All you need to know about converted campervan insurance
Is campervan insurance cheaper than car insurance? Camper vans are essentially small, contained homes on wheels. Allowing you the flexibility to travel at your own pleasure and often double up as a daily driving vehicle. Each converted camper van will be uniquely different inside. Therefore, as the driver, it is your responsibility to get insurance for your own camper van’s contents. Should you fail to get the correct insurance, you may have no option but to cover the cost of the damage out of your own pocket. Basically meaning you purchased an incorrect insurance policy that failed to cover your vehicle.
What exactly is a camper van?
There are two types of campervans to choose from.
Coach built campervans
These are purpose-built campervans and motorhomes. Campervan and motorhome are interchangeable terms for the same kind of vehicle in insurance terminology. They come out of the production line purposed for life on the road, with all the fixtures and fittings already installed. Built-in a standardized way, getting insurance can be relatively straight forward as the insurers know exactly what makes the vehicle and, therefore, what needs to be covered.
Customised campervans
These are vans that have been repurposed to include living accommodation. Whether a professional company has converted a van or a DIY conversion, they are classed as customised campervans. Of course, you can choose the correct mileage for you. To apply for campervan insurance, the vehicle classification must change, and to do so, it must meet the four following criteria the DVLA set out.
The Four DVLA Criteria needed to classify a vehicle as a campervan.
For DVLA to change the body type, the vehicle must have the external permanent features described in the DVLA guidance for converting a vehicle into a motor caravan.
Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)
The seats and table must have the following features:
- they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
- a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the tabletop may be detachable
- permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table
Category 2: Sleeping accommodation
The sleeping accommodation:
- shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
- can be either bed or beds converted from seats
- must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the sidewall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment
Category 3: Cooking facilities
Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or sidewall as a permanent feature.
If an onboard gas supply fuels the cooking facility:
- the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas, having a remote fuel supply:
- the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure
Category 4: Storage facilities
The storage facilities:
- can be a cupboard or locker
- form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
- must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or sidewall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment
The DVLA have a checklist for converters to follow. This checklist can help you make sure you haven’t missed anything off. So your V5C, otherwise known as a logbook, returns as a camper van. As soon as you have this, you are in a position to apply for campervan insurance. It is worth noting this process is meticulous, so if your vehicle doesn’t tick every box, don’t expect a successful application.
Purchasing Specialist campervan insurance
Regardless of whether you have purchased a motorhome or have converted a campervan yourself and registered it with the DVLA, you are in a position to search for specialist campervan insurance. To legally drive in the United Kingdom, you need a minimum of third -party cover from an insurer.
Third-Party cover campervan insurance
Third-party insurance pays out the other party if you have an accident where you are to blame. For example, if you run into the back of somebody and smash the rear bumper and window, your insurers will cover the cost. However, your insurers won’t cover the cost of the damage to your campervan. Any damage or costs associated with your campervan are your responsibility to cover. You could potentially lose out on everything.
Fully comprehensive cover campervan insurance
This is the highest level of cover you can purchase. It covers you and your vehicle as well as the third party costs, including fire and theft. Regardless of whether the accident was your fault or not, you are covered. Essentially whatever accident or incident happens to your campervan; you are covered. These policies, like any, can have a wide range of add ons;
- Breakdown cover
- Windowscreen cover
- Courtesy car
- Cover for possessions left in the car
- Vandalism cover.
- No claims protection.
- Contents insurance.
These features are not compulsory; however, they may be beneficial to add.
Creating your bespoke campervan insurance policy with a specialist provider
Once you have decided the suitable level of cover you require, such as third party insurance or fully comprehensive cover, you can adapt it to meet your needs and vehicle specification. There is a huge range of factors that can affect the cost of insurance. Such as the following.
- The age and mileage of the vehicle.
- The value of the vehicle.
- The contents within the campervan such as the bed, a tv, a kitchen.
- The age of the driver.
- Any previous driving offences or convictions.
- No claims bonus or accident history.
- The size of the campervan.
- Where you are travelling.
- How long you need the insurance.
- If you plan on travelling with pets.
As discussed above, these, along with policy add ons, will provide you with tailored campervan insurance to cover all of your needs. So the insurance quotes you receive will vary on exactly what you want to get out of the policy. This can, of course, make the insurance more complex and less straight forward the more requirements you have.
A policy to consider could be the agreed value policy.
Another useful resource when searching for specialist insurance would be to use an Insurance broker. Essentially they take all the information about you. Your camper van and requirements then they search the market for people who can ensure your specific needs.
So Is camper van insurance cheaper than car insurance?
The answer is like saying how long is a piece of string. There is no simple direct answer. The likely answer is that camper van insurance will generally cost more than car insurance due to the cost of insuring the living area’s contents and those who travel in the camper. With such a huge range of variables, a campervan can have the best way to find out is to contact specialist providers to find out—some campervan insurance providers to consider.