9 Ways to Lower Your Van Life Insurance Costs

In this guide we share nine simple things you can do to keep your van life insurance costs down, without compromising on cover.

From choosing the right van and parking in the right places to boosting your van’s security, there are many things you can do to help minimise your insurance costs.

The most effective way to reduce your costs is to apply as many of these steps as possible, maximising your potential savings so you can enjoy your van life adventure with a fuller wallet.

Van life insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. We’ve been insuring campervan owners since 1998, so we know just how to get you a great deal on your vanlife insurance policy.

Whether you’re living in your van full time, or using it for extended road trips, we’ve got you covered. Give our team of experts a call on 01256 44 45 46 to find out more today!

How can I reduce van life insurance costs?

Vanlife insurance can be surprisingly affordable – especially if you take the right steps to help keep costs down, including:

1. Choosing the right campervan

Some vans are more favourable than others in the eyes of insurers. While it’s important to choose a van that suits your lifestyle, if you can also pick a solid model with a good reputation for reliability, your premiums will no doubt be cheaper than high-performance, unpredictable alternatives.

The availability of parts, the van’s age, mileage, base value, and security features are also taken into account by insurance providers. If you have a reasonably priced model, parts are easy to source, and it has plenty of effective security features, you’ll be well on your way to saving money on your insurance cover.

How does this save money?

• Reduces theft risk – If your camper base is a regular van and it’s fitted with effective security features, it’s less of a target for opportunistic thieves. This lowers the risk level for insurers and consequently brings down the cost of your cover.
• Repairs cost less – If your van is involved in an incident, it may need replacement parts. But if they’re not readily available, they can be much more expensive to source, which in turn increases your insurance costs.
• Insurers favour vehicles they are familiar with – Insurance providers know what to expect from common vans. Parts are widely available, and they are aware of the common issues that could arise. Whereas, a more unique or high-performance vehicle can be considered unpredictable, increasing the perceived risk level and therefore the premiums.

Top tip: If you haven’t bought a van yet, you can check insurance quotes before you buy to see the price difference between various models.

You can click here to get an online quote now from Just Kampers Insurance, or give our friendly team of experts a call on 01256 44 45 46.

2. Be transparent with your insurer

Misrepresenting how you use your vehicle, either intentionally or by accident, is a surefire way to invalidate your insurance policy. For example, if you tell your insurer that you only use your campervan on the occasional weekend, but actually live in it full time, your claim could be refused – leaving you with a big bill.

The good news is that full-time vanlife insurance policies are available here at Just Kampers Insurance, and they’re far more affordable than you might expect, so there’s really no need to mislead your insurer.

Get a quick quote online or call our friendly team on 01256 44 45 46 to find out more about tailored van life insurance from Just Kampers Insurance.

Why is transparency so important?

• When your insurer has the full picture, they can tailor your policy to suit you and your specific vehicle. This ensures you’re fully covered on the road and gives you peace of mind if something goes wrong.
• An accurate, tailored policy also means you’re more likely to have a claim accepted in the event of an incident, helping to minimise complications and ensure you’re not left out of pocket.

3. Increase your voluntary excess

It’s also possible to reduce your insurance premium by increasing your voluntary excess. This is the amount that you pay if you make a claim.

Just make sure you keep it realistic, so you can actually afford the excess you’ve stated if something happens.

4. Improve your van’s security

Vans and campervans are often prime targets for theft. Taking extra security measures can drastically lower the risk of theft or damage, which is something insurers will view favourably.

This reduced risk can translate to cheaper premiums, and give you peace of mind on the road. It’s a win-win.

Popular security upgrades include:

• Thatcham-approved alarms
• Steering wheel locks
• GPS trackers
• Pedal locks

For more details and top tips on campervan security, read our separate blog: How Security Features Can Lower Your Van Life Insurance Premium

5. Reduce your annual mileage

It’s easy for vanlifers to miscalculate their mileage, with many anticipating they will drive more than they really do.

The more miles you drive, the higher the risk of an accident, and the higher your insurance costs tend to be. So, if you drastically overestimate your mileage, you could end up paying more than you need to.

Try tracking your mileage to get the most accurate estimate, and if your driving habits change, you can always contact your insurer and update your policy.

6. Choose a specialist insurance provider

When buying van life insurance, it’s essential to use a specialist insurer who understands the ins and outs of campervan conversions, and all the unique requirements that come with living in a van full time. That way, you won’t be overcharged and you’ll be properly protected if anything goes wrong. 

At Just Kampers Insurance, we’ve been providing tailored cover for campervan owners since 1998, and with many of us owning campervans ourselves, we truly understand exactly what you need.

That’s why we offer a dedicated vanlife insurance policy, starting from just £275 a year – and we’ll insure you even if you don’t have a fixed address!

We also offer agreed value cover, modifications cover, contents cover, and much more, so you can hit the road with confidence.

Call us on 01256 44 45 46 and secure your tailored policy today!

7. Pay annually instead of monthly

Paying monthly can be convenient, but spreading the payments like this typically costs you more in the long run. So, if you can pay annually, it’s a good way to save yourself some money. Plus, it’s one less monthly bill to worry about.

8. Bundle insurance where possible

You’ll often find that your vehicle insurance cover is cheaper (and simpler) if you get everything together in one place.

For example, you might want to combine your van life insurance with contents cover and breakdown cover for extra protection on the road.

Plus, if you have more than one vehicle, it makes sense to go for multi-car cover, giving you discounts of up to 65% off additional policies!

Call us on 01256 44 45 46 to find out more and get a van life insurance quote today. 

9. Park your camper in the right place

Where you park your campervan overnight can also affect your insurance prices. Secure driveways and recognised campsites are generally considered safer than parking on the road, which in turn may help lower your costs.

So, if you have the option to park off the road, somewhere a bit more secure and sheltered, it’s definitely worth doing.

Summary

Vanlife insurance doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a tailored policy from an experienced insurer, some extra security measures, and a few simple habits, you can keep your premiums right down. And the more you save on your insurance, the more you can spend on your van life adventures!

For more information or a quick no-obligation quote, call us on 01256 44 45 46.