It’s been a long time coming, but finally police are working with fleet van insurers and in-cab camera manufacturers in an attempt to cut down on the crash-for-cash mentality that is constantly increasing van insurance renewal costs.

The bill last year for fraudulent automobile claims was estimated at £410M, over 20% of that coming from commercial drivers.

Now, developments in in-cab camera functionality means the images captured from inside a driver’s cabin can be submitted as evidence in court.

The key is the EIS improvement; electronic image stabilisation has been upgraded so that it can train in on registration plates from further distances, reduction in image vibration and delivering more frames per second, all recorded to a memory card on a continual loop.

The cameras are affected by a change in motion so, should the vehicle in question be involved in an incident, the camera will start a permanent record mode which can later be used to decide who was at fault when it comes to settling insurance claims.

Underwriters back Roadhawk investment

Already, the cameras are proving to be cost effective. Towergate Insurance, a large fleet insurance underwriter, has helped its client-base with the funding of in excess of 7,500 of the in-cab units.

The cost of £200-£300 pound each, discountable for bulk purchase and installation, has already saved the van insurance underwriters between £0.5M-£0.75M, therefore proving its return on investment rapidly.

With the discounted rate for the unit, the camera only costs as much as many fleet van insurance clients set their excess levels to, so the units literally sell themselves as a viable commercial investment.

Claimants can no longer hide behind lack of evidence clause

A sizeable chunk of Towergate’s savings have come from pay-outs that they haven’t had to make that they would have in the past. Many a time the settlement has been 50/50, no matter which driver has been at fault due to a road traffic accident, but the Roadhawk and Novus camera models provide that missing information, apportioning blame one way or the other.

Safer roads, all around

Not only does the installation of these cameras encourage your own van drivers’ to adopt a more sensible attitude whilst using the company’s vehicle, but offers the facility to report other wayward drivers, which is where the police have a vested interest.

With its distance number plate capturing ability, it can snap details of an eratic driver who has been lucky this time, but by using this evidence to reprimand them may make them consider the cost of further license points and increased insurance renewal fees in the future.

The possibility of safer roads and a return to cheap van insurance is being harnessed by all sectors within the vehicle insurance industry.

Large insurance companies, other ‘electronic eye‘ manufacturers and larger companies who own sizeable fleets all look at this as the way forward to reduce fleet insurance costs.

Good news for van drivers everywhere and the UK economy, as a whole.

Despite the multitiude of insurance comparison websites, many people still stick with their existing van insurer purely for the convenience of getting the job done.

Is this relying upon a false sense of security, ignoring a job because the broker offer an easy way out or do van insurance providers look after you because you are a valued customer?

It is so easy to just not reply to a letter or an e-mail that states ‘if you wish to renew your policy, you need do nothing’ in order to continue a repeat van insurance policy.

It is a good marketing technique adopted by the firms as it really is a job you could do without taken care of. But are you throwing money down the drain?

Compare van insurance policies

Money-lenders, insurance brokers and cheap flight websites all know the value of taking the hassle out of allowing a potential customer to use their facilities.

The average consumer trusts them when they state ‘we compare the best polices/deals’ – whether they do or don’t, the customer is happy just to click a few buttons and know that they have probably saved money – and, to be fair, in most cases they have.

But it’s the ease of use facility that is the real winner.

Some insurers are flexible.

It is not always the case but if you have been with an insurance provider for some time and you do manage to source a cheap van insurance quote that blows your existing cover price out of the water, they will concede a percentage of your premium to price-match and keep your business.

Any automobile cover is slightly different to other forms of insurance. Drivers cherish their no claims bonus, as much as a point of pride as the money-saving that goes with it.

On the flip side, a new van insurance provider may offer an introductory discount that equals the discount inherent for being a safe driver with your existing provider. In that situation, if you’ve never had to use your provider for a claim, you can face a quandary – then it really is looking at the basics of the new van insurance that offer the closest protection for your business.

Get into the habit of shopping regularly

In a strange way, your existing provider, if you are using a small broker, may thank you for going into the market place for them.

You have literally taken the onus of marketing off their shoulders so you may find they reciprocate by ensuring you get the best deal. Not only that, if the broker has it on their records that you test the market, they will think twice about upping your renewal unnecessarily next time around.

The bottom line is protecting your own bottom line but staying covered – you should never sacrifice your safety or financial security for the sake of saving a fiver here and there.

But comparison sites have risen to prominence for a reason – they do a job and van insurance providers who submit their site to these engines know that they have to be competitive and comprehensive to gain new business from the facility – you have nothing to lose.

As we continue looking into the change in tide of the outlook of UK drivers into the way they fund their vehicles, here is part two of the evidence Volvo have presented the market with recently, in effect mirroring Renault’s long-term market expectations for UK drivers.

Commercial costs, the economic uncertainty we cannot shake, rising van insurance policies and now, domestic drivers looking to vehicle hire as a sensible way of keeping their outgoings down mean large shifts in the vehicle lease-hire market-place.

Long-term vehicle efficiency included

Vehicle hire companies want to retain your business, once they have it, even if you are a month-on-month customer. It is regular cash for them, and they don’t have to wait 90 days, as with some of the longer-term business transactions they enter into, making them more solvent.

Part of the philosophy behind keeping you as a customer is to always offer you the best product, i.e., the latest and most fuel-efficient models on the market.

Therefore, whatever outgoings you may see as slightly expensive in the long-term may not be as detrimental to your business, if improved efficiency and cost effectiveness is filtered into the equation.

Renault and Volvo on the same page

What Volvo’s figures tell them will only echo what Renault have been saying with the launch of the Kangoo ZE electric van.

The French company have categorically stated a belief that 10% of all cars on UK roads will be electric-powered within five years. To tailor that market-drive, their sales package comes, not only with a cheap price to buy the van outright from new, but also they have initiated distribution outlets for those businesses or individuals looking to hire vans in the sight of the economic downturn – a change in business strategy that many would have thought uneconomical in years gone buy.

Although van hire will not suit all businesses, for those with an eye on the bottom line, it may be a life-saving option

What we will say is be very careful when you hire your commercial vehicle that the van insurance they provide as standard suits your business.

Their are moves afoot to standardise what is and isn’t a basic component across the van insurance industry, leaving up to the van insurance broker what they offer as an ancillary product.

If vehicle hire is right for your business, do not let it become a constraint by not covering all of your bases.

We’re sure, with the likes of Renault and Volvo, that will not be the case, but do not take it for granted and do check out the cover provided before you take to the roads.

Don’t do a favour for friends and family this Christmas by transporting their large presents or browning conifers once the festivities are over. The likelihood is, you van insurance policy, or your works fleet van insurance, will not cover you for such errands. No matter how many pints you’re bribed with, you could lose more than a clean license.

Transporting personal effects may not be covered

If your van belongs to a fair-sized operation, then it’s likely they have taken out a fleet van insurance policy. As such, they’ll be looking to shave as much of the bill, in these cash-strapped times, as possible. If it’s in the basic policy or a legal requirement, then they’ll be covered, anything else, well…

…if they’ve cut back on some of the ancillary products, deemed not necessary to carry out the company’s day-to-day activity, they most probably have not included them in the fleet van policy.

Using your van to ferry your personal belongings, whether it be to the car boot, taking the rubbish to the skip (such as that used Christmas tree) or nipping large presents for strangers in a pub or fetching your sister-in-law’s inebriated husband from the office do, all of the above fall into that category.

Whether you’re feeling in a giving mood or not, especially with the increased police presence on the road at this time of year, you run a real risk of flouting your employer’s van insurance policy.

Don’t drink and drive

Of course, no Christmas post would be complete without the traditional warning, almost as traditional as penguins on Christmas cards – no, I swear, thousands of Christmas cards have penguins on; go on, count yours and see how many do. WTF have penguins go to do with Christ? Where there some in the desert when he was born in the manger in Bethlehem? Sheep, pigs or calves, yes – but penguins – and some with polar bears! The world’s gone mad…

Anyway – the message is simple – it’s Christmas, booze builds up in your system and takes its time to filter out. If you must drive your van between the bank holidays this Christmas, make sure you’ve got a clear head and even cleaner blood stream before you hit the road.

If you’re working for yourself, being caught will not only wallop up your van insurance when you get your license back, but more importantly could jeopardise your liveihood in the interim.

It’s not worth the risk.

Just a couple of very short posts in the spirit of Christmas, today, as the wife keeps telling me to “…turn that bloody computer off!” – well, that’s the toned down version, anyway.

But this reminder couldn’t wait – if it saves just one person from a few points or a fine, or an increase in their van insurance policy when it comes around to renewing it, then that’s job done, for me.

Beware this Christmas of doing favours for family and friends in your work’s van.

Depending upon the type of van fleet insurance your employer has opted for, you may well not be covered for a multitude of extra-curricular activity.

The not-so softly, softly approach

You know what it’s like when you’ve broke up for Christmas early and you’re in the local having a few beers after (hopefully) pulling your van onto the drive and putting the keys in the fruit bowl until the new year.

You’re stood there minding your own, just eyeing up that froth as your Guinness and Tia Maria settles (c’mon, it’s Christmas), and you get a tug on your elbow.

It’s either the scruffy fella from the local estate or some well-to-do business chap with a shiny red nose – neither of whom give you the time of day at any other time of year – and you know the question before the first slurred syllable leaves their whiskey-glazed lips: “Yow’ve gorra van, air ya, chap?”

Or, translated from Black Country into Queen’s English: “I say, young man; am I correct in thinking you’re in the van-driving profession, old bean?”

Your gut reaction is to tell them where to shove their request, but the festive spirit has taken hold and you’d feel horrid if you refused.  If nothing else, this little post gives you an irrefutable excuse to say no.

It is your holiday, too. You can look them in the eye, quite convincingly, and tell them that you’re just not allowed to do so, as you’re not covered by your work’s van insurance policy. Whether you are or not, you can get on with you stout and liqueur in peace and enjoy the Christmas break.

Alternatively, you can just say you’re going to have a few bevvies – that may be more plausible, but you know what people are like; because you’ve not sacrificed your day for them, you’re so selfish – they may not even speak to you again ’til next year! If you are going to have a bevvy or two, make sure the keys stay in the house, to avoid the temptation, no matter how cold the forecast reckons it’s going to be.

Explanations as to why you may not be covered in the follow-up article.

Tracker, vehicle recovery specialists who work closely with the metropolitan police, report that 84% of stolen vehicles are taken using keys left in the ignition; never is the temptation greater to do so than at this time of year. With vehicles being left on the drive to warm through or de-ice the windows, opportunist thieves are on the lookout for just this practise. They are aware of popular makes and models and may already have a buyer in the wings before you have chance to raise the alarm.

Stuart Chapman, their Police relations manager, is quick to point out that many van insurance firms will not pay out if you are proved to be negligent, demonstrating this little duty of care. Not only could that aspect have a damning effect, but also you are liable for prosecution for leaving a car unattended with the engine running.

If this is a practise you cannot get out of the habit of doing, then Chapman recommends fitting a vehicle tracker. It may not grant you indemnity from prosecution but you stand a much greater prospect of retrieving your van once it has been stolen, at least avoiding you the cost of a replacement.  With its hidden transmitter, the thief may not even know you ahave a lock on him.

In a recent statement, he reminded us, “Fitting a Tracker unit could significantly increase the chance of a stolen car being recovered, however…
“…it may take a few minutes more, but a few simple security precautions can save a lot of heartache and expense if your car is stolen.”

In the likely event that your tools are missing, sadly, it is doubtful that your van insurance policy will cover you for those being replaced if your car is frost jacked, due to your lack of duty of care.

The other tool, and perhaps more likely to deter the opportunist thief, is an immobiliser which can only be disabled by optical recognition. The advanced version of this tool, quite new to the market but which seriously helps you attain cheap van insurance by fitting it due to the increased protection against theft, means you can leave the cab but, unless the system verifies that it is you driving by your ocular fingerprint, will remain engaged until your return.

So, remember, frost jacking is prevalent when attempts to stave off Jack Frost’s overnight legacy lead to vehicle theft. Either don’t do it or protect you, your livelihood and your no claims bonus by preparing for it.