icer in your screen wash, your van battery is working well and you have a personal emergency kit ready if you need it. That includes water, a blanket or duvet and a couple of little snack bars to keep you going if you do get stuck. It’s recommended that you check your type pressure each week to be safe. Also check your roadside emergency kit is complete, your fire extinguisher is tested and you have everything you should have.
  3. Winter tyres are worth the investment. They will ensure you have better grip in the ice and snow, are less likely to aquaplane in the wet and the compound is better suited to winter conditions. Invest in a set and they should last you for years to come. 
  4. Do you know how to handle your van in case of a spin or a skid? Just thinking through and visualising how you’d handle this will leave you better prepared than just winging it in the moment. 
  5. Keep everything clean. Again, we know keeping your van clean isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but ensuring windscreens, lights and wiper blades are clean and in good working order can help keep your vision of the road at its best.
  6. Give yourself extra time. When the weather is bad, don’t just assume you’ll get from A to B in your usual time. You won’t, and rushing to get there is putting your life in danger when conditions are bad. 
  7. Try to avoid stopping on hills in snowy and icy conditions. Use a low gear to get to the top, because once you’ve stopped on a steep hill, getting going again, especially in a heavy van, is easier said than done. 
  8. Make sure your van insurance is up to date and you have enough cover for the contents. If you’re delivering Christmas gifts, check your policy covers the full value of what you’re carrying. The cheapest van insurance policy often isn’t the best. Thankfully, this is something we can help with, by filling out our form and getting the pick of the best deals and offers available.

All these things can help to keep you safe, keep other road users safe and make sure you’re around for the joys of spring, even if it does feel as if that’s a very long time to wait still. 

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