Vans are a very popular choice right now for businesses and individuals alike. They have plenty of storage space and can be used to transport goods and personnel alike. They can be purchased at virtually any dealership for competitive prices. For families, vans can come with numerous added features, such as DVD players, separate air climate controls for the front and the rear, and various comfort additions. If you need extra storage space, most vans allow you to remove unneeded seats to clear up room. Selecting the right van insurance to meet your needs is a very important decision. This guide will help you to select the right policy for your van.
First, determine whether the van will be used for business or for personal use. The policies and premiums on van insurance can vary wildly from one type to the next. Usually, this should be very simple to identify. Obviously, if the van is owned by a business then it will be used for business purposes. But what if the van is owned by an individual? Usually this will be for personal use, but if you will be using it to operate your home based business, you may want to look at the terms to make sure you get the right coverage.
Also consider whether you need fleet van insurance or individual insurance. Covering multiple vans under one fleet policy can save you in terms of both time and cost. You should definitely consider fleet insurance if your company owns more than two vans. Sometimes even families with more than one or two vehicles can save with fleet insurance.
For businesses, you should also determine whether you want to cover specific drivers on you van insurance policy. You would have to name each driver so that the insurance company can pull up their driving records and other information. This can save you on your premiums, but adding and deleting drivers can be a hassle. If your company will have a number of people driving the vans, a “any driver” policy may be the better option. This can save time on administrative tasks as people join or leave the company, or move around within the company.
It is also important that any drivers named on the policy have a good driving record. Van insurance companies hate risk, and nothing shouts risk like a driver with a bad record. Sending your employees to defensive driving classes can also help to reduce the price on your policy. Even if the van is for personal use, many companies offer discounts if you have attended such a class, so check to see if you should send them a certificate.
Many van insurance companies will offer what is called a no claims bonus. This is a discount that gets applied to your premium for each year that no claim is made against your policy. This is any kind of claim whether you are at fault or not. This bonus can stack up, usually for up to five years, so the discount increases for each of those years. Driving safely and keeping your van properly maintained are the best ways to protect your no claims bonus accumulation.
Finally, consider obtaining a van insurance policy that includes extra features. Roadside assistance, sometimes called breakdown cover, can help you get assistance quickly if you are stranded on the road. Mechanical breakdowns, flat tires, or empty gas tanks are common reasons to seek roadside assistance. Coverage for legal costs can help to cover you if someone else makes a suit against you.
Finally, make sure your deductibles (or excesses) are correct for you. Lower deductibles will lead to higher premiums, but will reduce your out of pocket costs on any claim made. You should consider choosing deductibles that will give you a good balance between monthly premiums and possible one time expenses in order to find the best van insurance.