Van drivers more likely to keep their vehicles clean says insurer

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Van insurance provider Swinton Commercial has revealed that van drivers are more likely to keep their vehicles clean, and to tidy them more regularly, than car drivers.

As part of an online survey of 1,200 online customers, 45% of van drivers said they would use a bucket and sponge to give their vans a proper clean, whereas only 25% of car drivers would adopt this traditional elbow grease method to clean their vehicle. 27% of van drivers would also use a roadside valet service to ensure their vehicle is spick and span.

The online survey conducted by the insurance company found that van drivers are more likely than any other driver to keep their vehicle clean with 39% regularly cleaning their vehicle, whereas only 15% of car drivers would clean their car this regularly.

Swinton Insurance believes van drivers’ attention to cleanliness is down to the fact that most van drivers and self employed, and so a clean van is a good advert for their business. The insurance provider added that a clean vehicle is a safer vehicle, especially if the rear and front windows are kept clean so visibility is clear, and there is nothing to obstruct the view while driving.

Van drivers must declare all modifications to avoid invalidating their insurance

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Van drivers are being warned by insurance companies to ensure they declare any modifications made to their vehicle to avoid invalidating their policy.

Swinton Commercial is calling upon all of its customers to declare any change they may make to their work vehicle, regardless of whether or not the modification affects the vehicle’s performance.

It’s a common misconception that the policyholder need only inform their insurance company of a change to their van if it changes its performance. However all changes must be declared, whether the modification is just aesthetic, or functional.

If a driver fails to tell their insurance company about a change they’ve made to their van or car, then in the event of an accident, the insurer may not pay out. This is a nightmare for any driver, but for an individual who relies on their van for the livelihood, it would be a disaster.

Some of the most common modifications which are made to work vans include installing frails, which are rails that are secured to the outside or inside of the van so that items can to attached to them during transit.

Ply lining is another popular alteration being made to vans, as is adding a tow bar, and installing bulkheads. Even the smallest of modifications, like a change of signage on the exterior of the van needs to be declared.