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Insurance for your VW Camper
If you’re a proud owner of a VW Camper then you will want an insurance policy that offers a suitable level of cover to protect your vehicle in case the worst occurs. However, there are many differences between insuring a camper van and taking out regular
van insurance.
Here we take a look at some of the key considerations when insuring a camper van.
What is camper van insurance?
Camper vans generally come under the heading of motorhome insurance – some insurers are willing to insure all types of motorhomes, from micros and van conversions to camper vans and American RVs; while others are more selective about the types of vehicles they will insure.
Generally, there are three levels of cover available with camper van insurance:
Third party only: Covers liability for injuries to others and damage to their property.
Third party, fire and theft: Third party cover plus cover for your camper van against fire damage, theft and damage caused during an attempted theft.
Comprehensive cover: All of the cover incorporated in a third party, fire and theft policy plus extra cover to insure your VW Camper against at-fault damage.
Depending on the policy you take out, and policy exclusions, a comprehensive motorhome insurance policy may also include additional options either as standard or as ‘optional extras’,
for which you pay an additional premium. Some of the options to look out for include: European cover, for driving in the European Union; a courtesy car to keep you mobile while your
VW Camper is repaired; personal effects cover, for items taken from the camper van such as clothing and equipment; a ‘new for old’ replacement meaning you will receive a brand new
VW Camper in the event of a total loss, depending on the vehicle’s age.
What to look for from a policy
In addition to the standard levels of cover there are now a number of specialist insurers in the market that offer a variety of features designed for camper van owners. These include:
Agreed value cover: Most insurers will only pay out for the market value of your VW Camper in the event of a total loss or write-off. This could leave you seriously short-changed
if you have taken the time to care for your vehicle and ensure it is in pristine condition. That’s why some specialists offer agreed value cover, in which your camper van is assessed
at the outset and then its value is agreed on ensuring you are never left disappointed by the size of the payout you receive.
Contents cover: Cover for items such as awnings, gas bottles and personal effects.
Import Camper Van insurance: Specialist cover if you have bought your VW Camper from California, Japan, Mexico or elsewhere. Some specialists will also cover left-hand drive vehicles.
Insuring as a second vehicle: Some insurers will allow you to insure your VW Camper as a secondary vehicle on your policy if you are already insuring a vehicle with that company.
This should lead to a reduced premium – however, be sure that you’re receiving the same standard of cover for the second vehicle as you are receiving for the first. Also check to see how
the no-claims bonus will be affected – for example, if you have an accident in the first car, will your bonus for the second vehicle be affected?
Modified cover: In most cases your premiums would increase if you have modified your VW Camper because the modifications themselves add value to the van.
However, with some specialist insurers you can find like-for-like cover for modifications.
In addition, there may be a number of features designed to save you money, including:
Agreed mileage discounts: Most VW Camper owners use a car for their standard run-arounds and so may be able to save money by agreeing to a limited mileage.
Mirrored bonuses: If you can prove you have a no-claims bonus with another vehicle then this may be reflected on your VW Camper insurance policy – check to
see if you can benefit from this saving.
Owners’ or manufacturers’ discounts: Many specialist insurers believe that members of owners’ and manufacturers’ clubs are more likely to take care of their
vehicles and therefore offer them discounts.
How to save money on camper van insurance
There are several ways to save money on camper van insurance including:
Boost security: Fitting alarm or immobiliser systems may lead to savings, while storing your VW Camper in a locked garage overnight can also help you save.
Increase voluntary excess: The excess is the amount you pay towards an insurance claim. Raising your voluntary excess could lower your premiums.
Reverse camera or sensor discount: Many insurers offer discounts if you fit a reversing camera or sensor.
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