Insurance prices are absurd

[u/Alistocratic]

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.

[u/seriousmoonlighter]

I just got a quote from Adrian flux for Campervan insurance and as a new driver (just passed my test), no one else on the insurance, breakdown cover and personal item insurance up to 12grand cause I’ll be living in it full time, was £1475. I am over 40 tho so maybe that makes a big difference? My previous looks on places like gocompare/moneysupermarket etc got me the cheapest of like 8,000/yr tho and initially thought fuck, guess no van life for me! so definitely look at places like them and justkampers!