Campervan Insurance - Not the norm. (2 Viewers)

[Tonks]

Yep, that's what I advised them,but doubt we will be anywhere near that, but with awnings, phones, melaware pots and pans etc, you never know.
Replacement costs can get seriously out of hand at present.

I've got an inventory spreadsheet for my van's routine contents. I've just looked at it, and even without my Ecoflow, and a number of general household bits I could easily replace from my kitchen, the replacement cost for the contents is almost £3k. I was quite shocked actually. That doesn't include an awning, by the way. It also doesn't include my phone or any camera/lighting gear. That's all insured separately.

 

[Glitch]

Brentacre based in Swansea are worth putting a call into.

 

[Boldly]

What was Aviva's reason or didn't they give one.

They sent a renewal notice but I had collected a fixed penalty for speeding so rang to report it and thought I would inform him of the solar whilst on the phone. He said he would have to ask the underwriter. He came back to say they could not insure unless the solar panel was removed. (The van was insured as a van with windows with modifications)
As luck would have it Adrian flux were about £150 cheaper and as they specialise in camper vans the solar was no problem.
The van is also now officially insured as a camper van.

 

[h8ten]

A couple of comments regarding my experience with the companies mentioned, other's experience may vary.
Adrian Flux - On car insurance, for two consecutive years I was sent someone else's renewal papers, I was able to track down the person's I had received and they had received a third person's. The first year I received an apology and was told to destroy the paperwork, I wasn't happy with someone else being told to do the same with my information. Second year was on auto renewal and when I tried to cancel due to their incompetence they tried to charge me a cancellation fee.
Comfort (my current insurer) do not offer NCB, so I lost the previous 4 years NCB that I had built up. If I want to renew with another insurer all they would do is confirm the number of claim-free years I had with them (in this case two).

 

[Luna the Magic Van]

We use Lifesure for our VE Crafter conversion. They have been great and really friendly on the phone and very reasonable cost.

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[Molly A]

Some are but I have made sure all the extras are covered £300 is 2 pairs
I'm not sure if travel insurance would cover some things must check ot out before August
It's surprising how fast anything not screwed down soon adds up. Even ehu cables oh and don't forget the rolex x 2 and diamond tiara

You'd get a deduction for wear and tear on any clothing item,it is not normally new for old...

 

[Nanniemate]

You'd get a deduction for wear and tear on any clothing item,it is not normally new for old...

I buy brand new for every holiday and new tiaras , even when away for one night

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

You'd get a deduction for wear and tear on any clothing item,it is not normally new for old...

Well , as most of my attire is Worn and Torn, replacements should be quite on trend if any of today's jeans fashions are to be observed

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

I've got an inventory spreadsheet for my van's routine contents. I've just looked at it, and even without my Ecoflow, and a number of general household bits I could easily replace from my kitchen, the replacement cost for the contents is almost £3k. I was quite shocked actually. That doesn't include an awning, by the way. It also doesn't include my phone or any camera/lighting gear. That's all insured separately.

I too have an inventory and it's amazing what stuff actually adds upto.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

So, dear funsters,
Having read and re- read my proposal from Adrian Flux I spotted a couple of anomalies.
One was that under the terms for 'contents', should they be stolen, receipts would be needed to prove purchase , or a proof of purchase of some sort required.
So, how do I provide receipts or proof for our memaware plates etc which date to 1980 and are as good as the day we got them?
Also, where's my ehu lead receipts and my tent peg receipts.
Then there's my steering lock device etc etc etc.
Total amount allowed under this policy section was at 2k, so got clarification it's mainly for expensive individual tems like laptops and phones, which I have neither of any worth.
Was told that the 'personal items' section actually covers most of the items as mentioned above
( pots,pans,airfryer, bbq, cutlery, tenting stuff etc etc upto a total of £750, so it has paid to read the proposal FULLY and ask some searching questions.
New re-quote has now been underwritten by a different company, has better cover as I can now drive additional vehicles not belonging to me, and they have taken into consideration 6 years of cover with them previously and also my earned NCB.
And the premium has come in slightly cheaper!
We shall see when it goes 'live' eventually, hopefully very soon, but it certainly pays to check stuff properly.
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

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[Bertilak]

+1 for Brentacre, though I think they've changed underwriter; but they are humans.
When I started contracting I insured for 20,000 of commercial use (as commuting to every client counted, and they were spread about)- no issue. Just make it clear that this use is "as a car"; no tools, goods, travelling once you arrive, or signwriting. Overall value might be an issue.

 

[KiltedCamper]

Dearest Funsters
Looking for some advice re insurance on a VW campervan. With pop top roof and professional conversion ( not Fred in his Shed).
Spoke to a few insurers and as I will be using the van for Social, Domestic and pleasure PLUS commuting to a single place of work 3 times a week, they have informed me that a normal (?) Car type insurance is not an option and I need a dedicated Motorhome policy, based mainly on the fact that my estimated annual mileage will be around 10 k a year, mixed with social use and camping.
In no way do I want to mislead the insurers, and want to be crystal in what my intended use will be.
Anyone got any recommendations or directions to try.
Have looked on some dedicated VW forums and some just seem to not disclose to insurers all that they perhaps should.
And I have not had insurance refused, but declined as some I tried don't cover the additional commuting element.
Thanks

Have you tried LV= or NFU?

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Have you tried LV= or NFU?

Doing that as I type.
LV is interesting.
Will be ringing them in the morning.
I have a recent SP30, and nowhere does it ask for me to declare it, unless they can take that into account from submitting my driving licence number and checking electronically with dvla.
Also, not sure that the conversion of the Transporter is correctly logged as a campervan.
Still seems to show as a swb T5 T30 but with 2 seats.
The one I am interested in and considering buying has 5 belted seats.
So need to check they and I are comparing apples with apples.
Never thought I could find motoring insurance so interesting.

 

[Daveandyves van]

Dearest Funsters
Looking for some advice re insurance on a VW campervan. With pop top roof and professional conversion ( not Fred in his Shed).
Spoke to a few insurers and as I will be using the van for Social, Domestic and pleasure PLUS commuting to a single place of work 3 times a week, they have informed me that a normal (?) Car type insurance is not an option and I need a dedicated Motorhome policy, based mainly on the fact that my estimated annual mileage will be around 10 k a year, mixed with social use and camping.
In no way do I want to mislead the insurers, and want to be crystal in what my intended use will be.
Anyone got any recommendations or directions to try.
Have looked on some dedicated VW forums and some just seem to not disclose to insurers all that they perhaps should.
And I have not had insurance refused, but declined as some I tried don't cover the additional commuting element.
Thanks

I used Adrian flux again this year, found them very helpful, I insured last year as van in progress of becoming a campervan. Told them everything regarding the work being carried out, no problems in getting cover. This year van completely finished and spoke to them and they agreed it's a campervan, got good deal if in accident and brake down, either get a campervan or £100.00 a day. Worth a call.

 

[CuriousCamper]

Thanks. Will do.

Won't touch me on the commuting bit I'm afraid.
Premium without that was reasonable though.
Thanks for the thought.

Interesting Caravan Guard won't touch you for the commuting cover. My Grand California is covered with them and I have commuting cover (which to be fair I only need on the odd occasion when I'm setting off on on a trip straight after work and take the van into the office). Did you speak to someone on the phone or get your quote on their website?

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[Terry]

I used Adrian flux again this year, found them very helpful, I insured last year as van in progress of becoming a campervan. Told them everything regarding the work being carried out, no problems in getting cover. This year van completely finished and spoke to them and they agreed it's a campervan, got good deal if in accident and brake down, either get a campervan or £100.00 a day. Worth a call.

You need an agreed value on your van ! If not they try and pay you out for just the van

 

[Tonks]

+1 for Brentacre, though I think they've changed underwriter; but they are humans.
When I started contracting I insured for 20,000 of commercial use (as commuting to every client counted, and they were spread about)- no issue. Just make it clear that this use is "as a car"; no tools, goods, travelling once you arrive, or signwriting. Overall value might be an issue.

Brentacre wouldn't insure my van for business/commercial use initially. On pushing, they came back to say that they would, but only if my car wasn't insured for business. Which is nonsense as I obviously can't use both at the same time. So I had to change insurers.

 

[Lenny HB]

Comfort (my current insurer) do not offer NCB, so I lost the previous 4 years NCB that I had built up. If I want to renew with another insurer all they would do is confirm the number of claim-free years I had with them (in this case two).

I was with Comfort for 14 years changed a couple of months ago to NFU. I had quotes from both LV & NFU both gave me the max NCB without even asking. I assume they get their info from the insurance data base.

 

[Tonks]

So, dear funsters,
Having read and re- read my proposal from Adrian Flux I spotted a couple of anomalies.
One was that under the terms for 'contents', should they be stolen, receipts would be needed to prove purchase , or a proof of purchase of some sort required.
So, how do I provide receipts or proof for our memaware plates etc which date to 1980 and are as good as the day we got them?
Also, where's my ehu lead receipts and my tent peg receipts.
Then there's my steering lock device etc etc etc.
Total amount allowed under this policy section was at 2k, so got clarification it's mainly for expensive individual tems like laptops and phones, which I have neither of any worth.
Was told that the 'personal items' section actually covers most of the items as mentioned above
( pots,pans,airfryer, bbq, cutlery, tenting stuff etc etc upto a total of £750, so it has paid to read the proposal FULLY and ask some searching questions.
New re-quote has now been underwritten by a different company, has better cover as I can now drive additional vehicles not belonging to me, and they have taken into consideration 6 years of cover with them previously and also my earned NCB.
And the premium has come in slightly cheaper!
We shall see when it goes 'live' eventually, hopefully very soon, but it certainly pays to check stuff properly.
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

Hmm, that's interesting. I'll have to double check my policy. I can't imagine that £750 would cover anyone's van contents these days. An 25m EHU cable, couple of fire stick type extinguishers, a set of decent thermal screens, a decent saucepan/frypan or two, compact hob, kettle, duvet and I'm already getting up to £500.

 

[Lenny HB]

With the price of vans these days if my van got written off the last thing I'd be worrying about is 2 or 3k worth of contents

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[gus-lopez]

I can't imagine that £750 would cover anyone's van contents these days.

Mines £100

 

[Nanniemate]

With the price of vans these days if my van got written off the last thing I'd be worrying about is 2 or 3k worth of contents

Until you have to replace them all your tools are priceless
I'd hate to think what there are worth
Especially when their in my van attached to you

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Interesting Caravan Guard won't touch you for the commuting cover. My Grand California is covered with them and I have commuting cover (which to be fair I only need on the odd occasion when I'm setting off on on a trip straight after work and take the van into the office). Did you speak to someone on the phone or get your quote on their website?

Both.
Came back to me on a phone back call after 2 days to see if I wanted to proceed.
Explained that they would cover me for commuting but on a different policy.
Then they wanted chapter and verse on the entire content fittings in the van.
Explained it had a bed seat, hob and grill, fridge and 5 seatbelts and gas power plus ehu and 12v.
They then asked if it had an OVEN!
No I said, don't want one.
Oh well sir in that case we can't cover your vehicle as its not what we class as a campervan without an oven!
I gave up. Totally ridiculous.
One thing I have found having contacted Caravan Guard, Camping and Motorhome club, Comfort, NFU, LV, Adrian Flux, just kampers plus a couple of other small independant brokers, is how much variance there is between them and what details some want whilst others do not.
Some want to know the converter, others don't.
Some want to know where the vehicle will be stored whilst AT WORK, others don't.
It's an absolute dogs breakfast.
God help anyone who has not been absolutely clinical with their insurer and perhaps tried to be a little economical with the usage etc.
Some policies I would suspect will not be worth the parchment they are written on come the unfortunate need for a claim.
Rant over.

 

[Paul and Chris]

Funny you should say them.
We were insured with AF for 6 years on our Motorhome.
Thought I would give them the opportunity to quote for potential new ( to us ) campervan.
Coming out tops at the moment.
£517 fully comp 2 named drivers.
Includes legal cover, personal accident and possesions, key care , commuting, £125 windscreen excess, £100 accidental damage excess volutary and £200 accidental damage compulsory.
KMG underwriting via Zurich insurance.
Think we might have a winner

Careful if you have A class. I got a good quote but max windscreen cover £1000 max.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Careful if you have A class. I got a good quote but max windscreen cover £1000 max.

Thanks for the advice, but as per the thread title, we are only looking at a Campervan having sold our coachbuilt Motorhome recently.
So no huge windscreen to cover, as on an A class, but we will cover the windscreens fitted on the T4 or T5's VW Campervans we are considering.

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