The Lower The Risk, The Lower Van Insurance Quotes Will Be

According to polls ans surveys the most despised driver on the UK roads are foreign lorry drivers, closely followed by the infamous 'white van man'. And yet whilst calls for larger wing mirrors to be fitted on foreign lorries to be made compulsory to reduce the number of accidents, surveys have surprised many people as they show that van drivers are among the safest drivers currently on the road.

Many people have such strong views and opinions about the notorious 'white van man' they are somewhat flabbergasted to hear that van drivers are being offered some very competitive and low cost insurance premiums, rather than the popular misconception that van drivers pay more for their insurance. This is because many of the insurance companies take the results of surveys and researches very seriously. As such they consider many vans drivers to be a low risk which enables them to offer low cost premiums.

The stereotype of 'white van man' paying more for their insurance in reality has little to do with the fact that they drive a van which just so happens to be white. It is because some of the latest city vans have low engine capacities as well as many employed van drivers having undertaken advanced driving courses as part of their terms and conditions of employment. Businesses of any size simply cannot afford to pay extortionate insurance premiums for their vans, as such they have taken proactive approaches to reduce the risk of both their vans and employees being involved in accidents as well as looking at positive ways to reduce theft of their vehicles.

Any combination of the above is seen favourably by insurers who reward careful drivers and those who go out of their way to reduce the risk of theft by offering low cost insurance without reducing the amount of cover provided.

Insurance quotes are calculated by using a predetermined criteria which has as much to do with the vehicle as it does to the driver. Young drivers are hit the hardest irrespective of what type of vehicle they drive, with young male drivers paying far more for their insurance then females of the same age driving exactly the same van.

This again is down to the perception of known variables, such as likelihood of young males being involved in accidents being far higher then females. The risk factor is the key to insurance, they lower the risk factor the lower the premiums will be. Vans carrying high value goods will invariably pay higher premiums than those who use a van to carry work tools, depending on the nature and value of the tools on board.

Goods which have a high black market street value, such as electronic equipment, iPods, computers and plasma TVs for example, are more likely to be targeted by thieves rather a paint and decorator's van full of the tools of their trade.

Where the van operates and is driven will also affect the premiums. Those who drive in large towns, cities and high risk areas will also have to pay more for their insurance in the same way as car drivers do, as these areas are considered to be a higher risk than some rural areas and therefore the insurance companies cover the risks by increasing premiums.