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A total of 9,522 vans, worth about £77m, were reported stolen last year, with three in five never recovered, according to a new study from Direct Line.

These figures equate to a van theft every 55 minutes.

The report by Direct Line shows that two-thirds (64%) of tradespeople surveyed said their ability to work would be significantly affected if their van were stolen, written-off or badly damaged, while a further 26% say it would slightly hinder their ability to do their job.

Even small periods without a van can be damaging with one in three (33%) tradespeople saying that losing access to their van even for a day, or less, would have a negative impact on their business.

Tradespeople who say their work would be affected without their van calculate they would lose £420 a day in earnings on average.

Direct Line said that when choosing van insurance, it is a good idea to look for cover that includes a courtesy van should the van be stolen, written-off or damaged.

This can help keep businesses moving and protect individual livelihoods until an operator can get back on the road again.

Eva Sandstra-Bennett, van product manager at Direct Line business insurance, said: “Van theft continues to destroy livelihoods across the UK. 

“When a van is stolen, tradespeople aren’t just faced with the cost and stress of replacing their van, many also face almost immediate loss of income if they can’t work.

“With a van stolen every 55 minutes, the impact on hardworking professionals is severe.”