Whether you have one vehicle or a fleet, small van insurance can cost your company serious cash. Anything you can do to save money in this costly area will impact your bottom line. Here are some ways to minimise this cost.

1. Don't buy more small van insurance than you need to. This doesn't mean buy the minimum; it does mean that you should know the law in the area in which you operate. You may need more insurance to cover commercial use. You also may need more insurance to cover the costs of replacing van modifications and tools. But if you don't care how banged up your van looks, there is no reason to choose cosmetic coverage. Read through your whole policy, purchase the insurance you're required to have, and think carefully about the rest.

2. Choose a high deductible, and put adequate money in a separate interest-bearing bank account to cover the deductible instead of paying it to your small van insurance company. This keeps your money in your pocket, not the insurance company's, and if you don't have an accident during the covered period, you keep the cash, or roll it over to cover the next year's insurance period.

3. Know how much each option adds to your premium. A £5 add-on may be just the thing to save you thousands. Weigh carefully how much extra protection these little additions can give you and your business.

4. Follow all the rules. It does you no good to purchase expensive small van insurance when you allow non-covered drivers to take your van out and wreck it. Be aware of what your coverage is and abide by their rules.

5. Never add drivers with poor driving records. These employees will always cost you more than they are worth. Even if it's your favourite nephew, keep him working in the store instead of driving your van.

Remember, small van insurance is a necessary cost, but with proper management, you can control its costs and prevent serious financial impact on your company. Buy smart, and stay safe.