Automotive Business Magazine – Q3 2026 – Digital edition - Flipbook - Page 77
OPINION
FLEET
could
insurance
Class of use
Tradespeople who use their van for
commercial purposes – even if it is only
occasionally – should declare this.
A common mistake is selecting ‘for
social, domestic and pleasure’, but if
drivers are then involved in an accident
while using the van for business
purposes, the insurance policy could
be invalidated.
→ Greg Wilson
is van insurance expert and
CEO at Quotezone.co.uk
Parking location
It’s important to be honest about where
the van is parked overnight. Doing so
falsely could create serious insurance
problems in the event of a break-in,
leading insurers to potentially reject
claims. Vans are attractive targets
for thieves, and tool theft is a serious
problem in the UK.
Poor vision
The Highway Code states that drivers
must slow down or come to a stop if
necessary when driving is impacted
by poor visibility from bright sunlight.
Failure to do so can lead to fines, nine
penalty points, and a potential driving
disqualification. Drivers must also ensure
they wear appropriate sunglasses.
Category four lenses are much darker
and must not be worn while driving. In
the event of an accident due to incorrect
eyewear or driving when visibility is poor,
insurance is unlikely to offer protection.
Ignoring service lights
Insurers could refuse to pay out if an
accident is linked to a known fault that
had not been addressed, such as worn
tyres, faulty brakes or an engine warning
light. It is a legal requirement under the
Road Traffic Act 1988 for motorists to
keep their vehicles safe and roadworthy.
Driving a vehicle in a dangerous
condition can lead to fines of up to
£2,500, three penalty points, and even a
driving ban.
Non-compliant plates
Number plates in the UK must be made
from reflective material, cannot have
a background pattern, and characters
must be solid black, non-reflective, and
not removable.
Characters also need to be a certain
height and size with a standard font,
spacing and no italics. Insurers require
vehicles to remain road legal at all
times. A number plate in violation of
these restrictions may invalidate a
van’s insurance.
Q3 2026
AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS
77
