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Campervans Insurance Van Insurance

Can I Run a Business From a Van?

Published 22 April 2026

If you’ve been thinking of running a business from your campervan while living in it full time, then this guide is for you. We’ll explore the possibilities of working from a van as a full-time vanlifer in the UK, and delve into the related insurance options.

An ever-growing number of people are choosing to swap traditional living arrangements for a more adventurous lifestyle on the road, living full time in their campervans. It’s only natural then that more people would be looking at running a business from their camper, too.

Whether you just want to use your vehicle to run your business while you work remotely, or your camper will be an essential part of your career, you’ll need to ensure you’re legally compliant and properly insured.

That’s where we come in. Just Kampers Insurance has been offering specialist vehicle insurance since 1998, and with dedicated van life insurance policies, our team of experts are here to help make sure you and your camper are properly covered.

Read on to find out whether you’ll be able to run a business from your campervan, and what you’ll need to do in order to do it successfully.

Am I allowed to run a business from my campervan?

Yes, you can run a business from your van in the UK, and many people do, but there are a few important things you’ll need to consider:

1. How can I register a business from a van?

As a full-time vanlifer, you can run a business from your van as a sole trader or a limited company. To begin with, you’ll need to register your business with a fixed address, which understandably seems tricky if you’re living on the road. But fortunately, there are a few ways around this.

You could use your solicitor’s or accountant’s address if they allow it (providing it meets the legal criteria), or you can use mail-forwarding services such as Boatmail or Ghostmail, which can provide a registered address and forward your post to you either physically or digitally. While these services usually come with a fee, they do offer an effective solution to the address problem, so many vanlifers find it worthwhile.

You can click here to read the official UK requirements for registering a business address.

There are many legal and administrative steps involved with running a business. These may vary depending on the nature of your work, so you’ll need to ensure that you’ve met all the criteria that applies to you.

For example, if your business involves you handling, storing, selling, or distributing food, you will need to follow a slightly different process which involves registering with your local authority. View the official guidance on registering a food business for the full details.

2. What insurance do I need to run a business from my van?

Regular vehicle insurance policies won’t cover business use. So, if you’re working from your van, whether you’re using it as an office, delivering goods, or running a mobile service, you’ll need a specialist policy from a knowledgeable insurer.

The exact type of policy you need depends on your individual business and circumstances, so it’s best to speak with one of our experts who can tailor your cover to ensure you’re properly protected.

Just make sure you declare ‘business use’ and make your provider aware of the type of business you’re running from your van, to avoid any future complications or claim refusals.

Here at Just Kampers Insurance, we have decades of experience offering tailored policies; from dedicated van life cover for those living in their campervans full time, to commercial van insurance for mobile businesses, and catering van insurance for those serving tasty snacks and beverages – and we know just how to get you the right cover at a great price.

Call us today on 01256 44 45 46 to find out more and get a quote in minutes.

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Why compromise on insuring your precious vehicle when we’ll give you £50* if we are not the cheapest.

3. How can I protect my belongings when living and working in a campervan?

As a vanlifer, you’ll no doubt have some valuable items and personal belongings in your campervan.

This is especially true when you’re working from your campervan, and are using things like computers, tablets, photography kit, and any other valuable equipment which is essential for you to do your job.

We highly recommend choosing contents cover and/or personal effects cover, to ensure everything is protected against fire, theft, or damage, and taking extra steps to ensure that your camper is kept as secure as possible.

You can do this by parking in secure, well-lit areas, and installing some additional security features such as alarms, wheel locks, pedal locks, trackers, and more.

Find out more about campervan security features on our other blog: How Security Features Can Lower Your Van Life Insurance Premium

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Summary

So yes, you can run a business from your van. But you’ll need to make sure you register your business correctly, follow all the requirements for your specific industry, and set up a tailored insurance policy that offers full protection for both living and working in the campervan.

Whether you’re a digital nomad, a remote worker, or a business owner, we’ve got you covered here at Just Kampers Insurance.

Key points to take away:

You will need a registered business address, even if you live in the van.
Choose tailored vehicle insurance from an experienced provider that covers both personal and professional use, to keep you properly protected on the road.
Be clear and specific with your insurer about how you use the van (including business use), so they can provide you with the right cover.
Protect your personal possessions and work equipment with add-ons like contents cover to protect against theft or damage.

At Just Kampers Insurance, our friendly team have years of experience providing bespoke policies. Simply tell us your needs, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Call us today on 01256 44 45 46 for a quick quote or more information.

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What Should I Do and Not Do if I Have an Accident? FAQs

Do I need to tell my insurer about an accident if I’m not making a claim?

Yes, you should still notify your insurer about the incident, even if you don’t intend to claim for damage to your own vehicle. Your policy may require you to report incidents which could potentially lead to a claim, particularly if another driver later decides to make a claim against you.
Reporting the accident promptly also ensures your insurer has a record of your version of events.

How quickly should I contact Just Kampers Insurance after an accident?

You should report an accident as soon as reasonably possible. Having your policy number, details of what happened, information about the other people and vehicles involved, photographs and any witness details to hand can help make the process easier. Just Kampers Insurance customers have access to a claims service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Will I have to pay my excess if the accident wasn’t my fault?

If you make a claim through your own insurance policy, your policy excess may still be payable initially. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may subsequently be able to recover this from the responsible party.

Your claims handler can explain what applies to your particular claim and whether your excess may be recoverable.

Can legal protection help if the accident wasn’t my fault?

Just Kampers Insurance policies include legal protection, which can provide assistance following a non-fault accident, subject to the policy terms, limits and exclusions.

This can include help pursuing eligible uninsured losses, such as an excess you have paid, as well as assistance with certain legal expenses, vehicle hire or claims relating to injuries and other losses.

Will I get a courtesy car while my vehicle is being repaired?

This will depend on your cover and how your claim is handled. If you make a claim under a comprehensive policy and use an approved repairer, a courtesy car may be available for the duration of the repairs, subject to availability.

Different arrangements may apply following a non-fault accident, so speak to your claims handler before arranging alternative transport yourself.

What happens if my campervan or motorhome is written off?

Your insurer will assess the vehicle and the terms of your policy before determining how the claim will be settled.

This is particularly important for classic, converted and specialist vehicles, where modifications and the vehicle’s specification can have a significant impact on its value. If your policy includes Agreed Value cover, check your policy documents to understand how this applies to a total-loss claim.

What if modifications to my campervan are damaged in the accident?

Make sure you tell your claims handler about damage to modifications and converted parts of the vehicle, rather than documenting only the exterior bodywork.

Photograph damaged pop-tops, awnings, furniture, fitted equipment and other converted elements where it is safe to do so. Keeping photographs and documentation relating to modifications before an accident can also help demonstrate your vehicle’s specification and condition.

Should I arrange my own garage to repair the vehicle?

Speak to your insurer or claims handler before authorising significant repairs. The insurer may need to inspect the vehicle, review photographs or agree repair costs before work begins.

This can be especially important with classic vehicles, campervans and motorhomes, where specialist components or conversion work may require particular expertise.

What should I do if the other driver’s insurer contacts me directly?

Don’t ignore correspondence about the accident, but avoid getting drawn into discussions about liability or agreeing a settlement without speaking to your insurer.

Just Kampers Insurance advises customers to forward third-party correspondence unanswered so it can be dealt with appropriately.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance or leaves the scene?

Gather as much information as you safely can, including the vehicle registration, make, model and colour, photographs or dashcam footage, and witness details.

Don’t attempt to chase a vehicle that leaves the scene. Report the incident to the police where required and contact your insurer promptly so they can advise you on the next steps.

Can I claim for belongings damaged inside my campervan or motorhome?

Whether damaged belongings are covered will depend on your individual policy and the cover you have selected.

If items inside your vehicle are damaged in an accident, photograph them and keep any evidence of ownership and value, such as receipts. Don’t dispose of damaged items until you have spoken to your claims handler.

What happens to my no-claims bonus after an accident?

The effect on your no-claims bonus will depend on factors including how the claim is recorded and the terms of your policy. Even where you have a protected no-claims bonus, a fault or pending claim may still affect future insurance premiums.

Check your policy documents or speak to the Just Kampers Insurance team if you’re unsure how a particular claim could affect your policy.

What information should I have ready when I report an accident?

It helps to have as much information as possible available, including your policy number, the date and location of the accident, details of the other driver and vehicle, photographs of the scene and damage, witness details, dashcam footage and any police reference number.

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything immediately. Report the incident promptly, and your claims handler can explain what additional information may be needed.

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Written by: Beth Cane

Beth is a Marketing Executive at Just Kampers, with a growing passion for the Volkswagen and motor industry. She loves road trip adventures and attending various motor shows with friends and family in her free time.