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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dave0123 on July 27, 2006, 06:44:45 pm

Title: Van insurance
Post by: dave0123 on July 27, 2006, 06:44:45 pm
I am thinking of buying a van, something like a combo or an astra van or along those lines what do you guys recomend van wise? ::) i am still trad window cleaner. Also would i need commerical insurace because i am driving a van? i will b using it for personal use as well??  ???

Dave
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: JM123 on July 27, 2006, 06:48:04 pm
all van insurance is commercial - the combo is a pretty good van but I'd go for a partner/berlingo/kangoo etc
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: dave0123 on July 27, 2006, 07:05:58 pm
oh i see so would this be ok to be used as work? with the ladders on. i currently use tesco insurance for my car. why would you go for a partner/berlingo/kangoo what advantage do these have other the combo?

Sorry to b pain Dacve
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: JM123 on July 27, 2006, 07:08:22 pm
yeah all van insurance is commercial, thats why it costs more.  Personally I'd go for the likes of a partner because parts etc are generally cheper nd I've never known for an to give bother, but thats just my thoughts.
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: niceandclean on July 27, 2006, 07:11:09 pm
Yes i would go with the partner, peugeot diesel engines all the way, they are superb. I had an old 406 and by the time i got rid of it it had done 290000 miles, i had it from 111000 miles. I had it serviced every 10000 miles, but i did have to have a new clutch at 250000 miles, but you would expect that.
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: john tomkins on July 27, 2006, 07:27:22 pm
I just swapped from a Renault Megane car to a Citroen Berlingo van, Car cost about £260 to insure, van costs £366 so quite an increase you'll have to think about.
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: dave0123 on July 27, 2006, 08:01:30 pm
Thanks lads, thats great help. yes will phone my insuance company 2morro see waht sort of price it would b around lol.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: Mike George on July 27, 2006, 08:10:56 pm
The Astravan seems to be a common window cleaner's van around here and I've got one. It's big enough to carry everything you need for trad, and small enough to be as comfortable as a car for longer journeys. The Combo has a more upright driving position and is easier to get in and out of 20 times a day.

You have to be careful where you place the ladder because it's got a lifting tailgate, and the other vans that have been mentioned have got side opening doors. You might also get a Combo or similar with a sliding side door which saves a bit of bending.

If you need to change clothes while you are out it's a bit cramped in the back of an Astra.
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on July 27, 2006, 08:16:57 pm
I'd opt for a decent Escort van. Easy to get parts, reliable, no tailgate to bash against your ladders and not expensive to run. Sorted!!    ;)
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: Majestic on July 27, 2006, 09:33:32 pm
I would go for a bigger van than the one you think that you need , its better to have too much room in the van than not enough .
I had the partner van , it was not big enough so I got the Expert. I now also do Power Washing and just about fit everything in my van. I should of gone for something even  bigger.
I got my quote from confused.com, they do online quotes and show about 10  different quotes
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: AuRavelling79 on July 27, 2006, 10:19:54 pm
Yup go bigger - then when you go wfp you can put in a 650L tank instead of being restricted. Citroen Despatch/Fiat Scudo/Peugeot Expert is basically the same van with a Peugeot engine and you can get them with three seats if that's useful.
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: JM123 on July 27, 2006, 10:22:24 pm
not quite, the scudo has a fiat engine - not nearly as good. 
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: shammy davis jnr on July 27, 2006, 10:38:13 pm
ford transit i think if the a team were still on the go they would use one there bomb proof ,and with a new model coming out they will get cheaper for say a 3 year old one
in due course  but dont try to take ba to the air port in one  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: dave0123 on July 28, 2006, 08:21:22 am
Thanks lads ;) ill have alook at a few other makes such as the partner/berlingo and so on. what i was thinking something like this the combo or something simlar rarther than an astra van so when i do invest into waterfed pole wether it a little system or trolly it could fit in the back.... hopefully.

Dave
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: JM123 on July 28, 2006, 03:20:48 pm
just priced van insurance this morning - over a grand for a Peugeot Expert HDI (worth £3000)!!

Best part is I've got 7years no claims bonus, no accidents/convictions, nothing.  I got my YOUNGER sister (she's 21) to price it in her name (0 no-claims bonus), guess what - £958!!!   AAARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

How????????????
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: Majestic on July 28, 2006, 03:58:16 pm
I have a o5 Expert and fully comp I pay £301.00, and thats with free breakdown cover
Try
www.evaninsurance.co.uk
tele  01454 634 591
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: Allways Cleaning on July 28, 2006, 04:57:40 pm
hi ive just done a quote £280 hope this includes all me bits v good quote renewl £465! worth checking around thats much better going back to me old co and see what they say as i will cancell might give me a better quote haha
regards
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: JM123 on July 28, 2006, 04:59:11 pm
Hi John Garnett - I just tried evaninsurance

They quoted me £1050.00 with £300excess - it just seems N.Ireland gets the short end of the insurance stick. 

Anyone else know of any other good insurance companies to try?
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: Easyclean Windows on July 28, 2006, 07:13:22 pm
A-plan insurance can insure you fully comp including contents and wfp etc excess is £100-200 for £360 a year
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: JM123 on July 29, 2006, 11:27:21 am
do A-Plan have a website or phone number?  Thanks
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: Sarah Sarill on July 29, 2006, 11:50:04 am
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=22520.0

Sarah
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: craig b on July 29, 2006, 12:35:05 pm
JM .TRY QUINN DIRECT. I have expert 2 years no claims just over £500
worth a try.
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: craig jwc on July 29, 2006, 12:43:27 pm
I use A QUOTE on the net.

Just bought myself a Transit for personal use and Fully Comp was £216

I also have a Kangoo and will be swapping insurance to these as they will mirror your no claims to a 2nd van, they also quoted my £216 on this. I was paying over £400

Craig
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: Cleaner Windows on July 29, 2006, 12:56:25 pm
my advice is which ever van you get..use confused.com to locate the best quote, it's the best thing ive done insurance wise!
My car was costing me £550 per year third party fire and theft (which was the cheapest quote i could find), until i went to confused.com and they found me fully comp insurance for £300 per year.massive saving, and im happy.Its also with a better insurance company than my previous one!
Title: Re: Van insurance
Post by: Majestic on July 30, 2006, 11:16:31 am
Another one to try is

www.autodirect.co.uk/multi

0800 093 8905