Car/van conversion insurance problem

sean61

I just bought a van that had been converted from a car. Its down as a van in the log book, has a fresh doe and is taxed as a van. When I rang my insurance company to transfer over my policy, they said they won't cover it as its a conversion.

I have to try ringing around tomorrow but am I going to have a lot of difficulty getting cover? Previous owner didn't say it was converted from a car so I didn't realise I'd have any bother!!

Bpmull

Was it converted when new. Then it's fine what make model is it. The likes of golf vans come in new as cars and are converted by vw Ireland it's perfectly legit and they are then considered commercials. Some insurance companies get weird about insuring them but try the likes of allianz you should have no issue insuring it commercially assuming you have a business. I'm not sure how it works otherwise were you trying to transfer a car policy onto the van that could be the issue.

sean61

Bpmull wrote: »

Was it converted when new. Then it's fine what make model is it. The likes of golf vans come in new as cars and are converted by vw Ireland it's perfectly legit and they are then considered commercials. Some insurance companies get weird about insuring them but try the likes of alliainz you should have no issue insuring it commercially assuming you have a business. I'm not sure how it works otherwise were you trying to transfer a car policy onto the van that could be the issue.

It was converted recently I would say. Its a corolla and there are windows in the back. The seller said he had got a panel beater to put them in as they look better than the van panels. I checked the log book at this stage and it had it listed as a van somewhere (vehicle type maybe?). On cartell it's listed as a 3dr car and thats why the insurance company said their underwriters wouldn't insure it. Surely if it's DOE tested and taxed it shouldn't make much difference though?

The seller had insurance on it too. I'm sure of this because the disc is still on the windscreen. I think it's with aviva but they don't do van cover directly so I'll have to find a broker tomorrow and see if they will cover me. I don't have a business. I just needed a small van to carry tools and spares to bike trackdays

Bpmull

If it was only converted recently you could be in trouble although if he managed to get it changed on the logbook then the previous seller must of met the standards. I suppose all you can do is try another few insurance company's. I'd say maybe it's coming up on there systems as a car where as if it was converted when new then would be registered as a van with no problems.

sean61

Al I can do is try so. If I can't get cover I'm left with a very expensive pile of scrap metal because I can't exactly sell it on either!

Bpmull

sean61 wrote: »

Al I can do is try so. If I can't get cover I'm left with a very expensive pile of scrap metal because I can't exactly sell it on either!

Try and figure out the exact reason why there not covering you is it that they still have it down as a car. If you know the reason then you may be able to come up with a solution. But the fact it's down on the logbook as commercial means it must have met revenues standards and had an engineers report done.

Demonical

Getting private insurance on a commercially taxed car-van can be a right pain in the goolies. I had a car-van for years and had it insured most recently with Setanta until they went tits up. Had it insured with Quinn/Liberty before that. One tip I shall give you is when they ask your profession, you need to be in one that needs a van e.g. carpenter, electrician, mechanic etc. Retail assistant, scientist, unemployed, accountant, manager etc. will return a big fat "sorry, we can't insure you". Personally I dont know about the whole converted issue as mine was a car-van from word go. There are only a small number of insurance companies that will insure you also. Liberty,FBD, Aviva, I think do. Try a broker you might have better luck. I was recommended Britton insurance when Setanta collapsed but I never used them as I got rid of the car-van at that stage. I *think" most companies will insure you if its also privately taxed, though I could be wrong there.

bazz26

Or is it a case the OP's insurance company is refusing to transfer his existing passenger vehicle policy over to a commercial vehicle?

homingbird

My brother inlaw is in the same boat has a private insurance till next march & is just after buying a large engine hatchback . I told him to convert it & tax it as a commercial can he insurance it as a private car to see out his policy.

godskitchen

I converted a 5 series touring.

Only insurance company willing to insure was liberty.

sean61

I got cover today with aviva through a broker. There didn't seem to be any issue and I said exactly what I would be using it for, which is commuting to work and transporting tools and spares to trackdays.
I think the issue I had with my original insurer (Axa) was that I didn't need it for a business or something like that. The broker I was in touch with today actually asked if I was a mechanic as well. I said I wasn't and I'm nearly sure she said I wouldn't get cover if I was. I'll have a good read of my cert when it arrives and see what is and isn't covered on my policy

Theanswers

I have a 5 series touring commercial insured with axa. No issues, great space in back. Hardly use it these days.

mossy50

sean61 wrote: »

I just bought a van that had been converted from a car. Its down as a van in the log book, has a fresh doe and is taxed as a van. When I rang my insurance company to transfer over my policy, they said they won't cover it as its a conversion.

I have to try ringing around tomorrow but am I going to have a lot of difficulty getting cover? Previous owner didn't say it was converted from a car so I didn't realise I'd have any bother!!

i had the same problem and went to INSURE MY VAN .IE and got insurance with ZURICH no probs INSURE MY VAN sorted everything and a hell of alot cheaper than anyone else hope that helps a wee bit