Details

Created: 25 July 2019

Van drivers know perhaps better than anybody the trials and tribulations of the UK’s parking systems. However, the whole parking landscape could soon be set for change if the Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS) and the Department for Transport (DfT) are successful in using new data standards to develop a nationwide app-based system for parking.

Any driver van insurance clients are all too familiar with the disparate, confusing and frequently unfair-seeming approach to parking on the UK high street that so often results in a desperate scramble for spare change, the frustration of broken ticket machines and the madcap rush to register with automated pay systems.

However, in much the same way that the Oyster card has had a dramatic impact on the way commuters get about on public transport in London, the introduction of standardised data and app systems for parking across the UK has the potential to save the nation’s any driver van insurance customers untold inconvenience and trouble.

The plans have been announced as part of the government’s “Future of mobility: urban strategy” and outline a future in which drivers have a much smoother parking experience in which they find it easier to find an appropriate parking space while at the same time enabling the country’s towns and cities to suffer less unnecessary congestion and parking-related chaos.

However, not everyone is entirely convinced by the content of the plans. “There is little detail about what data standardisation means in practice, indeed to the driver looking for a place to park their vehicle it might sound rather obscure,” said a spokesperson with the RAC.

What is certain is that it is time that parking technology became standardised while also taking advantage of the many opportunities presented by digital developments in the field. Furthermore, the government needs to ensure that the nation’s infrastructure is sufficiently able to accommodate new data standards and app-based innovations. The UK’s many intelligent any driver van insurance policyholders deserve a similarly intelligent parking system.

 

Details

Created: 21 May 2019

A 34-year-old joiner from Lancashire has been left hoping that his joiner van insurance policy will cover the loss of £2,000 worth of tools that were stolen from his van.

However, his 27-year-old partner hopes that a joiner van insurance claim won’t be necessary; she has used social media to share CCTV recordings of the theft and is banking on the detective work of members of the public to identify the thieves and to hopefully recover all of the tools, which included a circular router, a combi drill, an impact driver, a jigsaw, a titan angle grinder and a multi-tool.

The woman told the press, “We knew next door had CCTV so we went to have a look and you can see the whole thing. The person comes to the back of the van, takes some things out then takes them across the road. Then he comes back to the van, takes some more stuff, runs away and then comes back again.”

The couple have already managed to recover one of the stolen tools – a planer worth several hundred pounds was abandoned by the thieves just around the corner from the joiner’s home address.

The couple say that although their first hope is to recover the important equipment, they accept that they might have to make a claim on their van insurance policy, although they are unsure if it includes sufficient tools cover.

“All the tools are marked with a black marker, and we just hope that if whoever took them tries to sell them on then someone will realise they are ours,” said the man’s partner.

“The police have been round and we’ve shared the footage on Facebook, but we just want the tools back.”

Police confirmed that they have received notification of the theft and are looking into the matter.

Van Insurance from iVan

Whether you’re a joiner, a builder, a florist, a baker or any other profession, if your priority is to get the cheapest and best quality van insurance on the market, iVan can help you on your journey.

We provide any driver van insurance quotes for single vans, large vans and even fleets.

Get a quote from us today by simply clicking on our quote button.

 

Details

Created: 27 June 2019

The recent case of a joiner from Greater Manchester has highlighted the importance of notifying your any driver van insurance company of all accidents involving your vehicle – no matter how small or large – even if you do not intend to make a claim.

The incident involved the man sustaining damage to his Volkswagen Passat van as a result of driving over a pothole last November. He paid the repair bill himself and then sought to claim back the £83.85 repair fee from his local authority.

However, on later seeking to renew his van insurance policy with his insurer, he was told that the policy would cost 20 per cent more than previously and that this was because his local authority had contacted the company to notify them of the pothole accident.

“I’ve never claimed in my life but because the council has rung up my insurance, I’m being penalised for somebody else’s actions,” said the 36-year-old joiner.

He later found out that his accident had been logged on the Claims Underwriting Exchange (CUE) as part of an official notification incident.

A spokesperson from his insurance company confirmed, “We notify customers that claims data will be shared in this way when they sign up to a policy with us.”

However, the insurer has decided to waive the increase as a gesture of goodwill, although the accident will remain on file for a further four years, potentially affecting the cost of the joiner’s van insurance premiums in the future.

Furthermore, the man says that he is considering legal action against the council; he said that he did not tick the box on the local authority form permitting them to share information of the accident with his insurer.

Notifying your insurer

Some people try to preserve their no-claims discount by not notifying their insurers of an accident. However, it is the condition of all motor insurance policies that the policyholder informs their insurer of any accident they are involved in and that they do so within a reasonable time – to be on the safe side it is best to do this as soon as possible.

If you do not inform your insurer, they are entitled to cancel your policy and may refuse to provide you with cover in the future. Furthermore, if you have had a cancelled policy, alternative insurers also refuse to provide you with cover.

Van insurance quotes with iVan

iVan can help you save money on your any driver van insurance. Compare a range of policies by using our quote engine today.

 

Details

Created: 13 May 2019

Recent rises in commercial vehicle manufacture and purchase in Britain and Europe are likely to be reflected by a growth in the any driver van insurance sector over the remainder of the year.

Figures from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this month revealed that British commercial vehicle manufacturing plants completed 9,233 vehicles in February, more than a 53 per cent increase on the previous month. This includes a growth in manufacture for the domestic market by 57.3 per cent and 51.9 per cent growth in the manufacture of vans for the export market. However, it is the export market that continues to be the main driver of growth as it is responsible for nearly 70 per cent of commercial vehicles manufactured in the UK.

In fact, February proved to be the most productive month for van manufacture in the UK since 2012 – a sign that British and European Union incentives have proved successful in stimulating the sector.

However, it is predicted that growth may slow over the coming months. Mike Hawes from SMMT comments, "While the positive news continues for UK CV manufacturing, it's important to highlight that this low volume industry is cyclical and experiences large percentage swings when compared month on month.

"Although both demand at home and overseas has seen double-digit growth, still almost two thirds of British-built CVs are destined for export, the majority to the EU."

Furthermore, Hawes expressed concern that unless Brexit is properly managed and any driver van insurance customers in the EU continue to have free access to UK-manufactured vehicles, UK industry could suffer. "This signifies just how vital a deal that retains free and frictionless trade with the EU is for this sector."

A Buoyant EU Market

The European Automotive Manufacturers Association has revealed that European markets rose in March by 4.1%.

Registrations rose in all commercial vehicle weight categories, with the highest risers Germany up 11.3 per cent, followed by the UK at 10.6 per cent.

Find an Any Driver Van Insurance Policy

iVan can help you compare any driver van insurance policies so you can find the cheapest policy that is right for your situation. Try our quote engine today by clicking the "Get a Quote" button below.