Refer to the tips mentioned below to reduce the amount you pay as for your van insurance premium.

Install van tracking devices

Van tracking devices not only safeguard your vehicle but also help reduce the maintenance costs. You can find van tracking systems in the market with different features to suit the needs and requirements of your business. With the help of tracking devices, you can keep a check on the location of the van. This helps to monitor fuel usage and the number of miles travelled by the van.

Maintain your van regularly

Commercial vans should be taken to the garage regularly and immediate steps should be taken to repair damages sustained during transit. Mentioned below are some of the measures that need to be followed.
• Check the oil level frequently
• Keep a check on tyre pressure as low pressures consume more fuel more than required
• Inspect the cooling system, hoses and engine for leaks

Efficient driving – Cuts down maintenance costs

Aggressive and irresponsible driving behaviour often leads to increased maintenance costs as the possibility of accidents increase. To cut down the maintenance cost and save fuel, one must avoid rash driving, idling of vehicles and follow the speed limits set by the highways agency.

1. Tyre maintenance

You should begin by checking the pressure in the tyres. Incorrect tyre pressure can lead to accidents or untoward incidents. Therefore, van tyre pressure should be monitored on a regular basis. Ensure that you adjust the pressure depending upon the load in the van at that moment. Van accidents, occurring due to incorrect tyre pressure, can increase insurance premiums in the coming years.

2. Oil

An engine oil check forms an integral part of van maintenance. You should check if there is enough oil in the engine. Proper oil-level is an indication that all the components are lubricated and working fine. Any change in these levels can affect the engine. This will eventually result in repair bills.

3. Coolant

Coolant plays an important role. Check from time to time if there is enough in the engine. It can prevent the engine from overheating. This can help you in preventing huge repair bills.

4. Brake fluid

Do not neglect the brake fluid as it can result in accidents.

But one way to keep the costs of running a van down, is to look after your van and ensure that you maintain it properly. There are little things that you should keep on top of in order to keep your van or vans in good running order.

Firstly, ensure that your windscreen wash is full. Check your oil level too. This is easily done using the dipstick. Fill up your oil if the level is a little low.

You should also ensure that your coolant is kept to the right level. This ensures that the engine doesn’t overheat and is vital, particularly when the vehicle is being used a lot.

Tyre pressure is something else that needs to be monitored. Having the right tyre pressure means that the vehicle can drive much more effectively and it also means that the van doesn’t use up as much petrol. While you are checking your tyre pressure, you should also check your tyre tread. If this is not to the required level then you could be driving a dangerous vehicle.

By monitoring all of the above, you will be keeping your van in good working order meaning that it will cost less in the long run.

The minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across ¾ of the tyre width, and this will be checked when your van has its MOT. It’s really important that you are aware how much tread your tyres have, because it can really affect the stopping distance of the vehicle in different weather conditions.

You can buy a tyre tread depth gauge from your local car or van spares and accessories shop and keep it in the vehicle to randomly check the depth of your tyres.

It’s all well and good trying to save money on fuel costs and also on van insurance, but you should never compromise on health and safety. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your tyres are in a good state of repair and you check them frequently for any damage or defects.

Firstly, you should check your oil levels on a regular basis. Use a dipstick to check the oil. The oil should be dark and clean looking and you should top it up if the level is too low.

Another thing to check is coolant. This can have a big impact on the working of your engine and also on whether the engine overheats. So always ensure that there is enough coolant in your vehicle.

The tyres are really important when it comes to van maintenance. The tyre pressure needs to be at the right level to ensure that the vehicle doesn’t have to work too hard to get up to speed. Having the right tyre pressure is also beneficial for saving money on fuel too.

Follow these simple steps to keep your van in good working condition so you won’t be shocked at your next service.

If your van is due its annual MOT, there is no point just taking it to the testing station and letting it fail. You can check out a few things yourself first, that if faulty would mean an automatic fail.

• Check all the car lights work; this includes the headlights, taillights and even number plate lights.
• The windscreen wipers are a common point of fail. Lift them off the windscreen and check to see if the rubber is delaminating from the wiper.
• The horn and windscreen washers need to be working to pass an MOT.
• The handbrake needs to able to hold your van in position, even if it parked on a hill.
• All seatbelts must work.
• Both driver side and passenger side mirrors must be in place and not cracked or broken.
• There must be no cracks in the windscreen or damage that will affect the driver’s field of view.
• Tyre tread depths must be 1.6mm over ¾ of the width of each tyre to pass an MOT.

You might not have the skills to adjust or repair these things yourself, but if you have them sorted out before the MOT, you will stand a better chance of the vehicle passing.

Adopt the right driving style

Driving your van erratically can actually increase the amount of fuel that you use. If you speed or even drive at a steady 70mph on the motorway, you could be using more fuel than necessary. It is a proven fact that if you drive at around 60mph on the motorway you will save a considerable amount of fuel over the year than if you drive at 70mph. Sudden acceleration and heavy braking can also contribute to excessive fuel consumption. You might get to your destination a couple of minutes sooner but it will have cost you more.

Maintain your van

If your van is serviced regularly, you can save fuel over the course of a year. Just changing the air filter alone can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%. If your tyres are under inflated, this can also increase fuel costs. And carrying unnecessary heavy items in your van can also increase the amount of fuel you use.

Air conditioning uses about 10% more fuel than if you drive without it turned on and drag from roof bars and open windows can increase the amount of fuel you use further.

Not only is this frustrating because you will be without your van and therefore unable to conduct your business in the normal way, but it can also be very costly.

So that is why it is essential to properly maintain your van to ensure that these major problems don’t build up.
You should check your oil every month using a dipstick. Add more oil if necessary, but always change your oil on a quarterly basis to ensure that the van performs to its best standards.

Check the air filter once a month too and replace this if it’s dirty. Also, look at your spark plugs and replace them if they are too worn.

The coolant level should be checked once a week and the brake fluid level needs to be checked on a monthly basis.

The tyres should also be checked on a regular basis and the correct pressure should always be maintained to ensure that you are driving a safe and efficient vehicle.

Carrying out these regular checks may prevent you from getting a shock when you next take your van into the garage.

Are your insurance premiums bothering you?

You are probably still undecided which level of cover to take due to expensive insurance premiums. And your total vehicle outgoings can add up to a lot of money. However, you can reduce the total amount of money you spend on the vehicle with regular maintenance.

Van maintenance tips

You should make sure that you service and maintain your van regularly to avoid major repairs. If your van is still under warranty then take your van back to the manufacturer if you have any mechanical problems. Check your oil level regularly to prevent any problems with the engine. Similarly, check the water level and coolant level in the engine as well. In addition, you should also examine the tyre pressure from time to time. Low tyre pressure will affect the fuel consumption and you could be spending to much money on fuel.

Tyres – This is one component which requires up-to-date maintenance to avoid any major problems. Ensure that you check the tyre pressure regularly as incorrect pressure can affect the steering of a van. This can eventually lead to accidents and this will severely affect your insurance premiums in the next year even if it is a minor incident. In addition, check the tread on the tyres. You will have to pay a fine if you have illegal tyre treads.

Oil – Regular engine oil checks form an integral part of van maintenance. Ensure that there is a sufficient level of oil in the engine. This will ensure that all the van parts are working properly. A reduction in oil levels can affect the engine resulting in expensive repair bills.

Water/coolant – Engine water and coolant play an important role in the cooling of the engine. You can curb repair bills by checking the water level in the engine. Water freezing is a common problem in the winter season. You can prevent the problem by ensuring that the anti-freeze levels are sufficient.