Mk1 Bus Insurance

[Southerner]

Hi - I've not owned a transit yet but have the opportunity to buy a 1971 mk1 bus which is beautiful. However, I can't find anyone who will insure it. I've said i'll get seatbelts put in the back but the numerous brokers and underwriters have said its just too old. Its a SWB, 6 seats in the back, all forward facing but its a minibus and as soon as I mention minibus its a no go. Any advice would be apretiated. Thanks in advance, Andy.

[Luke]

do you intend to use it as a "bus"?
with my minibus (most seats removed - now only has 6) i told them this and they insured it as a van!
depends on the insureance company so arnt bothered some are have you tried the classic policys!!

Ps welcome to the forum!

[FredTransit]

I just stuck ours on the trader's insurance, it's not as hard as you think to get this. Ours is on a 'no premises' basis, and was quoted between £400-500 per person with no history (other vans are on a fleet commercial policy), covers us 3rd party on anything under 7.5 tons, any number of vehicles, and they are even aware of the film business part (this usually makes insurance companies run a mile!).

[Southerner]

Thanks for the quick response guys - it only has 6 seats in the back, I'd use it to ferry the family around only so would like to keep them. Couple of the brokers I tried said they'd checked their Classic contacts but I guess I can try some more - not familiar with the trader's insurance, I'll have a look at that as well - really want this van...

[FredTransit]

As far as the trader's insurance goes, you can even get part time, with no premises. Tell them it's a hobby and you will be dealing in classic cars/vans. There is usually no limit how many vehicles you can have, as long as they know about them, you can be insured in anything, so if you keep something for a couple of weeks (say before you break it) or borrow something, you are covered. It will be easier for you to get than us as you are not in the film biz!

One thing, about the MOT. Front facing seats have to have seat belts these days. I tested ours without, and the seats will only get put back in when on camera. For use as a bus with the family, you can either get after market seat belts (3-point) or fit later seats with integral seat belts. Both will pass the MOT.

[madmark]

is the van a nice green one by anychance?????????

[Southerner]

Thanks for the info Fred, the 3-point belt, is that shoulder or can I get away with lap belts? I understand I then have to get them tested but my local garage is fine with this. I've spoken to the DVLA and it seems pretty straight forward to re-register it as a van (currently 2 axle rigid body minibus) so this is probably the way to go, if I can do that then classic policy is very cheap. Yes Mark, it is a gorgeous green colour... I've not looked at it in person yet, but armed with this info I'll try this weekend (only up the road). I missed out on a LWB blue one three weeks ago which was pretty gutting but this SWB fella looks a bit smarter.

[FredTransit]

Here's another idea, I picked up a leaflet about it at a motor factors recently. It's motor trader's insurance you pay for monthly, when you need it. You can get a quote and pay for it online. Take a look here

[FredTransit]

I don't think that lap belts are legal any more, at least not for the rear passengers. This is why you see so many window vans about! I wouldn't worry too much about the registration, ours is still down as a minibus and if there are any questions asked, it's obvious what it originally was, you just took out the seats.

[Southerner]

Fred, that website is genius! I'll go with that while I send off the V5. Thanks again, Andy.

[FredTransit]

Result! I forgot all about it until I was looking through the web addresses I had visited for something else. I think I will put a post up just about that, might be of interest to other people.

[madmark]

andy i think i know the van you are looking at ,i had my eye on it but no room at the in! i havnt seen it in person though! good luck mate let us know how you get on ! .mark

[madvanman]

I don't think that lap belts are legal any more, at least not for the rear passengers. This is why you see so many window vans about! I wouldn't worry too much about the registration, ours is still down as a minibus and if there are any questions asked, it's obvious what it originally was, you just took out the seats.

I tried registering a crewbus as a van but they said it was an estate car after getting my 'transit estate' logbook back i kept getting pulled by the cops thinking that it was a ringer.

[ovlov]

Hi have you tried FOOTMAN JAMES they quoted me £178 fully comp for my mk1 tranny pick up

[FredTransit]

:shock: Hi have you tried FOOTMAN JAMES they quoted me £178 fully comp for my mk1 tranny pick up

Nice one! Are they classic insurers? The first four I tried said nothing bigger than car derived, so I gave up! Could you post a number?