Insurance Van

Van insurance should cover most driving related and legal eventualities and good cheap van insurance may also carry additional features such as recovery following an accident, full breakdown cover, home start, some European cover and a like for like vehicle in the event of an accident and the need for a repair. When it comes to protecting your van against theft then some basic security measures are required to validate most insurance policies and some additional measures that you can take will bring the cost of premiums down.

Some security features are easy and cheap to add to your van; some are more costly. Your considerations will depend in part on: the value of your van, whether you need to keep expensive tools or other equipment in it unattended at times, and whether the additional security features are a prerequisite of your van insurance policy or optional extras that will reduce your premium.

Some basic door security is obviously required but there are other more sophisticated mechanisms on the market that you could consider. Deadbolts can be fitted to the rear and side doors of your van and are tamper proof once installed. They can be operated either by a mechanical key or from a remote key fob. Slam locks automatically lock and secure a door when closed. These are especially useful for delivery drivers who have to leave their vehicle and its cargo unattended while making deliveries, leaving van and cargo vulnerable to theft. A slam lock would protect against this problem and allow you to quickly and safely go about your business. An armaplate lock cover is another extra that completely encases your van door lock and handle as well as adding a steel plate inside the door.

Interior van security is also important for safety as well as anti-theft reasons. Van boxes can be used for storage and secured to the van interior whilst being removable should you need to carry tools or other equipment with you. Van bulkheads are a steel or perspex screen that is fitted behind the driver and passenger seat which prevents thieves climbing over the seats, and protects driver and passenger from shifting loads during sudden braking. It is also possible to fit steel grilles on the back windows which prevent thieves entering that way but still retain visibility for the driver. Ignition locks should come as standard on most modern vehicles, whilst alarms and GPS immobilisers are other extras that you could consider.

Some other measures you can consider to bring down the cost of your insurance could include keeping your van in a garage or on a drive if available to you, taking an additional driving course, driving well and keeping a good driving record, keeping your no claims bonus by paying for any small accident-related repairs and having a higher voluntary excess on your van insurance policy. It also helps if you can pay for your van insurance all in one go, rather than the more expensive option of monthly direct debits.

If you can implement all or most of these ideas, then the chances are you won’t encounter any problems anyway. In addition, the effort required to act on these ideas will be repaid by making it much easier for you to obtain comprehensive cheap van insurance which will give you peace of mind and ensure you are covered if anything did happen.

Julia Niven – One Van Insurance search a panel of the UK’s leading van insurers to find you a great deal on your van insurance.

Whether you need van insurance for private or business use, our click and buy service means you can arrange your van insurance online in minutes!
We offer fully comprehensive cover, third party, fire & theft and third party only cover. Visit our site and see what cheap van insurance deals we offer.

Camper vans, of course, come in all shapes and sizes – from the large to the small, from the modestly priced to the more lavish home from home costing many thousands of pounds. Whatever type of vehicle you might own – or might think of owning – however, there comes a time when you need to consider camper van cover to insure the vehicle.

Because your camper performs a whole range of functions (from getting you and your family from A to B, to providing you with somewhere to cook, eat and sleep), the insurance needs to reflect such multi-purpose use. In fact, cover is probably so unlike any other type of insurance you’ve bought, that it often makes sense to deal with a provider who specialises in insurance for motor homes and camper vans.

What elements, then, is your camper van insurance likely to cover?

* the vehicle – if it’s anything but the most basic and really quite ancient of camper vans, you’re likely to choose a fully comprehensive policy (a minimum level of third party cover is, of course, a legal requirement for driving on public roads). Comprehensive cover typically has the advantage of protecting the vehicle against accidental damage even where you are at fault and typically includes a number of additional insurance options;
* the windscreen – amongst those additional options may be cover for damaged or broken windscreens. A broken windscreen is clearly something that needs to be repaired promptly, at the roadside, so that you are able to continue with your holiday with the minimum of fuss and delay;
* breakdown cover – for the same reasons, it is also worth considering the inclusion of breakdown and roadside assistance cover in the event of a mechanical or electrical failure. If repairs are unable to be made within a reasonable space of time, you might want to check that the policy makes provision for alternative transport and/or accommodation;
* personal injury – given the extended periods of time you and any passengers are likely to be driving in a camper van and the distances you intend to cover, it might be more important than usual to ensure that your policy includes cover for personal injury;
* equipment and contents – if there is one thing that marks out a campervan from other motor vehicles, it is the sheer range of additional equipment and contents likely to be carried on practically any outing. This might range from the gear needed to set up camp, the bedding and personal effects you take with you and perhaps even a bicycle or two strapped to the back of the vehicle. This all adds up to a tidy investment, of course, and you might want to make sure that your camper van cover does indeed insure everything you regularly take with you.

Andrew Pickles is Director of Frank Pickles Insurance Ltd. We offer a wide range of UK specialist vehicle insurance products at our site http://www.frankpickles.co.uk including Camper Insurance

Buying a New Van? – Here Are a Few Things to Consider With Your Van Insurance

Buying a new van is an important process and there are a multitude of factors when considering the best option. It’s important to have a clear understanding of what you need the vehicle to do and how you will finance the van? Will you pay cash or are you looking to free up working capital by choosing a van lease with a regular monthly payment?

Costings:

Perhaps the best place to start is by looking carefully at your budget. Your budget should incorporate a number of considerations such as: day-to-day running costs, breakdown cover, maintenance, upkeep and livery. How economical is it to run? When making your calculations perhaps the most important cost consideration other than buying the van itself is the cost of insurance. It’s critical to factor your van insurance into your overall cost.

Van Insurance:

Notwithstanding the fact that insurance is legally compulsory, the basis of an insurance policy is in effect a difference of opinion between you (the insured) and the insurance company. The Policy and premium will be based upon a number of factors including: where the vehicle will be driven, where it will be parked at night, what it will transport, who will drive it etc.

Here are some tips that can help keep your van insurance costs down:

o Be smart. Pragmatism is the key. Avoid oversized engines or modified vans which might push up the premium costs.

o Is the van for business or personal use? Make sure your insurer is aware if the vehicle is only for personal use – it could save you a lot of money.

o How much cover do you really need? Don’t buy unnecessary coverage but be sure to take sufficient insurance. For example are you paying for EU coverage when it’s unlikely you will take the vehicle abroad? Does your policy sufficiently cover anyone injured in an accident?

o What about the excess? Could you afford to pay for small repairs yourself and thereby protect your no claims? A no claims discount can save you as much as 70%.

o Park the van securely overnight – on a private drive way or in a garage

o Leave the van empty overnight.

o Add safety anti-theft devices and other safety equipment. Secure doors, alarm system, ignition lock and immobilizers will keep the cost of your premium down.

Good quality, cheap van insurance is out there with some companies sifting through hundreds of policy options to find the best quality cheap van insurance available. Take this advice, go online and grab yourself a great deal today.

Julia Niven – One Van Insurance search a panel of the UK’s leading van insurers to find you a great deal on your van insurance.

Whether you need van insurance for private or business use, our click and buy service means you can arrange your van insurance online in minutes!

We offer fully comprehensive cover, third party, fire & theft and third party only cover. Visit our site and see what cheap van insurance deals we offer