With shocking new figures being released this week by a leading van insurance company describing the number of thefts that occur from vans all over the UK, now would be a good time to review your insurance policy and your safety procedures.
Van thefts a serious worry
The new study, which was compiled by Direct Line, calculated the number of thefts that occur from vans across the UK and also sought to gauge the attitudes of van and commercial vehicle drivers to safety.
According to the results there are, on average, 21 vans broken in to every hour across the country with over 550,000 being burgled in the last three years.
A spokesman for Direct Line noted the extremely high number of break-ins and warned drivers to take better care of both their vehicles and any tools stored in them.
"There are over 185,000 vans being broken into a year in the UK, and many drivers are making it an easy earner for thieves." Said Simon Henrick from Direct Line.
"The loss of your tools or stock can have a severe impact on your business." He added.
The most shocking revelation that was exposed by the survey turned out to be the lack of precautions being taken by drivers, including over 60% having inadequate insurance cover. According to the results over 50% of respondents do not have an alarm fitted to their van, 42% do not have an immobiliser and a surprising 16% do not even bother to lock their vehicles.
A further 36% do not empty their vans of valuable tools when they are left parked overnight, which the insurer warned, was an invitation to criminals.
Loss of tools could severely impact your business
With 60% of drivers apparently not seeing a need to insure the contents of their vans, these crime figures should come as a wake-up call. With the large costs associated with purchasing tools and with many drills and power saws costing in the hundreds the potential damage to your business could be vast.
For the extra cost of a few pounds a month, upgrading to a policy which offers contents cover, your business could well be saved thousands of pounds in new purchases.
TV expert Tommy Walsh noted that:
“If you’re a tradesman and somebody steals your tools, it not only stops you working, but some tools are like old friends that you trust and have had for years. That’s without even taking into account the cost to replace them.”
Get the right insurance cover
So, instead of trying to save a few pounds a month by using basic insurance, perhaps it's time to think about switching to a policy that will cover not just accidents but also contents theft. This can be done easily online and could end up saving you a considerable sum in the long-run.
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