Category Archives: Insurance

Getting Insurance as a New Van Driver

If you’ve recently bought a van for the first time, or are planning to get one soon, the first thing you need to know is that you’ll need to get special van insurance.

Where can I get van insurance quotes?

There are many places online that you can get van insurance quotes easily. For example, Clean Green Compare Truck Insurance enables you to get van insurance quotes from a panel of specialist providers in a matter of minutes.

What type of cover can I get?

Below are some of the main types of van insurance cover you can get –

  • Third party – Third party insurance works the same way for vans as it does for cars i.e. other parties will be covered for collisions where you’re liable. This is the minimum level of cover you need to drive your van legally.
  • Comprehensive – A comprehensive policy will cover your vehicle for all types of collisions, even those you’re liable for. This provides the most protection.
  • Breakdown assistance – Breakdown assistance is always important for van drivers. You might already have breakdown cover from another provider but it’s still worth checking how much it would cost to have it included in your policy as you might be able to save money.
  • Goods in transit – If you use your van for transporting goods, for example if you work as a courier, then goods in transit cover is a must. This will cover the contents of your van for theft and damage.

How can I save money?

Below are some of the best ways to save money on van insurance –

  • Park your vehicle securely – One of the best ways to keep the cost of van insurance down is to park your vehicle securely. Ideally you will have a driveway where you can park your vehicle as this makes it much more secure than parking it on the street. You should also take any steps you can to make your van itself more secure.
  • Pay annually – If you can pay for your van insurance annually rather than monthly then you should be able to make a significant saving on the overall cost.
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Do Convicted Drivers Pay More for Car Insurance?

Paying for car insurance is something that most people would rather not do. It can seem like an unnecessary expense, especially if you’ve never had to make a claim.

However the cost of car insurance is based on a number of factors and one of the biggest things that can increase the cost of cover is having a criminal conviction.

There are many types of common driving convictions in the UK, with the most common by far being speeding. If you do get convicted of speeding then you can expect the cost of your car insurance to increase. The reason for this is that insurance providers consider people who have a conviction to be a greater risk.

Other things that affect the cost of a car insurance policy include –

  • Your age – Age is always an important factor with insurance providers when it comes to cost. Younger people generally pay considerably more than drivers over 30 since they’re more likely to be involved in accidents where a claim is made.
  • Where you park your car – Where you park your car is another important factor when it comes to cost. Having a secure garage to park in would be ideal and lower the cost of your insurance considerably compared to parking on the street.
  • How much your car is worth – The total value of your car is one of the biggest things that will affect how much you pay. A modestly priced car that’s worth £1,000 say will cost considerably less to insure compared to a car that’s worth several thousand.
  • Other named drivers on the policy – Adding other drivers to the policy can increase it’s price quite a bit too. How much extra you pay will depend on the person you want to add. For example a person with a lot of driving experience, who is over 30 and has no convictions will cost less to insure than a young driver with little-to-no experience.
  • The level of cover you take out – The level of cover you take out is another big factor that will affect how much you pay. If you want to save money then a third party policy would be the best option.

Are there convicted drivers insurance specialist providers?

Yes. Luckily there are sites where you can get quotes from specialist providers of convicted drivers insurance (including drug driving insurance). Conviction Insure is one such site and enables you to get quotes from many providers simply by filling out one quote form.… More

Ways to Save Money on Minibus Insurance

If you own a minibus then you need to make sure you properly protect it by getting a good minibus insurance policy.

Insurance costs are higher than ever so it’s important to take any steps you can in order to reduce the cost of your minibus insurance. Below are some excellent ways to do this.

Pay for your policy annually

Although most people prefer to pay for their policy on a monthly basis, you can save money by paying annually instead. If you can pay upfront in a lump sum, then the majority of insurance providers will offer you a discount for doing this. Be sure to push for the best deal you can when paying annually.

Secure your minibus

Theft is a big risk for minibus owners. The more likely your vehicle is to be stolen, the more you can expect to pay for cover. This is because insurance providers will take into account how secure your minibus is based on a number of factors. These include – where your minibus is kept when not in use, what security features it has and the area you live in.

Get quotes from different insurance providers

This one should be obvious. Getting as many quotes as possible is one of the best ways you can save money on minibus insurance since it will help you to prevent overspending on your cover. Sites like Clean Green Cars makes getting quotes from different insurance providers very simple. You simply fill in a quote form and are then sent tailored policies from different insurance providers. You just pick the best one.

Install a dash cam

Using a dash cam is another way you can save money on minibus insurance. Dash cams can be bought fairly cheaply now and a growing number of insurance providers are offering discounts to customers who use them.

Get a limited mileage policy

If you only use your minibus at certain times and not as an everyday vehicle, then you can lower the cost of your insurance by getting a limited mileage policy. This is where you and your insurance provider agree to a certain number of miles that you’ll stay under.

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How to Become a Taxi Driver

Thousands of people in the UK make a living as a taxi driver. Working as a taxi driver can be stressful but also comes with many perks, such as constantly meeting new people from all walks of life and not having to be stuck behind a desk all day.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a taxi driver but aren’t sure where to start then the guide below should prove very helpful.

What you need

  • A licence – In order to work as a taxi driver, you’ll need to a get a taxi driver’s licence. The requirements for getting a taxi driver’s licence vary depending on where you live in the UK and which council you need to apply to. In all cases though, you’ll need to pass a test to show that you’re competent enough tow work as a taxi driver.
  • A vehicle – Another thing you’ll need to work as a taxi driver is your own vehicle. It’s usually best to get a vehicle that’s less than 10 years old and reasonably cheap to insure.
  • Taxi insurance – In order to work as a taxi driver, you also need to get a taxi insurance policy. Taxi insurance usually includes cover for road risks as well as things like liability claims and breakdowns. You can keep costs down by getting a third party only policy but this will only provide enough protection to cover other road users when you’re involved in a collision that you’re to blame for.

Finding work

When it comes to finding work as a taxi driver there are certain things that will make you more employable. First of all, if you’re very young and have only started driving recently then it’s probably not going to be realistic to work as a taxi driver. This is because taxi firms generally like drivers who are considered low risk i.e. least likely to be involved in collisions or other incidents that might lead to liability claims etc.

In order to be more employable you would ideally have at least 10 years’ driving experience, have no driving or criminal convictions and have a good attitude and friendly demeanour.

Another way to make yourself more attractive to potential employers is by getting a specialist vehicle, such as a minibus.… More