Tag: van insurance UK

DPD CEO Dismissed Amid Controversy: What It Means for Van Drivers

Posted on by News Desk

Chief Executive Of DPD Waves Goodbye

But if you’re a van driver for DPD, you may be caught off guard by the latest news about the company.

This week, Dwain McDonald, the CEO of DPD, has reportedly been dismissed.

In his place, Yves Delmas is stepping in temporarily until a permanent replacement is found.

Why was McDonald let go?

An internal investigation claims his departure is due to “personal conduct reasons.”

Shocking News For DPD Staff

McDonald has held the chief executive role since 2008.

For many at DPD, the news came as a complete shock.

They were informed by an email from Yves Delmas.

The message stated McDonald’s departure was effective immediately but offered no further explanation.

McDonald’s Long Tenure With DPD

Though he’s leaving, McDonald’s career at DPD has been substantial.

He joined the company back when they still called it Parceline.

At just 22, he started as a sales executive and worked his way up.

Over the years, McDonald earned a £1 million annual salary, a sign of his loyalty to DPD.

Past Controversy Resurfaces

In 2018, McDonald faced scrutiny when a recording surfaced.

In the recording, he admitted to breaking the law.

He claimed he used his mobile phone to photograph a DPD van while driving on the motorway.

For a CEO of a delivery firm, this raised eyebrows.

The Covid-19 Surge In Demand

As the pandemic unfolded, demand for delivery services skyrocketed.

Many Brits, facing layoffs or redundancy, applied for delivery driver roles.

With a surge in online shopping, DPD promised to add 6,000 more delivery drivers to keep up.

DPD: A Delivery Giant In The UK

Did you know you’re part of one of Europe’s largest delivery firms if you’re a driver at DPD?

DPD has 68 locations across the UK.

Each year, it delivers over 250 million packages for some of the biggest retail brands.

The company’s scale is immense, and so are the expectations.

As DPD moves forward, the search for a new leader begins.

DPD uses over 8,000 delivery vehicles, so is your van one of the 8,000 needing cheaper van insurance?

Look no further.

You’re in the right place.

Vans, Vision, And A Greener Future: Ford And Turkey Drive Change

Posted on by News Desk

Two Things To Thank Ford And Turkey For Today

First, Ford Otosan announced they will produce the latest versions of Ford Transit vans.

This includes fully electric vans as well.

We all know the future is green.

In light of this, many automotive companies are pledging to become fully electric within the next 15 years.

Specifically, Ford aims to be completely green by 2030.

Furthermore, they currently lead the commercial market in Europe.

In the UK, they’ve topped the van market for an incredible 56 years.

So, this is a big deal.

We anticipate success in selling these Transit vans to delivery and courier companies.

They want to offset carbon emissions and improve their environmental impact.

But Wait, There’s More!

Have you heard of Dagenham Engine Plant?

This British company, owned by Ford, plays a crucial role.

It will manufacture diesel engines for the new Transit vans.

Not the electric ones, of course.

In the midst of Brexit uncertainty, this news is welcomed.

It will help ensure the safety of 2,000 jobs at the plant.

It’s a good deal.

The hardworking staff at Ford’s Dagenham branch send diesel engines to Turkey.

In turn, Ford Otosan equips these engines to the Transit vans.

Consequently, you can expect around 30% of these vans to be exported back to Britain.

Moreover, keep in mind that a substantial 85% of Ford engines are shipped from Britain to over 15 countries across six continents.

Ultimately, this trade is valued at an impressive £2.5 billion annually.

Thank you, Ford.

Thank you, Turkey.

This trade deal could yield even more benefits.

Despite electric pledges, this ensures UK workers’ jobs are safe for now.

As long as diesel and hybrid cars remain on the market, they can feel secure.

Whichever van you choose in the future—electric, hybrid, or combustion—we’ve got you covered.

You’ll find the cheapest van insurance quotes around.

 

Why More Women Are Joining The Transport Industry Amid Covid-19

Posted on by News Desk

Yesterday marked International Women’s Day.

Is It Time For More Women In The Transport Industry?

Did you take a moment to celebrate the incredible women in your life?

The pandemic, unfortunately, hasn’t helped in closing the gender gap—especially around pay and employment.

In fact, Covid-19 has impacted women’s jobs disproportionately.

Women have been hit harder by redundancy, business closures, and increased home responsibilities.

Many had to become full-time caregivers when schools shut down.

Male-Dominated vs. Female-Dominated Industries

Male-dominated fields saw hiring slowdowns during the pandemic.

But the impact on female-dominated industries has been staggering.

Sectors like beauty and weddings felt a major hit due to restrictions.

This shift may be why more women are now exploring careers as couriers.

When you think of a white van or delivery driver, do you picture a woman at the wheel?

Why not?

The culture is shifting, and Covid-19 is sparking that change.

Leading The Way In Gender Representation

This week, Scotland set an example in pushing for gender equality in transport.

M&H Carriers, a Scottish transport company, is working to improve gender representation.

Even though women make up 47% of the UK workforce, only 20% work in transport.

But M&H Carriers aims to change that.

Women hold over half of the senior roles at the company.

Their goal?

To break down stereotypes of transport as a male-only field.

They hope more women will begin to see it as a viable career.

The Arts Moving Into Transport

The Arts industry also faced huge setbacks due to Covid-19.

Many artists turned to the delivery industry, stepping into key worker roles.

For example, a trombonist took a job at Yodel.

She spoke of the respect she gained for delivery drivers’ hard work.

A violinist also joined the industry, delivering for Waitrose.

Despite qualifying for government grants, she couldn’t sit idle.

Her new role helped her stay motivated, and she even volunteered at a charity shop on weekends.

Delivery Work: Challenging But Rewarding

As many of you know, delivery driving isn’t easy.

The demands have only grown over the past year and show no signs of slowing.

Yet, we welcome more women to join this vital industry.

Let’s continue fighting for gender equality, together.

For any women considering the delivery field, remember:

You’ll need more than standard van insurance to get started.

Take a look here to see how we can help.

Speed Cameras: Time To Ditch The Go-Faster Stripes?

Posted on by News Desk

Speed cameras,

Here at Cheap Van Insurance, we know what it’s like.

Van drivers are busy people.

You’ve got places to be and people to see and no time for a chat.

But if you are one of the many white van people who are tempted to exceed the speed limit from time to time,you may want to think again. 

That’s because the boys in blue are rolling out the speed cam in blue.

Anew, handheld camera that is capable of catching drivers who are exceeding the speed limit, day and night, from a distance of 750 metres. 

The new, handheld cameras are being rolled out by police forces up and down the country, including by Warwickshire and Northumberland police.

Costing around £10,000 per camera, they can automatically identify the make, model and number plate of vehicles from a distance – far greater than was previously possible with other handheld speed guns. 

And don’t think if you haven’t been stopped that you haven’t been caught.

These devices automatically send video images to a database and automatically issue a penalty charge.

Penalties are currently a minimum of £100 and three points on your license.

Not only that, these cameras are also capable of detecting errant mobile phone users, tailgaters, and non-seatbelt wearers too.

The days of pretending it wasn’t you behind the wheel of the company van are well and truly over. 

If that wasn’t enough, it can also read rear number plates too and is untraceable to jamming devices that identify fixed speed cameras ahead.

So if you are a bit prone to putting your foot down or driving that littler bit too close, beware. Y

our days without getting caught may just be numbered. 

Delivering The Gift Of Christmas

Posted on by News Desk

Christmas!

So, for those of you who are delivery drivers, this year should, in theory, have been ‘it.

The run-up to Christmas, the busting your chops to squeeze in endless deliveries of Christmas goods for the people who shop online.

But this year has been different in so many ways, and the Christmas rush may not be over come December 24th

While last year saw a run of online ordering putting unprecedented demand on van drivers over the festive period, nothing could have prepared us for what happened in March.

COVID struck. 

The poor delivery drivers of the UK didn’t know what had hit them.

The country locked down, and online ordering exploded into a full-blown national pastime—it felt like Christmas all over again.

Delivery drivers didn’t know what had hit them, as they worked around the clock, busting a gut to get things to people –

From food to fancy fripperies, and everything in between. 

And this Christmas, the heat is on again.

Brexit-related stockpiling is seeing delays at UK ports and a huge backlog of goods to get to people, from building supplies to Christmas presents.

With most of the country in tier 3, that is all in addition to those who are reliant on online ordering to deliver everything from clothes to groceries. 

And now, as of yesterday, ports into the UK are closed.

Who knows what that will mean.

More deliveries, fewer deliveries… many businesses will be scratching their heads and trying to figure out if they actually have anything to send at all.

Many experts are predicting that this seasonal rush will carry on right into January.

And even beyond, depending on what happens with Brexit and how quickly the COVID vaccine can be rolled out.

But of course, with this new raft of port closures, the truth is nobody knows what is coming next.

So, while it doesn’t really help ease those tired limbs or the sheer exhaustion, we just want you to know that this Christmas, we here at Cheap Van Insurance doff our caps to you all.

From the delivery drivers, to the man and vans, to the builders and brickies and everything in between.

Here’s hoping next year gets back to something approaching normal.

And life can return to the heady days when people went out and actually got things for themselves. 

How to Save On The Cost Of Running Your Van

Posted on by News Desk

Christmas is coming. Want to save on costs?

While the goose may be getting fat, many of us are feeling the pinch in our pockets at the end of a tumultuous and unprecedented year. 

You all know the old saying, save the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.

While we here at Cheap Van Insurance work tirelessly to bring you the very best van insurance provider deals.

Direct to your inbox,

which are sure to save you a few quid, we thought we’d go through a few more ways you can save a few pennies. 

1: Summer is over. 

So turn off your AC.

Yes, we know you guys like being cool behind the wheel, but open a window and save yourself a few quid.

Running your AC year-round not only uses a lot of fuel, but also means you’ll need to pay to get your system re-gassed sooner.

So think twice before you have it on blast all day.

2: Stop costs going through the roof.

Literally.

Having stuff piled on the top of your van such as ladders can end up costing a few quid more than you need.

Of course, you need some of the stuff, but all of it, all of the time? Maybe not.

Not only does the extra weight add to fuel costs, but it also does a number on your aerodynamics,

adding more drag which again, equals paying more at the pumps.

3: Consider how much you fill up:

Adding fuel means adding weight and if you don’t need a full tank, why go all the way?

Fill up not quite so full and a little more frequently and you’ll pocket the savings.

4: Consider how much you fill up (part 2):

Do you really need everything in the back of your van?

Is your cab full of rubbish that can be binned?

Have a good clear out and only take what you need for your jobs. Less weight = less fuel.

It’s a smart and simple way to save a few bob. 

5: Drive in style:

If you have cruise control and can use it, do so.

If you have a more modern van with a fuel efficiency mode, use it.

We know it goes against the very ethos of many van men, but driving calmly and smoothly can really make the biggest difference to your fuel consumption and costs.

Go gently, easy on the brakes and slow on the revs and you’ll be able to see the difference in your wallet in no time.

Now, all that you need to decide is what you want to spend those savings on. Christmas is coming, after all. 

Van Drivers Could Be Crushed By 2030’s Electric Shift

Posted on by News Desk

Van drivers read on.

As if the current lockdown wasn’t enough to have us all hunkering down for the winter, news this week is that van insurance is set to go up in cost.

In fact, since the end of the last lockdown, they have, reports suggest, already increased by 1.6% in the last 3 months, compared to a drop of 2.4% during lockdown.

If you get all whizzy with the maths, that is still a net decrease of 0.8%.

But given that many van insurance commentators (yes, they actually exist) had predicted a much greater fall, it doesn’t make for happy reading.

Especially considering that van drivers were one of the most affected jobs as a result of the lockdown, either by being unseasonably busy or simply unable to work.

There is some good news if you use your van as your main form of domestic transport too, with a social, domestic, and pleasure policy.

There has been a drop in the cost to renew your van insurance.

But given that most of us use our vans for work, this doesn’t really help the drivers who use their vans to earn a living.

With more people looking to switch careers and get into van delivery driving due to the cut of jobs in other industries such as hospitality and leisure, bad news for the younger van drivers out there.

Unless you are prepared to install a telematics device to reduce the cost of van insurance, the average cost of annual van insurance for the under-25s is a whopping £3,091. 

What happens next?

Well, if this year has taught us anything, it’s that none of us really know.

But if you do want the best deals, our advice remains the same:

Complete our simple quote tool, and let the very best van insurance deals come directly to you. After all, life is hard enough. 

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover