Campervan insurance.

stephen1968

I have nearly finished converting my van to a camper due to personal reasons have left bulkhead in put no windows only a small roof light...as don't want anyone knowing it's a camper plus after researching windows cause condensation...I presently pay 333 road tax as got letter from my employer and have insurance as private not commercial..i am not inserted in the 105 road tax as believe i have to put windows in and other things to do for this cheaper rate of road tax...Now for my question will my insurance company require me to change logbook to camper or will they be happy with a van that's been modified.

Calahonda52

You may find that your current insurer wont cover it asa CV, in addition there are certain requirements that need to me met before it is classed as a CV

Windows don't cause condensation, lack of proper ventilation causes condensation

ps following your last reply I have put you in the ignore file as you disagree with my suggestion and yet admit to have a dehumidifier: keep watching videos

Shoog

There's not a lot of flexibility or understanding in the Insurance Industry.

stephen1968

Thanks for replying...regarding windows don't cause condensation i beg to differ as watched plenty of video on this subject before I started mine...during colder months water builds up on windscreen and windows...i have been sleeping in mine nearly a year now 5 nights aweek for work purposes ..and as i said left bulkhead in...leave roof light open during night if open to much i do get abit wet lol...and no sign of condensation as i had to remove everything to run wires to install 3 solar panels and all insulation was bone dry...i have a mini USB powered dehumidifier which surprises me how much water collects during the night caused from breathing 😀. So your saying leave windows open for ventilation and pray it don't rain..lol

stephen1968

Thanks for replying...i will look into changing to camper on logbook do what's needed then go from there.

Shoog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120859554#Comment_120859554

Revenue requirements : Windows in back, table, cooker, bed, storage.

Insurance requirements (most Insurers offering camper insurance): Front to back access so no bulkhead, standing room or 1.8m internal height, certificates for gas if installed and a SQP report.

stephen1968

Thanks for info.

celtic_oz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120859615#Comment_120859615

thanks for this .. is there anywhere this is documented

Shoog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121086174#Comment_121086174

The revenue thing is set down in statute and can be accessed on one of their websites. It's defined by an EU regulation ultimately.

If you go onto most of the insurance websites and enter you details they will have questions on front to back and height. If you answer no to either they chuck you out and ask you to phone - this is where they will grill you on the extent of your conversion and what they need you to provide to satisfy them. Each site will be different but most will have front to back and standing height as gatekeeper questions.

celtic_oz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121086489#Comment_121086489

thanks to boards I know of the height and the bulk head requirements, its annoying to have to guess other requirements based on an arbitrary form on one insurance website though.

If the bulkhead is gone and the passenger side has 2 seats, its narrow enough to get access from front to back, is this an issue ?

Can you build a cabinet partially blocking the sliding door ? If so is there a minimum access amount

etc etc

Macy0161

Trying to resurrect rather than post another new thread regarding conversion.

I'm not a newbie to vanlife (T2, Motorhome before moving to tents), and I considered a conversion previously. However life has moved on and maybe there is the space to consider now.

I believe I'll be ok getting private insurance during conversion on a panel van (taxed private). I do have one question during the wip phase. Does adding windows/ removing bulkhead run into issues with van insurance?

spaceHopper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122392598#Comment_122392598

Only an insurance company or broker can tell you that, why not contact Dolmen, ask them will they give you cover for a commercial van while you convert it and then camper cover assuming it meets their criteria for a camper.

Shoog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121088361#Comment_121088361

The partial blocking of the sliding door is fine, most vans have it to some degree. The issue is can you still easily get in or out for safety reasons. Front to back is OK if you can squeeze sideways - but that's not really an option on the smaller vans such as the Transporter with a bench seat. As far as I understand it - a van cannot have clear windows in the back, so as soon as you cut your windows out you cannot have it as a commercial - but it should be fine as a private if you can get that type of insurance.

These sort of questions are best addressed to a broker rather than ringing around insurance companies who simply have box ticking forms. Get all your questions asked at the start because many people have got to the end of their conversion and ended up with an uninsurable van which they cannot sell on.

Stationmaster

Anyone know of any insurer that will accept a provisional C license as cover instead of a full one? Thanks.