It might be the festive season, a time to put your feet up after a hard year, park up the van and relax with family and friends. But before you do it’s worth considering some sobering figures from government sources.

With the busy Christmas delivery season in full swing, your fleet must have the correct insurance. While courier insurance and haulage insurance both specify ‘carriage of goods for hire and reward’

The life of a courier or haulier often comes with increased risks due to extra mileage to sometimes unknown destinations, fragile or perishable cargo, tight deadlines and the transport of goods that may be prone to theft.

The courier service industry continues to expand rapidly, providing round-the-clock service for the burgeoning online retail market.

According to research by the Local Government Association, Christmas markets attract out of town visitors into cities, promote spending in bars, restaurants and hotels and contributed as much £500m to the economy in 2017.

With the worrying statistics that a van is broken into and the tools stolen every 23 minutes in the UK, it’s no wonder that tradesmen are concerned.

A 2019 UK survey by Driving for Better Business (DfBB), has found that some UK employers might be putting the safety and wellbeing of those who drive for them at risk.

The arrival of the Beast from the East in February 2018 sent temperatures plummeting to a chilly -10°C, with significant snow fall and the ensuing road chaos.