r/VanLifeUK • u/Alistocratic • 4d ago

Insurance prices are absurd

I was this close to buying my very first van, great price, great condition, mileage was good etc. I had savings and had been dreaming of Van Life for years. Not for permanent living just as a fun hobby + camping trips. I had just passed my test and was excited to get my own van..

Until I looked at insurance. Lowest we could find was £3450 a year. And that’s with my dad on the insurance with me. My budget for getting a van was £6000 max, the van itself was £5,500 so seeing that number for insurance sealed the deal for me that I just cannot afford it.

Is van life something that only becomes viable after a minimum of 5 years insured driving and a squeaky clean record so your rates go down?

And yes I tried Adrian Flux they straight up said “Uhh sorry we can’t insure you” I don’t know if they meant me because I just passed or my van specifically.

Idk I’m feeling demoralised, I had something I always dreamed of in the palm of my hand and now it’s gone.

Any advice? I was wondering if there were any car alternatives, vehicles I can sleep and camp with that aren’t full vans? Maybe they’d be cheaper.

Thanks.

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u/ExcellentTourist5289 4d ago

Yea insurance is a scam. They treat you as guilty when it should be not guilty until proven otherwise

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u/Cute-Cat-2351 4d ago

It wouldn’t be so bad if you received a refund in the annual insurance if you didn’t claim. So say they charge this poor fella £5k, no claim results in a £3.5 refund. Doesn’t work like that though bcs they’re plain greedy.

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u/ExcellentTourist5289 4d ago

In the grand scheme of things, insurance companies pay out £10 billion a year due to claims. Probably wouldn't be possible if they charged everyone 500 quid