As van drivers struggle to find sufficiently cheap van insurance an increasing number are choosing to withdraw their vehicles from service, keeping them of the road.
According to data released by one motor insurance company, there were a record number of Statutory Off Road Notifications (SORNs) last year as the pressures of paying for tax, MOTs and finding cheap van insurance caught up with many commercial vehicle owners.
The figures indicate that there were 1.8 SORNs last year, up 200,000 on the previous highest figure, with 1 million for private vehicles and the remaining 800,000 for commercial vehicles such as vans.
A spokesperson from the company behind the study comments, "We have noticed this year that at the time of their insurance renewal, more customers are telling us they cannot afford to keep… on the road. This is backed up by the increase in SORN declarations, with drivers choosing to take their vehicles off the road until their financial worries ease."
While a spokesperson from cheap van insurance specialist iVan comments, "For some larger fleets, taking one or two vehicles off the road may be an option if costs need to be cut. However, for small businesses and one-man-bands, making a good comparison of the market for the cheapest van cover available is more important than ever.
"It is no good withdrawing a van from service if it represents your very livelihood."