The No. 1 Question That Anyone Working In Van Secure Should Be Able Answer
How to Make Your Van Secure A van is an asset that is worth having, usually carrying expensive tools and equipment. The security of your van should be a top priority and there are a variety of ways to deter thieves and ensure your tools are safe. Slamlocks lock doors immediately after you close them. This is beneficial for couriers who have short drop-offs, or tend to forget to lock their van. Other options include security stickers covering windows or tinting them and fitting the tool vault with a lockable feature. Security locks With the increasing number of vans used as a method of transportation and a mobile storage unit, it is vital to secure their contents from theft. The proper security measures for your van will deter criminals and protect your possessions. This allows you to travel in peace. Door locks are the first line of defense, protecting the doors of your van and preventing access by unauthorized persons. Standard locks are often pre-installed and provide basic security however, they are easily hacked. Upgrading to security locks for van advanced security locks that are immune to drilling, cutting and picking is a good investment in peace of mind. When selecting a vanlock, you must consider the quality of the material, its construction and whether it is Thatcham-approved. This certification ensures that the lock is of high-quality and is more difficult to compromise or break. The slamlock is another important aspect to consider. It locks automatically the doors of the loading area when it closes and requires a specific key to unlock. This is a great option for couriers that may forget to lock up their vans during deliveries. The hook lock is a different option that strengthens the doors on the rear and side to guard against 'peel and steal' attacks. It is essential to clean and lubricate your van locks to keep their functionality intact and the integrity of the mechanism. This will stop rust and corrosion and ensure smooth operation. Regular inspections help you identify any signs of damage or wear and address them immediately, thereby to prevent security vulnerabilities from arising. In addition to improving the overall security of your vehicle, installing the right security system will help you save money on your van insurance. Many insurers offer favourable conditions in exchange for high-quality security solutions. Slamlocks Strengthening your van's lock is one of the best ways to deter robbers. Installing high-strength locks or slam locks will make the van's door more secure and less difficult to break into. This is particularly crucial if your vehicle is used for transporting expensive cargo or tools. The slam lock is activated automatically as soon as the door is shut and you don't have to press a button to activate the mechanism. This means that it's less likely to be compromised which makes it ideal for courier drivers or tradespeople who are in and out of their van every day long and not lock the door at the end of each trip. It also helps to combat the issue of opportunistic burglaries that occurs when thieves open your vehicle's existing lock and run off with whatever they can grab that includes the tools you need to complete your job. There are many different kinds of slam locks available and some of them come with additional security features, such as anti-drill technology and anti-pick technology, or steel plates that block drilling attacks. Some are designed for specific applications, such as those used by multidrop drivers or those who transport lots of valuable goods. For those who require more protection than a locks that slam can provide the option of deadlocks. They operate in a different manner from the locking mechanism used by the manufacturer and can only be opened with a key that is supplied with full control by the driver. You can also purchase a hooklock, which works similarly, but adds additional security by using deadlocking bolts that lock in an opposing section of the body and is operated with the supplied key. Dashboard cameras Include a dash camera into your vehicle if you want it to be more secure and safer. These cameras can be used to avoid collisions and accidents when driving. They can also demonstrate your innocence in the case of an accident, or traffic infraction. These cameras function by converting light signals into electrical signals and then converting those signals into digital information. They can be powered by your vehicle's battery, or a lighter for your cigarette. Many of the dashboard cams that are available have SD cards or flash drives for saving recordings. These devices typically overwrite old footage to create space for new recordings, however they can be upgraded with memory cards with high capacity if you want to save more video data. Certain dashboard cameras also have cloud storage features, which can eliminate the requirement for memory cards. These types of dashboard cameras connect to a smartphone or Wi-Fi network and upload their data at varying intervals. Another thing to take into consideration is whether the camera is wireless or hard wired. Hardwired models are less prone to interference from cellular networks and other sources. They are also more durable and some models can endure the elements. Some vans are equipped with dual dash cams. They can record footage from both the front and rear of the vehicle. This is useful when you reverse in tight spaces or while parked. Certain cameras have night vision that can increase the brightness of the images in dim light conditions and increase visibility. Many van owners choose to add this feature to their systems. Some dashboard cameras can be remotely monitored and this is an immense benefit for van owners who are often away from their vehicles. Alarms Van life is getting increasingly popular among those who love exploring and traveling However, it comes with its own risks. People who live in their vehicles are often at risk of thieves who could attack their vehicle and its contents. Alarm systems are among the best ways to secure your vehicle and its contents. These alarm systems can be linked to your keypad so that you receive notifications in the event of a break-in. They're also great for reducing insurance premiums, which can save you a fortune over the lifetime of your vehicle. A good alarm system will come with an alarm base station, keypads, and entry sensors that guard against door peal. Certain alarm systems come with built-in motion sensors that detects movement inside your vehicle. It will then send an alert to your phone. This can be a great method to deter thieves and also assist in catching thieves before they do. Adding deadlocks to all of your doors is another great way to ensure your van is secure. These are locks that require a key for operation and are much more difficult to tamper with than normal locks. The best option is to choose a lock able to be operated with apps for smartphones, which means you can check the status of your van while away. Many van alarms also come with an engine immobilizer which disables the motor of your vehicle if you use the wrong key to start it. This is a good measure to do, but it's not enough to stop a thief determined to taking the entire engine. An alternative is to install an engine tracker with low power that prevents the engine from starting and sends you the exact location of your vehicle whenever it is moved. Insurance For a lot of businesses, their vans are vital assets and securing their contents is a major priority. Not only does a robust van security system give peace of mind, it can also lower insurance costs since insurers take the security measures of van owners into account when calculating premiums. The make, model and year of your vehicle will affect the cost of insurance, as will your driving record. The location in which you live and work can also affect your rates, as higher crime rates can lead to increased rates. Insurance companies will also take the use of your vehicle into consideration since commercial vehicles typically cost more to insure than personal vehicles. If you're planning to make any major modifications to your van, it's important to consult with your insurance provider prior to making any changes since this could have an impact on the policy price. Likewise, adding on any extras to your vehicle that aren't standard will increase the price of your premium. A Thatcham Category 2 certified dash camera is an easy way to deter thieves since they'll be cautious before attempting to gain entry into. Another crucial aspect of van life is insurance to protect the equipment and tools you keep in your vehicle, in case they are stolen. You can buy comprehensive physical damage coverage and roadside service plans that cover breakdowns and other emergencies. When comparing insurance policies it's important to remember that the cheapest policy isn't necessarily the best. Compare the coverage limits and deductibles as well as other benefits to choose the best policy for your needs. It's worthwhile to consider gap insurance in addition to comprehensive insurance. This will cover the difference between the cash value of your van and the outstanding amount on your loan in the event of a total loss to your vehicle.