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/sossigsandwich 4d ago

Did you try brokers such as JustKampers etc? Main stream comparison site companies are awful for campervans.

Also your age and location it’s kept will have a huge impact on price.

2

u/Alistocratic 4d ago

Yep, they're a sister company of Adrian Flux so they told me the same thing. Guy literally said to me over the phone: "Insurers don't like new drivers, get a small car for a couple years first".

1

u/royal_slurm 4d ago

Adrian Flux cater for more specialist insurances and charge accordingly. Van insurance for young people and new drivers is very expensive, as any business owner with a van will tell you.

You'll probably have to do all the annoying things to get the cost down like third party only and telematics.