I'm sorry sir, we don't insure those

wexie

Could anybody perhaps recommend an insurance company or broker that might give me something other than the telephone equivalent of a blank stare when I tell them I want to insure a Defender Dormobile?

I rang Dolmen and they told me they wouldn't insure it as it's a car and any other insurance company I've spoken to won't go near it as it's registered as a camper.

That includes the company that had previously insured it as they won't accept any new business on vehicles older than 1994 (Liberty).

Any help much appreciated.

Also are there any camper van outfitters in Ireland? That would sell things like seat foam, lights etc. etc. Should I just be looking at Ebay?

I'm a bit disenchanted with the small minded Irish insurer mentality myself and my 0 NCB after 6 consecutive years driving a private vehicle. I'm inclined to insure all my vehicles outside the state for EU cover in future.
Merv of Mog fame posted this a while back, it's a worldwide insurer specialising in expedition vehicles. Worth looking into.

Last time I did the ring around for a >20yo car Axa and Aviva were the only two who would quote me. Only 1 month overseas, insured to drive other (insured) vehicles but only the Irish ones in Ireland...:rolleyes:

ontheballboy

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

I'm a bit disenchanted with the small minded Irish insurer mentality myself and my 0 NCB after 6 consecutive years driving a private vehicle. I'm inclined to insure all my vehicles outside the state for EU cover in future.
Merv of Mog fame a while back, it's a worldwide insurer specialising in expedition vehicles. Worth looking into.

Would it be possible to tax an Irish reg camper using the above insurance details?

Given you can tax a vehicle for a year the day before your DOE expires, I'd imagine so. All they want is a policy number. Can't confirm myself.

delthedriver

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

I'm a bit disenchanted with the small minded Irish insurer mentality myself and my 0 NCB after 6 consecutive years driving a private vehicle. I'm inclined to insure all my vehicles outside the state for EU cover in future.
Merv of Mog fame posted this a while back, it's a worldwide insurer specialising in expedition vehicles. Worth looking into.

Interesting link.


I guess the problem in ROI is too many Insurers operating in, relative to other EU countries, a very small market.


Population of ROI is similar to that of Greater Manchester, UK.

Call me a cynic but I think the problem is more being surrounded by water and general islander philosophy. Ideas don't spread over our borders so well, sher they'd just be fancified foreign notions! When we do actually decide to adopt a foreign policy it's usually from the UK which is another island..albeit a larger one.
Point an case(s); How many apartment blocks have we with individualised central heating? How many houses with radiators under the curtains? Un-illuminated light switches? Separate hot and cold taps?

Moomat

wexie wrote: »

Also are there any camper van outfitters in Ireland? That would sell things like seat foam, lights etc. etc. Should I just be looking at Ebay?

I find this place very reasonable for small bits and pieces http://www.cosycampers.ie/ it's great to see an Irish company being able to compete with sellers from overseas. Very nice lads to deal with too if you can drop into their place.

For foam and material try http://www.capelupholstery.ie/ (great value but no delivery) or http://www.zhivago.ie/

CJhaughey

delthedriver wrote: »

I guess the problem in ROI is too many Insurers operating in, relative to other EU countries, a very small market.

A very profitable one by all accounts as well.
I feel its general smallmindedness on the part of insurers, we are forced to live by insurance companies rules which ultimately determine the way society functions in many cases.

Sellers market when it's a mandatory requirement.

delthedriver

CJhaughey wrote: »

A very profitable one by all accounts as well.
I feel its general smallmindedness on the part of insurers, we are forced to live by insurance companies rules which ultimately determine the way society functions in many cases.

Are there no campervan insurance schemes in Ireland?

CJhaughey

delthedriver wrote: »

Are there no campervan insurance schemes in Ireland?

Dolmen and Stuart have schemes.

wexie

Lots of ringing around today and it would appear that as it stands I can't get the Dormobile (my kinds want to call it Dora :eek) insured.
The previous owner had the interior removed so currently it has something that could be vaguely described as a bed but none of the other requirements.

So I'll have to do some work on it, which is fine as that was the plan, I'd just hoped to be able to use it while it's being done (even if it's just to be able to transport materials.

The only requirement that seems to be a bit vague is the one for a sink. Do I need a sink? Why do I need a sink? I don't want a sink, what good would a sink be without on board water tank (which I may want) or grey water tank? Having a sink without a water tank (or tap) doesn't make any sense, then it's just a metal bowl with a hole in it, which is less useful than just a metal bowl!

Also, what is meant with 'fixed to the chassis'? I presume it doesn't actually mean 'fixed to the chassis' but rather 'fixed / non removable'?

The plan is to have a cooker fixed to the back door (flipdown), storage along the sides and in the wheel arches, and beds in the roof, and I'm sure I can knock up a 'table'.

Would this fit the requirements?

I'm reading some mixed messages about the Dormobile roof being allowable for a camper, it's already registered as a camper but will still need to be DOE'd (for a few more years at least) does anybody know?

Thanks guys, ye'll be likely to be seeing more of me around here. My wife thinks I should just put it up on Ebay and take the money to buy a vintage 110 SW (which is what I set out for) but I like the potential of this one, also she's in great shape for being an old lady.

delthedriver

wexie wrote: »

Lots of ringing around today and it would appear that as it stands I can't get the Dormobile (my kinds want to call it Dora :eek) insured.
The previous owner had the interior removed so currently it has something that could be vaguely described as a bed but none of the other requirements.

So I'll have to do some work on it, which is fine as that was the plan, I'd just hoped to be able to use it while it's being done (even if it's just to be able to transport materials.

The only requirement that seems to be a bit vague is the one for a sink. Do I need a sink? Why do I need a sink? I don't want a sink, what good would a sink be without on board water tank (which I may want) or grey water tank? Having a sink without a water tank (or tap) doesn't make any sense, then it's just a metal bowl with a hole in it, which is less useful than just a metal bowl!

Also, what is meant with 'fixed to the chassis'? I presume it doesn't actually mean 'fixed to the chassis' but rather 'fixed / non removable'?

The plan is to have a cooker fixed to the back door (flipdown), storage along the sides and in the wheel arches, and beds in the roof, and I'm sure I can knock up a 'table'.

Would this fit the requirements?

I'm reading some mixed messages about the Dormobile roof being allowable for a camper, it's already registered as a camper but will still need to be DOE'd (for a few more years at least) does anybody know?

Thanks guys, ye'll be likely to be seeing more of me around here. My wife thinks I should just put it up on Ebay and take the money to buy a vintage 110 SW (which is what I set out for) but I like the potential of this one, also she's in great shape for being an old lady.

Sir, I think your wife is correct on this occasion!


Secondly I hope you are referring to the vehicle being in good shape for an old lady , not your wife!

CJhaughey

wexie wrote: »

The only requirement that seems to be a bit vague is the one for a sink. Do I need a sink? Why do I need a sink? I don't want a sink, what good would a sink be without on board water tank (which I may want) or grey water tank? Having a sink without a water tank (or tap) doesn't make any sense, then it's just a metal bowl with a hole in it, which is less useful than just a metal bowl!

This might fit the requirements?
http://www.tealwash.com/shop/handeman-portable/

moodrater

There is no requirement for a sink in the legislation or regulations but the insurer can put whatever stipulation they want on the group scheme. The basic thing is they don't want people joining the scheme to dodge tax. As yours is already registered a scamper and has been insured as such I would contact the clubs they will tell you what you need to join their scheme.

That's some quality ranting Wexie!

The water facilities are implied I believe. 2 x 10L drums would be sufficient...submersible pump or gravity fed. You can call them tanks if you want. You don't need a table for insurance reasons.

Fixed to the chassis means welded...bolted out of sight in laymans terms. The reason being dual purpose vehicles aren't classifiable as campers. Thus eliminating reduced insurance for race trucks and droppable bodies of site vehicles.

If it's not vintage already you'll always need a DOE.
You could just get a vintage chassis and transfer the rest :eek: ...all you need is the member with the vin number and a log book if you know any master welders.

Here's some more links that might help you.

wexie

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

That's some quality ranting Wexie!

Apologies on the ranting, just a bit exasperated, simple things can sometimes be made very complicated in this country, seemingly for no reason whatsoever.

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

If it's not vintage already you'll always need a DOE.

Well....yes...., but once it's 30 years old and I'm paying 56 euro a year in motortax I won't be too concerned with how it's registered, 2.5TD camper or supercharged V8 rocketship...still 56 squids. I also have a vintage RRC but there's no way I'm sacrificing the chassis or logbook of that for a camper.

delthedriver wrote: »

Secondly I hope you are referring to the vehicle being in good shape for an old lady , not your wife!

That'd be the car.....my wife is in cracking shape for a hot young bird

wexie

wexie wrote: »

Apologies on the ranting...

No need, I'd a good laugh about the usefulness of a bowl with a hole, carry on...:pac:

delthedriver

wexie wrote: »

Apologies on the ranting, just a bit exasperated, simple things can sometimes be made very complicated in this country, seemingly for no reason whatsoever.



Well....yes...., but once it's 30 years old and I'm paying 56 euro a year in motortax I won't be too concerned with how it's registered, 2.5TD camper or supercharged V8 rocketship...still 56 squids. I also have a vintage RRC but there's no way I'm sacrificing the chassis or logbook of that for a camper.



That'd be the car.....my wife is in cracking shape for a hot young bird

"just a bit exasperated, simple things can sometimes be made very complicated in this country, seemingly for no reason whatsoever."


Understand where you are coming from, the problem Sir is the computer says "No"! Sadly Insurance Companies are run by bean counters who know nothing about Insurance or Customer Service.


Like all Financial Services Companies the Call Centres are merely answering calls, if the query is outside the box , well the answer Sir is " No "

wexie

So after lots and lots of ringing around and head scratching the good folks at Carole Nash decided to give me a reasonable quote, DOE is booked for monday so hopefully we'll be road legal soon!! (yay!!!).

Then the work can begin.

First thing on the list is try and figure out sleeping arrangements and how to mount the bunk....rails? supports to the roof to stop them sliding around.

The originals look like this so if anybody has seen anything like it or has any ideas it'd be much appreciated. The sides hinge open to stretch out and hold the bunk supports.

Also, if you have bunks in your caravan or motorhome, what are the supports made of? I'm thinking aluminium tubes but they might put a serious dent in the budget

The plan is to have the interior flexible to the extent it will accommodate either myself and herself, myself and 2 kids or myself and the dog.

Due to both budget constraints and the fact this is supposed to be somewhat therapeutic I'm going to be all the work myself (where feasible) so there's lots more head scratching to come. Look forward to lots of weird questions (and likely entirely impractical and infeasible ideas) from me.

wexie

Just some pictures of a more modern Dormobile in case you're thinking of one of the old series 2 or 3 ones.

(sorry I'll stop now )

Moomat

wexie wrote: »

So after lots and lots of ringing around and head scratching the good folks at Carole Nash decided to give me a reasonable quote, DOE is booked for monday so hopefully we'll be road legal soon!! (yay!!!).

That's great news. Did they insure it as a camper or classic?

moodrater

wexie wrote: »

Also, if you have bunks in your caravan or motorhome, what are the supports made of? I'm thinking aluminium tubes but they might put a serious dent in the budget

Broken windsurfing masts is what I have the newer ones are over 90% carbon and very narrow far stronger than any aluminium tube.

Moffett

I too find insurance companies pretty tough to deal with, even on maximum no claims and accident free all my life. It seems that driving an older car every day is not at all a reasonable thing to do? Even after going through the NCT rigmarole. The NCT only matters when you don't have it!

Moffett

Moffett wrote: »

It seems that driving an older car every day is not at all a reasonable thing to do?

Non-collapsible steering columns, no airbags, no parking/pedestrian sensors, no ABS, brute power over electronic stability, metal wings, live axles, no traction control, easy to steal...etc. might have something to do with it.
They ought to call it safe bet not insurance :rolleyes:

Moffett

Indeed, you must work for my insurance company Sir Liamalot, to consider me and my vechile such a risk, after 20 incident free years! So if I can't be considered to be a safe bet at this stage, my policy payments have indeed been a sure thing???....and it's true that many old cars do benefit from a lack of the complications you have listed, but not all. I also read a story recently in the Independent, where a driver brought a case against BMW after she reversed over a pedestrian that her rear sensors didn't detect....no substiute for looking out the back window really. Most old cars have these.

I don't consider you a risk for a second.
Modern vehicles wreck my head. Imagine trying to pay to replace 7 airbags...write off.
They're designed for numpties who require over-engineered electronics and ridiculous looms with too many potential points of failure and the rest of us have to suffer. Ignitions on multiplexing relays switched from the clutch, seat and door malarky. Beepy nuisances etc. Warning systems that fail more often than the system they are monitoring. ..ahem, imho...

Moffett

I relaised that possibly I had misinterpreted your post after the reply, and couldn't edit, maybe because I have less than 50 posts! There is a Defender Ambulance in my area converted to a camper, though it's an unwieldy beast! The pop up roof might be a good job for my own, if the insurance company refuse to mirror my no claims from the car to the van next year.

wexie

Moomat wrote: »

That's great news. Did they insure it as a camper or classic?

As a classic (1988) so no nonsense about sinks either (yay!)

moodrater wrote: »

Broken windsurfing masts is what I have the newer ones are over 90% carbon and very narrow far stronger than any aluminium tube.

Maybe I'll start hanging around the beach on windy days more often so

Moffett wrote: »

It seems that driving an older car every day is not at all a reasonable thing to do? Even after going through the NCT rigmarole. The NCT only matters when you don't have it!

Indeed, the whole system is is setup to discourage people from doing so. Unless it's a proper old car in which case.....no questions asked, do what you want. I've a 1978 Rangie which I can do with what I want, token roadtax despite the large engine, no NCT required and insurance don't ask too many questions either.

I guess that's the difference between 'old' and 'classic'. (my mrs is still somewhat vague on the distinction)

Irishgoatman

wexie wrote: »

As a classic (1988) so no nonsense about sinks either (yay!) QUOTE]

Just out of interest are they doing it as a camper or a car?.