Insure or sell

[theredaaron]

It's that time of year again and I haven't used my van as much as I'd hoped. I'm half way through a conversion and have had solar+leisure battery+inverter fitted, insulated most of it and got ply down on the floor. I'm going to carry on converting it if the insurance renewal isn't too bad.

Last year I was quoted £2k by Adrian Flux but was then quoted around £600 by then when I went through a comparison site. That comparison site doesn't seem to have the option to specify that it's being converted so I'm not sure I trust the quotes. I've I try to add mods (I've had back windows fitted and I've got the electrical stuff) there's no option for the solar stuff so I specify Other and the quotes start at £1400. I expect I need to speak to those who speicalise in this type of vehicle + life long conversion.

If the insurance is too high I'll probably just sell it. It's a shame because I've spent a fortune on repairs including replacing the cambelt.

I'm 56 and only have 2 years no claims just because I didn't drive for a few years. The problem is that I'm in E6 in London which seems to aggravate the insurers.

Is anyone in a similar situation and can give me a rough idea of what I should expect to pay? Insurer recommendations would also be great. The insurance isn't up until end of May and the insurers won't quote me yet, so I'm trying to get a feel now so that I get more time to sell if that's what I do.

[robblowen]

I'm in the Midlands so don't know how big a difference that will make, but I've got a 1.6tdi, remapped, alloys wheels & all terrain tyres, extra seats in the back, extra windows, upgraded audio, sound deadened, insulated and carpeted, touran dash, door cards and arm rest. All declared on the insurance and I pay just over £300 through Brentacre. I've been with them ever since I got the van, they've never been beaten on price for me, and it doesn't change when I declare a new mod. Just about to renew again. Hope that helps.

Sent from my SM-S901B using Tapatalk

[Jaba]

Heya! I have an lt35 luton camper self converted and insured with a-plan thatcham schemes. I believe they're now called Howden Thatcham Schemes after a merger. They specialise in campers self built or otherwise so definitely worth a look.

Also just a little tip you may or may not know, but insurance renewal is cheapest at around the 28 days mark before renewal is due. It's a literal metric used by insurance companies, leave it too late and they assume you're not a very organised individual and raise premiums! There's a martin lewis piece on it, i tried it december last year and had the cheapest insurance i'd had for years!

Good luck!

[theredaaron]

Thanks both. Great tip!