Whether you have a van for a home business or a big family, you will want to make sure you are as cost-effective as possible when driving it. Any vehicle can become a drain on a family’s resources if left unchecked. Here are some the best and most cost-effective tips to help you keep your van on the road for a price you love.

Insurance

Think you are paying too much on your van insurance? Shopping around for the right policy might allow you to shave some all-important money off your bill. Just like with car insurance, there are many price comparison sites for van insurance and one of these might have the tools you need to find the perfect deal.

You might also want to consider opting for an insurance policy with a higher excess, as this, in turn, will push down the premiums you pay. However, it is important to remember that in the event of an accident this does mean you will have to pay more before you receive compensation.

Efficient Driving

The way you drive a car or van can have a significant impact on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. People pick up bad habits and it can cost them more than they might realise. If you think you are spending too much on your fuel each month, you should look at your driving first and the efficiency of your van second (though it is extremely important).

It might be easier for you than you think to adjust the way you drive. One of the easiest ways to become a more fuel-efficient driver is to accelerate gently and maintain stead speeds when you get going. If you are driving somewhere quite hilly, let gravity work with you; dropping speed as you go uphill and then regaining momentum as you go down again. You should also always try to coast to a stop instead of roaring up and slamming on the brakes. While these tips might be limiting if you live in a busy, heavily built up city, there will be times you can put them to use.

Only Use the Van When You Have to

Is your destination less than half an hour’s walk away? Could you instead cycle or hop on public transport? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, you have the perfect alternative to getting in the van.

You should run a vehicle at least once a week to check that everything is still working properly. However, there will be plenty of opportunities around that to not use the van.

Try to get in the habit of walking places or catching the bus. Though bus fares will add up, it might be a better saving overall compared to the petrol you might be wasting.

Having a van does not need to be expensive. With some careful considerations, you can easily make a van a cost-effective option for your family. Take a look at how you use your vehicle now and come up with an easy plan to follow to start seeing a difference in your budget.