Van drivers are being advised to ensure their lights are functioning appropriately to help keep their premiums low.

According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), a great number of vehicles on Britain’s roads with only one operating headlight are commercial vehicles than private vehicles.

The Institute stated the many dangers that the “one eyed monster” can have such as creating serious affects on other road users. Drivers were advised to ensure their lights are in tip-top conditions as darker nights draw in.   

IAM believes that checking that vehicle lights are in the right condition could help avoid serious accidents and in turn, saves a lot of money and keeps insurance premiums low.

Meanwhile, concerns are raised among car and van insurance customers as the Highways Agency prepares to introduce new gritting techniques which could damage road vehicles.

Volkswagen found that the new grit mixture of brine and salt can damage paintwork, alloy wheels and the underside of vehicles.

The same money saving scheme had caused serious damage to vehicles when the scheme was introduced in Austria resulting in a great deal of warranty claims.

Editor Adrian Tatum, of the Engineering Magazine Surveyor said: "This is a big worry. I'm convinced, at a time when the economy is at its worse, people will be deeply concerned by the cost implications of this…It is vital we make UK roads safer during tough conditions but if this particular technique used to grit the roads is potentially leading to corrosion of vehicles and street furniture then something is quite clearly wrong and this issue has to be addressed."