Hi guys,
Just wondering what people do about insurance when living/travelling full time in the van? At the moment my van is insured at my home address, but when it is ready I will be handing the keys to the house back to my landlord. I will therefore essentially be of No Fixed Abode.
Are there insurance companies who offer full time live-in insurance? Or maybe there are companies who will insure a vehicle even if you are of no fixed abode? But then there is the question of address on driving licence etc too. I'm pretty sure I will be able to just use a family members address for my licence and bank so that I can still get mail, however I would really prefer the insurance to be for full time travelling, so will not have an address to give them?
What are peoples experience of this?
Very interesting questions. I'm eagerly waiting a reply on this.
Also, I'd love to know what sort of prices people are realistically paying for their campers.
I'm 23 and I'm still looking at more or less £1500+ (yearly) for insurance.
I'd like to know some figures from Mike regarding insuring his vehicle.
£205 for full comp, only 90 days Euro travel though, but I managed to get breakdown cover in Eur. for £85.
Usually you have to negotiate if you want more cover abroad.
From.... Adrian Flux, give them a buzz they insure self builds and even stoves in campers. You may need to have a 'motorcaravan' designation from the DVLA, but Flux will give you about 6 months if you are converting
Mine is currently insured with Adrian Flux also. I have cover for 365 days European driving, as well as full breakdown cover for the UK and Europe. This is with a low mileage though, only 5000 miles a year. I paid somewhere in the region of £300 for this cover.
You must have the same deal as me from Adrian Flux but I upped my milage for an extra £50. They never asked what the mileage was on renewal tho
Maybe we can get a bit of a collective together and get some buying power in terms of a number of folk all going as a group rather than individuals? Gives a little bit of bargaining power?
Rich
Yeah they do it on another Forum. !!
I've insured my LDV Convoy 2.5TD with Direct Dial, fully comp cover is just £90 for the year. It's coming up for renewal soon so I'll be looking to drive the cost down yet again of course. OK so I'm 48 with a full clean license (of course) and no accidents, points or convictions which helps. 9 years no claims bonus, a shame they don't allow 30 years no claim bonus.
Essentially my van is still just that a van (albeit a minibus) all of the fittings for the wheelchair passengers in transit are just hidden away under my rugs and carpets on the floor and nothing is fixed permanently in place. My furniture is all attached to the wood side panels inside using L shaped stainless steel brackets. It would take me all about 15 minutes at most to switch it back to a minibus. No need to tell the insurance company I've converted the van then.
I like this option because quite often I just feel the urge to make changes to the layout inside, ooh look what a lovely cupboard (in a skip) - I can strip that down, take it back to natural wood, sand it down, polish it up and pop it into that corner to replace that unit lol. It just makes van living more interesting.
I mean a vehicle is a vehicle is a vehicle at the end of the day. It doesn't matter what's inside it. It's got 6 wheels (in my case), brakes, a steering wheel and an engine in it. Whether it is being used as a van or a giant rabbit hutch makes not one iota of difference at the end of the day, a vehicle, whatever vehicle is just made to drive, which is what it was designed for, the risk of driving it on the road are just the same whatever configuration is inside, there is no greater risk to it being used as a van for living in. No need to tell them otherwise.
Quote from: Camper Van Travels on February 12, 2015, 12:07:13 PM
I've insured my LDV Convoy 2.5TD with Direct Dial, fully comp cover is just £90 for the year. It's coming up for renewal soon so I'll be looking to drive the cost down yet again of course. OK so I'm 48 with a full clean license (of course) and no accidents, points or convictions which helps. 9 years no claims bonus, a shame they don't allow 30 years no claim bonus.
Essentially my van is still just that a van (albeit a minibus) all of the fittings for the wheelchair passengers in transit are just hidden away under my rugs and carpets on the floor and nothing is fixed permanently in place. My furniture is all attached to the wood side panels inside using L shaped stainless steel brackets. It would take me all about 15 minutes at most to switch it back to a minibus. No need to tell the insurance company I've converted the van then.
I like this option because quite often I just feel the urge to make changes to the layout inside, ooh look what a lovely cupboard (in a skip) - I can strip that down, take it back to natural wood, sand it down, polish it up and pop it into that corner to replace that unit lol. It just makes van living more interesting.
I mean a vehicle is a vehicle is a vehicle at the end of the day. It doesn't matter what's inside it. It's got 6 wheels (in my case), brakes, a steering wheel and an engine in it. Whether it is being used as a van or a giant rabbit hutch makes not one iota of difference at the end of the day, a vehicle, whatever vehicle is just made to drive, which is what it was designed for, the risk of driving it on the road are just the same whatever configuration is inside, there is no greater risk to it being used as a van for living in. No need to tell them otherwise.
Just wish the insurance companies would see it this way. As everyone knows they'll try to find any reason not to pay out if you do need to make a claim. My insurance went from £450 as a bog standard panel van on the V5 to £200 when I converted it to a camper (or motorcaravan as DVLA now class it) on the V5. Oh and i'm 45 full clean licence no claims or anything.
When I get back from Oz in June I need to find insurance that allows me to travel/live full time in the van for Europe/Morocco and accepts self builds. Anybody?
Quote from: Gee on February 13, 2015, 05:54:45 PM
Just wish the insurance companies would see it this way. As everyone knows they'll try to find any reason not to pay out if you do need to make a claim. My insurance went from £450 as a bog standard panel van on the V5 to £200 when I converted it to a camper (or motorcaravan as DVLA now class it) on the V5. Oh and i'm 45 full clean licence no claims or anything.
When I get back from Oz in June I need to find insurance that allows me to travel/live full time in the van for Europe/Morocco and accepts self builds. Anybody?
Insurance for full time living/travelling is what I'm looking for too. I think when the time comes I will approach Adrian flux again as they seem the most helpful! They had no problem insuring my camper as a camper even though the log book still stated that it was a panel van.
On that note, how easy/difficult was it to have your log book amended? Does it change the taxation class of the vehicle also and would it work in the same way if I were to buy a minibus and convert that?
Quote from: Dudegoeswalkabout on February 13, 2015, 06:30:22 PM
Quote from: Gee on February 13, 2015, 05:54:45 PM
Just wish the insurance companies would see it this way. As everyone knows they'll try to find any reason not to pay out if you do need to make a claim. My insurance went from £450 as a bog standard panel van on the V5 to £200 when I converted it to a camper (or motorcaravan as DVLA now class it) on the V5. Oh and i'm 45 full clean licence no claims or anything.
When I get back from Oz in June I need to find insurance that allows me to travel/live full time in the van for Europe/Morocco and accepts self builds. Anybody?
Insurance for full time living/travelling is what I'm looking for too. I think when the time comes I will approach Adrian flux again as they seem the most helpful! They had no problem insuring my camper as a camper even though the log book still stated that it was a panel van.
On that note, how easy/difficult was it to have your log book amended? Does it change the taxation class of the vehicle also and would it work in the same way if I were to buy a minibus and convert that?
Not sure about the minibus, but vans are dead easy. After I done mine I took about 10 phots of the inside and outside inc number plate, printed them sent them off to swansea with a covering letter requesting change from panel van to motorcaravan and got my new V5 back in about 2 weeks. The requirements were at least one side window, bed/bench, cupboard, table and cooking facilities (not a single burner) They had to be secured but could be removeable. I was also advised to stick some decals on the side as it must look like a "motorcaravan" and not a van with window?!? I was also given a tip to make it up inside like a camper with bedding and nik-naks on display. All worked good for me.
+1 on what Gee says.
Just got mine changed no probs. if you follow the rules, and it's easier to get insurance. If you come a cropper with a conversion and it's insured as a panel van you could be in trouble. May be bad luck to get caught out, but you never know.
If you want a copy of the piccies to send ask one of us.
Ahh, that's handy to know. It sounds a lot simpler than I'd have expected! A copy of what pictures are required would be a great help, yes please :)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/P1020688.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/P1020752.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/P1020762.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/P1020759.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/P1020764.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/P1020765.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/P1020772.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/P1020773.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/patyogi/V1.jpg)
Permanent table
Gas hob/cooking gear
Water
Bed
Wardrobe
decals (opp) but good.
Must show your reg plate in one piccy
In other words looks like a camper and you could live in it. Then it's called a motor(spit)caravan. Simples.
Cat flap, absolutely optional. :D
Cracking van, looks great! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us all. I'm sure this will help a few others on here in the future too when it comes to getting the log book changed.
That's a great conversion Tai Chi.
I have a transit jumbo which i will be converting, I'm still scouring around for ideas but yours is the first i've seen that looks 'homely' as opposed to a 5 times a year weekend van.
nice job.
Tai-Chi,
I love your van just happens to be my favorite color and a perfect shade of blue. How long have you owned it? Are you living in Europe?
Hi Canopus. Nope family bereavements and illness has kept us home last year, also we moved so we have a lo-cost base in the UK. Well i'm knocking on 70 next year and have 5 g/children to pester now.
BUT! We are oft to jolly ole Europe in May until we come back .......later in the year. Wanna re-visit Portugal, Italy and the Greek Isle's again. Chose the van cos it's nippy, easy to repair and get spares and looks sweet. We lived in France for a couple of years Spain/Portugal on n off for 10 years.
We have cabin fever now and looking to scrounge a trailer to haul along my motorcycle. Home on our backs and a Bike to have fun in the sun with, better than sex by the sound of it! lol.
Well neat,best practical solution I think I've seen,I take it the table leg locating sprog removable,RR
Yeah, I didn't want to drill a dirty great hole in the floor just for the table, beside it's a RWD so prop shaft in the way.
We usually eat outside, cos abroad the weather is civilised, the great golden disc blesses us a lot of the time. If it's chilly we can eat and play inside with the table in position. Can seat 4 around with ease, we always manage to meet up with peeps we like to share a wine or two with.
The leg is a Homebase chrome tube cut to height and with a rubber foot, stowed in the base box when travelling.
Quote from: Tai-chi wanderer on March 02, 2015, 09:26:39 AM
i'm knocking on 70 next year...
Blimey that's ancient. An' 'ere I were thinking you were either in your thirties or forties. Thanks to old codgers like you, you make me feel like a young man still, for which of course I'm eternally grateful.
Pegs it smartish.
See that's why you have to practice Tai-chi and Yoga, keep all the bits flexible.
I do tie shoe in the mornings,is that any good,😄
Quote from: Tai-chi wanderer on March 03, 2015, 09:55:11 AM
See that's why you have to practice Tai-chi and Yoga, keep all the bits flexible.
I used to practice tummo meditation but unfortunately all I got for my troubles was catching my hair on fire and piles. ;D
Smashing idea your conversion ,passed it on to my bro who's about to convert his own lwb sprinter,unfortunately mine had a special lock on rear doors and no keys,being an ex 2 cell prison van(sprinter)'so I blanked rear doors off,would def do something like yours if I ever did another convert,I kept both cells but took door off one and made a small galley in it,the other I kept the door on and use it as my toilet and shower room,it tends to give it a tardis type effect ,I shut off half the sliding door and installed a large sink,will post some pics as soon as able,RR
Hey Guys,
I have just read this:
(3) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, in or on a
vehicle on a road any gas-fired appliance unless the vehicle is so
ventilated that-
(a) an ample supply of air is available for the operation of the
appliance; (b) the use of the appliance does not adversely affect the health
or comfort of any person using the vehicle; and
(c) any unburnt gas is safely disposed of to the outside of the
vehicle.
Which makes me ask the question, do you have to install an extractor fan or is the gas hob being near a door enough? Have any of you had to install extractor fans? I dont particularly want to but I don't know what I can get away with as i see Mike installed one.
Cheers
Jake
Thought this link along with the info already in the thread would help people.
http://www.campervanlife.com/building/legal
There's always enough ventilation in every LDV van naturally Jake lol. Take my word for it.
As for the reference to the person or persons, I am not a person. Nor are you a person unless you choose to accept by consent your legal fiction which is what the 'person' represents in legalese.
I am a human, a man, not a person.
Yes you need insurance to drive a motor vehicle this is just commonsense but I will not be forced into accepting all of the terms of the contract automatically.
For any contract to exist and have validity there must be both parties full agreement to all of the terms of the contract otherwise no such contract exists. With so much in the small print these days saying this that and the other it's a wonder today we're allowed to fart in our own vehicles it's got that ridiculous.
Just let commonsense be your guide. What they don't know won't hurt them. Drive very carefully and you won't have an accident. I've been driving for 30 years without any accidents, points or convictions. You just read the road ahead based on the road conditions experienced at any given moment. Simple.
Honestly all of this legal claptrap in this country, yes you can do this, no you can't do that, no we don't give you permission to do something/anything, yes you can do this but only if you fully obey and comply with this that and the other condition/s...is a right friggin' load of BS designed to make the corporates money and have them believe they have more power over you.
Muttering something under my breath which I cannot write here lest I explode into words.
It's other people's driving I worry about not my own, I was actually stopped when an oap decided to hit her brakes 10 feet away from me it was just a pity she was doing 30 at the time ::)
Ive recently bought a Luton Transit ( having a few starting issues with it but we wont go there on this thread) :(
Anyway after making several phone calls around all the insurance companies I found that Adrian Flux is one of the best. They offer breakdown cover from anywhere Uk and Europe. They are not too expensive. Though in my opinion insurance is a scam and the money would be better in my pocket than theres but hey ho - thats the law
My policy covers me for doing up the van as i travel. Campervan conversion..
The breakdown cover was what encouraged me to go with them. You just never know when you are going to need it.
Helps if you have no claims to use or to mirror over from one policy to another.
One guy ive been speaking to though has had an awful lot of issues insuring his swb transit van due to it being his only vehicle. For some reason insurance companies like to see that its not just a van you have running and that you own a car too :-\
hey guys,
I'm heading off around europe on the fifth in my homemade demountable camper, I have the pickup insured on a commercial policy that allows me 90 days in europe, were going to be longer than that, i know you can extend that period by the week, but that seems expensive, just wondering what other people have done who have normal commercial policys, mike, what have you done? you're probably in the most similar situation as myself? I'm Irish, so mabie things work slightly differently than the UK but should be similar enough!