I can't get insurance on a private van...

I currently own a standard car. Like many, I'd love a campervan, but the costs are too high, so I am hoping to buy a van to convert it. I am not a business owner, and I am aware I will pay the private tax on the van.

However, I seem to be coming across an issue with insurance. I understand I will have to take out a new policy, I would not move my no claims over to the van, so will be starting from scratch. But I seem to be declined insurance everywhere and I'm not sure why. I would insure it as a private van, until the conversion is complete and then look into converting on the logbook etc. Is there any law/rule against owning a commercial van, taxing and insuring it privately, converting it and then not changing it on the log book to a campervan?

There seem to be so many hoops to jump through, I just want to put a bed in the back of my van...

Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

Kirsty Durnall (Midleton)

Sep 2024 Filed under: insurance

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Expert answer

Hi Kirsty,

You're not the first to run up against this issue. Getting insurance to use a van as a private vehicle is bizarrely difficult: it seems the insurers don't want to get involved. 

We don't have an easy fix for you, but would suggest looking into employing an independent insurance broker to do the legwork for you rather than trying to deal direct with the big insurance companies.

If you find a good solution, please do let us know. 

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor
@Shane_O_D