Top money-saving tips for van drivers

Keep your van safer, greener, and cheaper to run with our top tips for van owners

Ouch. Rising fuel costs, town centre parking regimes and congestion charging are putting the squeeze on everyone who needs a van to run their business. But while it's tempting to give up and walk, for most business drivers that isn't an option.

So now more than ever is a time to get fuel efficient, identify ways of reducing costs associated with van crime and fraud, and reduce unnecessary spending on your insurance. Read on for our top tips on how to stand by your van.

How to save money on fuel

Over the last year, some parts of the UK have seen fuel prices rocket upwards by more than a quarter. The price of crude oil keeps breaking new records, with the head of oil cartel OPEC predicting that the price could reach $200 a barrel this year.

It seems that high road fuel prices are here to stay - but there are things that everyone can do to ease the pain of high prices at the pumps:

• Drive with fuel consumption in mind. Take this eco-driving quiz - it only takes a few minutes. For anyone versed in the Dukes of Hazard school of driving, it should help squeeze a few more miles per gallon out of your tank.
• We'd all expect to compare insurance quotes before we buy – why not petrol too? If your location or usual driving route gives you a choice of filling stations, you can now check which is cheapest, online - visit PetrolPrices.com.
• Investing in a new van? Make it go further. You can compare the fuel economy of leading small vans at WhatGreenCar.
• Draw up a van plan to work out ways that regular journeys might be combined or reduced. Are there jobs ordinarily done in the van that could be carried out by cheaper means? Is there a case for investing in a bike-and-trailer - branded, of course - for travel around town?

Maintaining and caring for your van

Last year, a study of vehicle breakdowns by MORE TH>N BUSINESS found that British van drivers and their businesses miss out on £150 million in earnings - simply through failure to make routine checks on their vehicle.

The top ten causes of breakdowns were found to include several avoidable driver errors - such as leaving the headlights on or filling up with the wrong fuel.

So when choosing your van, look for one that helps you avoid simple mistakes - a buzzer to warn you if your lights are still on, for example. And if the sticker that yells 'Diesel only!' has peeled off your fuel cap, buying another one could save you an embarrassing and expensive mistake - especially if you're not the only one using the van.

Overheating engines were another big cause of commercial breakdowns. Never skimp when it comes to:

• Checking water and oil. Incorrect levels are a major cause of engine failure.
• Checking tyre condition, tread depth and pressures. Tyres inflated to the correct pressure are safer, less likely to fail, and are more fuel efficient.

How to keep your van secure

Most van owners know that their vehicles are a prime target for thieves, who guess (often rightly so) that there are valuable contents worth breaking in for.

However, there are some simple steps to follow to reduce the chance of your van being targeted:

• It sounds obvious - but if you can, keep your van in a garage rather than on the street. At the end of a long day, it may be tempting not to bother. But your van is much safer inside, especially if you remember to lock the garage door.
• When you're out of the van, keep everything out of sight. If you can't take small items with you, put them in the glove box. Even empty bags on the passenger seat can attract attention.
• Remember, opportunist thieves may not care whether you're in the van or not. Avoid leaving valuables on the passenger seat when the door is unlocked or the window's wound down.
• Make it tougher for the rogues. Even a simple steering wheel or handbrake lock may persuade a thief that your van's not worth the trouble.

What to do after an accident

If you have a collision, here are some big dos and don'ts:

• First off - is everyone ok? People are more important than vehicles.
• Always stop if you are involved in an accident, and swap the following information with any other parties involved:
  
  • names and addresses (including those of any eyewitnesses)
  • insurance details (including your insurance provider, their address and your policy number if you've got it to hand)
  • vehicle registration numbers.
• Don't admit you're to blame or offer any payment - this is for your insurance company to sort out.
• Draw a diagram of the accident scene. This should include:
  
  • the position of the vehicles before and after the accident
  • the road layout
  • any obstructions to your or other road users' vision
  • the position of any witnesses
  • anything else which could be relevant to the cause of the accident, such as speeds and distances involved, and weather conditions at the time.
• If anyone has been injured, you must show your Motor Insurance Certificate to the police or to anyone who has reasonable grounds to require it. If you can't do this at the scene of the accident, you must produce it and report the accident to the police within 24 hours.
• Let your insurer know as soon as possible after an accident.
• If you receive any correspondence about the accident, pass it on (unanswered) to your insurance provider.

Incidentally, if you're involved in a collision it's worth remembering that it might not have been an 'accident' at all. Familiarise yourself with some car insurance fraud techniques and you'll know what to look out for.

A little bit about van insurance

Of course, one of the biggest ways you can save money on your van running costs is by building up a no-claims discount.

As with car insurance, this is generally built up year-by-year - usually to a maximum of five years' no claims.

All insurers will offer a substantial discount to drivers with a maximum no-claims bonus - typically more than 50% off a quote without no-claims.

If you have an accident and are found to be at fault, your no-claims discount will be affected. Don't worry if you pick up a stone chip - windscreen claims don't usually affect it.

Always check with your insurer for full details of how your policy works.