Tidy vans are safe vans!
by: Julia Niven
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Sorting out your storage is a good first step in increasing your comfort, safety and productivity. Properly designed van interiors help users to store more in the same space, which leads to increased efficiency as you can find the things you need when you need them, fewer return visits and increased productivity and customer satisfaction. A tidy van always makes a good impression.
Installing extra, relevant storage such as shelves, drawers or cases helps to keep the vehicle well organised and makes for a clear floor space, which can be utilized for extra equipment or supplies. This will save you time, and also means that your gear is less likely to get damaged (which means fewer claims on your van insurance) or dirty, if it is properly stored.
If you have employees and co-workers who use your vehicle, you know that there are acts, regulations and guidelines about your duty of care to them to make sure that equipment (including vehicles) is safe and up to the job. You also have a responsibility to make sure that your van is safe when you’re on the road for other road users. If you have to brake suddenly or are involved in an accident, badly stored or fixed items in the van or on the roof can become dangerous missiles. There were around 4000 successful prosecutions brought against drivers and operators last year, which related to unsafe loads. Making sure that you have the correct storage and that you always drive carefully will help to reduce the chance of this happening, and also keep the price of your commercial van insurance down.
A safe and well-organised van should have a bulkhead between the driving area and load space to provide protection from the contents in the back for the driver and passenger, but a better insurance by far is to ensure that all items are properly secured before driving. Large items can be fixed down with straps or other restraints while smaller items such as tools, materials and supplies should be stored in properly installed cases, racks, deep or shallow shelves and cupboards. Label everything for easy access so you can find what you want, when you want it.
Excellent security is also very important – good locks are a must. They prevent doors on storage inside and doors outside the van from coming open unexpectedly and dangerously. This precaution lowers the risk of items coming loose and causing damage or being damaged, and reduces the likelihood of theft. All of this helps to drive down your van insurance costs because commercial van insurance companies won’t pay out on claims that could have been avoided by taking simple steps.
And finally, make sure that you remove all your tools and equipment from the vehicle overnight. If you don’t want it stolen, take it out and store it somewhere secure. If you avoid the possibility of theft, you get cheap van insurance on renewal, and if your van does get broken into, all it will cost you is the price of a new lock.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/profile/julia-niven-10261.html
About the Author
Julia Niven – One Van Insurance search a panel of the UK’s leading van insurers to find you a great deal on your van insurance. Whether you need van insurance for private or business use, our click and buy service means you can arrange your van insurance online in minutes! We offer fully comprehensive cover, third party, fire & theft and third party only cover. Visit our site and see what cheap van insurance deals we offer Contacts For interviews, images or comments contact: Julia Niven Marketing Team Email: julia.niven@brightsidegroup.co.uk
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