Young newbies seeking advice!

[Anniee]

Hi all at FUN!

My partner and I (both 26) have been saving for our first campervan since the dark covid times and are hoping to purchase a van within the next month for full time travel around the UK.

I have just completed a masters degree and my partner has been in full time work and we think it's the best time for us to get out and see the UK and have fallen in love with what van life has to offer.

We are currently looking at a Citroen Relay L4H2 but are having much difficulty with finding insurers that are willing to cover full time young van lifers that only have 2 years driving experience (with no claims). Even the previous insurance company used on the van we are looking at ,no longer offer full time insurance.

We are very much looking forward to learning lots from this forum and any advice on our specific situation would be much appreciated! Thanks for reading!!

Annie & Billy

 

[Stonemags76]

Full time insurance is difficult for anyone. Comfort do it, but I think some others do 365 days insurance- which means you can use your van for 365 days but you must have another permanent address. You need an address anyway for all sorts, so lots ’move in’ with a relative! Welcome to the forum! Someone will be along shortly with more specific information I’m sure!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Try Comfort insurance but according to this thread about £2K

Going to be "Full-timing" for 1.5 years, seeking insurance recommendations

Hi all, Newbie here to the forums, hi :) My wife and I are planning a 1.5 year career break to travel the UK and Europe, we've secured an Etrusco T 7.3 SCF motorhome for pick-up next year and I'm looking at insurance options. Was curious where other full-time travellers have gone for their...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Stonemags76]

Also, you may find better insurance on an old ‘ready made’ van rather than a home conversion, if you can afford it?

 

[Figaro]

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[Anniee]

Try Comfort insurance but according to this thread about £2K

Going to be "Full-timing" for 1.5 years, seeking insurance recommendations

Hi all, Newbie here to the forums, hi :) My wife and I are planning a 1.5 year career break to travel the UK and Europe, we've secured an Etrusco T 7.3 SCF motorhome for pick-up next year and I'm looking at insurance options. Was curious where other full-time travellers have gone for their...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

I have been quoted 7K by Adrian Flux so 2K is definitely closer to what I'm hoping for!! Thanks for the thread!

 

[Janine]

Welcome to the Fun

Try AIB insurance. They quoted favourably for my son when he started to live in his van whilst working away.

If you can use a parent’s address as base and stay there for the occasional weekend, it might be cheaper than full time insurance.

 

[Anniee]

Welcome to the Fun

Try AIB insurance. They quoted favourably for my son when he started to live in his van whilst working away.

If you can use a parent’s address as base and stay there for the occasional weekend, it might be cheaper than full time insurance.

Thanks! I have been in contact with AIB but they could only offer me 180 days EU travel and not full time living (I only plan to travel Uk). Is this similar to your sons policy and am I right to assume he has another address like you mentioned?

My apologies if these questions are basic. I have so much learning to do!

 

[Rob Turner]

Don't you have an address you can use? As far as anyone would know it would be your base.

 

[Janine]

Thanks! I have been in contact with AIB but they could only offer me 180 days EU travel and not full time living (I only plan to travel Uk). Is this similar to your sons policy and am I right to assume he has another address like you mentioned?

My apologies if these questions are basic. I have so much learning to do!

That’s strange. He got insurance based on my home address as long as he spent some time there ( how they check on that, I don’t know) whilst living at a campsite in Oxford for the remainder of the time.

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[Anniee]

Don't you have an address you can use? As far as anyone would know it would be your base.

Yes I do have my parents address that they would be happy for me to use. I was hoping not to have to rely on it as we would be planning to travel for the majority of the year away from this address (And being very new to this we are trying to do everything 'right') but if its the only way to get decent cover then yes!

 

[Anniee]

That’s strange. He got insurance based on my home address as long as he spent some time there ( how they check on that, I don’t know) whilst living at a campsite in Oxford for the remainder of the time.

That's understandable, yes I am unsure how they check specifically but that definitely helps thankyou

 

[Figaro]

That's understandable, yes I am unsure how they check specifically but that definitely helps thankyou

I think the answer is they don't check until there is a need to, ie a claim.
It's a bit like annual mileage limits, they never bother asking your mileage at renewal and if you kept within the limits, but in the event of a claim they will look at recorded mileage at MOT time.
I dare say they would do similar with locations by looking at Google account records ?
Big brother is watching you

 

[dazandandrea]

Use your parents address as an occasional "base" . Use that address for the insurance company.

 

[Anniee]

I think the answer is they don't check until there is a need to, ie a claim.
It's a bit like annual mileage limits, they never bother asking your mileage at renewal and if you kept within the limits, but in the event of a claim they will look at recorded mileage at MOT time.
I dare say they would do similar with locations by looking at Google account records ?
Big brother is watching you

This is very helpful and makes a lot of sense. Being such a newbie it's things like this I don't want to get caught out on!
Thanks

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[Brains]

Yes I do have my parents address that they would be happy for me to use. I was hoping not to have to rely on it as we would be planning to travel for the majority of the year away from this address (And being very new to this we are trying to do everything 'right') but if its the only way to get decent cover then yes!

You must keep a 'fixed' address as your 'official' address.
If you can, use your parents.

Ensure that all 'official' documents go there, vehicle registration, insurance, mobile phone, Bank account etc.
Perhaps pay for your parents Netflix account as a Christmas present, which would give you a utility bill as 'proof' you live there.
Also it's important that you are registered to vote at your parents address, as this is what officials use to cross reference a real address.

If there is any issue, then rent the garden shed or garage off your parents for £1 a month.
You can get a standard 'STA' rental contract from W H Smiths, and once signed by the 'tenant' (you) and the 'Landlord' (a parent) it's valid until they serve you notice.
If needed a letterbox can be fitted to the shed/garage, so there a real physical address.

My sister and her partner left the UK in the early 1990's, but maintained an 'official' UK address.
They kept driving licences, voting, bank statements, PAYG phone, UK passports, etc.
It's re-activated on occasional visits back to the UK.
It also means there is no gap in their UK residence, should their be a need to move back.

Likewise my neighbour in our seaside cottage has lived in Hong Kong since 1973, but still keeps the house next door (a holiday let) as his official UK address, for all the paperwork, he comes back for about 1 week a year.

As for insurance, as you officially live at your parents, in the event of an insurance claim, how would the company know you are not just on an extended holiday or working elsewhere in the UK ? If one of the companies is offering 180 days, I'd go with that one.

 

[HKF]

I think the answer is they don't check until there is a need to, ie a claim.
It's a bit like annual mileage limits, they never bother asking your mileage at renewal and if you kept within the limits, but in the event of a claim they will look at recorded mileage at MOT time.
I dare say they would do similar with locations by looking at Google account records ?
Big brother is watching you

Places like this forum, Facebook et al are known haunts for insurance companies. Put in a claim for a break-in and they'll be on to social media to see if you've advertised the fact that you're going away. If you have, they're likely to use that as a reason not to pay out, since you advertised your house is empty. Be careful what you share

 

[Badknee]

Yes I do have my parents address that they would be happy for me to use. I was hoping not to have to rely on it as we would be planning to travel for the majority of the year away from this address (And being very new to this we are trying to do everything 'right') but if its the only way to get decent cover then yes!

Welcome to the nuthouse that is Fun.
Use your parents address, try to get on the electoral role and even the council tax form and don’t tell anyone where you’re going or what you’re doing would be my advice. V5, bank accounts, insurance, yadda yadda all at mum and dads to build up a history.
Until you want to tour across the ditch you don’t need foreign cover either.
Good luck.

 

[Figaro]

Exactly, I was watching a YouTube video of a guy 'connected' in the motor insurance industry and he was saying the underwriters are gearing up for when all vehicles are digitally connected and monitored 24/7 in a way I guess ev's are now, or could be.
They will promote the benefits of course but it's unlikely to offer much for most people and potentially quite onerous.

 

[Anniee]

You must keep a 'fixed' address as your 'official' address.
If you can, use your parents.

Ensure that all 'official' documents go there, vehicle registration, insurance, mobile phone, Bank account etc.
Perhaps pay for your parents Netflix account as a Christmas present, which would give you a utility bill as 'proof' you live there.
Also it's important that you are registered to vote at your parents address, as this is what officials use to cross reference a real address.

If there is any issue, then rent the garden shed or garage off your parents for £1 a month.
You can get a standard 'STA' rental contract from W H Smiths, and once signed by the 'tenant' (you) and the 'Landlord' (a parent) it's valid until they serve you notice.
If needed a letterbox can be fitted to the shed/garage, so there a real physical address.

My sister and her partner left the UK in the early 1990's, but maintained an 'official' UK address.
They kept driving licences, voting, bank statements, PAYG phone, UK passports, etc.
It's re-activated on occasional visits back to the UK.
It also means there is no gap in their UK residence, should their be a need to move back.

Likewise my neighbour in our seaside cottage has lived in Hong Kong since 1973, but still keeps the house next door (a holiday let) as his official UK address, for all the paperwork, he comes back for about 1 week a year.

As for insurance, as you officially live at your parents, in the event of an insurance claim, how would the company know you are not just on an extended holiday or working elsewhere in the UK ? If one of the companies is offering 180 days, I'd go with that one.

Thanks so much, this is very interesting!
Can I ask why you recommend 180 day policy's? I have been offered one but it's something I've not heard of before?
Thanks in advance

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[Brains]

180 days is better than 90 days, (which is the standard for domestic/holidays use),
but not as good as 365 days (which most insurers exclude.)

180 days tends to cover construction workers and seasonal workers who spend long periods in their caravans/motorhomes, but are not classed as 'transients' (as they have a bricks and mortar 'home' somewhere!)

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[Gina M]

 

[Anniee]

180 days is better than 90 days, (which is the standard for domestic/holidays use),
but not as good as 365 days (which most insurers exclude.)

180 days tends to cover construction workers and seasonal workers who spend long periods in their caravans/motorhomes, but are not classed as 'transients' (as they have a bricks and mortar 'home' somewhere!)

Thanks so much for the clarification!

 

[PaulW2]

I live in a house and have a van. The insurers don’t know how many days I spend in the van. I could use it daily for all they know. Can’t you on that basis just get ‘normal’ insurance?

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[vzac]

Use your parents address as an occasional "base" . Use that address for the insurance company.

It's what parents are there for. To help. You are still independent.

 

[poppycamper]

Well yet again i am going to throw in ( do it every time insurance comes up )
Lifesure, formally MCIA "Motor Caravan Insurance Agency",
They could not be more helpful when having my van converted.
Talk to them.... very approachable..

 

[Jo662]

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

 

[PP Bear]

Pah, you have no right to be here all nice and young and enthusiastic, you need to old and grumpy and cynical and have lots of opinions to fit in

But on the other hand, a big welcome to the house of Fun, we’re glad to have you join us

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