The heart of many a small business is a white van. You see them everywhere and they come in other colours, too, of course. It is a versatile and robust workhorse, but like any other vehicle on the roads, has to be insured. But van insurance also comes in all shapes and sizes, so it is worthwhile spending some time choosing the insurance that best suits your van, your business and you.

• Know your options – although minimum third party insurance is required by law, is there a big enough investment in the value of the van to warrant cover of additional risks, such as fire or comprehensive cover. It will be important not to skimp on the cover not only in view of the van’s value itself, but of the vehicle’s indispensability to your business needs;
• Who’s driving? – if you are a one-man business and the only person likely to be driving the van, then savings on the insurance premiums can often be made by restricting cover to the named driver only. If you need the freedom for anyone to be able to drive it, then you will clearly need “any driver” cover;
• Excess – a good way of reducing the insurance premiums, of course, is to increase your level of voluntary excess (the first part of any repair bill or claim that you take on yourself). You might find this a particularly worthwhile way of reducing the premiums if the van is not of any great value, but you will need to remember your financial obligation to make this contribution in the event of a claim;
• Claims – whilst on the subject of claims, it is also important to remember that the best way of keeping your van insurance premiums as low as possible is to reduce the number of claims in general. Although the van might be a works vehicle and might not have cost a lot to buy, careful driving remains the most effective way of avoiding claims and keeping your no claims discount intact;
• Helping you choose – you are probably aware of any number of companies offering van insurance, but the choice between competing insurers can be bewildering. Using a specialist business insurance website may be able to match up you and your van with the most appropriate and cost-effective insurance on the market.