Confused First Timer

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blackheart

Member
I have recently bought a t5.1 shuttle. I want to use it for fun on the weekend. Taking the dog out and my bike. Going on some fair weather outings local overnight trips where I could put a temporary bed in it. Right away I do not want to do any camper mods no electrics or kitchen or poptop. I want to get used to driving it and live with it for a while before I decide what or if I need it converted to a camper.

With that in mind I contacted my current insurance and even though it says m1 diesel car on the logbook they tell me it has to be insured as a commercial vehicle and they could not do it. I'm confused is this correct?
 
I was the complete opposite to you as this was my first transporter and it was a shuttle ,I just assumed it was a van and tried to get commercial insurance and was told that it wasn't a commercial vehicle so I there for got normal car insurance ,and as you said it's classed as M1 so definitely not a commercial vehicle
 
Thanks St4n99, It's so confusing and it took them 3 days before they got back to me. I thought it would be straightforward silly me eh. So the search continues I will have to ring a few more places and see what they say. By the way I'm based in NI so if any locals have advice who would be good to go for let me know.

Also is it ok to occasionally sleep in the van or is that something I should ask insurers? I just assumed as long as it's a temporary inflatible bed thing then i would not have to?
 
Best bet is to phone around...each insurer will have their own ideas as to how it should be insured. Personally as you don't plan to camper convert, I wouldn't mention the occasional seeping in it....it will only flag another variable they wont have on their system! i just wouldn't recommend cooking etc in it...should it go up in smoke, i suspect the insurer wouldn't want to pay up!
 
Well before I got my bus , I was using my car to go hill walking and sometimes I would leave after a back shift and when I got there I would get a good few hours kip before the climb and honestly didn't think I would have to mention it but mibi you are better asking an insurance company just incase
 
Thanks sparkzer & st4n99
I am going to ring around over the next few days.

I have no plans to cook in the shuttle probably just a morning coffee made under the shelter of the back door. Though I'm dreaming of having many a outdoor bbq in the summer. Where I will bring a tent ect to camp in properly.
 
I bought a LWB kombi back in December and had all sorts of problems trying to get insurance companies on board. My existing car policy (ended 6 months in...) wouldn't transfer over as they wouldn't touch commercial.
When I tried to get a commercial policy with another company they wouldn't cover me unless I took out a business policy....

Just ring around as they all seem to have their own criteria.
 
Like you guys are finding a lot of insurance companies see a commercial vehicle as simply that....commercial ...and don’t see that a growing band of people see it as a multifunctional utilitarian all purpose vehicle and may never carry any tools ....”A Plan” got Me good deal compared to others ( there are other specialist insurance companies) :thumbsup:
 
VanDamMan said:
Like you guys are finding a lot of insurance companies see a commercial vehicle as simply that....commercial ...and don’t see that a growing band of people see it as a multifunctional utilitarian all purpose vehicle and may never carry any tools ....”A Plan” got Me good deal compared to others ( there are other specialist insurance companies) :thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Thanks for the suggestion I will definitely try A Plan. Still not sorted will report back.
 
I found admiral multi car insurance to be very reasonable.

went from panel van to full camper with a list of mods and they were happy to insure and provide extra cover.
 
I actually went with Aviva in the end. Worth ringing or at least filling out online forms for all those mentioned here
 
best price i got was from Admiral £370 including £22 No Claim protection cover for me and the wife. 2016 van. cant wait for the lockdown to lift to get started on my mine will be a weekender conversion panel van. Brent were close but would recommend them for camper or modified vans.
 
Mud Digger said:
best price i got was from Admiral £370 including £22 No Claim protection cover for me and the wife. 2016 van. cant wait for the lockdown to lift to get started on my mine will be a weekender conversion panel van. Brent were close but would recommend them for camper or modified vans.
Click to expand...
That's a good price mine was 390 odd. Can't wait either my cover doesnt start till next week though I went with that 21 day window. My van hasn't moved off the drive as yet. I just keep looking out the window at it lol its very frustrating.
 
blackheart said:
That's a good price mine was 390 odd. Can't wait either my cover doesnt start till next week though I went with that 21 day window. My van hasn't moved off the drive as yet. I just keep looking out the window at it lol its very frustrating.
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week 6 for me on lockdown cant get the Van conversion started till i can get back to work i ll go and look for a short term rent on a barn near Gatwick if this goes on much longer need power and space just to take the bulk head out i dont think a single garage would be much use the down side of living in a block of flats
 
blackheart said:
I also purchased a vango hex hub to use for camping. So I'm all sorted when restrictions do get lifted.
Click to expand...
i had the same idea to use a tent rather than a awning bringing the door over the top of the van on ropes the down side is side draft and water ingress if its raining but hand clamps and magnets should close the gap
 
Mud Digger said:
i had the same idea to use a tent rather than a awning bringing the door over the top of the van on ropes the down side is side draft and water ingress if its raining but hand clamps and magnets should close the gap
Click to expand...
Yeah that would work. I would imagine if the weather's bad you can close up. Either be in the van or in the tent or down the pub
 
blackheart said:
I have recently bought a t5.1 shuttle. I want to use it for fun on the weekend. Taking the dog out and my bike. Going on some fair weather outings local overnight trips where I could put a temporary bed in it. Right away I do not want to do any camper mods no electrics or kitchen or poptop. I want to get used to driving it and live with it for a while before I decide what or if I need it converted to a camper.

With that in mind I contacted my current insurance and even though it says m1 diesel car on the logbook they tell me it has to be insured as a commercial vehicle and they could not do it. I'm confused is this correct?
Click to expand...

I've just changed from a car to camper with poptop. Used same insurance company (Admiral) but it now falls under commercial vehicle. No issues and £50 cheaper than insuring the car! Winner
 
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