MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I'm in the process of buying a van to convert to a camper and I need to sort out the insurance (just as a van so I can drive it when I buy it, I know I'll need to sort out specialist insurance after the conversion).
Now, I've taken a year off work to travel (hence the van and conversion). When I fill in the online forms for quotes, it asks for my employment status. Putting 'Unemployed' unsurprisingly sends the quotes through the roof. Is that just how it is, or is there any way around it? I thought about putting 'Retired' as that's essentially what I've done, albeit temporarily.
Forget the online forms. Phone up, I've always had far better quotes when speaking to people.
try direct line i have cheap van insurance with them,i think i was down as unemployed at the time.
Phone up, consider spending some money to join an organisation like the Caravan Club or the Camping & Caravan Club, as they offer quite good insurance deals to members - however I'm a member of the caravan club and never found their car insurance quotes to be anywhere near as good as the likes of Confused.com
Don't forget van into camper = shitload of modifications in the eyes of an ordinary insurer, so the other way to go might be to try some of the specialist motorhome insurers that are out there.
Can't recomend sure term direct enough for this very thing. Same home built camper issues.
Some self build specialists to try if you haven't already:
Insurance Choice
Frank Pickles (age 30+ I think)
Adrian Flux
Campton
They will insure it as a campervan and will give you between 90 and 180 days in which to convert the van into a camper. Normal van/car insurance is risky as once you start modifying the vehicle they may decide you have invalidated your insurance.
I'm with Insurance Choice as some of the others require troublesome 'engineers reports' and 'gas safety inspections' which are difficult as not many professionals will want to put their signature to your handiwork/competence, plus Gas Safe does not cover motorhomes. Some also require you re-register the van as a motorhome with the DVLA, not an issue except it is meant to meet certain requirements such as side windows, 6' bed, wardrobe, fixed cooking facilities etc and some people just want a metal tent with a bed, light and portable gas stove.
All the above give discounts to members of www.sbmcc.co.uk so its worth £15 signing up, also discounts off loads of other supplies plus advice on the forums.
Mine is through Adrian Flux but will be through Brentacre next. They are pretty cheap and charge no extra when you modify as long as it's not performance, only thing you have to do is keep them informed.
post office were cheapest for me. As above, ring them and explain your situation, my dad took a year off work and had to insure his first non company car, he was allowed to call himself an accountant (given his professional registration) even though he was technically unemployed.
I'd never advocate lying, but just by being on here you are a writer, a researcher, a sportsman, a life coach and failing that, tell them you're a pron star (octo if required)
You'll still be unemployed whoever or however you buy the insurance. You could tell them your a teacher or policeman or anything you want but theres a good chance they wont pay up should you claim, better play it safe on that one.