by Jerry Mooney
From vans to company cars, if your business relies on any type of vehicle, then you are going to be hit with the costs. Fuel, insurance, maintenance fees...these are just a few of the expenses that you will be faced with.
Still, you don't have to pay over the odds on your business fleet, as we have some tips on how to curb your overspending. Have a look below, and then take the necessary steps to reduce your fleet expenses.
#1 Take steps to save on your motor insurance
We aren't going to go into great detail here, as you can read the following comprehensive guide on how to save money on insurance. From hiring employees with good driving records to assessing the coverage you need, the article lists all kinds of ways in which money can be saved. And as you would with the vehicles you drive for personal use, you should switch to a different insurance provider when it comes time for renewal. You might also ask your provider about their black box policies, as by fitting one of their telemetric devices into your company vehicles, you will see a drop in your premiums if they monitor a good standard of driving in your employees.
#2: Encourage sensible driving
This a no-brainer, as the safer your drivers are, the fewer accidents they will be involved in. This is good news for you, as there will be little need to make claims on your insurance, and you won't be hit with compensation claims from injured parties. However, there is another reason to encourage sensible driving, and this is for the sake of fuel-efficiency. When your drivers use fuel-efficient driving techniques, they won't have to stop for gas on a too-regular basis. As you can read in the previously linked article, such techniques include maintaining a steady speed, and taking care when accelerating. Have a read, and then instruct your drivers. And as we said in our last point, you will also see a drop in your insurance if safer driving is monitored through a black box, so again, speak to your insurer for more details.
#3: Provide drivers with a sat-nav system
How many times have your drivers' wasted fuel because they have lost their way when driving? Or how many times have they wasted fuel because they have taken the longest route? Say goodbye to these money-wasters with a sat-nav, as your drivers will never have to suffer these woes again. You might even program the routes in yourself, as this will ensure your less-than-responsible drivers don't purposefully drive the long way on purpose. And with this in mind, you might also use a GPS tracking system, as you will be able to keep tabs on your drivers in real-time.
Finally
There are all kinds of other ways to save on your business fleet. You might research cheaper fuel stations, for example, and to reduce future maintenance costs, you should get your vehicles serviced on a regular basis. By following these and our previous suggestions, you will be able to save money in your business. And that, as we all know, is good news, especially if you are already drowning in a sea of other expenses!