Category: Insurance Benefits

Campervan Conversion Insurance - Just Kampers Insurance

Campervan Conversions, Implications for Insurance

Posted on | by Jason Sims

So, you’ve purchased a bog-standard panel van and are in the throes of preparing it for conversion or you’ve arranged for it to be professionally converted to suit your specific needs, whether it be for mountain biking trips, full-blown European holidays or just for camping at shows, festivals, and events.

It’s important to make sure that you tell your insurer about any changes that are made to ensure they are accounted for should the worst happen. Don’t worry though, Just Kampers Insurance is precisely set up to accommodate your specific campervan conversion insurance requirements.

Anyone who’s worked on a van conversion will likely be very protective over their hard work. At Just Kampers Insurance, we appreciate the beauty that is a camper conversion project and are well aware that no two converted vans are the same. That’s why we take time to consider all the features and modifications of every campervan we insure so that we offer the right cover to keep it protected.

Look at our blog on how much a campervan conversion costs.

Here are some considerations you should make before insuring your camper.

Converted Camper Interior

Campervan conversions and the implications for insurance.

Anything that changes how your vehicle drives or looks can be classed as a modification and this includes making changes to the interior of your vehicle.

Adding items such as a rock and roll bed, pop top, insulation, leisure battery, captains’ seats, additional windows, a gas stove and kitchen fittings are all fairly “standard” parts of a camper conversion but are also all classed as modifications, so you need to ensure you find an insurer that understands and accepts this.

Cover for certain high-risk modifications that even many specialist camper van conversion companies may not be able to accept such as log burners, can also be arranged (although may incur additional terms such as the requirement for a fire extinguisher or a higher excess for Fire).

Insuring a campervan conversion.

Some insurance companies will have strict criteria as to what constitutes a Campervan Conversion and indeed, even the DVLA have fixed criteria that must be met for them to recognise it as a conversion but Just Kampers Insurance are still able to cover your conversion, even if it doesn’t meet all the DVLA criteria to get the logbook changed.

Campervan Conversion Insurance – Peace of mind with Just Kampers Insurance

Just Kampers Insurance can cover professional, custom, or self-build conversions and have policies that can cater to camper conversions of any age or size and even Micro Campers converted from large cars or people carriers. We are also able to provide cover during the conversion, so you are still free to travel or go camping even while the van is not fully converted.

When you speak to the Just Kampers Insurance team you’ll get bespoke quotes, tailor-made to your individual conversion, so you don’t have to worry about not being covered properly. Whether you drive a professionally converted coach-built Camper or a DIY converted commercial vehicle we can arrange a policy to accommodate it.

Converted Camper Interior

List of modifications we cover

We know how hard it can be to find fair insurance for modified vans, so we take the time to put together the right policy which means you don’t need to compromise on coverage or price. The modifications we insure include the following:

• Cosmetic changes including spoilers and body kits
• Racking, storage, and interiors
• Adding or removing seats
• Adding or removing windows
• Adding different power supplies, split charge & 240v hook up
• Non-standard alloy wheels
• Audio or entertainment upgrades
• Refrigeration
• Suspension modifications Lowering / Air-ride setups / adjustable ride height.
• Facelift upgrades
• Engine power upgrades / Remapping
• Non-standard engine replacements
• Paint / Graphics / Body wraps
• Cooking / gas / sink installations

Speak to the Just Kampers Insurance team to learn more about our modification cover.

When you insure your campervan conversion you automatically receive the following benefits.

Our range of Policy Benefits mean that you can enjoy your travels with peace of mind.

• 10% Off parts, accessories, and camping equipment from our sister company Just Kampers for the duration of your policy.
• Limited mileage discount
• EU driving cover
• Salvage Retention
• Modification Cover
• Legal protection upto £100,000
• Personal Protection

And because everyone is different we’ve created a range of optional policy benefits so that you can shape your insurance exactly the way you want.

You can rely on Just Kampers Insurance to put the right policy in place for your camper conversion, regardless of its age and model type.

But don’t just take our word for it, our customers rate us as excellent on Trustpilot.

Converted VW T5.1 Camper
Converted VW T5.1 Camper

So, give us a call on 01256 674522 and let one of our specialist team discuss your requirements. Or Get an online quote today or arrange a call back and let us call you at a convenient time.

Campervan at the side of the read - Jut Kampers Insurance

More About Camper Breakdown Cover from Just Kampers Insurance

Posted on | by Jason Sims

Breakdown cover for your campervan or motorhome is just a phone call away if you’re insured with Just Kampers Insurance.

Whether you’re heading to a show in your VW T2 Splitscreen, or setting off on an epic camping adventure in a modern motorhome, you’ll always wonder ‘what happens if I break down?’.

It’s a nagging worry we’ve all experienced in our campers, so we’ve put together our Camper Breakdown Cover package as an optional extra for insurance policies.

What does Camper Breakdown Cover include?

If you’ve added breakdown cover to the insurance policy for your campervan or motorhome, you can hit the road knowing we’ve got you covered.

You’ll get roadside assistance, recovery, and home-start in the UK and Europe, with a network of 1,800 recovery specialists, so there’ll always be someone to help you.

Our Camper Breakdown Cover helpline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you can always reach out for help, no matter where or when you need us.

Camper Breakdown Cover from Just Kampers Insurance covers the vehicle itself, not just the person who took out the insurance policy, which means you don’t have to be with the vehicle to recover it. This is different to a lot of other breakdown cover policies, which could leave your friends or family stranded if they’re borrowing your motorhome or camper.

How much does Camper Breakdown Cover cost?

Prices for our Camper Breakdown Cover start at just £90 a year, which is about 25p per day – a small price to pay for knowing that if the worst should happen, help will be with you and your campervan anytime, anywhere.

We also offer breakdown cover for cars starting at £42 per year, and vans from £47 per year. No one should be worried about getting stranded on the roadside or stressed out because they can’t get their vehicle to start in the morning, which is why we’ve worked so hard to offer excellent breakdown cover at really affordable prices.

How do I add Camper Breakdown Cover to my insurance policy?

It’s quick and easy to get Campervan Breakdown Cover added to your insurance policy if you’re taking out a new plan with Just Kampers Insurance or renewing an existing one.

Just ask our team of friendly experts while you’re on the phone to them, and they’ll talk you through how much it will cost to add it to your vehicle insurance policy.

Alternatively, you can get Camper Breakdown Cover as a standalone service from Just Kampers Insurance, if you just want to take advantage of the great price, but your vehicle is already insured elsewhere.

Click Here to speak to the Just Kampers Insurance team

T2 Bay Window at the side of the road -Just Kampers Insurance

How much could Just Kampers Insurance’s Camper Breakdown Cover save me?

Our Campervan Breakdown Cover starts from just £90 per year for a camper or motorhome, which works out to about 25p a day.

If you don’t already have breakdown cover, it can cost you £65 or more to hire a recovery vehicle, which rises to £75 or more after 6pm and on weekends. On bank holidays, it’s even more expensive, with the cost being £80 to £100.

Considering a lot of people use their campers most at weekends and bank holidays, the price of getting Camper Breakdown Cover for a year could be less than hiring one recovery vehicle.

You can also be charged around £1.50 per mile by the garage which is recovering you, which you won’t have to worry about if you’ve got Camper Breakdown Cover.

We want people to feel empowered to get out there and enjoy their campers, whether they’ve got a classic VW or a modern campervan conversion, so we’ve designed our Camper Breakdown Cover to be affordable and cover any eventuality, at any time, on any day, in any location. It’s just one less thing to think about before you head off on an adventure!

Click here for more information about Camper Breakdown Cover from Just Kampers Insurance.

Just Kampers Vancake On a Trailer

Want to know more?

If you want to know more about getting Campervan Breakdown cover for your vehicle, get in touch with our Just Kampers Insurance team. Give us a call on 01256 444546 or click here to contact us.

All about Laid Up Cover with Just Kampers Insurance

Posted on | by Jason Sims

With many people taking their classic VWs off the road for the winter, we thought it was time to explain more about the laid up insurance cover available from Just Kampers Insurance.

Whether you’re working on or restoring your vehicle over the course of a few months, you’re not driving it while campsites are closed during the off-season, or you just don’t fancy driving your camper during the winter, Just Kampers Insurance has specialist insurance policies to keep your pride and joy protected even when it’s not on the road.

What is laid up insurance?

Simply put, laid up insurance covers a vehicle whilst it’s kept off the road, but does not include any cover for road use.

There are three different levels of laid up cover available from Just Kampers Insurance, which are:
• Accidental damage, and fire,
• Accidental damage, fire, and theft,
• Fire, and theft

This cover applies when the vehicle is kept at your home address, or on a driveway, garage, or during transport in a locked vehicle or secured trailer.

Your vehicle won’t be covered for use on the roads if it has laid up insurance, but it will be covered if driven for track days, race events, or to MOTs and IVA tests.

How much it costs

There are different levels of excess, depending on the value of the vehicle. The prices below will give you a good indication of what a laid-up insurance policy will cost, but for more accurate information it’s best to give the Just Kampers Insurance team a call on 01256 444546.

A 55-year-old with a £20,000 VW T2 Bay and Fire & Theft Cover: £118.20

A 40-year-old with a Modified 1992 Golf GTI and Accidental damage, Fire and Theft cover: £109.47

A 30-year-old with a standard 2000 Toyota MR2 and Accidental damage, Fire and Theft cover: £91.22

Who can apply?

Laid up insurance from Just Kampers Insurance is available to anyone aged 21 years or older. Any motorised vehicle, whether it’s complete or in build, can be insured with a laid up policy from Just Kampers Insurance, whether or not it’s DVLA registered. 

A VW T2 Bay Window laid up in a garage

How do you add it

A quick call to the Just Kampers Insurance team on 01256 444546 is all you’ll need to get set up with laid up cover – it doesn’t take long, and our friendly team will be able to go over the details with you to ensure you’re properly covered. 

How long can your vehicle be laid up for?

There’s no set time limit for how long you can have your vehicle on a laid-up insurance policy, you can be laid up for weeks, months or even years.

How do you tell the insurer you’re back on the road?

Just give our Just Kampers Insurance team a call on 01256 444546 and let them know that you’re back on the road, and we’ll be able to talk through ending your laid up cover and getting you competitive, tailored cover to protect your camper, car or other vehicle while you’re on the road.

Want to know more?

If you want to know more about getting laid up cover for your vehicle, get in touch with our Just Kampers Insurance team. Give us a call on 01256 444546 or click here to contact us.

Campervan and Motorhome Vehicle Tax (VED) – Road Tax Guide

Posted on | by Jason Sims

VED or vehicle tax can be a confusing topic, especially for future campervan owners. We’ve broken down everything you need to know, and how much you can expect to pay. Read on to find out.

In the campervan or motorhome buying process, one of the biggest annual costs to consider is your road tax (now called Vehicle Excise Duty or VED). For vehicles registered before 2020, getting the VED costs for your campervan or motorhome can be confusing and stressful.

For those not buying new registrations, road tax, or VED, is still a confusing topic as it largely depends on a number of factors.

As both campervan owners and specialist insurers of all campervans, we’ve gone through this process so many times, and wanted to help others through the same process, as we know how confusing it can be.

Road Tax or VED?

First things first, a clarification. VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) is the official name for road tax. VED is also called vehicle tax or car tax, and the government has now taken to using vehicle tax to make it as simple as possible to understand, as it’s a tax on owning a vehicle, not on using the roads.

Vehicle Tax (VED) for Campervans and Motorhomes Explained

In the eyes of the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), campervans and motorhomes are the same thing, so they don’t differentiate.

When your campervan was registered and/or its weight will affect the amount of vehicle tax you pay, and the method used to calculate it.

Campervans/Motorhomes Over 40 Years Old

If your campervan was built or registered over 40 years ago, then you don’t have to pay vehicle tax. You have to register as if you were going to pay tax, but you won’t be charged as long as you apply for a tax exemption.

The calculation is done from April every year, so in 2023, vehicles built or registered before 1st January 1982 could apply for a tax exemption from 1st April 2023.

Campervans Registered Before 1st March 2001

For campervans less than 40 years old, but registered before 1st March, 2001, it depends on your gross (also called maximum or revenue) vehicle weight and engine. Campervans weighing under 3,500kg were classed as light goods vehicle, and so were taxed as such.

If your campervan weighs under 3,500kg and has an engine size under 1549cc, then you will be charged £180 per year, and if the engine size is over 1549cc, then you will be charged £295 a year.

Those weighing over 3,500kg will have to check with the manufacturer, as the government doesn’t currently provide information on this.

Campervans Registered from 1st March 2001 to 1st April 2017

If your campervan weighs under 3,500kg and has an engine size of under 1549cc, then you will be charged £180 per year, and if the engine size is over 1549cc, then you will be charged £295 a year.

If it’s over 3,500kg, you’ll pay £165 annually.

Euro 4 and Euro 5 Compliant Campervans

If your campervan is Euro 4 compliant and registered between 1st March 2003 and 31st December 2006 or Euro 5 compliant and registered between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2010, then you will pay £140 annually.

Campervans Registered Between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020

Now, this is where it gets confusing.

If your motorhome or campervan was registered between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020, it is in the M1SP category (check with your manufacturer or dealer if unsure) and has its CO2 emissions included on the type approval certificate then you will pay a different rate. Confusing right?

VED or vehicle tax can be a confusing topic, especially for future campervan owners. We’ve broken down everything you need to know, and how much you can expect to pay. Read on to find out.

In the campervan or motorhome buying process, one of the biggest annual costs to consider is your road tax (now called Vehicle Excise Duty or VED). Up until new vehicles from 2020, getting your VED cost on your campervan or motorhome was quite frankly, confusing and stressful.

And for those not buying new registrations, road tax, or VED, is still a confusing topic as it largely depends on a number of factors.

As both campervan owners and specialist insurers of all campervans, we’ve gone through this process so many times, and wanted to help others through the same process, as we know how confusing it can be.

Road Tax or VED?

First things first, a clarification. VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) is the official name for road tax. VED is also called vehicle tax or car tax, and the government has now taken to using vehicle tax to make it as simple as possible to understand, as it’s a tax on owning a vehicle, not on using the roads.

Vehicle Tax (VED) for Campervans and Motorhomes Explained

In the eyes of the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), campervans and motorhomes are the same thing, so they don’t differentiate.

Depending on when your campervan was registered and/or its weight will affect the amount of vehicle tax you pay, and the method used to calculate it.

Campervans/Motorhomes Over 40 Years Old

If your campervan was built or registered over 40 years ago, then you don’t have to pay vehicle tax. You have to register as if you were going to pay tax, but you won’t be charged as long as you apply for a tax exemption.

The calculation is done from April every year, so in 2022, vehicles built or registered before 1st January 1982 could apply for a tax exemption from the 1st of April 2022.

Campervans Registered Before 1st March 2001

For campervans less than 40 years old, but registered before 1st March, 2001, it depends on your gross (also called maximum or revenue) vehicle weight and engine. Campervans weighing under 3,500kg were classed as light goods vehicle, and so were taxed as such.

If your campervan weighs under 3,500kg and has an engine size of under 1549cc, then you will be charged £180 per year, and if the engine size is over 1549cc, then you will be charged £295 a year.

Those weighing over 3,500kg will have to check with the manufacturer, as the government doesn’t currently provide information on this.

Campervans Registered from 1st March 2001 to 1st April 2017

If your campervan weighs under 3,500kg and has an engine size of under 1549cc, then you will be charged £180 per year, and if the engine size is over 1549cc, then you will be charged £295 a year.

If it’s over 3,500kg, you’ll pay £165 annually.

Euro 4 and Euro 5 Compliant Campervans

If your campervan is Euro 4 and registered between 1st March 2003 and 31st December 2006 or Euro 5 compliant and registered between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2010, then you will pay £140 annually.

Campervans Registered Between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020

Now, this is where it gets confusing.

If your motorhome or campervan was registered between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020, it is in the M1SP category (check with your manufacturer or dealer if unsure) and has its CO2 emissions included on the type approval certificate then you will pay a different rate. Confusing right?

If your motorhome or campervan was registered between 1st April 2017 and 11th March 2020, it is in the M1SP category (check with your manufacturer or dealer if unsure) and has its CO2 emissions included on the type approval certificate then you will pay a different rate. Confusing right?

If all of the above apply, you’ll pay as if you were a car, hence why you need the emissions certificate.

M1SP category

So, if you have a campervan that meets the above criteria, then you will pay the second payment of £165 annually, or if your list price was above £40,000 then you’ll pay £520 annually for the first five years, starting from the second year you pay tax. After that, it will go down to the second tax payment cost.

Otherwise, you pay the standard motorhome charge, of either £180, £295 or £165.

Campervans Registered After 11th March 2020

Now, it’s much simpler.

It follows the standard motorhome charge scheme, which is as follows:

Under 3,500kg gross vehicle weight

Engine Size (cc) Single 12-month payment
Not over 1549 £180
Over 1549 £295

Over 3,500kg gross vehicle weight campervans pay an annual cost of £165.

Why Do Some M1SP Motorhomes Pay a Different VED?

This was all to do with a change in how new motorhomes were classified at registration. The laws at the time were changed to state that for the purpose of VED, motorhomes and campervans should fall into category M1SP (Special Purpose). This meant that the manufacturer(s) had to provide a Certificate of Conformity (COC) at each stage of the manufacturing process.

For cars, this was simple as they are all built by the same people in the same process.

However, for campervan and motorhome manufacturers, this is trickier, as they are manufactured at different stages by different people. The chassis may be done in one place, the exterior build at another and final interior changes completed elsewhere. This meant that the Certificate of Conformity (COC) provided to the DVLA often had no CO2 figures on, as only the last manufacturer’s COC was considered for the purposes of VED.

So, if the last manufacturer’s COC had no emissions data on, the motorhome was classified as a motorhome, and taxed using the private light (or heavy) goods vehicle cost. For those that had a CO2 figure on their emissions certificate, they were charged the first-year car cost, which could be up to £2,135.

This came into force for September 2019 due to EU law changing, but only lasted a short six and a half months thanks to lobbying from the National Caravan Council. Any new motorhomes or campervans registered between 1st September 2019 and 11th March 2020 did have to pay the increased first year tax costs. Motorhomes/campervans registered after March 2020 now pay the ‘van’ rate, which is what it was previously.

As shown above, campervans that meet the M1SP and have an emissions certificate now pay the second-year cost for cars, but any other campervans/motorhomes won’t.

Is road tax cheaper for a campervan?

Road tax for campervans and motorhomes is the same, so neither is cheaper than the other. And, as some campervans are taxed as cars, the cost is largely the same.

Do you pay road tax on a campervan?

Yes, you do pay road tax on campervans and motorhomes, although they are classified as light goods vehicles rather than cars. They will either be class TC11 (Private or Light Goods) or class TC10 (Private Heavy Goods).

Don’t Forget Insurance When You Tax Your Vehicle

Just Kampers Insurance provides specialist campervan insurance for campervan owners, by campervan owners.

We remain competitive, and if we can’t beat your quote, we’ll give you a £50 Just Kampers gift card. Why not see how we can help you today?

Agreed Value from Just Kampers Insurance 

Posted on | by Jason Sims

No one wants to think about their pride and joy being written off for any reason, especially if it’s a classic car or modified vehicle that you’ve poured time, money and love into.

Still, “hope for the best and prepare for the worst”, as they say. If the worst should happen to your cherished classic or camper, an Agreed Value policy from Just Kampers Insurance will ensure that your vehicle is covered to the correct value accurately reflecting its worth.

How does Agreed Value work?

The team at Just Kampers Insurance can arrange an Agreed Value policy to cover your classic vehicle, modified vehicle or modern vehicle, if it’s at least two years old.

It’s well worth considering this addition to your vehicle insurance policy if you believe that the listed market value might not reflect the actual value for your specific vehicle. Maybe you’ve recently restored it, you’ve installed modifications or upgrades, or you just feel the industry market value isn’t a proper reflection of what you could sell your vehicle for.

Once you’ve completed the steps required to secure an Agreed Value policy, it will carry a sum assured, or amount payable, in the event of total or partial misfortune. Because of this, it’s vital to accurately provide details and evidence of your vehicle to ensure the policy protects its true value.

To secure an Agreed Value policy, you’ll need to supply a range of photos of your vehicle, including any modifications or upgrades, as well as receipts for cost of the parts and labour involved.

This might be for modification work, a full restoration, or just a few upgrades. These photos and documents are to ensure accuracy in selecting the sum assured against modified parts, or model type, that brings value to your classic or modified vehicle.

As your vehicle is likely unique, it’s important to ensure your policy recognises its full worth.

What information will I need to supply?

Photographs of your vehicle
Insurers will specify the kinds of photos they need, and the shots necessary to evaluate your vehicle’s true value – this may involve pictures of the interior, exterior, engine, and any modifications.

Copies of bills and invoices
You’ll also be asked for bills of recent or existing work: It’s essential to support the value of your vehicle through authentic receipts of work that directly express the worth of labour and parts. This will also help to indicate the kind of unique works that have been applied to your vehicle.

An independent evaluation from an accredited expert
An optional step, to ensure that the agreed value is as accurate as possible, is a paid inspection that captures, beyond photography, the worth of your vehicle – from an independent, accredited expert.

Agreed Value insurance summed up:
Unlike traditional policies, Agreed Value is mostly for classic campers or modified ones. These policies are typically harder to find because they are designed to protect campers or cars above the average marketplace value. Your policy will carry a sum assured, or amount payable, in the event of total or partial misfortune. It’s important to accurately provide details and evidence of your vehicle to ensure the policy protects its true value.

Who are Just Kampers Insurance?

Just Kampers Insurance was set up with the VW enthusiast in mind and has been providing tailored insurance policies for classic VWs and daily drivers for over twenty years.

We don’t just insure campervans, but it’s certainly our speciality.

Click here to find out more about Just Kampers Insurance.

You’ll save 10% on orders from JK if you’ve got a Just Kampers Insurance policy:

Insure your vehicle with Just Kampers Insurance and we’ll give you a 10% discount on every order* you place with us throughout the duration of your policy.

*Excludes ‘Special Order’ items & gift cards. Discounted amount is a 10% reduction in the products retail price. You will automatically be unenrolled once your insurance policy expires or you cancel it. Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

Click here to find out more about saving 10% off your orders with Just Kampers Insurance.

The Just Kampers Insurance £50 price promise:

We’re so sure we can offer you a really competitive price on insuring your precious VW that we’ll give you £50 Just Kampers Gift Voucher if we can’t beat your current quote.

Click here to find out more about our £50 price promise.

If you would like to talk to the team about an Agreed Value policy please call 01256 976165 or click on Get a Quote for an instant online quotation or use our web call back service.