Van Insurance News from Be Wiser

“Van Drivers Can Be Soft Targets For Thieves” Says Be Wiser Insurance

“Van Drivers Can Be Soft Targets For Thieves” Says Be Wiser Insurance

Whilst known for being a burly bunch, it seems that Britain’s commercial van drivers are being viewed as soft targets by thieves.

A recent survey showed that thieves are focusing on the “white van man” as he is often very lax when it comes to securing his vehicle and interior goods. Vans are often full of valuable tools and equipment which are easy to sell on, making them perfect targets for thieves.

There are a few steps that you can take to ensure your van is safe while on a job or at home. Be Wiser Insurance offers advice that ranges from the cheap and simple to the complex and expensive.

Mark Bower-Dyke, Chairman of Be Wiser Insurance, states

“Interior van security is important for safety as well as anti-theft reasons. We suggest using van boxes for storage as they can be easily attached to the interior, making them difficult to remove unless you have a key.”

Be Wiser suggests fitting bulkheads to protect the driver from heavy loads moving about whilst the vehicle is on the move; this also stops thieves from climbing over the seats to access the tools in the back of the van. Steel grilles are also a great addition to the back of the van as they hinder thieves’ attempts to get in, but still enable the driver to have clear visibility.

Bower-Dyke went on to say “Another method of stopping thieves from taking your vehicle and contents would be to install a GPS immobiliser. This may take time and money to install, but if you are a victim of theft then the investment will be worthwhile.”

“Try installing door security fixtures to your van, such as deadbolts and lock covers. These will add that extra bit of security to your vehicle and act as a deterrent.”

It is advised that you check with your insurer and ask about a ‘Goods in Transit’ policy which covers the contents of the vehicle. This is normally a stand alone policy that you must enquire about, and it will provide additional cover over and above most standard van insurance policies which often only have a £100 limit of cover for any personal effects.

There are also add-ons available for your Public Liability policy that can cover tools and equipment stored in the van. Unfortunately, these do not always provide any overnight cover, so you must remove all of your tools each night.

Bower-Dyke finished by saying,

“If you can implement all or most of these ideas you will hopefully avoid any criminal activity on your van. The effort required to actively use these ideas will be repaid by making it much easier for you to obtain comprehensive van insurance which will give you peace of mind and ensure you are covered if anything did happen.”

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