Delivery Drivers Could be Invalidating Van Insurance Every Day

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/31/10 -- Delivery drivers could be invalidating their van insurance on a daily basis by leaving their vehicle unattended with the engine running, warns Swinton Commercial.

The warning follows a recent study by The FuelCard Company, which found 21% of delivery drivers left their vehicles open to opportunistic thieves by leaving them unattended while dropping off goods.

With nearly 1.5 million vehicle related thefts in 2007 - 2008, Swinton Commercial is warning delivery drivers that van insurance providers are unlikely to pay out if a commercial vehicle is stolen as a result of leaving keys in an unattended vehicle.

Phil Moss, Commercial Vehicle Manager at Swinton Commercial said: "An astonishingly high number of delivery drivers are invalidating their van insurance every single day. Delivery drivers often leave their keys in the ignition to save time starting up the engine and to prevent the battery from going flat. However, it's vital that drivers remember to remove keys from the ignition and lock their van every time they stop to make a delivery.

"Commercial van drivers are also likely to have expensive satellite navigation systems and mobile phones in their vans which could also be grabbed quickly by an opportunistic thief.

"If a van is stolen as a result of the driver leaving it unattended with keys in the ignition, insurance providers are unlikely to pay out for either the vehicle itself or any goods being transported."

About Swinton:

  --  Swinton Commercial is the dedicated commercial insurance division of the     Swinton Group --  Swinton Commercial was awarded Commercial Lines Broker of the Year 2008     and is a finalist at the British Insurer Awards 2009 --  With 580 branches nationwide Swinton is the UK's largest high street     insurance retailer --  Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton     is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the     community --  Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of     its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike     and even classic car insurance --  With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a     panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates  

Contacts: SKV Communications Anoushka Done, Anna Asamoah or Mairead Rodden 0161 838 7770 www.skvcommunications.co.uk/