Author: News Desk

First It Was Loo Roll. Now, It’s a Fuel Shortage.

Posted on by News Desk

You know what this is about, don’t you? If you haven’t heard about the fuel shortage, then you’re one of the lucky few.

There is a certain name for people who panic buy. And unfortunately, it has been happening all too often lately. 

Why is this happening?

Here are a few reasons and excuses being thrown around for the supposed fuel shortage:

  • Shortage of drivers. According to reports, the situation just seems to be getting worse and worse, doesn’t it? Despite the government’s attempts to get it under control.
  • Brexit. It’s basically been described as a huge circle of hell, according to several sources.
  • Covid-19. Several workers are now returning to the office. Many of these employees are having to once again get into their cars, and drive into work. The higher demand, alongside other issues, is having a direct effect on fuel.
  • PANIC BUYING. Possibly the main culprit here. It has happened before and it is happening again. 

Perhaps, they are all connected?

Now, we’re not judging you. Especially if you’re one of the many that have panicked, and driven on down to your local petrol station at 90 miles per hour…

Okay, maybe we are a little bit. But there is a very good reason why. Let’s consider those of you who are reading this and desperately require fuel for work purposes. Those of you who are keyworkers, delivery drivers, cab or taxi drivers, or van drivers. 

There is a myriad of occupations that a van driver could have. It is highly likely that whatever that job is, you’re going to need your van for it. Unfortunately, a lot of the people queueing out there who are desperate for fuel may not be doing it for the right reasons. 

What next?

Have the queues and shortages affected you in any way? We found ourselves queueing for an hour this evening. Our neighbour (a nurse) drove to four different petrol stations before she could get 30 quids’ worth. 

The government has reassured the public to continue buying fuel as normal. We’re pretty sure panic buying doesn’t constitute as normal. So, let’s all calm down, shall we?

If you haven’t been able to fuel up your van these past couple of days, here is some good news. You’re only 3 minutes away from accessing seriously cheap van insurance. Fill out this form and let us take care of the rest.

Drive In Hiring New Delivery Drivers To Cost Company Millions

Posted on by News Desk

Who’s hiring delivery drivers?

Can you guess which company it is?

The story has been doing the rounds all week.

Okay, fine, we won’t keep you in suspense.

Drum roll, please… It’s only everyone’s favourite online supermarket that goes by the name, Ocado. 

Just What Has Ocado Been Up to?

By now, you have likely heard about the serious fuss over delivery driver shortages in the UK.

Unless, of course, you live under a rock.

To attract more employees, Ocado is advertising their delivery driver roles using everyone’s most hated best friend: money.

By offering higher wages and bonuses, they hope these incentives will fill the delivery driver void.

Why are Ocado Offering Higher Wages to Drivers?

Recently, it was confirmed by the UK government, that HGV tests would be sped up and also made easier.

You may have read about it in one of our previous blog posts. 

So, following this news, Ocado hopes their soaring wages will be motivation enough for drivers to want to join them.

At the moment, it is estimated that we are short of around a whopping 90,000 drivers.

Eek.

Naturally, this has caused disruption to supermarket supply chains, fuel and all sorts of other goods.

Are you one of the many thousands who have been affected by the shortages? 

So, What Are Ocado Moaning About?

In paying you lot higher wages and bonuses (as they should), they are estimating it will cost the company an additional £5 million (at least). 

However, we’re hoping this trend of paying our fellow delivery driver higher salaries continues.

Especially as Ocado are not the first to brag about this.

In fact, John Lewis and Aldi have also recently decided to up their delivery driver wages.

Tesco has also jumped on board the bandwagon and are offering decent bonus packages to join them, too. 

Let’s hope these higher paid wages and bonuses are enough to entice delivery drivers back, eh?

Where are you all? We miss you. 

For those of you who are still in the profession, or looking to join, it’s a good thing you’ve stumbled upon this blog post.

The first thing you need to do is to consider van insurance.

There are additional details you need to consider as a delivery driver, too. 

Find out all you need to know about cheap van insurance by completing this quick 3-minute form.

From Angry Amazon Bosses To Delivery Drivers Academies: This Week’s Top Stories

Posted on by News Desk

Delivery drivers….

So, we have two things to report on this week.

The first is actually from across the pond, involving an angry Amazon manager and his poor employee.

The second is related to the ongoing fear of driver shortages Britain is facing at the moment.

Stay Off My Lawn!

Something perhaps more fitting for an elderly gentleman to yell at some troublesome teens.

But no.

This unfortunate Amazon delivery driver received a whole lotta abuse from his own manager. 

You may have seen the video doing the rounds online.

It’s been published in most tabloid newspapers, so it isn’t too hard to find, but you may not want to watch it.

If delivery drivers didn’t have enough to put up with already, this really takes the biscuit. 

The manager claims his employee broke several rules whilst delivering the package to his loving boss.

So, naturally, he felt the best way to let his worker know about it, was to yell at him.

Obviously. 

The main issue the video captures is the berated delivery driver walking across his manager’s grass to deliver the package.

Clearly, a rookie mistake and one that warrants verbal abuse.

Said no one, ever. 

Have you ever experienced unreasonable behaviour from your manager as a delivery driver?

Let us know — we’d love to call them out on it.

Of course, we’d hope no one in Britain would be quite as ‘stern’ when talking to their delivery drivers.

It appears America is a whole other kettle of fish.

Considering A Career Change?

Next up.

If you feel you aren’t being treated well enough as a delivery driver, then why not consider becoming a lorry driver?

With all the driver shortages, Brexit, Covid-19, and just general chaos and hoo-ha that’s hit Britain lately.

Selco is helping with the panic. 

They’ve decided to launch an academy for lorry drivers, encouraging van drivers to become HGV drivers instead.

They’ve also recently increased their pay.

Not too shabby, eh?

So, what do you reckon?

Career change to rid yourself of the annoying boss?

We’d hope not, especially in the UK.

So until then, and as usual, we’ve got your back with the cheapest van insurance quotes around.

You’re welcome.

Delivery Drivers: Shortages And The High-Stakes Solution In The US

Posted on by News Desk

Delivery drivers.

Drive it, 420.

We’re not actually sure if that makes sense, but that’s what the folks in America have decided.

For once, this isn’t a post about electric vans…

So, this week’s news comes from the other side of the pond.

Quite a big pond, actually, as this is news from the ol’ U.S. of A.

Just as the UK has been experiencing delivery driver shortages here, the same has been happening across the US. 

Now, there’s a number of reasons that have been suggested for the shortage in the UK…

We’ve seen stuff about Covid-19 and the ‘Pingdemic’, Brexit, and all sorts of excuses.

Our suspicions are that it probably involves many reasons, so we won’t point the blame anywhere specific.

Whilst the US can’t blame Brexit, they are still suffering from delivery problems.

And so, they’ve used some initiative. 

In America, some states have legalised cannabis, but not ALL of them.

Now, delivery companies are specifically advertising job listings, that stipulate that there is no mandatory drug testing.

This is a particular company, by the way.

You may have heard of them before…

Say, does Amazon ring a bell?

Not only Amazon drivers, but also all the other delivery companies it sub-contracts with.

They’re facing a serious dilemma. Even the munchies can’t ease their concerns. (Sorry, we couldn’t resist!)

Many current drivers and potential hires fail cannabis and THC tests.

Because of this, they’re facing a real shortage, which is now verging on a crisis.

So much so, that the job descriptions that are going out have specific detail that claims there is ‘no marijuana testing’ or ‘THC testing’. 

Many states in the US have decriminalized cannabis.

Some lobbyists are seizing this opportunity to push the agenda further.

They argue that if Amazon can ignore marijuana screening, then so can everyone else.

Van drivers in the UK don’t need to worry about ‘high’ delivery drivers right now.

However, it’s something to consider if cannabis is ever legalised in the UK.

We’re pretty certain we Brits would have more common sense than to get behind the wheel whilst under the influence of anything.

If you need to claim against someone who isn’t law-abiding, you’ll need reliable van insurance.

It’s essential for getting you out of a sticky situation.

It’s a good thing we’ve got you covered with the best and cheapest van insurance quotes around, eh?

Driver Takes His Van For A Swim

Posted on by News Desk

Driver Takes His Van For A Swim?

Yes, you did read what you thought you just read.

And whilst it’s not quite as simple as that, we’re phrasing it that way, so the driver doesn’t feel too bad. 

…But he should. 

This week’s news comes fresh to you from Exmouth.

A lovely English Seaside town in the South of Devon, that can get quite lively, from what we hear.

Well, lively enough for a van driver to park his van on a tidal slipway, slip off for a quiet pint or two, and forget about the van.

The driver went off for a pint, that is – not the van.

Then again, the van did go swimming, so who knows what else it’s capable of…

Unfortunately, this memory loss has cost the driver dearly.

The next thing he knew, town members had spotted his white van bobbing off into the sea.

Regrettably, he was not made aware of this until the next morning, when he returned to pick up his van.

Thankfully, the driver appears to have remained upbeat.

What else can you do, we suppose?

We’re not sure what exactly is in the air and affecting our dear van drivers this week, but similar news also hit the headlines in Cornwall. 

Whilst we don’t think a pint was involved this time, there was some blatant disregard for parking rules.

The unfortunate driver was initially at Newquay Harbour Beach to help launch a boat.

He then ignored signs and protests from the parking attendant about leaving his van on the beach.

Well, karma sure came around for this guy because the next thing he knew, his van was already submerged, having a dip in the sea.

The best thing (or worst thing?) was that he left his van there, just so he could go off and jet ski with a buddy.

That’ll teach him. Hopefully.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever left your van parked?

We’re sure there are some juicy stories out there… So, come on, don’t be shy! 

If, like the unfortunate drivers in this article, you ever find your van needing a float in the form of van insurance, we’re thankful to say we have you covered.

 So whether you’re planning on parking on the beach (let’s hope not),

or somewhere a little more sensible (like the road, or a driveway, perhaps?),

you’ll find we have the cheapest van insurance quotes around.

This Chime, It’s Personal

Posted on by News Desk

It’s finally happened.

We’ve now reached that stage of the year when if people weren’t losing their minds over the colour of a van.

They’re now crying at ice cream vans. 

Okay, so perhaps not literally crying at an ice cream van.

But certainly becoming triggered enough by the chime of one.

Enough to get an ice cream van firm actually banned on a street in Lowestoft. 

Now, we firmly believe that the only reason to see red when it comes to ice cream vans, is when they drive off too quickly.

You know the deal.

You’ll be rushing around, getting dressed enough to look presentable to the neighbours, and pretending you’re about to get a Flake 99 for your kid.

But by the time you get outside…

THE VAN HAS GONE. It’s enough to make a grown man cry.

In Lowestoft, however, the reason for the banishing of ice cream on wheels is to do with the fact that the driver sounded the music for too long.

The company, Lamarti’s, are based near Great Yarmouth and having to deal with the fallback.

They have been accused by a distraught resident of allowing chimes to exceed 12 seconds.

More than 20 seconds, in fact.

Did you know there are rules in place for ice cream van chimes?

Music should be blasted — okay, sorry, played nicely — for only 12 seconds.

Oh, and it can only be done when the van is still.

There is also a protocol on how loud you can sound the chimes, and how often (once every couple of minutes).

Just in case you wanted to ensure you’re up-to-date with the rules properly, all the details are published on the Gov website.

Click here for some nighttime reading.

2020, 2021… Please stop messing with us.

Who knows what 2022 will bring?

Complaints about Jerry the neighbour cleaning his van at 10am and waking up Sharon from next door?

Time will tell. 

Until then, let’s hope the only other ice cream van concerns in your life are to do with insuring one.

You’ll find all the information you need, right here.

Has The Driver Shortages Affected You?

Posted on by News Desk

If you haven’t heard about the driver shortages, you’re likely not from the UK.

Otherwise, you must be living under a rock.

Remember this post we made a few weeks ago about tests for van and lorry drivers being made easier?

This was because the UK was facing the severe issue of a lack of delivery drivers — from vans to HGV drivers.

The reasons are numerous.

The driver shortages stem from Brexit, with Covid-19 making things much worse.

It’s like a tornado stirring the pot.

If there wasn’t a shortage already, ‘pingdemic’, as it has been affectionately named, has unfortunately caused further chaos.

This is because drivers are being pinged left, right and centre, and being told to self-isolate by the ‘track and trace’ app. 

As you can imagine, the consequences have been dire.

Many newsagents, including the chain NISA, have had to drive their vans to pick up supplies.

This is due to severe staff shortages among their suppliers.

This is time and effort spent on top of maintaining and managing their store branches and dealing with staff off work themselves, too. 

There are calls for the government to allow drivers who have been vaccinated (with both jabs) to skip the isolation period.

This is as long as they continue to test, and the results are negative.

At the moment, this is due to come into force from the 16th of August, but things could change — sooner or be pushed to later.

So, everything is up in the air, and everyone is panicking.

Help?

We think so.

What do you think?

Has the media blown this out of proportion, or is this something that needs further immediate attention?

Have you been affected directly by the driver shortages?

The struggling supermarkets certainly show us how serious this all this.

Let us know your thoughts! 

For any new drivers needing cheap van insurance, we’re always here for you.

All you have to do is complete this form, and be welcomed into a world of cheap van insurance providers, that you won’t find elsewhere.

The best thing is — the form takes less than 3 minutes to complete.

It’s Happening. Driverless Vans Are Here…

Posted on by News Desk

Driverless, really?

So, we all knew it was coming, as more and more electric vans are on the horizon for production.

Autonomous vans are also hitting the headlines.

But did you think driverless delivery vans would be here this quickly?

What’s the latest on all this about driverless vans?!

Without a driver at the wheel (I don’t think we can say that enough, as we’re in disbelief), an electric van from Arrival has successfully made a journey to a parcel depot.

The demonstrators gathered last week, and now that the company has announced a partnership with Uber in the US, we’re here to tell you, friends.

The future looks green.

Of course, the van now requires further testing on roads, but after this successful event, we’re certain that will happen soon.

Who is Arrival?

  • Arrival focuses on making transport zero emissions, so you’ll probably hear their name mentioned frequently in the future.
  • If you’re interested in watching the video from Arrival, you can click the link here. It shows you everything you need to know about Robopilot, and more.

Can we really be surprised that vans are delivering goods without drivers in this day and age?

If you’re local to Milton Keynes, or have been there recently, you may have seen robots going about their business.

These little delivery carriers brought food to the large town of MK, especially during the height of the pandemic.

And they’re still there. So, for some of you, this may not surprise you at all.

Read more about the tiny Milton Keynes robots here.

So, what’s next? Robots cooking our dinner?

Perhaps.

There’s plenty of tongues wagging about the future of many motors being autonomous.

Some say this is to cut down on the number of human lives lost to major accidents and traffic incidents.

Others say it’s an abomination. 

What’s your take on it? We can only imagine it’s all a bit terrifying, to be honest. Let us know your thoughts.

Until the inevitable war with the robots from Milton Keynes takes place, we’re still here.

We’ve got you covered with the cheapest van insurance quotes around. Simply fill in your details here, and get an instant quote!

How Branding Can Affect Your Van Insurance

Posted on by News Desk

Sigh. The things we need to declare on our vehicle’s insurance, eh?

Goss, that’s hot off the press. The simple act of advertising your company — for example, placing a sticker of your logo or something to do with your brand — can actually affect your van’s insurance policy.

Now, this is simply a warning. Every van insurance provider will work to their own rules and policies, but a leading van insurance provider has spilled the beans on how simple branding could nullify your insurance.

So, whether you’re advertising your building company, painting and decorating services, or dog hair cutting salon… Please be aware, treasured van drivers. 

How might my van insurance be declared void?

For some providers, it is necessary to declare any way in which you might be advertising your brand or company. This is because it can be seen as a modification to your van. That’s right. Signage on your van can be seen as modifying your van. It’s not like you’ve got new alloys or painted a Formula 1 flag on your bonnet, but…

Look, we’re shaking our heads, too.

Another reason this could result in your van insurance being void, or rates being higher, is because thieves exist. Unfortunately, those dastardly buggers are a direct link here. 

Let’s use an example: you work for a tree surgeon company, and you have a branded sticker on the side of your van. The smarter thieves out there will see this as an opportunity. They’ll saunter up to your van, assuming you have valuable tools hidden in there somewhere, and break in. Okay, they probably won’t saunter, but you get our point. 

Let’s add the fact that stickers, or whatever you use as an adhesive on your van, could potentially cause damage to the paintwork. Or, require more monies if, heaven forbid, you were in an accident, for example. Yet another reason for van insurance providers to scowl at you.

With the recent rise in van sales due to a shortage of drivers, it’s best to declare everything. This ensures you’re getting the best deal for your van insurance. It’s also something we’re proud to be able to help with. Fill in your details here, and see what we can do for you!

Tests For Van Drivers Made Easier

Posted on by News Desk

The tests van drivers need to take will be relaxed — but it’s not necessarily a good thing.

You may have heard about the very serious hoo-ha of a shortage of HGV drivers and van drivers facing the UK at the moment.

Some are blaming Covid-19 and the number of tests that have had to be cancelled.

Others are firmly pointing their fingers at Brexit.

Some are blaming an accumulation of both, alongside other resulting factors in the past, very unusual, year. 

We’re not one to accuse people or pandemics (although perhaps we should), but there is a major concern here.

With the tests being made easier, it could be argued that they’re being relaxed a smidgen too far.

And with the ease of passing the tests, there is a rise in numbers of people being concerned about safety issues.

Depending on where you live, you may have also noticed a few empty shelves at your local supermarket.

Again, sparked by Brexit or the COVID-19 app pinging left, right and centre, telling people to isolate and keep the country safe?

Once again, it could be a bit of both. 

Whatever the reason is for the cause of these shortages, from empty shelves to delivery drivers.

This could really affect the safety of our HGV and van drivers out there.

For example, this relaxing of the requirements to pass the test follows a decision that affects breaks that lorry drivers can take.

Now, drivers have to drive for longer before they can take a break, as if it wasn’t exhausting enough already.

The Secretary for Transport, Grant Shapps, has launched a plan of action.

This could increase the number of van drivers passing their tests to over 1,500 successful passes a week.

Off-road manoeuvres are also in the plan to be discarded. 

Are you a van driver and feel strongly about this?

Or, are you going to be sitting your test soon?

Let us know how you feel about the latest news.

Whilst you’re here, whether you’re a seasoned van driver or a new one.

Something we can all agree on is where you get the cheapest van insurance from. Guess what? It’s right here.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover

Get a quote

Thomas Evelyn Investments Ltd (trading as Cheap Van Insurance) is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of Seopa Ltd. Seopa Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN: 313860, www.fca.org.uk/register).

Quotezone is a trading style of Seopa Ltd. Seopa Ltd is located at Floor 4, Blackstaff Studios, 8-10 Amelia Street, Belfast BT2 7GS. Thomas Evelyn Investments Ltd is located at The Old School House, West Street, Fareham PO17 6EA. The van insurance quote system is independently owned and operated by Seopa Ltd.

The information presented on this website is intended for editorial purposes only. It does not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or financial advice. We make no warranties regarding its completeness or accuracy. Users should conduct their own research before making any financial decision.

Cheap Van Insurance® is a registered trademark.

© 2025 Cheap Van Insurance