Money-saving tips for van drivers
Ever-increasing fuel prices, continuous parking restrictions and rising congestion charges can seriously drain the pockets of everyone that drives a van for their business, as van’s are often a necessity more so than cars.
However, Lee Grandin, Managing Director of Van Insurance Limited, the specialist online broker for commercial and private van insurance, believes there are several things that van drivers can do to help cut the cost of motoring.
Lee’s Top Tips For Saving Money:
1. Van drivers need to recognise the benefits of driving more efficiently. The Petrol Retailers’ Association predicted that by the end of 2010, motorists can expect to be paying 123p for a litre of unleaded, so van drivers seriously need to watch their fuel consumption this year by:
- Driving smoothly and avoiding harsh acceleration and heavy braking
- Driving in the highest possible gear without labouring the engine
- Slowing down (restricting your speed to 60mph can use up to 20% less fuel),
- Making your van as aerodynamic and light as possible by keeping your windows and sunroof closed and removing any unnecessary items in your van like CDs in the glove box or roof racks when not in use
- Use the air con sparingly, which can increase fuel consumption significantly
2. Make sure that your van is well maintained – keep it serviced and be aware of any changes you feel when driving. A study by More Th>n Business found that the top ten causes of van breakdowns included several avoidable driver mistakes, such as leaving headlights on or filling up with the wrong fuel, so it is vital for van drivers to be aware of their vehicle.
It is important that van drivers check their water, oil and tyres – your van often means your livelyhood and simple regular maintenance checks can stop major problems in the future and save money. Tyre pressures that are down by 20% can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%, which could equate to around £250 in extra fuel and tyre costs over a year.
3. By investing in a sat-nav, plan your journey in advance and if you have several to make in one day, plan the routes to avoid congested roads to cut long journey times and therefore fuel consumption. Also try to avoid built-up areas with junctions and speed bumps as regularly slowing down and speeding up is a less efficient way to drive.
4. Make sure that you shop online and compare prices for everything that touches your van, from fuel, tyres and parts to MOTs and repairs. Costs for each of these varies greatly so don’t always use the same provider for each commodity.
5. One of the biggest and most immediate ways to save money on your van motoring is by sorting out your insurance, despite it seeming like a very boring task. Take everything into consideration – the size of your van, as a bigger engine means higher premiums, the security measures you employ to protect the contents and van itself being stolen and the location – putting your van in a garage can seriously reduce your premiums.
It is also worth remembering that van insurance is certainly not a one size fits all product. This is why we have created a light-hearted and ‘easy-on-the-eye’ website as not only are our customers different, from the 88 year old white van driver still on the roads to the 25 year old silver Mercedes driver, their needs also differ.
Lee comments: “VanInsurance.co.uk allows van drivers to access all of the different insurance providers, all in one place, enables you to find the most suitable product – as well as the best value deal. Buying van insurance directly from a provider may be risky in certain cases especially when you are pressed for time. Insurance brokers like us have access to many companies and are in a position to advise you about the best policy for your van. So a broker may be your best friend when it comes to protecting your van as well as yourself.”
For more information, visit vaninsurance.co.uk.