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Neil Jackson



Member Since: 12 Oct 2023
Location: Whitby
Posts: 12

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
Vehicle insurance
Hello, my question is around vehicle insurance, i am due for my annual insurance renewal and over the last yr i have fitted a roof tent, insulated, sound deadened and boarded out inside with lighting and a compressor fridge etc. Basically set up for camping, with a pull out bed etc inside. I havent installed a sink or connected a gas cooker though.
What does this make me, a camper, an overlander, if thats an insurance category, or simply a defender with modifications?
Dont want to cause myself issues either way for insurance, and dont want to have a problem by not effectively been insured byvtelling them the wrong thing.

Bit of a long winded post and thanks in advance.
Post #1047586 3rd Oct 2024 3:55pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2626

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Unless someone here is an insurance underwriter, you really should talk to both your current broker / policy provider and a specialist broker that insure camper vans to provide the answer that you need.

Most ‘brokers’ these days are nothing but call centre staff that are employed to ask the questions on the screen, it isn’t even a requirement to pass their insurance exams anymore at that level as the questions on the screen are deemed to be sufficient to pass compliance.

When they say I will speak to an underwriter, it means they will put you on hold get a coffee then come back and confirm what is on their system, they won’t phone the insurance companies on their panels. Even Insurance companies have scaled back their underwriters because so much is done via the computer now.

I was an account manager on the commercial side for a number of years and saw first hand this transition that moved the responsibility for Personal Lines away from the broker and Insurance companies and onto the consumer, whom in many cases were more interested in price and not the cover provided.

The main difference you will find if it is insured purely as a camper is sometimes the mileage use is limited as many are used solely for holidays and hence they won’t include commuting (going to and from a place of work) and business use.

If those last two points are important to you then I would say that it should be insured as a private vehicle ( or commercial vehicle if panelled ) with modifications.

Again speak to your own broker and a camper-van specialist.
Post #1047590 3rd Oct 2024 4:22pm
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Bill1919



Member Since: 04 Mar 2017
Location: Dorset
Posts: 56

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
As already said speak to your insurer. I installed a pop-top on my vehicle, and it did not affect my premium. Also your vehicle does not meet the DVLA criteria for registering it as a camper (motor caravan) as it has no fixed cooking facilities. 1988 110 csw 2.5Td (19J) (gone)
1992 110 csw Tdi200 (gone)
1995 110 csw Tdi300 (gone)
2015 110 XS csw 2.2 puma
Post #1047594 3rd Oct 2024 4:41pm
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ruben



Member Since: 04 Feb 2021
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 176

Spain 
I'm hallucinating with what I read here! What is happening in the UK with this? My insurance, what is called comprehensive, is essentially the mandatory insurance for third, persons or property, that are victims of my accident + my own damages in the event of my guilt... it is costing me this year for my Defender 110 I6 MHEV SE, €650/year. Defender 110 SE I6 D250 23MY
ExDiscovery 3 TDV6 SE
Post #1047604 3rd Oct 2024 5:44pm
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revd



Member Since: 20 Apr 2024
Location: England
Posts: 110

United Kingdom 
I recently asked Aviva if they would be happy for me to fit a pop-top and they said no problem.
Post #1047634 3rd Oct 2024 8:35pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2626

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Because it is like a roof box. Its can be removed therefore not a permanent part of the vehicle.

The thing to check is will they cover it in full if it gets stolen, or does it fall under personal effects that are covered up to x value and still subject to a (normally) £250 excess.
Post #1047636 3rd Oct 2024 9:31pm
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Julie



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: Nantes
Posts: 479

France 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
If you know an insurance covering roof loads, please tell me ! Very Happy

I installed my roof tent on lockable Thule bars. I have the truck parked on the street in the city center of Berlin, Paris & Nantes for 12 years now. The tent is still there (but I had to change the covering).

When it comes to the other stuff (fuel cans, roof galery, furniture, cooling box, kitchen, etc.) every bolt can be tightened by hand without any tool (= load). Outside lockable inside not.

Nothing has ever been stolen.
Post #1050077 28th Oct 2024 6:59pm
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