Top tips to keep your lease van secure
Many sole traders and small business owners rely on vans for their livelihood. They help transport commercial goods and are essentially a mobile office, meaning it’s vital they remain secure and theft-proof. To help van drivers and their peace of mind, we’ve put together some top tips to keep a lease van secure.
Why is van security so important?
For many businesses, a fleet of vans will be their most important asset. If something happens that takes them off the road, such as theft or an attempted break-in, they’ll need to cancel jobs, culminating in a loss of income. Even though most van drivers can make a claim in their insurance, there will likely still be an excess to pay. This makes van security an important consideration to help protect equipment and prevent costly repairs.
What van security devices and features does my lease van come with?
Before we explore how businesses can improve van security, let’s look at the features that come as standard when choosing the right van.
- Engine immobiliser – an electronic device that prevents a vehicle from starting without the correct key. This is a mandatory feature across all van models helping to lower insurance costs as well as adding an extra layer of van security.
- Alarm – factory-fitted alarms are more advanced than ever, utilising different sensors around the vehicle. They are responsive and can deter criminals by making a loud, distinctive sound.
- Deadlock – a type of locking system which comes as standard or as an optional extra. It keeps a van secure by using a bolt which slots into a van’s door frame and requires a key to gain access.
- Bulkhead – a partition between the van’s cabin and cargo area. This is a standard feature across all Ford vans but can be specified on other models. By separating the cargo area, a bulkhead helps to protect expensive equipment or commercial goods.
Are van security upgrades available with my lease van?
The van security upgrades available will depend on the type of commercial van you drive. If your business has specific van leasing needs and requirements, you’ll need to consider these before choosing between our van lease deals. We’d also encourage you to consider any modifications you’re allowed to upgrade as part of your van lease and how this might affect your insurance too.
How to improve van security
Now we’re familiar with some of the standard van safety features, let’s look at how businesses can improve their van security.
Don’t leave tools and valuables in your lease van
The first thing you can do to improve van security is remove valuable tools and equipment when you’re not working. This reduces the risk of theft and offers peace of mind. If you think this isn’t possible and need the equipment to hand 24/7, try to keep them out of sight and install a lockable toolbox that can be fixed to the floor.
Invest in high-security van locks
Fitting extra locks to your lease van will help protect equipment. There are several options to choose from too — the most popular are deadlocks, slamlocks, and hooklocks. Whilst deadlocks can be factory-fitted, other security locks will need to be fitted as a van modification. Each type of lock has its own unique mechanism and the way of working. For example, slamlocks automatically shut once the door is closed.
Park somewhere secure or well-lit
During your working week, take the time to park somewhere that is secure and well-lit. This will help discourage criminals, especially if the area is busy and the van is clearly visible. We’d also suggest choosing an area with CCTV or on-site security, as this can prove invaluable if the van is stolen.
Van signage
Having signage might not sound necessary for van security, but it’s a great way to show who should be driving the van and how to contact your business. This will help it stand out and make resale harder for thieves. Smaller stickers can still be an effective deterrent if you don’t want to commit to full van signage. These can highlight that tools aren’t left in the van overnight or that you have an alarm/tracker.
GPS tracker
While a GPS tracker won’t stop people from breaking in, it can help businesses track their commercial vehicles. In the event a van gets stolen, GPS coordinates can help recover it within a few days, which can be enough to deter criminals.
Make sure you’ve got the right insurance
When choosing insurance for your lease van, consider the type of policy and the level of cover you’ll need. For example, if it is a business van you’ll need a commercial policy that considers business miles. There are also different levels of coverage which range from third-party only to comprehensive. However, the right insurance depends on your business and leasing needs. Get in touch to find out more about your van leasing options.
