Safety Considerations for 15-passenger Vans

Jan 2, 2024 | Business Insurance

Many businesses and organizations own and operate 15-person vans. Other organizations, such as schools, colleges, vanpools, and churches, rent vans from time to time to transport groups of employees or others to functions and events.


How far would you go to protect your business, employees and everything you’ve worked hard for? Liability insurance can help ensure you’re protected against accidents and unexpected eventualities. Get a Quote


While 15-passenger vans are useful, drivers and passengers must exercise caution to reduce the risks associated with these vehicles. According to National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research, 15-passenger vans have a rollover risk that increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases from five to ten. In fact, 15-passenger vans with 10 or more occupants had nearly three times the rollover rate in single vehicle crashes as those with fewer than five occupants.


Business auto insurance is very important. It protects your whole fleet of vehicles and your employees. Don’t let accidents ruin your business! Start a Quote Here!


The NHTSA suggests the following:

Drivers require that all passengers wear safety belts at all times.

The trained drivers have extensive experience.

Check the tire pressure at least once a week using the manufacturer’s recommended levels.

There are no loads on the vehicle’s roof.


Protect your business, your employees and everything you’ve worked hard for with Business Insurance. Get a quote here or speak to one of our Business Insurance Experts at (877) 658-2472 today!


Handling Characteristics

When users load these vans with passengers and cargo, the center of gravity shifts rearward, which increases the vertical load on the rear tires. Loading cargo onto the vans’ roofs exacerbates this situation.


Your best business moments happen when everything is in place. Let Advantage Insurance Solutions find the right coverage you need for your business at the best value. Get a Quote


These factors combine to cause stability issues, especially when drivers make sudden and severe steering movements in response to unexpected traffic situations, or when they inadvertently drop wheels off the road and attempt to recover.


It’s a jungle out there, and I’m not talking about the actual jungles. All sorts of things can go wrong, from fires to injuries to equipment failure from implementing a wrong vendor choice. Get the protection you need for your business and employees with Advantage Insurance Solutions. Get a Quote


According to NHTSA research, the handling characteristics of a lightly loaded 15-passenger van and a fully loaded van are significantly different. The handling characteristics of these vehicles change depending on the load during extreme manoeuvres. A fully loaded van is inherently less stable than one that is empty.


With all of these advantages, protecting your employees and vehicles is critical with Commercial Auto Insurance. Get a quote today


Wheelchair lifts and raised roofs exacerbate the problem by adding weight to one side of the chassis and raising the centre of gravity. Vans with wheelchair lifts should have heavy-duty suspensions, anti-sway bars, and heavy-duty tires, if available.

When calculating the gross vehicle weight, it is important to include wheelchairs, especially those powered by batteries, in the total weight that the vehicle carries.


The road to your business goals can be riddled with potholes like product recalls and injuries sustained during athletics. Come insurance for small businesses. Advantage Insurance Solutions can get you covered. Get a Quote


Seatbelts Reduce Fatalities Significantly

Between 2003 and 2007, about 68 percent of occupants in 15-passenger vans involved in fatal crashes did not wear restraints, compared to passenger vehicle occupants involved in similar crashes, where approximately 55 percent were also not wearing restraints. In the same period, restrained survivors outnumbered unrestrained ones by about two to one.


Running a business isn’t easy, especially when you have to think of the little details. That’s why companies need Commercial Auto Insurance. Get a Quote


Organizations Issue Warnings About Rollover Risks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) both warn of the rollover hazards that 15-passenger vans pose.


If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. Get a Business Insurance Quote today. Start Here


Spares: All tires deteriorate with age, including unused tires. Use a new spare rather than an old one. Used vans may have dangerous spare tires that are several years old. According to the NHTSA, tires that are at least five years old are not completely safe. Determine the age of a tire by looking for its tire identification number on the sidewall. The last four digits indicate the tire’s production week and year (for example, 1010 means March 2010). Encourage drivers to double-check the spare tire before each trip.

The following factors contribute to more rollovers in SUVs than in other vehicles:

A strong centre of gravity

Flat sides contribute to crosswind instabilities.

The structural integrity is not intended for heavy cargo use.

Inadequate weight distribution

When driving 15-passenger vans, keep this in mind.

If your institution continues to allow the vans to be used, the NHTSA recommends that you investigate:


Need coverage for your fleet? Advantage Insurance Solutions has your back. We shop competitive commercial auto insurance quotes for you. Get a Quote


Driver experience:

Due to the complexity and risks associated with driving these vans, states require experienced, licensed drivers who regularly operate this type of vehicle. Some states mandate a commercial driver’s license.


Don’t be caught without Business Insurance. Protect your business, employees and everything you’ve worked hard for. Get a quote now!


Driver concentration and rest:

To encourage driver concentration, authorities prohibit cell phone use while driving, discourage conversation with other passengers, and limit driving time per day.

Speed: These vans require more braking time and cannot handle sharp turns as well as cars. As a result, drivers should adhere to the posted speed limit. Consider making drivers responsible for speeding ticket fines.


Without commercial auto insurance, your company’s revenue-generating vehicles are just another liability waiting to happen. Get a Quote Now


In a single-vehicle crash, an occupant of a 15-passenger van who does not wear a seat belt is roughly four times more likely to die than an occupant who wears one. Authorities should mandate seat belts for all van occupants and reinforce this requirement with signs inside the van.

Also, inspect seat belts on a regular basis and replace any that are missing, broken, or damaged.

Tire pressure: Remind drivers to inspect their tires and check their tire pressure before each use. Keep in mind that the recommended tire pressure for the front and back tires may differ. Tires that are excessively worn or underinflated can cause drivers to lose control and roll over.


Did you know that only 37% of small businesses have proper insurance? Protect your business, your employees and everything you’ve worked hard for with Business Insurance. Get a Quote


Program for Fleet Safety

To facilitate the training of all drivers operating 15-passenger vans, experts recommend implementing a fleet safety program. Take a proactive stance. At the very least, your program should cover the following topics:

  • Company policy on safe driving
  • Utilization of electronic devices
  • Drug and alcohol policy
  • Seatbelts
  • Driver qualification and criminal background checks
  • Driver education, including the hazards of 15-passenger vans
  • Monitoring and rewarding safe driving habits
  • Written driver contracts
  • Reporting an accident
  • Vehicle inspection and upkeep

All aspects of your fleet safety program should be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.


As an LLC, making investments for any business is essential, so ensure you have limited liability insurance as it protects individuals and companies. Get a quote today!


Spring driving hazard

Spring driving hazard

Now is springtime! Summer days and warm weather are quickly approaching! However, seasonal driving hazards like wet pavement, motorcycle riders, and animals that we haven’t seen all winter all arrive with spring. It’s crucial to understand the difficulties of spring…

The Importance of Workers’ Compensation Insurance

It’s paramount for any business owner to ensure the safety of employees at the workplace from dangers that are hard to foresee. There is, however, a form of insurance that provides your workers with the necessary coverage when they are involved in a work-related…

Small Business Insurance

Small Business Insurance

Advantage Insurance Solutions and The Hartford Insurance: Your Trusted Partners for Small Business InsuranceWe at Advantage Insurance Solutions understand the dedication you’ve invested in growing your enterprise. That’s why our partnership with Hartford Insurance…

The Vital Role of Errors and Omissions Insurance in Denver, CO

Denver, CO is a city that does not count on luck and hope to succeed, but ensures trust and reliability in every business. However, regardless of the level of professionalism, level of training, or sheer years of experience that you and your team possess underneath…

The Ultimate Guide to Home Warranty Insurance: Protect Your Home

The Ultimate Guide to Home Warranty Insurance: Protect Your Home

Do you still find yourself with the constant dread of disruptive home appliance failures? Think about strained relations between owners and their comfort or money spent on a leaking water heater, a non-functioning air conditioning system, or an improperly working…

Cyber Liability Insurance in Denver, CO

Cyber Liability Insurance in Denver, CO

Cybersecurity is a significant issue affecting businesses of all sizes and in the modern world where Companies majorly rely on technology, these threats are so real. That is why at Advantage Insurance Solutions, we truly appreciate the fact that the protection against…

DISCLAIMER: Please note that some of Advantage Insurance Solutions’ articles may have affiliate links from the Amazon Associates Program, with no additional charge to the reader. Before we publish a review, we utilize and evaluate the products we recommend. In addition to the products we’ve personally tested, we’ve received recommendations from many of our readers. That said, we want to make sure it is clear that if you use our links to purchase something, we will receive a small compensation from it. Thank you.