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.
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
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.
