Most van owners are self-employed and rely heavily on their vehicle for their income. They want to keep the vehicle on the road whatever happens – if their van is out of action their business stops, so good cover is essential.

QuoteMart have put together the following tips to help reduce your premiums:

• Restrict the driving to named drivers only. In most cases, this will give you a discount. Avoid putting drivers under 25 on the policy, as this can more than double the premium. Also, new licence holders can pay up to 50% more than those who have held a full licence for nine years or more.
  
• Most insurers will have a minimum excess but, if you are prepared to increase this, there are some good discounts around.
  
• Fit a Thatcham approved Category security system and you’ll immediately get a discount - up to 7.5% in some cases.
  
• Take out no claims discount protection. Although this will cost you an additional 12% to 15%, it will probably make sense in the long run, allowing you, in the case of QuoteMart, to make up to two claims in a three-year period without affecting your no claim discount.
  
• Keep your vehicle in the garage overnight.
  
• Don’t forget your motor policy will not cover tools whilst in the vehicle so either make sure you unload the van overnight or take out separate insurance for these.