When you first buy a van, it’s important to get the right insurance. Many insurers won’t cover vans, especially if you’re planning to make modifications or convert your van into a campervan. Self-build vans are unique and require insurance coverage which takes into account their specific needs, which can be frustrating when all you want to do is drive away in your new van. In this article, I’ll share my top recommendations for self-build van and campervan insurance providers, key things to know when looking for a policy and smart ways to reduce the cost of your van insurance.

A-Plan

Why choose A-Plan for modified van insurance?

A-Plan offers cover for campervans and self-build vans. They work with a panel of insurers who specialise in delivering the right coverage at a competitive price, allowing you to choose from a range of schemes tailored for van drivers. They’re also very flexible when it comes to modifications. Whether you have a day van, a fully converted camper or you are converting a van, A-Plan will consider all modifications and your lifestyle to help you find a policy that covers everything you need. 

If you need to make a claim, they’ll also help deal with the paperwork and liaise directly with the insurer.

On their website, A-Plan insurance claims to cover:

• Motorhomes
• Day or ‘mess’ vans
• Professionally converted campervans
• Self-Build van conversions 
• Bespoke van conversions

Take a look at the A-Plan insurance website for lots of useful information about the different levels of insurance and how much a van insurance policy might cost.

Adrian Flux

Why choose Adrian Flux for modified van insurance?

Adrian Flux is a specialist insurance provider that offers cover for campervans and self-build vans. Like A-Plan, they offer a range of policies depending on your needs and cover a wide variety of modifications. Other great features of Adrian Flux insurance include like-for-like cover with agreed policies and coverage for imported and left-hand drive vans.

If you decide to go for Adrian Flux, make sure you give them a call to get a van insurance quote as their best quotes are only available over the phone.

Brentarce
Why choose Brentarce for modified van insurance?

Brentarce is one of the largest modified campervan brokers in the UK. Whether you own a converted van, a classic VW camper or a brand-new transporter with all of the additional extras their specialist team considers a variety of factors when deciding on a quote.

A stand-out feature of Brentarce insurance is that they don’t have an issue with vehicle use. They can find a policy to match your van whether it’s your everyday transport or occasional family adventure campervan.

They cover a wide range of modifications, even going as far as to say that they “love to hear that you have modified your car or converted your van into a Camper ” making them a great choice for your self-build van journey.

How much is self-build or campervan insurance?

As with any insurance policy, there are a variety of factors which can affect the price you pay. There are different levels of van insurance cover, including third-party only, third-party fire and theft and comprehensive cover. Comprehensive cover is the most extensive but this also means it’s the most expensive. 

The total cost of van insurance will depend on the type of van, what it’s used for and your individual circumstances, such as your driving history, how much driving you do and where you store your van. Any modifications you make to the internal or external of your van will also impact the insurance cost.

Because every van and every driver is different, it’s important to shop around to find the best policy and cover to suit your individual needs.

I have personally insured two Volkswagen Caddy Maxi vans using both A-Plan and Adrian Flux. In my experience, both were great and cost me around £500-£700 for a single year of modified campervan insurance.

Will modifying my van increase insurance costs?

Any modification to your van or campervan will likely have an impact on your insurance premium, but that doesn’t always mean the price will increase. Some modifications may improve your van safety which in turn could reduce your premiums. It’s worth checking with your insurance broker how modifications will impact your insurance quote. 

Bear in mind you can also reduce your premiums by keeping your van in a garage, installing additional safety features such as immobilisers and trackers or taking out a limited mileage policy.

There are other ways you can reduce this cost, check out my top four ways to pay less for your van insurance coverage below.

Do I need to declare all van modifications?

It is a legal requirement to declare all vehicle modifications, even if they won’t impact your insurance premiums. This includes any modifications already made when you purchased the vehicle and any van modifications you make yourself. 

It’s important to update your insurance company as and when you make any changes to ensure you remain fully covered should an accident happen. Not doing so could void your insurance and mean you’re seriously out of pocket if you need to make a claim.

What counts as a modification for a van?

A modification can be anything which may alter the appearance, safety or performance of your van. It can be as subtle as tinted windows, or as extensive as a toilet or adding a power supply.

Different insurers will cover different modifications, so it’s important to read the small print. In some circumstances, it might just be a case of adjusting your current policy rather than taking out a brand-new one. Make sure to check with your provider before you start tinkering.

Modifications could include (but aren’t limited to):

• Audio and entertainment systems
• Alloys and tyres
• Brake, suspension or engine modifications 
• Internal racking or storage
• Fitting heavy-duty locks
• Fitting a bulkhead
• Cosmetic changes, (custom body kit or paint)
• Adding parking sensors
• Removing or adding seats
• Removing windows
• Adding fitted kitchen items, a bed or bathroom
• Adding insulation
• Power supplies

Four ways to reduce the cost of your van insurance 

We all know that van insurance can be expensive. So here are my top four ways to reduce your campervan insurance costs.

1. Pay your bill annually. Now, this may seem obvious, but if you can, buy your insurance annually. If you choose to pay monthly, you will be charged interest and the overall cost of your insurance premium will be more.
2. Choose the lowest excess. Insurance excess is always made up of compulsory and voluntary excess. So you have control over the voluntary excess. Reducing this cost may increase your premium for the year but if you need to make a claim, having a lower voluntary excess will save you money.
3. Be honest. Not only is it illegal to lie about the details of your insurance, but this could cost you money down the line.
4. Value your van correctly. Many people undervalue their vans to reduce their insurance premiums. However, if your van is written off in an accident, your insurance company will only pay up to the value you stated. If this is lower than the true value of the van, you’ll be substantially out of pocket.

If you’re looking to further reduce the costs of your van conversion, check out how I converted my VW Caddy Maxi for less than £300.