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Van Hire Insurance



When hiring any vehicle, one of the most overlooked aspects is actually insurance. When hiring any vehicle, van hire insurance is an important part of the deal as even though most van hire companies offer fully insured vehicles, many companies budget when it comes to insurance meaning that often the excess is through the roof. This can mean that if you have an accident, instead of simply paying the first £50 or £100 of excess, you end up having to pay the first £1,000 or more.

Many unscrupulous van hire companies actually still exist and while for the most part they are all legitimate, some local companies may rent you a vehicle which you're not covered to drive. As a result, before you hire any vehicle you should always ensure that you have some form of proof in writing detailing your van hire insurance.

Typically, van hire insurance is fully comprehensive but there is excess to pay in the event of an accident. This is the only way to bring the prices down, and usually the amount you have to pay in the event of an accident is hidden in the small print. The golden rule is that before you rent any vehicle, it's important to know how much you are liable to pay in the event of an accident.

With bigger companies, there are usually a number of flexible van hire insurance options available which can reduce excess down to zero. These packages are always a good idea as it gives you peace of mind and while they may add on £10 or £20 to the price of the rental, it could very well save you £500 or more if you're unlucky.

Ultimately, self-drive van hire insurance is something that everyone needs to be careful about. If you aren't aware of the insurance terms before you drive the vehicle, then the best advice is that you don't drive the vehicle. Just ask yourself the question:- "What happens in the event of an accident?" In the case of self-drive van hire, you're normally responsible for the safety of your goods, so you may very well find that if you are unlucky, you're forced not only to pay for the van, but also buy new goods.

While self-drive van hire has its issues, when it comes to hiring a van and driver it's important to ensure that the load being carried is insured. When speaking with the driver or the rental company, get this in writing before you accept the terms of the agreement. If you're transporting valuable goods, you may want to ensure that the coverage is suitable because in many cases, the van hire insurance covers the vehicle only.

Van hire isn't always problematic however, and people don't always have accidents. As with anything, it's important to be realistic and while van hire insurance is something to be careful of, there are thousands of great rental companies out there. Just be vigilant and get everything in writing.


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