www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Well it's that time of year again when the van insurance is due. I have just had a renewal through from my current insurer who want £957.13

The van is a Mercedes Vito 109cdi, 5 seater.
Miles travelled each year <5000 and value of van probably £4000 or less, although the insurers really should not ask you this as they only pay out what they think your vehicle is worth should they have to.
About me- driving for over 20 years, no claims, accidents or convictions in that time so full no claims bonus and never had any points for speeding etc.
There two other drivers on the policy (who I will probably be removing now) and they have no claims or convictions in the last 5 years.

I was reading a previous post in the forum from 2007 when my van insurance was £335 van-insurance-t6636.html
So in the space of 5 years with no accidents, claims or convictions my insurance premium has almost tripled

Glad I've got a company car!

And the Mrs pays just under £500 on her Hyundai Coupe rocketship!

I forgot to add that price is also with me paying a £350 voluntary excess plus their mandatory excess of £100 so if I was to claim I would have to pay the first £450

Tried having a play with your job title on the comparison sites? There's probably half a dozen things you could legitimately describe yourself as and it can make a hell of a difference to your premium.

Mrs. Inky found her insurance was quite a bit cheaper describing herself as an Estate Agent than as a Lettings Manager - and since she's a Residential Lettings Manager for a firm of Estate Agents we di it that way.

be careful if you remove a woman from your policy it can cost you more as they can assume they are better drivers so whilst they are driving the risk will drop

Have you tried compare the meerkat....


I got my insurance reduced by a good 2/3rds ...

Just reinsured my transit

Theives stole £325 off me, fully comp, drive other vehicles 20k miles a year

That was autonet. They originally wanted £396 but I put my details in as a new customer and bollokked them when the lower price came up

One of the things putting me off getting a van is the insurance. (The other is my other half )
Top tip with the job title, though, I've saved money that way too.

big-all wrote:be careful if you remove a woman from your policy it can cost you more as they can assume they are better drivers so whilst they are driving the risk will drop

I doubt it as she has points and also had a claim a few years back. If the insurance company saw her drive my van they would not give me insurance

Inky Pete wrote:Tried having a play with your job title on the comparison sites? There's probably half a dozen things you could legitimately describe yourself as and it can make a hell of a difference to your premium.

Mrs. Inky found her insurance was quite a bit cheaper describing herself as an Estate Agent than as a Lettings Manager - and since she's a Residential Lettings Manager for a firm of Estate Agents we di it that way.

I think I put the main occupation down as web designer, hardly in the same category as racing driver or stunt man

wine~o wrote: Have you tried compare the meerkat.... I got my insurance reduced by a good 2/3rds ...

Not yet but just got a quote from moneysupermarket.com and that has come in at £548 if I remove the two additional drivers.

Bikergirl wrote:One of the things putting me off getting a van is the insurance. (The other is my other half )
Top tip with the job title, though, I've saved money that way too.

I know a few people that had a car and a van, but they have sold their vans as the insurance on them was getting beyond a joke

Try having a play with a few more occupations - Company Director, Handyman, anything that you could argue fits you - for some reason even what seem like small differences can have a big effect on the premium.

Maybe they're wondering what a web designer needs a bloody great van for!!!!

Inky Pete wrote:Try having a play with a few more occupations - Company Director, Handyman, anything that you could argue fits you - for some reason even what seem like small differences can have a big effect on the premium.

Maybe they're wondering what a web designer needs a bloody great van for!!!!

For advertising

Although it is a medium sized van the actual room in the back is no bigger than a large car as my van is a 5 seater and has a bulkhead

I have removed the two drivers from my policy and have renewed at a price of £580 including drivers legal assistance. The £350 saved will help offset the extortionate price of Diesel

Inky Pete wrote:Tried having a play with your job title on the comparison sites? There's probably half a dozen things you could legitimately describe yourself as and it can make a hell of a difference to your premium.

Mrs. Inky found her insurance was quite a bit cheaper describing herself as an Estate Agent than as a Lettings Manager - and since she's a Residential Lettings Manager for a firm of Estate Agents we di it that way.

this is true,I work for various brewerys so I listed myself as a service engineer in the brewing industry,from the insurance companys point of view the risk of drink driving increases I explained to them i'm teatotal and could send a doctors letter to confirm this it made no differnce
I changed my job title to service engineer in the food manufacturing industry and it was cheaper
Under the guide lines beer comes under food handling and storage

mrs VI's car insurance, online quote £215, called to let them know she does the banking for her school meals, every friday during term time she takes between £150-£250 to the bank
cha-ching, class 2 business use that more than doubles the quote

my insurance is due too, £450 fully comp with breakdown cover, with work being a bit slow, I asked a local haulage firm i know if I could do some deliveries part time, to fill some gaps, He said yes no problem but I would need 'parcel delivery and goods in transit' insurance, So i asked for a quote and they wanted £2250,
So i'm not doing any deliveries. he only wants to pay 60p per loaded mile ,

just shop around on go compare, i never accept their quotes this year i saved £170 and thats with the same company