Some factors that affect the cost of the policy include – the type/ make of individual vehicles, the postcode, the age of the drivers and who they are – bearing in mind any driving convictions they may have and if they include any points on their licence. If a driver does have any endorsements then it is very important that the insurance broker is informed. This includes any fines or convictions that appear on the driver’s individual private policy. The driver will also be required to have obtained a current full driving licence, valid in the UK. Another consideration that will affect the cost and level of the insurance cover is any past claims history during the last 5 years.

Generally you will find that it is the fleet owner who is required to be the policy holder of fleet insurance. It will also be the responsibility of the policy holder to ensure all drivers understand and comply with the terms and conditions of the insurance cover. It is usual for a copy of the driver’s licence to be taken, and if there is any doubt whether you need to inform your insurance company of any changes, it is always best to enquire. Should an accident happen and the insurance broker has not been informed, it could make the policy invalid.

If you have temporary drivers working for you then there may be charges incurred each time you change drivers on the insurance. This extra fee is necessary to cover the cost of administration charges and any extra cover that may be needed. Some policies will allow for certain times when drivers can be added or removed, without it having to cost too much. If you have a genuine business with multiple vehicles then the answer to the question can I obtain fleet insurance? – is yes.

White vans are always popular, mainly due to the versatility of them. Builders, roofers and delivery companies etc, can easily have their own livery and advertising signs written across the van without worrying about clashing colours. If your trade requires you to need such a vehicle then there are a few tips or words of advice that could help you make an informative choice and hopefully purchase a suitable motor. The main difference between a purchasing car and purchasing a van is the wear and tear through trade usage,  probable high mileage and multiple drivers.

When buying from a dealer there are certain guidelines and guarantees that can help put your mind at ease should you find something you are unhappy with. The vehicle must be deemed “fit for purpose”. However, should you wish to purchase a vehicle privately, the only stipulation is that the van is “as described”. If you choose to buy from a private seller it is wise to obtain a private telephone number as well as a mobile number. Arrange to view the van at their home address and make sure it is registered in their own name. If something doesn’t feel right about the sale then it is most likely an instinct you need to follow – don’t be afraid to walk away.

Check the V5C document thoroughly and note how many previous owners the motor has had – also how long each recorded title-holder has owned the vehicle. The V5C needs to look genuine for that particular van, with no signs of tampering or false information. A history check will confirm whether the seller is the legal owner and not some finance company who could reclaim the motor should the previous owner fail to meet the payments. If you are in any doubt about whether the miles are genuine, examine the clock more closely, checking for screws that have been tampered with.

It may be a good idea to take a mechanic or someone with a knowledge of car repairs when you decide to go for a viewing. Make sure the panels are all ok and the engine is sound – don’t feel too embarrassed to ask any questions. Some vans can be what is referred to as “insurance write offs”, and although may still be legally viable motors, they will command a lower price and must have been repaired to a high standard. An insurance broker will be able to advise you on the best policy for the vehicle, and although it may not make a great difference to what you pay, they must be informed of the vehicles history. Buying a second hand van can be made easy providing you follow guidelines and take your time with buying the most suitable model for your purpose and use.

It is estimated that there are over 1 million uninsured vehicles on the road in the UK. Because of the risks of driving without insurance and causing suffering from an accident, the penalties for avoidance of insurance are very high. If you are involved in an accident or are requested to provide proof of cover, and you are unable to do so, you could incur a large fine, points or even disqualification. So let us look at the options that are available to you, and how they differ from one another.

Third party insurance only

Third party insurance is the minimum cover that you are obligated to obtain when driving a vehicle. This will not cover you for any damage to your own car should you be involved in an accident. It is there to cover you against the costs involved (always check with your broker if legal costs are covered) if you were to cause an accident to another`s car, property or person themselves. The  advantage to this type of cover against other policy`s is the lower premium cost. You must be prepared to lose the price of your own car if an accident happens.

Third party, fire and theft

Similar to third party insurance but has the added bonus of covering your own car due to the result of fire damage or being stolen by a third party. This cover is worth considering should you own an old car who`s worth is higher than the cost of the premium.

Fully comprehensive

This level of cover is the most appropriate for the majority of motorists. It covers the policy holder against loss of the car and its contents (where applicable) – whether fault or non-fault. You are covered for Accidental Damage to your vehicle. You get everything you get from third party fire and theft with sometimes the added bonus of being able to drive most other cars with third party insurance cover – Driving Other Cars. You will need to inform your broker if you intend to use the vehicle for business purposes, but your journey to and from your one permanent  place of work will generally  be included in the policy. For many of us, when asking do I choose fully comprehensive or third party fire and theft car insurance? The answer will be largely down to the price of the premium,  whether you are able to pay in instalments if needed, and the level of cover that suits our needs and lifestyle.

Carsite and Auto Online are both under administration as both traded as ‘Tesco cars’ from April 2011 until its collapse earlier this month, Grant Thornton will take over the sale of their assets, including the online trading platform and 240 cars.

It had appeared that Tesco Cars has withdrawn its much publicised servicing offer some months before it collapsed, leaving a big hint that this was going to happen. Sources also suggest the business failed to sell more than six hundred cars.

The plug has been pulled by Tesco on its used car sales business saying it was unable to source as satisfactory supply of vehicles. In the group’s results published yesterday, a 35 page document, Tesco made no mention of its exit from the used car market.

Just like selling your car privately, you will need to think about what it is you wish to say about the car and write up the information that would appeal to you. Make sure that you are honest about the car and there are no misleading statements that could put off a potential buyer. Always write out your advert beforehand – this way you will able to rewrite any mistakes or information before you make your advert live.

Decent photographs are essential when selling your vehicle via the internet. Whilst doctoring the finished result is not advisable, make sure you take the picture from the cars most flattering angle. The beginning of the day and the end of the day are the best times to take the pictures, avoiding the suns reflective glare. Remember that on the internet there will be a lot of browsers and time wasters as you open up to a larger audience.

Before you go to the expense of selling your vehicle with an internet site such as eBay, you should always try sending out emails to the people on your contacts list. You never know who may be looking for a new car or knows someone else from their contact list. Sites such as face book are also great starting points, and many a sale has been secured between friends and colleagues. Asking around friends will also make you aware of local – and often free- sales boards such as gumtree.com. Just make sure you advertise it in your county and local area.

Once you hear from a potential buyer and they would like to come and see the car, it is most advisable to have a friend or relative with you. This helps to safeguard yourself and also the car. Car thieves will sometimes target adverts with cars for sale, and though rare, it is always best to be cautious. Should they wish to go for a test drive, you will need to drive the vehicle yourself or make sure they have appropriate insurance and a full driving licence. Remember that you are responsible for the car and safety of passengers whilst it is still covered by your insurance. Selling your car online should be no more stressful or daunting than any other method of sale. Reading the terms and conditions and taking your time to get the details correct could prove to be invaluable when you make that decision.

The jobs you do whether you are a handyman, plumber, brick layer, plasterer or any other trade is filled with risks from liability claims, to your tools being stolen, to your vehicles being damaged to you not being able to work. So you must have the right policy in place at all times.

Liability Cover

Whether you are working at customers properties or customers visit you, you must have public liability cover in place, this is essential to the daily running of your business.  A small accident where a customer trips and falls injuring them can leave your business in financial ruin as the claim comes in at a huge amount of money.

It’s easy to say it will never happen to you, but when it does you are held legally responsible to pay for that claim, so ensure you have adequate public liability cover on your policy for any accident that may occur.

You are legally required to have employer’s liability cover the minute you have one or more employees, the claims from employees that injure themselves can also amount to a lot of money, which you may not be able to afford right now.

Then there is professional indemnity, something you shouldn’t leave home without. Even though you take every care in the work you carry out, there can always be some comebacks, and this cover can protect you when you need it most.

Tools and Vehicles

Your vehicle and your tools, the two most important things you need to carry out your business on a daily basis.  A small road accident can leave you without transport and unable to get to customers. If you can’t get to your customers who are relying on you, not only will you be out of pocket, but it can damage your business from a reliability point of view.

The same applies to your tools which you need to carry out work, they can get stolen from the site or even from inside your vehicle, so keep them covered because often the replacement value can leave you in complete and utter shock.

Loss of Income

If you are a smaller business, maybe you work on your own you can’t afford to lose money after your vehicle is stolen, your tools are stolen or you have an accident on the job that leaves you unable to work for weeks at a time. You rely on your work to bring in profits to support your business, but you can cover yourself for loss of income so that you don’t lose any money while you are out of action, one of the many benefits of cheap traders insurance that you should not be without.

This year the news seems to be improving, with interesting stories and articles giving us some optimism as we struggle to recover from a nasty recession.

There appears to be a shortage of ex-fleet vehicles at auction, this has impacted the price for buyers who are buying vehicles for their customers.  These ex-fleet cars have reduced in numbers of about twenty per cent and have increased in price at auction in the past couple of weeks.

GMAC and MG Motors have signed a deal for financing in the UK. GMAC currently provides finance for Chevrolet, SsangYong and Vauxhall in the UK and now will be handling all the MG finance too.

Kwik-Fit in Maldon had a shock recently when two of their employees took a customer’s porche for a drive without permission. Both men have received prison sentences after the death of an eight year old Essex boy. The car arrived at the shop for new tyres, but was too much to resist for the two employees who took it for a joyride, knocking over the boy who was crossing the road.

Dealers need to improve their online responses; it has been found that they are losing sales because they are too slow to respond to online requests for test drives and brochures.  One in five buyers has reported that their requests for brochures and test drives haven’t had any response.  We live in a technological era and these dealers will need to tighten their response times as the buyers are impatient and move on to another dealer when they haven’t had a response within a day or two.

VRA have found that many cars on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) are clocking the cars to avoid paying penalties. The Personal Contract Purchase comes with a maximum mileage in the contract; the clients are going to correction companies before returning the vehicles in an attempt to avoid paying the penalty charges.

The new budget for 2012 which was announced the other week will increase green vehicles in the company sector.  In order to control costs and reduce car tax, companies will take their carbon footprint into consideration.

While there is still some doom and gloom in the motor trade news this month, there does seem to be an improvement over the past few months, sales are improving and the budget will help companies reduce their costs even further.

Taking the risk of not having adequate cover can have disastrous financial effects on any business.  These days you cannot run a business without proper public liability cover in place, you cannot employ staff without employer’s liability cover and your building and equipment needs to be covered, as the replacement value continues to rise.

Imagine if you run a local grocery store, your customers rely on you on a daily basis which keeps you going with pleasant profit margins.  You arrive at work one morning to find a freezer broke down during the night, ruining all the stock contained in it, leaving you with freezer repair costs and the replacement costs for all the frozen goods. This can eat into your profit margin and leave you with a shortfall, but with the right cover you can have the goods replaced, the freezer repaired and is back in business without any hassle.

A shop is generally a place that welcomes members of the public, all it takes is for one customer to injure themselves whether they trip and fall or something falls off a shelf onto them to leave you with a large claim.  If you are unlucky enough to have a public liability claim against you, you are held legally responsible for the claim and this can amount to thousands.  Always ensure that you have adequate public liability on your policy, review your policy thoroughly and compare it to your risk assessment, up the amount if you feel it’s needed, rather than taking the risk.

The same applies to your employer’s liability, it is now legally required to have this liability cover in place from the minute you have one or more employees. Employees can get injured on duty and this leaves you responsible to pay loss of income and any other claims against you relating to the case.

Simple things like a fire breaking out in the building next door, when the fire engine arrives to put it out, the water leaks into your property, flooding it.  You can’t open for business until repairs are carried out, so you claim for the repairs but still lose profits while these are being completed. You can take additional cover to protect your profits and loss of income, so in this case you could claim while repairs are being done and you cannot open for business, ensuring your staff is paid and you are not left out of pocket.

Take your time to review the quotes and then make a decision basing it on the cover offered, if you are able to add extras such as window replacement or loss of cash and then choose the shop insurance that offers you the best cover for the lowest price.

Family cars and some people carriers are always going to stand a better chance of holding their price and re-saleability value than other types of vehicle that have a smaller clientele base. Because they are in demand by families, they are not usually high performance vehicles, or offer top spec extras that will push up the price. When you consider the percentage of the population who require economical family cars, then you realise that these are good starting points when looking for cars to trade in.

Vans and trucks are valuable as works vehicles and therefore popular for a trader to re-sell: You will of course need to do your research to find out which ones are used most often, and how economical they are to run and insure. Also take into account the colour of the van/truck, and whether it is a desirable shade for someone`s line of business. There is a reason that we have “white van man”!

Choosing to specialise in collectable makes of cars is an option that may interest you. Bearing in mind that they may take longer to sell due to the smaller market but  they can also demand a higher premium and therefore possible higher profit. Classic cars – for example the MGB Roadster – have followers and devotees who are willing to travel across country to locate the vehicle of their choice. Having an interest and some knowledge of the category of classic car will be extremely beneficial to you if you are to discuss the all the details with classic car enthusiasts.

When you have decided which area you wish to trade in, or maybe you want to sell “general” motors, then you can speak to an insurance broker about a trader`s policy. The advantage of holding a traders policy, is that all of your resalable cars can be covered. This can work out to be more cost effective and straightforward than multiple policies. Other cover such as employer’s liability and buildings insurance, can be acquired at the same time should you need them to buy and sell used cars.