Securing van insurance can be more challenging than getting auto insurance. With some preparation and research, however, the process of insuring your van can be a smooth process.

Before purchasing van insurance, you must have the specifics of your vehicle available. Have the vehicle identification number and match the written number to the vehicle itself. Common identification locations on vans include the windshield and inside of the driver side door. While the VIN number provides many of the vehicle details, some van specifics might not be included.

Determine whether your van has a complete or incomplete chassis. An incomplete chassis is a vehicle built with most of its parts but completed without adding additional passenger and accessory vehicle features. Incomplete chassis vehicles are generally sold to companies that modify the vehicle to meet their needs. These vans might be used as buses, delivery trucks or other custom vehicles. While some vans can be easily spotted as incomplete chassis, others might not. Your insurance representative can assist you, if necessary.

Once you have determined your vehicle’s chassis, determine your van’s use. Insurance companies will want to know how you intend to use the van. The vehicle can used for daily commuting purposes, leisurely trips or business, to name a few. Determining its use will help your insurance representatives determine whether your vehicle requires a personal auto policy or a commercial insurance policy.

Compare rates. If you have insurance on a vehicle, your current agent or company might be able to assist you. Most carriers provide multivehicle discounts for insuring more than one vehicle on a policy. Ask for a quote with adding the van to your current policy. Obtain insurance rates from other insurance companies. Compare the rates to the rate from your current carrier.

Purchase your policy. Select a policy with a carrier that meets your coverage needs, has a secure claims history and has a stable financial foundation. Review the carrier’s history if you are unfamiliar with your choices. Financial stability information for insurance companies and carriers are available for review with A.M. Best. A.M. Best is the leading rater of insurance companies and financial institutions providing information on companies worldwide.

Once you have completed your purchase, you will receive your new business policy information. Upon receipt, review the information in detail to ensure accuracy. If you find inaccurate information, contact your agent or carrier representative and provide them with the updated information. Keep a copy of your policy identification card in your vehicle at all times.

With the threat of uncontrolled global warming looming over us and the prospect of a very different future for our children, it’s only natural that we start looking for alternatives to the polluting fossil fuels we’ve come to rely on as a species. Diesel fuel offers a ray of hope for lasting change in this area. Diesel is far cleaner than traditional fuels, and it’s readily available. In fact, you can convert used oil to diesel car fuel yourself, with a little instruction.

Find a steady, reliable source of used oil. Many restaurants will willingly give you their used oil for free if you ask. This oil is typically available in large quantities, making collection necessary only one to two times a week.

Heat your used oil in a wide, deep vat. The oil should be heated to just below the smoking point, and should never be brought to a boil.

Strain the heated oil through a filter and into a new, clean vat. Make sure any small particles are removed from the oil during the straining process.

Test the pH level of the oil to make sure it’s more alkaline than acidic.

Add methanol and lye to the oil. The addition of these substances will cause any glycerin in the oil to drop to the bottom of the vat. If the vat is clear, you can watch while this is happening.

Skim the glycerin off of the oil.

United Parcel Service is a global packaging delivery service most recognized by their signature brown vans and uniforms.
Most UPS drivers report to work by 8:30 am, dressed in the required brown uniform. The uniform consist of pants, a button down shirt and brown derby jacket, all of which are provided by UPS. If the driver chooses to wear shorts, he is required to purchase UPS approved brown socks.

All drivers arrive at the warehouse, also known as “The Barn,” in their own personal vehicles. The warehouse is where the packaging trailers are sorted and processed for delivery in their area. Drivers check all the packages in their van, which have been preloaded the night before. In the “preload,” as it is called, the packages are mapped based on the route schedule, keeping in mind regular stops, priority deliveries, and bulk items.

Before drivers leave the “The Barn,” they attend a morning stretch. This was implemented to help prevent the drivers from injuring themselves when they carry heavy packages. After the 15 minute stretch, they attend a morning meeting to discuss general business, safety and any new rules and regulations. All UPS drivers must have a good driving record and attend monthly road safety meetings given by the Department of Transportation.

All of the UPS drivers are required to drive off the lot in a caravan. It usually happens about 5 to 10 minutes after their morning meeting. Once off the lot, drivers pull over and do a safety check to make sure there are no nails, holes, or problems with the vehicle.

On the Road Again

Most first stops are bulk stops, where they may have a large delivery. This is done first to allow more room to work in the back of the van. It is also coupled with priority stops. Most UPS drivers try to keep a routine because customers expect to see the UPS drop offs around the same time each day.

Depending on their route, UPS drivers either have a business, business residential or straight residential route. Most of the business deliveries happen first. The residential ones are done later. On a given day, a UPS drivers can make anywhere from 130 to 150 stops between the hours of 9:00 and 5:00.

A driver’s basic duties are to remove package from the truck, walk them to the door and get a signature, if required. If a signature is not required, drivers leave each package in a safe place. They often leave a note for the recipient that indicate where the package is. Each driver has a “dial-board,” that has the information for each delivery. That is the large electronic tablet that the recipient signs. It also tells the driver where he is going next.

Most UPS drivers work in the same area every day. There can be anywhere between five and six drivers in one zip code. After all the packages are delivered, the pick up route starts, ranging from 10 to 40 pickups a day, depending on the area.

They then take everything into the warehouse, making sure all priority deliveries are processed and sent before 6 pm.

U.S. trucking authority is the licensing and permitting that trucking companies need to operate on U.S. roads and highways. The Department of Transportation (DOT) also governs the operation of other types of commercial vehicles such as buses, passenger vans and limousines. Each vehicle must be properly registered with DOT in order to legally operate. DOT has specific steps you must take to ensure that you properly register any trucks you intend to operate on the roadways, according to the specific type of vehicle you are

Instructions

1

Complete the online questionnaire to determine if you need to apply for a USDOT Number, an Operating Authority (MC Number), Hazardous Materials Safety Permit, or a Cargo Tank (CT) Number. The questionnaire asks you questions about the types of commercial vehicles you will be operating, if you will be transporting people or products across state lines, if you’ll be transporting hazardous materials, and other questions related to your shipping and transportation intentions.
2

Obtain the forms you need based on the completed survey. When you finish answering the questions in the survey, a list of the documents you need to complete and submit to file for a U.S. Trucking Authority appears.
3

Download and complete each form. You can download the forms, one at a time. A popup screen will appear so you can complete the forms one at a time. Follow the prompts in each form to complete the information as completely and accurately as possible.
4

Submit payment online with each form. When you complete each form, hit the submit button. When you do this, the payment screen will prompt you to submit your credit card information to cover the fee for that particular form.