Cat stows away on van driver's vehicle

A woman's van insurance holder must have been quite taken aback recently after discovering that a stowaway had managed to make its way onto her vehicle. However, this uninvited guest was probably more terrified than she was.

Kick, a black and white cat aptly named after a kid's television show where the lead character is determined to become a renowned daredevil, somehow managed to climb onto the driver's vehicle while it was stationary and then held onto the roof rack when it started moving.
According to reports, the van insurance policyholder only realised something was amiss when other motorists started flashing their lights. However, when she discovered Kick, she had already been travelling on the motorway for 22 miles – sometimes at speeds of 70mph.

After removing him from the roof rack, the van driver took Kick to a vet to make sure he was alright. Fortunately, he was given a clean bill of health and has since been reunited with his owners.
I wonder what he was doing on top of that van in the first place...perhaps he was intending to go on the purrfect journey or simply trying to live up to his namesake and be remembered as a daredevil. Still, he's lucky this incident didn't end in catastrophe...

Photo © Highways Agency via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence

Think twice before helping out friends and family

As a van owner, you probably realise that this mode of transport makes difficult situations, such as moving house or transporting heavy items, much easier. Therefore, even if you use your vehicle for commercial purposes, it isn't uncommon for friends, acquaintances, and family members to ask for help with personal jobs.

In fact, according to a provider of business van insurance, 81% of van drivers have been in this situation, with 10% having to deal with these requests "all the time".

Although those who agree to help are probably making the lives of their friends and family members much easier, van insurance holders should check with their providers before offering assistance.

For example, if a van driver is asked to briefly transport goods for an acquaintance's business, some providers of commercial vehicle cover may see this as a secondary occupation. Consequently, the driver's insurance policy could be rendered void.

Moreover, if a friend asks to borrow the keys, letting them jump behind the wheel could also invalidate the policyholder's cover.

The van insurer also warned that helpful drivers might not be suitably covered when transporting goods for non-commercial reasons. For example, if a policyholder agrees to help a family member move house, he or she may be unable to claim if the items are damaged or stolen.

Although van drivers may be helping out friends and family members by supplying their vehicles, this gesture carries van insurance risks . Therefore, the next time you get asked to help out with a task, it is probably a good idea to check with your insurance provider before agreeing.

Photo © Victor1558 via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence