A changing perception of the white van man may mean a reduction in van insurance premiums in the near future, according to AA Insurance.

Recent surveys have revealed that the notorious driver is actually one of the safest on Britain's roads and as such should be rewarded with lower premiums, especially for those who rely on their van to make a living and thus use it more than most.

Rhiannon Parker, head of van insurance at AA Insurance, said: "It is important that van drivers are properly covered by a good insurance policy, not least because of the huge impact they have on our economy. Research has found that van drivers contribute a combined total of £35 billion annually to the UK economy, as well as an estimated turnover of £215 billion per year."

Ms Parker added: "Love them or hate them, vans are a big part of our culture and contribute enormously to the UK economy. Whether they're sparkies or plumbers, drivers face significant loss of earnings if their van's out of service, so it's essential to ensure they're properly covered when the worst happens."