Posts Tagged ‘business insurance’

Insuring your Commercial Vehicle

Friday, February 18th, 2011

There’s more to van insurance than meets the eye.

Vans and commercial vehicles come in so many different shapes and sizes – single cabs, double cabs, flat beds, tippers, cherry pickers, panel vans, luton vans, chassis cabs and on and on. Each model is built for a specific job or usage which will have a significant effect on the insurance price.

Cover for Business Use

It’s not often a van is bought for purely personal tasks like social, domestic and pleasure purposes, so most insurance companies will not provide insurance other than a commercial vehicle policy to cover a van. This doesn’t mean you cannot have a policy with SDP cover, just that it will be added to a commercial policy rather than being available in it’s own right. It is also worth noting that there are some significant differences between commercial vehicle insurance policies and your usual SDP personal policy for your private motor car.

As an example, a “driving other cars” extension is still quite common on fully comprehensive car policies, but it is not offered at all on commercial vehicle policies. People sometimes get caught out as they mistakenly think that the DOC extension is automatically included on any fully comprehensive policy. This is not the case with private car insurance policies either, it’s just that the vast majority of them used to have this as standard, although it will be phased out completely over the next few years.

Usually commercial vehicles are insured for multiple drivers, or sometimes on an “any driver” basis. There are even a few insurers who offer “any age, any driver” policies, although in cases such as those, all drivers must have a clean, Full UK driving licence. If that is not the case, any driver with points, convictions, disabilities etc. will need to be named on the policy and their driving history will have a direct effect on the rate paid.

Drivers ages

As you would expect, the younger a driver, the more you will pay whether on a named or any driver basis. On an any driver policy, ages can be limited to any driver over 21, over 25 or over 30, with the latter being the cheapest.

Modified Vans

After purchasing a vehicle, a company will often adapt it for it’s own purposes. For instance, ply lining the interior, changing the number of seats, or fitting a tail lift. In the case of ply lining most insurers will not alter the premium one way or the other, although some will want to know. A tail lift is slightly different in that it is a fixture attached to the van, so if you have fully comprehensive insurance, you can potentially claim for this if it is accident damaged. However, you must declare it to your insurer, and also make sure the cost of the lift and the van combined are included in the sum insured. It is also worth noting that a tail lift is described as a fixture, not tools or equipment – these have to be insured separately.

Changing how many seats you have is quite common and is something all insurers will want to know about. Taking them out isn’t usually a problem, but adding more seating isn’t something you should do yourself as insurance companies tend to frown on this. This is because there are several safety issues, such as torque settings, seat belts, and correct fittings etc. which should ideally be addressed by qualified persons, meaning a main dealer must do it. Sometimes an insurance company might want a copy of a main dealer’s receipt as proof the work was done to standard. This is understandable given the potential for serious injury in an accident if a seat isn’t fitted properly, or a seatbelt incorrectly adjusted, and you should be aware that your cover might not be valid if you do it yourself.

Occasionally, a van owner may want to personalise their van in the same way they might do with a car. Perhaps fitting extra lights or alloy wheels, although most people only go as far sign writing. This will always affect an insurance premium, although not necessarily in a more costly way. For example: Alloy wheels are considered a higher theft risk than standard steel wheels, so your premium would naturally increase. However, sign writing your van, makes it more identifiable if it happens to be stolen, so this can sometimes reduce an insurance premium.

In conclusion:

* If you have any doubts, a good broker/insurer will always be able to help * Insurance is available from a number of providers for all kinds of commercial vehicles

For further help or quotes, click on Coversure’s van insurance page. There is also a large FAQ resource and information available for other commercial vehicle insurance products.

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Why Should I Have Business Car Insurance?

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

If you or your employees use a car for business then you need a proper business car policy.

A private car policy will not cover you for business use. Some private policies will include commuting cover, but this is only to and from a single, regular place of work, which is sufficient for most people who work in the same location every day. If you use a car for any business purpose other than this, then a private policy will not cover you and you are technically driving around uninsured. Even if it’s just dropping off a business letter on the way home, this is business use and falls outside commuting, so should an incident occur, it could be costly to you personally, and result in points on your licence and higher insurance costs.

An employer also has to be aware that there could also be comeback from an incident involving an employee. Under Health and Safety Law, an employer is responsible for their employee’s welfare whilst at work. This still applies in a vehicle if they are on work business. On top of this, in certain circumstances, an employer is also liable for an employee’s actions, so if a third party is injured badly in an accident involving an employee the company may be held partly responsible too, so proper business use insurance is a necessity.

Business use is separated into several categories depending on the needs of the business and how the vehicle is going to be used. There follows a general description of the different classes, although there will be slight differences from insurer to insurer.

Class 1 business car insurance

Specifically for drivers who own their own vehicle, which they need to use for business purposes as will as private use. You can cover your other half, and private use is usually automatically included.

Business insurance for Cars – Class 2

This class of business car insurance covers a policyholder’s car for named drivers using the vehicle for business. Generally the policyholder will be the company itself (for company owned vehicles or pool cars), but can be applied to individuals. Nowadays these policies usually include some social domestic and pleasure cover too. In the example above, where a letter is posted on the way home, the reverse can also happen and needs to be covered. For example, an employee runs a personal errand whilst on their way to a meeting.

Class 3 business car insurance

Class 3 cover is sometimes described as “commercial travelling”. It covers drivers who drive as part of their job, so long as the driving itself is not their job. As an example, class 3 business insurance would cover a sales rep., engineer on call, but would not cover a taxi driver, for this you would need something called “hire and reward”.

Hire and Reward

Hire and reward policies are necessary when transportation is the main purpose of a business. So couriers and hauliers need this form of insurance. Taxi insurance is also a form of hire and reward cover.

So for any business use apart from commuting, then a proper business car insurance policy is required by law.

M Withers is Commercial Manager at Coversure who offer all kinds of business use car insurance

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Getting The Right Mini Mart and Gas Stations Insurance

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

There are numerous reasons for getting the right Gas stations insurance. The purpose of any cover is to make sure you are covered in the event of any problems, such as theft, accidents or any injuries on your property. However it is also a legal requirement so it is vital to get the right one for your requirements.

How much cover you legally require will differ depending on your location. For example in some states environmental cover is something that you are legally obliged to have. This means that if there are any spillages or leaks on your property then you are covered. Given the nature of your business is this is probably advisable even if you are not legally required to do so.

You may feel that getting cover from a small business company may be adequate for the services that you require. In some cases small business insurance should cover most of your needs. However it may not be ideal for all your needs, especially if the company does not offer specific cover for your business. This is why you should get a detailed quote that breaks down the costs that are suitable for the individual requirements of your business.

As well as the insurance you also need to ensure you have the right types of permits. This can vary depending on the type of service you will be offering your customers. With the fuel itself you need permits to store it safely and before you start serving it to members of the public.

You may think that you cannot afford liability for your employees and the general public. Ideally you should look beyond how the cost of the cover. Consider how much more expensive it would be if a personal injury case would come to court and how much compensation you would have to pay. The likelihood is that the cost of the cover will be less than any likely compensation.

The requirements for gas stations can vary from different states and you should check information in your local area for the minimum requirements. For example some states legally require you to have environmental cover. This type of cover will protect in case there are any leaks or spillages.

If you are not sure if this is right for you seek legal advice for an estimate on how much a court settlement or compensation would cost. It is likely that it would be cheaper to get liability cover than the prospect of paying the costs of a court case or a compensation payout. The right cover should mean ensuring that any costs are minimized in the long term.

Gas stations and mini mart insurance should be customized for your individual requirements, both in terms of the legal needs of the local area and what you feel is the right cover. Getting a detailed quote will give you a clear idea of the amount you are paying. Comparing prices from detailed quotes will not only help you know how much you are paying but it is also an effective way of negotiating the best prices. Check online directories to find insurers in your local area.

Want to find out more about business insurance coverages, then visit Ed Sneineh’s site on how to choose the best Gas Station, Mini Mart Insurance for your needs.

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Choosing The Right Business Insurance

Friday, January 7th, 2011

All types of businesses big and small should have a least a minimum of business insurance in place to protect them from unseen emergencies and even lawsuits. Although many business owners seem to feel that insurance premiums are too expensive for their budget, there are ways to reduce premiums and control costs.

Workman’s comp is a common type of insurance that is even mandated by many states. Some business owners, especially sold proprietors who work at home, decide they simply can’t afford this type of insurance nor do they need this type of insurance. Workman’s comp helps pay medical expenses for employees injured on the job.

For people who work at all this may sound like a waste of money and in many cases business owners who do in fact work at home, even in states where they are required by law to have a workman’s comp policy, choose not to purchase one.

One type of insurance that is highly recommended for any type of business is what is referred to as loss of income coverage. Loss of income, even for a short period of time, can put some small businesses out of business quickly. The reason for the loss of income must involve the inability to conduct business as usual.

This doesn’t include the fact that you might close your business for a few weeks because you choose to go on vacation. Your coverage would come into effect only in situations where your office was damaged to the point that you could not operate your business, or in a situation where you as the business owner were perhaps hospitalized for an extended period.

If you happen to live in a geographical area that is frequently subjected to serious storms such as blizzards, hurricanes, severe rains that caused flooding, or even tornadoes, you will need to have a separate policy that covers this type of flooding caused by weather patterns. A regular liability insurance policy will cover water damage associated with internal plumbing mishaps only.

The larger your business, the more insurance you should have – obviously. Not only consider policies that will cover virtually every type of claim, but consider policies that don’t put you in financial ruin if you need to put in a claim. For instance, choosing policies where the deductibles are so high that it’s not worth putting in a claim is just a waste of money.

Discovering it’s difficult to find insurance from a reputable company? It important to compare all benefits when you are searching for cheap life insurance online.

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Are You Fed Up With Paying A Lot For Your Van Insurance?

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Is your van insurance too high? Unknowingly, many drivers are simply overpaying for their coverage. Thankfully, there are ways to drive down the costs. Here, you’ll find some interesting tips that you may not have thought about. Of course, there are factors that cannot possibly be altered. One fine example of this is the documented driving record of a particular driver.

Having said that, it’s important that you were always honest when you are obtaining quotations or discussing matters with any insurance agents. However, in order to benefit from discounts, there are some things like playing with your deductible amount that are recommended.

As you may or may not know, the deductible can be altered. This is actually your financial portion of the claim for which you are responsible. Very often, people keep this on the low side. However, accidents and claims don’t happen quite often, at least in the majority of cases. So it makes no sense to keep this amount so low.

So, it’s probably in your benefit to increase the deductible to reduce rates. But, don’t be too hasty in your attempt to save money. You might end up in a situation where you can’t afford to cover said the deductible if there is an unfortunate event.

In addition to that, try to bring all your insurable goods to that one insurance company and under one policy, if possible. This will certainly ensure more discounts. Therefore, if you own your own home or have a renters policy and have other types of vehicles, try to bring them all together and discuss the situation with the insurer.

One other excellent tip is to try to deter thieves from robbing your van. There are all types of devices available on the market that you could use to do this. And when you do, insurers will reward you with discounts. So it’s good to look into this and discuss it and their benefits with your agent.

Get a van insurance comparison fast and easy! When you want to compare van insurance, you can get quotes from the top insurance providers and do your comparison in the convenience of your home today!

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Fantastic Ways To Chose Van Insurance

Monday, November 15th, 2010

When someone is searching for van insurance there are some great ways to locate a agency. Most people look for certain things in an insurance agency that helps them pick it. Find out what you should be looking for and how shopping for insurance on a van can be made simple.

The best way to pick an insurance company is to look at their rates. Ask yourself if they are fair and low. When you discover the low premiums you will be surprised at how low monthly payments can be on van vehicles. If you have a great driving record and a history of low incidence, then there is no reason why you should have to pay high premiums.

Businesses can benefit from using a company with low rates, especially when they have more than one van. Some companies will provide good deals for more than one service vehicle signed up with the agency.

A van used for personal use is a vehicle that is not known for high speeds. In fact, most people using vans are using them for family care or work. Whether you are toting around your kids or lugging around your work gear, you are not likely to be speeding or driving reckless. That fact can help keep the price of insurance low and affordable.

When you are considering picking a particular insurance company, make sure that they have great customer care. You should be able to reach them by phone and talk with a real person. Your agent should have a reasonable time line for getting back to your calls.

Picking the best van insurance is made easy when you ensure that they are ideal for you. Take your time researching them and speak with an agent about deals for you. Everyone is different and unique and an agent can provide you with the right package and premium to suit your needs.

Not entirely sure how to pick quality yet affordable van insurance cover? Get exclusive inside info on easy van insurance comparison in our complete compare van insurance overview.

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The Details You Should Need To Consider Regarding Your Business Insurance

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

A business really does need to have the best possible business insurance due to requiring some form of protection when something goes wrong. It is a decision which can have a real bearing on the future of your business as without it you could vanish overnight.

If you have a property then do ensure you have cover for the building and the contents included in your premium because if there was a fire or a flood then clearly your business is going to be hampered somewhat. Obviously should this kind of thing happen then you are going to need to make a claim and without it your business could easily close.

It is also extremely important to have public liability insurance in your policy as people do not think twice about trying to sue you for damages. The insurance company is going to protect you up to a certain amount but after that you are held liable for paying the rest of the compensation so it may be worth your while getting extra cover just to be safe.

If you are employing people then you need to know your insurance also covers them for a variety of things. It is also true that extra additions to the policy may be required depending on your type of business but this is where talking to the insurance company or the broker really matters.

You are always best to look around and get a number of quotes for your business insurance but although the cheapest may look appealing it is not always the best. You really must pay close attention to what you are actually covered for as it may be cheap because it is not comprehensive and you do not want to find this out when claiming.

It is also advisable to try and talk face to face with a broker as they can assess everything that your business needs so make a note of what they say. You can then also double check this with another broker as it lets you know if you can trust the advice that you have been given by both of them.

So if you do not have business insurance you really are playing with fire and run the risk of forcing yourself out of business. You may even discover that where you are based it is actually a legal requirement to have it so do look into this before you start and if you have different forms of insurance from different companies just make sure that you do not have sections overlapping as then you are just wasting money in insuring yourself twice.

Your company requires to have atleast some type of business insurance to be safe.And Best Insurance Quotes will assist you in selecting the most appropriate one.

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Cheap Van Insurance Quotations To Gain From

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

Everyone in business is looking for ways to cut expenses. It’s the only way if you want to have a bigger profit in the end. It’s also the way that people think in their personal lives as well. One way to do so is to find competitive van insurance rates to benefit from and put that money to better use.

One of the easiest ways to achieve these goals is by using the Internet. You’ll be able to see all the various insurance companies that provide coverage in your city or state, for that matter. By filling in all the required fields, you’ll be able to get a quotation soon after you submit your application.

Alternatively, you can find websites that are dedicated to the subject and offer comparative shopping quotations. This means that you’ll be able to enter your information and receive various quotations without having to do it over and again. The benefits are quite obvious here in that anyone who does this will save a lot of time.

However you go about it is completely up to you. You can even choose the conventional way which requires you to call each insurer and get quotations over the telephone. The problem here lies in the fact that you’re spending way too much time waiting to speak to agents who have to enter your own information into the system, when you can do it yourself.

By comparative shopping, you’ll end up finding insurers who will give you the proper coverage you need but more competitive rates. It’s as simple as that.

What is important is that you maintain the coverage you need to ensure that your property is taken care of by a reputable insurer. There are ways that you can find out the reputation of each insurer and the way that they are rated by their clients.

Do you own a van? Compare van insurance now. Why? Because van insurance comparison will help save you money in your bank account.

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Searching For Van Insurance Is Never Easy

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

The image of the great British white van man is something that has probably done more to raise van insurance quotes than any crime spree. You instantly picture a boy racer in his baseball cap cutting people up at roundabouts and jumping lanes. It’s because of these images that the prices that have been quoted for even third party insurance lately has been a bit on the silly side.

With bosses putting drivers under ever increasing pressure to perform it’s understandable to see the odd minor infringement. The average professional driver has more to lose by getting points than someone in a private vehicle. So considering this, the idea of a company van undertaking and jumping from lane to lane is not realistic.

The actual number of accidents that involve private vehicles makes them a much riskier mode of transport. There are other reasons why insuring a commercial vehicle is a proverbial pain in the neck. The biggest problem insurers come across is that vans are a magnet for thieves because of their possibilities.

Many companies have tried to combat this by visually stating on their vans that no tools are stored in them. This can have an obvious effect on the chances of you having to make a claim for against your insurance for theft.

The sad thing with all of this is that many an honest man is struggling to make ends meet in today’s economy and could do without increasing costs. You are not given much respite if your van is not for commercial use as the costs are similar to insuring a sports car. Of course there are certain things that will lower the cost of your policy just as they would with a car.

Making sure you garage your vehicle if possible is the obvious move but you should also consider your mileage. If your car is your main transport then having cover for a reduced mileage on your van is a wise move. Be sure to ask when getting a quote for any other way to reduce your van insurance. There are some insurers that offer reductions where others offer only the basics.

You can compare van insurance easily when you know where to look! Finding quotes from providers to conduct a van insurance comparison, will give you the ability to get the best coverage at the best price!

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How To Choose A Great Superior Van Insurance Policy With The Best Rates With Discounts

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Choosing a van insurance policy may not be as simple as one might think. The fact is, there are many determining factors in insurance rates that are quoted to individual van owners. One of those depends on how you were going to use your vehicle.

Depending on where you live, most people have vans for work purposes. Of course, this would exclude North Americans who commonly use them for personal matters. If it is for business, then you would have to take out a commercial vehicle insurance policy.

Having said that, you may be using your vehicle to transport hazardous materials. If that is the case, it should be noted in the policy. This will certainly affect the rates. That is only one example of the endless examples that can be used which will have an impact on the premiums.

Other details include that which has to do with security. Besides the factory installed alarm system, you would stand to gain by using other security devices to deter thieves. This will see a decrease in your insurance rates. The location of where the vehicle will be parked overnight will also play a role. If it’s parked behind locked gates, there will be discounts.

Alternatively, if it is parked in the street, and depending on the neighborhood, you could see a rise in those rates as well. You could also benefit from a fleet policy if you have several vehicles under the same policy.

No matter how insignificant such details may seem to you, they are important to insurance companies. Be up front and discuss all of these details in order to get the lowest rates possible. Once you have listed all your details, you can go online to various insurance websites and obtain quotations. It’s the fastest and easiest way to go about this.

Conduct an effective van insurance comparison in an instant. We’ve got the ultimate inside skinny now in our compare van insurance guide .

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