Any benefits to registering Motorhome ?

[Two Showers]

After some time without a Transit, I've finally decided it's time I had another (I missed it so much). The idea for this one is to do a weekend van conversion. I only intend to stick sink, cooker, bed and loo in it. Don't want to add extra windows or anything. I've gleaned through as many posts as I can and haven't managed to clarify why I would have to re-register as a Camper van ?
If the van is externally a Transit, and internally a weekend van (but all removable), is there a benefit to re registering as a camper. Does it effect insurance if insured as just a Transit ?
Any help on this would be appreciated. I used to go to pubs with campsites and just sleep in the back of the van. So never bothered with searching for the correct legalities ! !

[btvanowner]

Cheaper insurance

[matt_bailey]

i have a connect in similar format that i insure with brentacre - got a great deal and they dont care if V5 is changed or not - they know all about the conversion. Im not sure where you stand if you need to claim on insurance and its a full camper inside without insurance knowing about it.

I need business insurance because of going to different places to work and no one will insure a camper to do that so i have to leave mine as a van.

[Two Showers]

Cheers, sorry my account had old email setting so I wasn't getting notifications. All sorted now. I think I may have to leave insurance as a van. I'm in a similar position and work at various locations.

[feef]

I'm in the process of converting my van, and the requirements to re-register it as a camper are that the bed/seating, cooker and table need to be permananet fixtures, although the table can fold down to allow the sleeping area to be expanded. I also believe that you would need extra windows.

Anecdotal evidence is that they are being far more picky on what qualifies as a camper van conversion and if it appears that the interior is removable, they'd probably not accept it.

I'll try and find the stuff I was reading and post some links here.

[redsee]

Old post I know, but I've searched around for an answer and can't find one.

I use my transit for business through the week. Is it illegal to sleep in the van at the weekend with the same business insurance? Does the business insurance cover this as social or domestic pleasure or should I be letting the insurance company know I sleep in this for a night or two occasionally ? The van has a sofa bed, portable gas cooker etc that we lift in and out as we need them, nothing is fixed down so nowhere near camper van status.

Thanks in advance

[bounce]

same question only have kitchen and toilet carry large sheets of ply and bed comes out for this when needed. any problem having kitchen in on van insurance????

[john kyte]

I use an old ambulance as camper----still registered as ambulance

I got caught in London emmission Zone recently and recieved warning not to go there again,,,but I think ALL motorcaravans ,no matter how old or whatever the emmisions are allowed in the LEZ

[Keef]

I use an old ambulance as camper----still registered as ambulance

I got caught in London emmission Zone recently and recieved warning not to go there again,,,but I think ALL motorcaravans ,no matter how old or whatever the emmisions are allowed in the LEZ

Info like that will get people who don't double check, fined!

Motorised caravans over 2.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight may need to take action depending on registration date.

[nicnod]

my wife is a manager for a large insurance company and deals in motor insurance

she told me that if you don't register your van as a campervan/motorhome ie modified and your involved in an accident your insurance company will pay out to the 3rd party but not to you
they will then cancel your insurance policy

when you try to get insurance again you will have to tick the box that says 'have you ever been refused insurance ? ' (it will be on the insurance database anyway so there's no way round it)

your insurance will either be massively expensive or no insurance company will touch you

you have to be 100 percent honest in insurance

[nicnod]

Old post I know, but I've searched around for an answer and can't find one.

I use my transit for business through the week. Is it illegal to sleep in the van at the weekend with the same business insurance? Does the business insurance cover this as social or domestic pleasure or should I be letting the insurance company know I sleep in this for a night or two occasionally ? The van has a sofa bed, portable gas cooker etc that we lift in and out as we need them, nothing is fixed down so nowhere near camper van status.

Thanks in advance

even if you have a mattress in the back and only use it for 1 night a week you must tell your insurance company , its modifying its use , your insurance could be rendered invalid\cancelled with all the nastiness that follows

be 100% honest with EXACTY what your using it for , sometimes adding things like sleeping overnight on a mattress actually lowers your premium surprisingly

my wife is high up in a large motor insurance company , I asked her this very question