solly Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Hello everybody. I am a new user looking for help. I bought a VW T4 last year to do a basic conversion on. I told my insurer that was my intention and they told me they would insure it as a van until the conversion was done. The van already had side windows and was lined and insulated. I have put in a double bed base, two burner cooker and the water supply is an internally stored jerry can with tap. There is no sink. The van has no hitop or poptop. (I told you it was basic!) I have just rung my insurer to tell them of the change. I was told I was no longer insured and I would have to remove the fitted items. Needless to say I am not happy and am in dispute with them. What is the position with selfbuild conversions? Will I need to re register the vehicle at dvla? Does the vehicle have to be inspected? There are loads of self build vans out there. It can't be too much of a problem. Is my insurance company just being awkward? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Hi Solly, Quite a few people on here well one or two have a conversion wether they are home made or not I'm not sure but I 'm sure they will spot this soon and have the answer for you as to how they done it . Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I've done a few home conversions in the past and not had problems but I believe the insurers have tightened up and not as many will give cover on a home conversion now. I suggest your first step should be to join the self build motorhome club, do a google for SBMHC to start with. There are certain required specs to it becoming a motorhome and yes you should register it as such with DVLA. You will almost certainly have to go to a specialist insurer such as Adrian Flux, I insured my last one with Comfort But I don't think they do home conversion cover any more. Best bet is to phone around. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel E Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Solly, I'm afraid that your first problem is that your conversion, as described, doesn't meet the requirements to be defined as a motorhome by the DVLA on your V5. And if you are changing the vehicle type on the V5 they will want to check. The relevant laws say that, to be classed as a motorhome, a vehicle must possess: - sleeping facilities - washing facilities - a wardrobe - cooking facilities so you may find it difficult to find an insurer who will cover a part-conversion. Follow Dave's advice and get in touch with the SBMHC fast. Mel E ==== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pagey Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 hi as mel said your conversion falls short of what the dvla deems as a motor caravan.The rules have changed since i built mine then the dvla took your word that it had a bed etc.but not now they will want to inspect it, Sbmcc are on the ball here, i used to insure mine with adrian flux but they insisted on photos to prove i had converted it. Just a thought if it is not deemed as a motor caravan then it must be a van so where is the problem...pagey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Keats Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Why call it a M/home ? Why not leave everything loose and removeable. Many of us have slept and survived in a van before. Insure it as a van and bung in the neccesary when needed. If you act reasonable who's to know. I don't know if official sites can refuse you "as a van" I don't see you being banned from joining a CC organisation with a 'van' The only 'event' I know who does ban 'sleeping in vans' is the steam engine rally organisers at Stourpain. Dorset. If it is not a conventional descriptive M/home you're banned. (I've tried) This was done to prevent the 'travellers' (so called) from mixing with the genuine (so called) M/home enthusiasts. Be interesting to read others comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 The only major problem I see with leaving insured as a van is that you will have no cover for gas explosion or fire, especially on site. You will also not have cover for your camping paraphernalia, chairs, awning, bedding etc. Some commercial sites will not allow a plain van but if yours has side windows this might not become such a problem. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W3526602 Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Hi, I got the Haynes "Build your own motorhome" book as a Xmas prezzy (try Ebay or Amazon for second hand) Yep, join the Self Build Motor Caravan Club (Google) though you get your first 25 emails for free. The Haynes book names an insurer who will insure your van as a camper for six months while you do the conversion. If you have not completed the conversion inside the six months, the insurance continues, but at the (higher?) van rate. I think it may be Norwich Union, but I can look it up if you like. Could be out of date, though the book is new. A van is limited to lower speeds than a car/camper. Speed cameras can, or will be, able to tell the difference. 602 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel E Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Hi 602, Yes the book is out of date and NU no longer do this (certainly not through Comfort). One problem with leaving it as a van is that it is subject to LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) rules on everything from speed limits to MoTs. And you may find insurance cover is not included for passengers (as opposed to co-workers). Sorry to be so negative, but better you know what not to look for! Mel E ==== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Our van was converted by its previous owner after an "earlier life" as a white van. I'm with CIS at present, and they've never asked about the type of conversion or the facilities, but it was already shown as "motorhome" on the V5. The van's my main vehicle, but it isn't a "winter wagon" so I take it off the road for 6 months and run a car instead, and CIS have never had any problem with this regular changeover either. Some years my ins cert says "Ford Transit Motorhome," sometimes "Ford Transit Caravan" - even though they always dig out the old vehicle details each time I put it back on the road!! Oh, and they include full breakdown cover (UK & EU) automatically. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 There is some confusing reference to the 'SBMHC' in this thread. The Club / Forum you need is the 'S.B.M.C.C', the Self Build Motorcaravan Club. ...... in case you haven't found it yet. hth Harvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Thanks Harvey, my mistake :$ D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel E Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Tony, I would check your insurance with CIS VERY carefully. There have been cases in the past when people thought they had insured their motorhomes with CIS when, in fact, CIS just treated it as a van. This happens because the Call Centre operatives are simply not briefed on motorhomes and when they ask for vehicle and you say 'Ford Transit' or whatever, you go straight into the van category. Unless they've changed recently, CIS don't offer a policy for motorhomes! Mel E ==== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 My schedule this year says "CARAVAN 1501-2000cc FORD," which is a strange way of describing it, but it's clear enough that the only kind of caravan with a 1501-2000cc engine, or made by Ford, would be a motorcaravan. To be on the safe side, I've just phoned CIS, who confirmed that they understand my vehicle is a MOTORcaravan, a.k.a. "motorhome," and that it's covered as such. But thanks for flagging this up anyway Mel, I wouldn't want to be in any doubt about something as vital as insurance. Just in case, I've made a note of the conversation, including time, date, name of operator and exactly what was said. I find that's always worth doing with big call centres! Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 I am with C.I.S. so I thought I would check the policy details as it has been suggested that it could be insured as just a van. The policy says Ford, Transit / Autosleeper, so that is OK. C.I.S. was the cheapest I could find having just stopped SAGA as their price went sky high. My first motor home 25 years ago was home conversion, of a 1942 3000cc Austin Mobile Canteen. C.I.S. insured that but would not cover it against fire. So that is another point to look out for. If you phone up your local Co-op man he will come to your house and work out a cover for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W3526602 Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Hi, My brain hurts due to trying to interpret what is says in http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880052_en_7.htm#mdiv148 I think it says that insurance companies have to pay Third Party claims despite the condition of a vehicle, or the way it is loaded. Presumably that includes gas bottles. On the other hand, they can sue the policy holder to get their money back, if they so desire. Own damage will be the policy holders problem, though. What do you think it says? 602 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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