A campervan is the ultimate way to make the most of exploring the UK, allowing you the flexibility to jump in the van and enjoy a spontaneous trip away whenever suits. It’s no wonder that campervan sales saw a huge surge during the Covid-19 pandemic and the period of restricted international travel that followed.
From 1st June 2020 to the end of June 2021, 16,608 new motorhomes were registered with the DVLA. That’s an 8.25% increase on the previous record of 15,342 new motorhomes registered during the same period in 2018/2019.
If you’re considering joining the UK’s ever-growing campervan contingent, you’ll also need to secure some Campervan Insurance to protect your vehicle. We’ve put together everything you need to know – just keep reading for our Classic Campervan Insurance advice.
What are the most popular classic campervans?
If you dream of packing up your stuff and living the #vanlife, you can’t go wrong with a classic campervan. Perfect for long-term road trips as well as shorter adventures to our country’s coasts and mountains, these nifty vans are comfortable while exuding vintage-style cool.
You might have heard the names VW Transporter and Type 2 – well, they’re the same thing. The Transporter also goes by the names Type 2, Bulli, Kombi, Samba and Microbus. So if you’re looking at any of these models, you’ll be the proud owner of a classic VW campervan, one of the most iconic vehicles on the road.
How much is Campervan Insurance?
As with any type of insurance, the amount you’ll pay for Camper Van Insurance depends on multiple factors, including the age of the van, your age, location, your driving history and whether there are any additional drivers on your policy.
There are some specific criteria relating to campervans and motorhomes, which will be assessed by your potential insurer before giving you a Campervan Insurance quote.
Campervan age
If you choose to refurbish a decades-old VW van, as opposed to buying a brand new, top-of-the-range one, you’ll probably find that your Vintage Campervan Insurance premium costs less. It will feature fewer mod-cons, which means it’s easier to repair or replace.
Campervan value
Generally, the more expensive your campervan is, the more expensive it’ll be to insure. A van that costs £50,000 won’t necessarily cost twice as much to insure as one that costs £25,000, but the value may be used as an indication of how much you can expect your premium to be.
Campervan security
The security features of your campervan may lower the premium, particularly security features like a wheel clamp or an alarm to prevent thefts.
Drivers
The drivers on the policy can affect the price of your Motorhome Insurance. As with other types of policy, drivers with penalty points on their licences or previous insurance claims could increase the cost. Likewise, particularly old or young drivers, or learners, may also increase the price.
Camper storage
Where will you keep your campervan? This can have an impact on your insurance quote. Keeping it in a locked garage at home will be the most cost-effective solution, while storing it on the street outside your home may increase the premium.
Fuel type
Some insurers won’t be able to provide cover for electric campervans, like the VW ID Buzz, or a conversion from petrol to electric. A broker will be able to help you find suitable cover for a modern classic or a conversion.
Breakdown cover for campervans
Your campervan is likely to be one of your most expensive purchases, so you want to ensure it’s covered should the worst happen. As such, it’s a good idea to get breakdown cover for your campervan. After all, you don’t want to get stranded due to a puncture just as you’re heading off on a weekend away!
Some insurance providers include breakdown cover within the cost of your quote, while others quote for breakdown cover as an added extra.
It’s important to ensure that you get the right kind of cover too. Non-specialist breakdown policies may not cover campervans, so it’s important to read the fine print to make sure that your policy covers your specific needs. In particular, you should look at any weight limits detailed in your policy, as well as any restrictions on ‘vehicles with living accommodation’.
Here at Chris Knott Insurance, we can arrange breakdown cover for small campervans and motorhomes. We can provide a rescue service for vehicles up to 7m long, 3m high, 2.5m across and with a weight up to 3,500kg.
Campervan Conversion Insurance
If you’ve converted a van into a campervan, it’s important to take care when arranging cover.
The type of insurance you need will depend on the modifications you’ve made to your van. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get standard van insurance. If you’ve made alterations to allow you to live in the campervan, you’ll have to get a Converted Campervan Insurance policy, or even full Campervan Insurance.
There are some specific guidelines outlined by the DVLA that determine whether your van is classed as a motorhome or not, including:
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- Seats and table: The seats must be secured to the vehicle floor and must remain in place even when the vehicle is in motion. The table can be removable but must be capable of being secured when in place.
- Sleeping accommodation: There must be a permanently attached bed or sleeping accommodation, which can be converted from seats.
- Cooking facilities: The vehicle must have some form of permanently fixed cooking facility.
- Storage: There should be adequate storage space, which can be cupboards or similar. These must be permanently attached to the vehicle.
If you’re looking for insurance for a converted camper van, be sure to speak to a broker.
Short-Term Campervan Insurance
Not everyone has a campervan of their own – that’s what Short-Term Campervan Insurance is for. It means you can create memories that last a lifetime while borrowing someone else’s classic campervan for a long weekend, week, or even a month. Temp Campervan Insurance is the ideal solution.
Although we can only offer 12-month policies at Chris Knott Insurance, Short-Term Campervan Insurance is available. It offers protection from 1 hour up to 30 days, so you can head off on an epic adventure, whether you’re hedging on a round-the-country coastline trip or exploring the mountains and lakes of the Lake District or Scottish Highlands.
Speak to us about Classic Campervan Insurance Today
Here at Chris Knott Insurance, we can arrange protection for your beloved campervan – including breakdown cover. Give us a call on 0800 917 2274 to speak to the team today!
