[Wolfman]

I was looking at my van insurance renewal documents and worried some of info was wrong-

says 10,000 miles annually or less think it's a bit more i

says van is left in a locked compound.  It's in  my block of flat's private parking space but it's not locked.  Anyone can drive off road into flat car park

It says my occupation is a teacher in a private school which I was, but not now I am a window cleaner and handyman full time not part time.   

employment status is employed but I am self employed.

says use is social, domestic, pleasure commuting and business use.   I use it for work and pleasure.

Should I call up and change this?


Also, if I get my tank put in van it must be bolted down or I am not insured.   Consequently I have about 16 25 litre barrels strapped in.  When I mentioned I'd be carrying a few barrels they said that would be fine.   Is this legal having so many barrels?

[The Jester of Wibbly]

You need to change it to the correct info ASAP. If you don't your insurance is invalid.

Go get some commercial insurance quotes.

Plenty of suggestions on the forum if you search

[Shrek]

As above , your insurance is now invalid

[Smudger]

As above

Tank being bolted down is safer but not legally required - get quotes for tank bolted in - most insurance companies will deal with up to 600 litres no problem larger sizes reduces you options to just a couple of companies a- plan are helpful in this respect

Darran

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Sorry but this has been bothering me a little.

You said you used to be a private school teacher so you must be relatively switched on.  Yet you ask a question like this about declaring large changes to your insurance company?    Is this a wind up?

[dazmond]

sounds like a wind up.....only an idiot wouldnt double check all their info on insurance documents......

[Johnny B]

As above. Any false or incorrect information will render the insurance invalid.

In the event of an accident, how would you explain having a water tank in the back of the van et al, when you declared your occupation as being a teacher?

John

[AuRavelling79]

As above. Any false or incorrect information will render the insurance invalid.

In the event of an accident, how would you explain having a water tank in the back of the van et al, when you declared your occupation as being a teacher?

John

Physics experiment.

Question 1.

If a van driver with 500litres of water in an unsecured tank on board with no bulkhead crashes into a concrete pillar at 28 mph will he/she ...

A) Die immediately.
B) Die in the ten minutes before the ambulance gets there.
C) Die on the way to hospital.
D) Die and be immortalised as "Flat Stanley" the cartoon character.

[CleanClear]

As above. Any false or incorrect information will render the insurance invalid.

In the event of an accident, how would you explain having a water tank in the back of the van et al, when you declared your occupation as being a teacher?

John

Physics experiment.

Question 1.

If a van driver with 500litres of water in an unsecured tank on board with no bulkhead crashes into a concrete pillar at 28 mph will he/she ...

A) Die immediately.
B) Die in the ten minutes before the ambulance gets there.
C) Die on the way to hospital.
D) Die and be immortalised as "Flat Stanley" the cartoon character.

Good point that. Get one of them flimsy IBC's that fall apart and rupture in an accident, that way it'll rupture and you'll only get soaked !!!!   

[Wolfman]

I don't have a tank in my van because it must be bolted down I stupidly asked and it was recorded!  Have compared with other insurance companies (that allow racheting) and they're much more expensive so have just stayed with lots of barrels racheted in.  As most people go on the notion that if you don't and they don't ask for a specific numberw I said a few then it's all good.   Regarding barrels (16), is it legit?    I know a guy locally who owns lots of vans whose insurance company just suddenly told him they must be bolted down.  He's changed companies but I think he gone with the notion of if i don't tell and they don't ask then there's not  a problem.

The other personal info i will change.   I will check MOT certs for mileage and call and change it all.   

The mileage is about 15,000 for 18 months so maybe change to 12,000 from 10,000 so if I am a bit over the 10,000 they can't worm out of payments?   

Also, have me down for having licence for 8 years, but I have been back in this country for eight years but had my licence for about 25.   

[Simon Trapani]

Just get it all done properly. Peace of mind & all that. Divide the premium up by 52 weeks of the year & you’ll find in the grand scheme of things it’s peanuts. No stress.

[Wolfman]

Well called and changed all info.  The price went up £70 for renewal.  Not sure if these changes are valid for another month until new insurance starts.  If it started from now then surely I would have a paid a bit to be valid for next month Not sure, but anyhow it's all changed and good, what else can I do.

[Dry Clean]

I don't have a tank in my van because it must be bolted down I stupidly asked and it was recorded!  Have compared with other insurance companies (that allow racheting) and they're much more expensive so have just stayed with lots of barrels racheted in.  As most people go on the notion that if you don't and they don't ask for a specific numberw I said a few then it's all good.   Regarding barrels (16), is it legit?    I know a guy locally who owns lots of vans whose insurance company just suddenly told him they must be bolted down.  He's changed companies but I think he gone with the notion of if i don't tell and they don't ask then there's not  a problem.

The other personal info i will change.   I will check MOT certs for mileage and call and change it all.   

The mileage is about 15,000 for 18 months so maybe change to 12,000 from 10,000 so if I am a bit over the 10,000 they can't worm out of payments?   

Also, have me down for having licence for 8 years, but I have been back in this country for eight years but had my licence for about 25.

Wolfman you don't need to declare a bolted down tank, a modification must change the original road handling of the vehicle or make it more appealing to thieves, ( a bolted down tank does neither ) even then for the insurance to refuse to pay out they would have to prove that the modification was to blame for the theft or accident, unfortunately there are a few (wont insult) in this game who have nothing better to do with their time  than to invent ways of making a simple process as complicated and as expensive as possible, take what they say with a pinch of salt and get your tank bolted in.

[Simon Trapani]

Insurance is a joke regarding tanks I agree. But who needs the stress when you’ve just had an accident of will they won’t they pay out? 

Bolt it, declare it. Job done.

[KS Cleaning]

I don't have a tank in my van because it must be bolted down I stupidly asked and it was recorded!  Have compared with other insurance companies (that allow racheting) and they're much more expensive so have just stayed with lots of barrels racheted in.  As most people go on the notion that if you don't and they don't ask for a specific numberw I said a few then it's all good.   Regarding barrels (16), is it legit?    I know a guy locally who owns lots of vans whose insurance company just suddenly told him they must be bolted down.  He's changed companies but I think he gone with the notion of if i don't tell and they don't ask then there's not  a problem.

The other personal info i will change.   I will check MOT certs for mileage and call and change it all.   

The mileage is about 15,000 for 18 months so maybe change to 12,000 from 10,000 so if I am a bit over the 10,000 they can't worm out of payments?   

Also, have me down for having licence for 8 years, but I have been back in this country for eight years but had my licence for about 25.

Wolfman you don't need to declare a bolted down tank, a modification must change the original road handling of the vehicle or make it more appealing to thieves, ( a bolted down tank does neither ) even then for the insurance to refuse to pay out they would have to prove that the modification was to blame for the theft or accident, unfortunately there are a few (wont insult) in this game who have nothing better to do with their time  than to invent ways of making a simple process as complicated and as expensive as possible, take what they say with a pinch of salt and get your tank bolted in.

Sean that’s bad advice IMO. There are some insurance companies who refuse to insure you if you have a tank bolted in, rest assured if you are unlucky enough that you need to make a claim and they discover that you have a tank bolted in, they will not pay out. There are an increasing amount of insurance providers who don’t charge extra for declaring a tank so why leave it to chance?

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Any slight modification needs to be declared.  Even a towbar.

You see and hear of so many stories of insurance companies doing their best to get out of paying. 

[Wolfman]

I have lots of barrels 450 litres in total all racheted together.  No one asked about them, so I assume I am insured.   I said "a few barrels"

[Plankton]

Fishing trip?

[Plankton]

You might want to check if you included your roof rack and also check your liability insurance is covering all the work you carry out.