The purchase of van insurance is not a very thrilling aspect of van living, but it is necessary. You wouldn’t want to invest in converting your van just to find out after an accident that your insurance doesn’t cover the work you did. In this tutorial, we cover all you need to know about recreational vehicle insurance for campervans and van conversions so that nothing like that ever happens to you.
At What Point Does a Van Become a Camper Van?
Your small van does not have to be reclassified as a campervan by the DVLA unless you desire to do so, according to new regulations.
If so, you’ll need to upgrade your campervan to one that satisfies several specifications, most of which concern the vehicle’s exterior.
The modification was implemented because it is important for law enforcement personnel to be able to immediately recognise a motorhome just by looking at it.
The DVLA has updated its instructions to say more clearly, “The body type of your vehicle will not be altered unless its outside appears like a mobile caravan in traffic.”
It is important to bear in mind that as long as you have proper campervan insurance, you are NOT required to re-register your car as a campervan and may continue driving it as you see fit.
Campervan Coverage Options
Before discussing RV insurance, it’s crucial to understand how policies for cars and RVs vary.
Auto Insurance Policy
Common auto insurance policies won’t protect your stuff or the structure of your car if you decide to construct it yourself or transport valuables. If you insure your van the same way you insure your vehicle, you’ll be covered if anything happens to it (such as an accident, theft, or damage) as long as you have enough coverage under your policy. Once again, no alterations or additions made inside, nor any contents, are covered under this policy.
Class B – RV Insurance Policy
A Class B RV insurance coverage will cover both the physical structure of your RV and the contents within. If you didn’t spend much time or money converting your van, you could be OK with insuring it under your standard vehicle policy. However, if you’ve spent a lot of time, energy, and money on your van, you should get an RV insurance coverage to safeguard your investment in the case of any misfortune, such as the van being stolen or destroyed.
Insuring Your Campervan
Insurance companies need documentation to ensure proper payment in the event of a claim. They can’t give you an accurate assessment of the value of your efforts on the conversion until you provide this data.
What you’ll need to have in order to receive van insurance:
Invoices and Receipts
If you’re conducting a do-it-yourself conversion of a van, save all of your invoices and receipts, and log the time you spend working on it.
Photos
If you need to submit an insurance claim, having images of the van’s inside and exterior and photos of any valuables you’ve packed inside would be quite beneficial. You should keep a spreadsheet of the assets you bring with you and how much you paid for each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Campervan Insurance?
Having van insurance is just as important as having auto insurance or truck insurance. And accidents, damage, loss, or theft are the very last things on anyone’s mind when on vacation.
Accidents may happen to the most careful owner for no reason at all. The need for maintenance or replacement components may become prohibitively costly, not to mention stressful.
There is a risk of theft with camper vans as well. Your vehicle’s pricey electronics and tools are another reason to invest in insurance.
An incident is always a possibility with a campervan. Accidental damage accounts for the vast majority of van insurance claims. Don’t risk having to pay a lot out of pocket because your van insurance wasn’t sufficient.
Most financial institutions will need you to obtain campervan insurance if you finance your vehicle via them. Even if you don’t have a loan on your campervan, you should still get it insured.
It might be challenging to find an insurer willing to cover your self-built campervan. You may rest easy knowing that both your do-it-yourself campervan build and the finished product are protected by a comprehensive insurance policy.
You should also know that certain campgrounds and RV storage facilities demand proof of insurance before allowing you to park your RV there. In such a circumstance, you’ll need to provide evidence of insurance to check in.
How Do I Get my Self-Converted Van Insured?
It may be really aggravating trying to figure out how to get insurance for a self-conversion. The rules differ from insurer-by-insurer; hence, there is no universally applicable solution. However, there are general principles that always seem to work.
The following permanently installed components are typically required by the majority of insurers as a minimum requirement for coverage:
- bed
- refrigeration
- separate climate control (vent fan, heater, etc.)
- cooking facilities
- separate electrical
- plumbing
- toilet
What Should I Pay for Van Insurance?
Typically, you will be able to choose the level of protection for your car that works best for you. If the vehicle and modification cost you £ 85455.50, you should insure it for that amount. It is essential to save receipts and other records of your expenditures in the case of a complete loss.
Professional Builds – this includes retaining the conversion shop’s receipts and the vehicle’s bill of sale.
Self Builds – the bill of sale and all invoices for materials and components used in a custom construction of the car.
What Kind of Insurance Do I Need While My Van Is at a Shop Being Converted?
If you acquire a van and keep it throughout conversion, you may insure it under your current car coverage just like any other passenger vehicle. Once the conversion is finished in its entirety, the van will be qualified for an RV coverage, and you should have the new policy in effect on the day you drive your conversion home.
Tip
Van insurance involves some general dos and don’ts.
DOs
- To get the best rate on insurance, get a quote at least two weeks before you need it. A savings known as an “advance quote” is provided by several different providers.
- It’s advisable to pay cash or an EFT (from your checking account) and not use a credit card to get the lowest possible interest rate.
DON’Ts
- if you live in your van full-time, don’t try to pass it off as a temporary dwelling. Most insurance companies classify you as a full-time van dweller if you spend more than six months a year there. It may be cheaper to claim you are not a full-time worker, but doing so may be considered insurance fraud, which is serious business. Any or all claims may be turned down.
- Adding the car to your current insurance coverage is insufficient protection. Insurance premiums for modified cars might range widely from one company to the next. You will save a significant amount of money in many situations by purchasing a new coverage from a different insurance provider.
What to Search for in a Van Insurance?
Before using your campervan or putting it away for the winter, consider all the potential problems that may arise. The next step is to imagine your own reaction. Would you be able to afford the repair costs?
Considering some of these possibilities might be useful.
Crash
Any mishap, from backing into a tree to total loss, is covered by campervan insurance.
Accidents in Europe
The legal ramifications of being a party to an accident in Europe vary from those in the United Kingdom.
Vandalism
You wish it never happens, but you might want to consider getting vandalism insurance just in case. It might be expensive to pay for damages such as broken windows or vehicle fires on your own.
Glass Replacement
The windshield and windows of campervans are often the subject of insurance claims. Risk of windscreen damage is increased if you often travel on highways shared with HGVs or on unpaved roads.
Theft
A lot of campervans have fancy furniture, TVs, and other pricey household goods stashed inside. Because of this, thieves often target them. Can you imagine having to cover stolen stuff on your own?
Legal Fees
In the event of a lawsuit, the high cost of legal representation is something that may be covered by your campervan insurance policy.
Conclusion
You are not required by law to carry van insurance. However, you can rest easy knowing that van insurance has your back thanks to a slew of advantages. Van insurance relieves you of the financial burden of replacing or repairing a stolen or damaged vehicle. Knowing that your travel insurance has your back means you can relax and enjoy your trip without worrying about the unexpected.
