Business vans are unfortunately a popular target for thieves, as most companies carry valuable equipment in their vehicles. Although a commercial vehicle insurance policy can cover your van in the event of an accident or theft of the vehicle, you will also want the actual contents within your van insured; this includes vital company equipment, such as electronics and tools.
There are two main ways to obtain van contents insurance: through your current company vehicle policy or the policy that covers your business.
Before searching for a van contents insurer, it is important to take a few steps in ensuring that your valuables will have the maximum coverage. First, you will want to take into account the exact items that you transport on a day-to-day basis. The less valuable equipment required to cover, the better of a deal you can likely get on your policy. Once you decide on what can stay in the van and what can be stored overnight elsewhere, you can take inventory and photographs of all the equipment. Establish a way of archiving these photos and label them with the estimated value to increase the chances of being compensated if they are lost. A reputable insurer will keep all of this information on file for you.
The first way to cover the contents of your van is to add a rider to your current vehicle policy. A “rider” is an additional component that is not covered within the primary policy and incurs an extra fee per payment cycle. Many insurance companies offer discounts on these riders to customers in good standing. For a new van quote and insurance included, www.BuyaCar.co.uk can offer a wide range of ‘in stock’ vans.
Another way to cover the contents of the van is to get the equipment covered through the same policy that insures your business. Some of these policies can be extended to company equipment in commercial vans, as they consider these vehicles to be an extension of the office.
Although this type of insurance might seem like it is more trouble than it is worth, the costs can be devastating if your vehicle is in an accident or your equipment is stolen. Many commercial vans carry cargo that ends up having a higher value than that of the van itself. This insurance is ideal for companies whose vans essentially serve as offices on the go.
Vans are some of the most versatile vehicles on the road today. They function as anything from moving refrigerators to school buses to camping vehicles. If you own a van and want to convert it for your own purposes, the following guidelines are a few ideas that can help get you started.
Campers
Camper vans require a few conversions, including the tearing out of the back seats. Depending on how many people will be traveling in the van, you can tear out the excess seats to replace with necessities for the road, such as a bed, refrigerator, microwave, and optional amenities like a television and video game system.
Buses/Large family vans
Whether you need more seating for a family or to transport students, you can buy extra seating for your van. In Ford Econoline vehicles, for example, you can add more seating depending on how many people you need to make room for. Usually these larger vans can accommodate up to 15 passengers.
Handicap Van Conversions
This type of conversion can be done either to accommodate handicapped passengers (with a wheelchair lift in the back), or the driver’s side can be converted as well. These conversions can be very extensive, including lowered floor, raised roof and door, and ramps or lifts for the wheelchair.
Fridge Vans
These types of vans are very helpful for businesses that conduct deliveries throughout the day and cannot return to the office every time they make a new delivery. Florists or caterers can rest assured that their flowers or foods stay at just the right temperature on the go.
Office Vans
For employees who don’t have the time to drive across town to do business at the office, the back area of the van can be set up with a desk and chair bolted to the floor. An electrical outlet can also be installed for a computer.
The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to customizing a van for your specific needs. Whether you’re purchasing one for business, leisure, or personal necessity, a conversion van is likely the best choice thanks to its versatility.
Vans are heavy-duty vehicles that can carry all kinds of heavy loads; they are also fuel-efficient, making them a practical choice in commercial transportation. Even though they’re durable, they do need just as much care as any other vehicle would. When your business depends on reliable transportation, it is important to make sure that your fleet of commercial vans is very well maintained. Many companies do not have the time or resources to manage their entire fleet on their own. Basic maintenance such as oil, brakes, and tires that often get overlooked when business is moving at a fast pace.
Fixed cost van maintenance can help you to keep your van fleet in top working condition at all times, as these costs cover varying aspects of your vans’ maintenance schedules; usually, they are divided into three service categories:
- Service – This includes routine servicing such as oil changes, filter replacements, and brake fluid service.
- Service and Maintenance – The maintenance package focuses on brake function, exhaust systems, batteries, alternators, and electronics to make sure they are in working order and to fix parts as necessary.
- Service, Maintenance, and Tires – Usually, this is basically the same as the service and maintenance package, except, of course, that the tire replacement is included. These are replaced as necessary when regular wear and tear has set in.
Of course, the more the plan offers, the more it will cost; however, this can be more cost-effective in the long run as your vans will always have the attention they need rather than being subjected to unsafe conditions because problems wait too long to be addressed. This payment is usually figured into your monthly payment when you purchase the vehicle, and the plan lasts for a 2-4 year period, in most cases.
Every fixed cost maintenance van is different in the specific services provided, so when you sign up for a plan, it is important to learn what’s covered and what’s not. Not only can proper maintenance help your business stay in good shape, it can also lead to the van having a higher resale value when it comes time to sell it.
A company vehicle is a valuable asset for any business, especially one that delivers goods to clients around town or provides a service like computer repair. When budget constraints are keeping you from buying a one outright, you can finance it much like you would a personal vehicle.
The best way to obtain commercial van financing is through an independent company that is looking out for your best interests. Some dealers arrange relationships with financing companies and refer business to them, but this usually means that you will not be dealing with the loan company directly. While many payment plans go as expected, some people end up with problems due to miscommunications along the way.
You can either apply for a loan before you start the search for your vehicle (the company will tell you how much they can loan you so you can choose a van accordingly), or some loan companies will actually be able to search the market for an available vehicle that fits your business needs and your budget.
Many sites offer online application forms to get you started with the financing process, and some will also take applicants who have been refused for a loan elsewhere. When looking for a van financing company, there are a few basic things to focus on, such as the APR (annual percentage rate) and the repayment options. Of course, it is also essential to read the fine print that the loan officer might not go over when you sign the contract.
When you decide to finance a vehicle, you should only take out a loan for as much as your company can afford per month. Because your budget is that of your business, and the income varies from month to month, think of the average income you have had throughout the past year or so and make a calculation from there. This will need to be considered along with associated costs like maintenance, fuel costs, and insurance.
When it comes to financing a van for your business, the process can be rather complicated. After having spent plenty of money on start-up costs, you might be surprised to learn the strict requirements that many van financing companies uphold. For many businesses in the city, though, dependable transportation is a necessity in order to deliver to clients. Food services, especially, rely on their own transportation to get from one place to another, so a company that is unable to deliver to their clients might be losing out on plenty of potential business.