Just sold my caravan ,for a1994 Toyota hi ace import ,
when trying to get the insurance on it ,they ask what company did the conversion ,IT was a factory built camper by Toyota in Japan ,cannot get a quote until I say who did the conversion ,has anyone experience this ,when trying to get a quote ,I don't have a company that converted it ,other than it states Toyota built from new,
any info would be appreciated ,
Toyota only manufactured the basic van along with all the others on the production line which then leave the factory and proceed to a Toyota dealer. A camper conversion company then buys the vehicle from the dealer, fits all the extra windows and undertakes a full conversion which is sometimes specifically custom built. However, the van has to be registered and certified that the vehicle has been modified which in turn should be logged with the DVLA records and should also be confirmed on your V5C document (log book). When the conversion was fully completed, the modified vehicle should have been officially inspected to ensure the vehicle was safe and roadworthy (especially if the roof was cut out to install a pop up top) to which a detailed certificate should have been granted. The DVLA should have records to identify it's taxation class and for also insurance purposes too.
It is this specific document that any insurance company will be asking for to clarify that the vehicle was professionally converted by an authorised registered company and not by a bunch of inexperienced cowboys.
I would suggest that you contact the DVLA to see if they hold any records of the said conversion and to forward a copy to you for insurance purposes if they have. If they are unable to assist then the only option is to contact the insurance ombudsman and explain your dilemma and see if they can offer any advice.
try adrian flux, there are loads of jap import vans about and plenty of companys who will insure them, you just have to look a bit further than the norm,
Is it actually a camper van? Most grey imports came over as people carriers and any camper conversion was done in UK. Not all coversions are actually campervans as far as DVLA are concerned. If it's still a people carrier then insure it as that.
Thanks for all the info ,the log book was sent off to the DVLA for change of ownership ,the company I bought it from ,contacted them for the information the insurance company wanted ,converted by ,wheel home , after years of caravanning the camper is all new to me.
I assumed it was Toyota that converted them ,its virtual rust free ,and low mileage for its year,runs really well on test drive , looking forward to collecting it tomorrow, after its habitation and gas check,
the mrs has a new set curtains ready for it ,like kids with a new toy , role on tomorrow , thanks
------------- May the roof of your camper
never fall in ,and the couple inside ,never fall out,
When you said 'I assumed it was Toyota that converted them', it's no different to the modern day camper van whereby a basic steel van gets converted into a camper in exactly the same way by a professional company. Motorhomes however are similar except that they are coach built (the same as a caravan body) so companies such as Elddis and Swift will buy the basic cab and chassis (minus the standard seats) from Peugeot, Fiat and Ford etc. then fit the luxury front seats and build the living quarters to a specific design and layout to their own specification and then apply a model number.
Anyway, glad you got the insurance sorted so now you can look forward to enjoying your new camper.
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Topic: camper van insurance
