Campervan Conversion Insurance: Protect Your Travels

Dec 27, 2025

Turning a van into a home-on-wheels is exciting—until insurance ruins the mood. With Campervan Conversion Kits fitted, things change fast. Short answer: you need campervan conversion insurance. Read on to learn insuring a campervan conversion, campervan conversions insurance, and how to insure a campervan conversion properly.

Choosing the Right Insurance for Your Conversion Stage

Campervan conversions aren’t all insured in the same way. Your insurance needs depend heavily on the stage your build is at.

Insurers assess risk based on whether the van is still being converted or fully completed. They also look at how the vehicle is being used and the value added so far. Understanding this makes it much easier to choose suitable cover.

White caravan with a grey awning set up on a green lakeside field, with a family relaxing and children cycling nearby.

Self-Build and ‘In-Conversion’ Cover for DIY Projects

If you’re converting a van yourself, standard van insurance is rarely enough. During the build stage, your vehicle sits in a grey area. It’s no longer a basic van, but not yet a finished campervan either.

Specialist in-conversion insurance is designed to cover this exact phase.

Protecting Your Build Progress, Raw Materials, and Specialist Tools

In-conversion cover can protect the work you’ve already completed. It may also cover raw materials, fitted components, and specialist tools stored in or used on the vehicle.

This prevents financial loss if something happens before the build is finished.

Why Standard Van Insurance Policies Often Fail During a Build

Most standard van policies do not cover undeclared modifications. They also tend to exclude part-finished interiors, tools, and custom fittings. If a conversion isn’t disclosed, insurers may reject claims entirely.

Fully Converted and Professional Build Insurance

Once your campervan is complete, your insurance needs change again. This applies whether the conversion was DIY or professionally built.

Specialist campervan insurance recognises that the vehicle is now both transport and living space.

Agreed Value vs. Market Value: Securing Your Full Investment

Agreed value policies insure your campervan for its true worth. This includes the cost of the conversion, not just the base vehicle.

It helps avoid being underpaid if the campervan is written off.

Coverage for High-Value Extras: Solar, Awnings, and Lithium Systems

Many conversions include valuable extras. These often include solar panels, awnings, bike racks, and lithium battery systems. Specialist insurance allows these items to be declared and properly covered.

White motorhome with a light grey awning set up outdoors, with a family relaxing and children playing beside the vehicle.

Navigating Legal Requirements and Safety Standards

In the UK, campervans must still meet standard road insurance requirements.

However, conversions introduce additional legal and safety considerations.

These can affect both cover availability and pricing.

DVLA Reclassification and ‘Motor Caravan’ Status in 2025

Some owners choose to reclassify their vehicle with the DVLA. This changes the body type to “motor caravan”. While helpful in some cases, it isn’t always required for insurance.

Internal Requirements: Fixed Beds, Hobs, and Storage Standards

DVLA guidance focuses on permanent internal features. These include fixed beds, cooking facilities, seating, and storage. Meeting these standards may support reclassification, but insurers don’t rely on this alone.

Why You Can Get Specialist Insurance Without a V5C Body Type Change

Many specialist insurers will cover converted campervans without a V5C change. What matters most is that all modifications are declared accurately.

This allows cover even if the vehicle is still listed as a panel van.

White campervan with a light grey awning set up in a green mountain field, with people relaxing beside the van.

Essential Safety Certifications and Risk Management

Safety documentation plays an important role in insurance decisions. It helps insurers assess risk and confirms the conversion meets expected standards.

The Role of Gas Safety (LPG) and Habitation Certificates

Gas, electrical, and habitation certificates show the campervan has been checked properly. These documents can support insurance applications and reduce future disputes.

Security Discounts: Thatcham Alarms, Trackers, and Storage Location

Approved alarms, trackers, and secure storage can lower insurance premiums. They also reduce risk and may improve the range of policies available.