Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Campervan
Posted on Feb 09, 2021
Arguably one of the best ways to travel, camp, and even live; is with a campervan. Since 1947 people have been in love with the ease and functionality of campervans. They have completely revolutionised the way we travel, and think about travel.
Insurance cover may have changed greatly since then, but the adventures and freedom it provides from holidays to commuting has relatively stayed the same. Whether you are buying your first campervan, or you have owned a campervan previously, it is important to get up to date on insurance cover details. Learn everything you need to know about levels of cover before you buy!
One small word says so much - campervan (where your driving and living space are combined). Among all the home-on-wheels options, the camper offers the most flexibility with its all-in-one, compact size, and affordable insurance specialist cover. Not to mention, the campervan community that you become a part of.
Don't get caught up in an unfortunate event where you regret not having quality insurance cover on your beloved campervan. Protect the vehicle and objects like keys, gas bottles and awnings with complete cover.
As the eyes are the window to the soul, the windscreen is the window to the world and the road ahead of you. It only takes one tiny stone, or one big tree branch to hit your windscreen, the damage caused could ruin your trip.
There is no way to prevent forces of nature from cracking or damaging your windscreen. However, you can ensure you will be protected from having to pay out-of-pocket to replace or repair a broken windscreen.
Not all insurance companies cover windscreen damage repair and replacement services. Finding one that does will give you one less thing to worry about while you are on the open road, or even parked.
Are you worried about what you would do out on the road, ‘If our campervan ever broke down?’. The same as car insurance, this is a legitimate and common fear.
Let your breakdown cover provider do the worrying for you, whether you are driving a Volkswagen campervan, a custom campervan conversion, or a brand new luxury highline campervan fresh off of the forecourt.
Have your vehicle registration number to hand. That way your insurer can find your policy records quickly and easily. Breakdown cover is always something you can count on to be there in your time of need.
Some drivers shop around for cheaper insurance rates because they are stuck paying top premium due to points on their licence. If you have some past issues on your driving record that have subsequently driven up your insurance rates, perhaps there is something that you can do about it, other than shopping around for better rates.
Campervan cover fluctuates depending on different features of the campervan. For instance, built-in security alarms will bring down your price. Even if the adjusted price is only a slight difference, every little bit helps!
If you choose a make or model of campervan that is rare, or hard to find now, this may raise your insurance cost. If parts for the vehicle are hard to come by, or expensive, it can raise your rate.
Still, undecided on which campervan is your top pick? This list of best campervans in the UK might help in your decision-making.
If you’re building your own campervan, this requires a different level of cover. What we'll touch on is specific to insurance cover on a campervan. Let's go over the most common questions for the self-build owner.
Campervan
One small word says so much - campervan (where your driving and living space are combined). Among all the home-on-wheels options, the camper offers the most flexibility with its all-in-one, compact size, and affordable insurance specialist cover. Not to mention, the campervan community that you become a part of.
Don't get caught up in an unfortunate event where you regret not having quality insurance cover on your beloved campervan. Protect the vehicle and objects like keys, gas bottles and awnings with complete cover.
Complete Cover
Some insurance companies are just out for your money. Whereas other insurers actually care about the cover they provide to their customers. The difference lies in finding a specialist company that understands campervans, caravans, and motorhome insurance and the people who own them. Ask if the policy covers personal possessions too. It's an important aspect to consider.Unlimited Windscreen Cover
As the eyes are the window to the soul, the windscreen is the window to the world and the road ahead of you. It only takes one tiny stone, or one big tree branch to hit your windscreen, the damage caused could ruin your trip.
There is no way to prevent forces of nature from cracking or damaging your windscreen. However, you can ensure you will be protected from having to pay out-of-pocket to replace or repair a broken windscreen.
Not all insurance companies cover windscreen damage repair and replacement services. Finding one that does will give you one less thing to worry about while you are on the open road, or even parked.
European Cover
Will you be travelling outside of the country or continent with your campervan? Are you travelling to the UK for a campervan adventure? It is not uncommon to travel far from home when you are living the van life. The nature of campervans is to travel with freedom. And, what better trip can one make than to travel through Europe. This is a dream trip for many. With the right policy, you can travel in your campervan through Europe for up 90 days within a 180 day period and longer with the appropriate visa.Multiple Driver Cover
Campervanning is more fun with friends, especially with friends who can share the driving responsibilities. But, what about insurance cover on multiple drivers? Some insurance policies protect you and up to three other drivers with one policy. As long as the drivers are over 25 and have a valid licence, the cover applies. Adding multiple drivers onto a policy is handy, but will likely add to the cost of your policy. If you decide to go ahead and add other drivers to the policy, ask about their driving record. Clean driving records and no claims bonus help to keep costs down.Breakdown Cover
Are you worried about what you would do out on the road, ‘If our campervan ever broke down?’. The same as car insurance, this is a legitimate and common fear.
Let your breakdown cover provider do the worrying for you, whether you are driving a Volkswagen campervan, a custom campervan conversion, or a brand new luxury highline campervan fresh off of the forecourt.
Have your vehicle registration number to hand. That way your insurer can find your policy records quickly and easily. Breakdown cover is always something you can count on to be there in your time of need.
Legal Expense Cover
Campervans are all about being carefree. Who wants to worry about legal trouble in the case of an emergency? No one, that's who. Legal expenses can dramatically change your life if you are not prepared and protected. Set it, and forget it with a legal expense insurance cover policy add-on for just £24 per year, get a quote today.Licences
Do you plan on towing a trailer or a small car with your campervan? If your trailer is less than 750kg, your regular vehicle licence will suffice. However, if your vehicle's combined weight and the item you are towing is greater than 3500kg, you will need to upgrade your licence. How does towing affect your insurance policy? If something happens to your campervan while towing, you will want to make sure that you have the proper cover for it. Likewise, purchasing trailer cover will protect your trailer. Trailer cover is affordable, as long as it is for personal use, and not being used for a business. If you are using your trailer for business, you will have to go through a separate insurance provider for businesses.Safe Driver Discounts
Some drivers shop around for cheaper insurance rates because they are stuck paying top premium due to points on their licence. If you have some past issues on your driving record that have subsequently driven up your insurance rates, perhaps there is something that you can do about it, other than shopping around for better rates.
- Take a driver safety course
- Continue to drive safe
- Do not let uninsured drivers behind the wheel of your campervan
Installing a Dash Cam
Dash cams aren’t just for capturing the peculiar behaviour of other drivers on the road. There is another reason for installing a dash cam. Recording your journeys in your campervan is a fun way to share your adventures on the road, and have something to look back on once you return from your trip. Most dash cams are affordable and simple to install. The majority of them just plug into the USB port in your vehicle. Dash cams have either a removable memory card or a link to online files of your videos. Other options, including motion sensor security, will work when the vehicle is turned off and parked. Installing a dash cam with a feature like this could reduce your insurance cover cost even more.Choosing a Brand of Campervan
Campervan cover fluctuates depending on different features of the campervan. For instance, built-in security alarms will bring down your price. Even if the adjusted price is only a slight difference, every little bit helps!
If you choose a make or model of campervan that is rare, or hard to find now, this may raise your insurance cost. If parts for the vehicle are hard to come by, or expensive, it can raise your rate.
Still, undecided on which campervan is your top pick? This list of best campervans in the UK might help in your decision-making.
When Buying a Used Campervan
Year, make, and models of campervans can dictate the price of insurance depending on the vehicle's condition and the listed market value. Though it may not make a huge impact on your cover or price, these factors do matter and can add up when searching for a new or replacement vehicle. Buying a used campervan may seem like a more cost-effective way to go, but it doesn't always turn out that way. Sometimes you are buying someone else's problem campervan, and that is unfortunate. Other times it works out just fine. Buying an older model campervan can work out to your advantage because the value is less than a brand-new one, and therefore less expensive to insure. Do yourself a favour, and get it inspected by a professional before purchasing a used campervan.Building Your Own Campervan
If you’re building your own campervan, this requires a different level of cover. What we'll touch on is specific to insurance cover on a campervan. Let's go over the most common questions for the self-build owner.
- Do you need to have insurance on it while it is under construction?
- What factors do I need to keep in mind when it comes to insurance and campervan conversions?
- Does it need to be inspected to be insured?
Choose the Right Storage Spot
One more factor that can lower (or raise) your insurance policy price on your campervan is where you park it. If you have a locked garage, or storage facility where it can be parked when not in use, this makes it a safer option than if you were to park it on the side of the road. Even parking the van in your driveway is a more expensive option than a garage or storage facility. Decide where the best and most cost-effective place for your type of vehicle will be. Always check your policy terms before you make a claim.Taking the Leap
Purchasing a campervan can feel like a major commitment. Having the right cover and breakdown cover on your campervan gives you peace of mind. Go with a company that you can trust like Shield Total Insurance - with over 25 years of experience providing campervan insurance policies with complete cover. Contact us today to get your campervan insurance quote. Read our website blog to learn more about motor caravan and campervans and caravan insuranceLooking for a related product?
Motorhome Insurance
Specialist motorhome cover for an average of £320*.