Insurance with breakdown cover - older campervans

[clarkpeacock]

After two years of no van, we are getting itchy feet again and have made an impulse purchase, which we pick up in a couple of weeks.

Following 25 years of various large coachbuilts, some bought new, some nearly new, we have gone full on retro and bought a 23 year old Autosleeper Topaz based on 2.4D T4 VW transporter. Needs a little bit of fettling to address some very minor corrosion around wheel arches and sills before any serious rot sets in, and there are a few internals to address such as a couple of broken blinds and sun faded fabric, but for its age, it is in remarkable condition, clearly been loved, and I think from a period when Autosleeper were producing their best work. For the price we have paid, (a lot less than was being asked) can't go wrong really.

Just started looking at insurance, initially thinking I would stick with Safeguard who I have used for all our vans in the past as they include breakdown cover, but that is restricted to vehicles up to 20 years old. Also hoping they will still honour the 20+ years no claim bonus after a 2 year gap.

Any suggestions for alternatives please?

Here it is - probably to be named Scooby Stan, and we're hoping he will become a long term member of the family, growing disgracefully older along with us

 

[Robmac]

I like that. It seems to have a helluva bathroom on it for the size of the van!

 

[wildebus]

nice looking van.
If you were curious and need to get paint to after your wheel arch fettling, the colour is "Friesan Green".

One place where you can get breakdown cover with no age limits is via a Nationwide Flex+ bank account. Usually a favourite for those with >3.5.t motorhomes, but might be an option for you as well (£13/month gets you UK + European Breakdown, Travel Insurance and Mobile Phone cover).

 

[clarkpeacock]

I like that. It seems to have a helluva bathroom on it for the size of the van!

That's what attracted us in the first place. A toilet was the one thing on my wife's 'essential' list, and this is about the only layout we can find that has a full size separate toilet/shower in a T4

However, most Topaz are either rotten or crazy money, so we are really chuffed with this find.

 

[clarkpeacock]

nice looking van.
If you were curious and need to get paint to after your wheel arch fettling, the colour is "Friesan Green".

One place where you can get breakdown cover with no age limits is via a Nationwide Flex+ bank account. Usually a favourite for those with >3.5.t motorhomes, but might be an option for you as well (£13/month gets you UK + European Breakdown, Travel Insurance and Mobile Phone cover).

Thanks for the advice. I will check that out.

One of my first 'projects' will be adding solar, so I might be in touch to see if you have any suitable panels to sell once I get it home and see what room there is on the roof

 

[wildebus]

Thanks for the advice. I will check that out.

One of my first 'projects' will be adding solar, so I might be in touch to see if you have any suitable panels to sell once I get it home and see what room there is on the roof

I think you may be fairly local to me? I think I have some paint left over from when I resprayed the wheel archs and sills on my own VW T4 in Fresian Green which you can have if you like. (it is obviously quite a few years old now but was a 100% perfect match).

 

[clarkpeacock]

I think you may be fairly local to me? I think I have some paint left over from when I resprayed the wheel archs and sills on my own VW T4 in Fresian Green which you can have if you like. (it is obviously quite a few years old now but was a 100% perfect match).

That's a very kind offer. Thank you. We are in Worcestershire, which I think is some distance from you - Scottish borders if I recall correctly? We have communicated before about a solar controller so perhaps why I seem familiar.

I would love to pick it up if travelling up that way at some point and free up some storage space for you

 

[wildebus]

That's a very kind offer. Thank you. We are in Worcestershire, which I think is some distance from you - Scottish borders if I recall correctly? We have communicated before about a solar controller so perhaps why I seem familiar.

I would love to pick it up if travelling up that way at some point and free up some storage space for you

If someone from your area is going to Kelso Meet next month they can take it for you maybe? I would need to check I still actually have it and paint doesn't always age well either, although this is a cellulose base so is pretty resiliant and also simple to use (no mixing, just shake and stir).

 

[clarkpeacock]

If someone from your area is going to Kelso Meet next month they can take it for you maybe? I would need to check I still actually have it and paint doesn't always age well either, although this is a cellulose base so is pretty resiliant and also simple to use (no mixing, just shake and stir).

Thanks. Not sure that I know anyone on the forum around this area. (Droitwich/Ombersley) Lost touch a bit with not having a van for the last couple of years!

I do appreciate the offer though - but don't spend too much time looking.

 

[trevskoda]

AIB cover my van and its 23 years old, but in very good order.

 

[clarkpeacock]

AIB cover my van and its 23 years old, but in very good order.

Thanks. Have requested a quote from them but not heard back yet.

Just got a price as a new customer from Adrian Flux for £320 including UK/EU breakdown.

Safeguard want £680 as they only hold NCD for two years, and it's now 2 years and 3 months since my last policy, but as I am (was) an existing customer and not just renewed somewhere else for the last couple of years, there's no new customer discount it seems. . A shame after 25 years of business with them.

 

[barryd]

AIB. I think you get a discount as a member on here. I left safeguard for the same reason years ago. AIB have been a fair bit cheaper also.

 

[clarkpeacock]

AIB. I think you get a discount as a member on here. I left safeguard for the same reason years ago. AIB have been a fair bit cheaper also.

Thanks for the reply.

Waiting a call back from them.

 

[molly 2]

nice looking van.
If you were curious and need to get paint to after your wheel arch fettling, the colour is "Friesan Green".

One place where you can get breakdown cover with no age limits is via a Nationwide Flex+ bank account. Usually a favourite for those with >3.5.t motorhomes, but might be an option for you as well (£13/month gets you UK + European Breakdown, Travel Insurance and Mobile Phone cover).

Beware travel insurance has caviats ,pre existing conditions and age restrictions

 

[clarkpeacock]

Thanks all for your suggestions. Just off the phone with AIB, and they have come up trumps, slightly undercutting Adrian Flux, inclusive of EU breakdown, legal expenses and a lower excess. All this with my new status of 0 years no claims discount as well!

Intial impression of their service is very good (as far as taking my money in a friendly way goes that is )

 

[wildebus]

Beware travel insurance has caviats ,pre existing conditions and age restrictions

does a propensity to carelessness count?

 

[marchie]

does a propensity to carelessness count?

I never knpw whether I should connect the positive or the negative lead first; I'm terminally confused ...

Steve

 

[molly 2]

does a propensity to carelessness count?

Caviat emptor

 

[trevskoda]

I never knpw whether I should connect the positive or the negative lead first; I'm terminally confused ...

Steve

A very negitive attatude, try thing more positively, there poles apart you know, just dont be way lead, this is good advice on a plate, and no charge.