The kinds of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) which rely on a van or fleet of vans will be among those hardest hit by the January VAT rise, according to employment think-tank The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a situation that is likely to lead to even more emphasis being placed on the importance of businesses being sure to compare van insurance before purchasing a policy.
The CIPD's chief economics advisor, Dr John Philpott, explained some of the circumstances that will cause smart operators to compare van insurance more methodically than ever before.
"Maybe some of the big players feel that they can absorb this in one way or another," he said.
"I suspect it will be smaller and medium-sized retailers - small and medium-sized businesses - who will actually feel the full brunt of this," he added.
And, with the costs of commercial vehicle premiums rising to never before scaled heights, there is extra incentive for businesses and private van drivers to compare van insurance from a broad section of the market before purchasing a policy.