Spending a lot of time in Europe (1 Viewer)

Hinterloper

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Hey guys,

My first post here and I'm super excited to get started on a new chapter in my life.

I am looking to pick up a campervan in the next few weeks. Will probably be a professionally converted van, roughly the size of a VW T5, as this would suite me. Whatever happens, I'll be getting something that is registered as a camper/motorhome with the DVLA.

Now here is where it gets a bit more complicated and would really appreciate any help or a point in the right direction!

  • So, I am based in the UK and reside there, but I also spend a lot of time in Ireland (going back and forth) and can sometimes spend a good few months there at a time. I do have a car (hatchback) in Ireland (it's a real must over there) but would like the idea of getting rid of this and getting a camper in the UK, getting motorhome insurance on it which would allow travel in the EU.
  • So the question would be, how long is the max amount of time you can be out of the UK with motorhome/camper insurance? Could I spend 3 months in Ireland, return to the UK for 2 and then spend another 2 in Ireland? I also plan on spending a couple months out of the year in France, as I have very good friends in the Pyrenees. Returning to the UK for MOTs as well. Would there be issues with any of this?
    • As an extreme example - Could I technically spend 7 months in france, 3 in Ireland and 2 in the UK? Just curious as to the limits.
  • Do you need any other requirements for getting campervan insurance which would allow european travel? Like would you need to have been driving for 2 years. I have been driving for a solid year and a half (will be 2 in August) and have a 1 years no claim bonus with an Irish company. I am 32yr male, if that makes a difference in anyway.

Would really appreciate any help or advice on this!

Final question is how to you think Brexit is going to mess around with the free movement of campers within the EU? Or is it still to early to say?

All the best,

Jay
 
Jan 29, 2014
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Don't see any problems some companies don't give no claims bonus.
Also don't ask for any on camper vans.
 
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Hinterloper

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Thanks for the reply!

Do you mean don't ask about campervans on this forum or ask the insurance company? If asking about campervans on this forum is taboo, then I apologies!

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Feb 4, 2016
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:welcome4:

Safeguard insurance do 365 day European cover(y)
Camper vans are fun so all good .
 
Aug 18, 2014
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:welco:
Thanks for the reply!

Do you mean don't ask about campervans on this forum or ask the insurance company? If asking about campervans on this forum is taboo, then I apologies!
I think he means ask for motorhome insurance.
all campers welcome here.(y)
 
Jan 10, 2013
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Shrimp

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Saga does 365 days abroad, although their insurance depends on your age!

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Hinterloper

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Thanks for all the replies and the warm welcome ^.^ Really appreciate it! It all sounds pretty positive. I'm hoping to be able to pick one up in the next couple of weeks but am taking the time to find the right van. Actually considering a converted VW Caddy Maxi, if I can find one.

So, is there a big difference in motorhome and campervan insurance then? I'm guessing motorhome insurance would still apply to a smaller camper then?
 
Apr 27, 2008
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Insurance premiums are based in part on the value of the vehicle, but that aside there probably is not a lot of difference between large and small campervan/motorhome. Postcode has a big effect on premiums too.
Companies that specialise in motorhomes (eg Comfort, Caravanguard) often give more comprehensive cover than ones that deal mainly with cars, especially with regard to contents.
 
Apr 28, 2013
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Hi and another big w2f,no problem asking anything on here,we all had to learn sometime,enjoy.

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The Nomad

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A vehicle from one EU State can "guest" in another for up to 6 months per year.....so long as throughout that time it remains legal as per the requirements of it's "home" country.....so in the case of a British registered vehicle, that means continuous valid MOT and VED......and of course valid 3rd party (or better) insurance.
 

Emmit

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So, (Oh how I hate the modern, starting sentences with, So)
Going on from what @The Nomad said, above, when we were Tuggers,:blusher::blusher::blusher: we were in the habit of visiting a site in Spain over the Winter period.
On more than one occasion, we came across a couple who would travel down to Spain in a motorhome, in September and stay on site, unmoved until the following April. (No, I didn't get it either)
In those circumstances, if they were in the UK they could quite legally put the 'van on SORN because it was off road, on private land.
Here comes the question.
Could that couple legally put their 'van on a SORN when they arrived on site, retaxing it before leaving the site and going back onto the road home.?
 

Doctor Dave

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So, (Oh how I hate the modern, starting sentences with, So)

Me too. Always makes my toes curl. It seems to be a trendy affectation originating from the academic or scientific elite, often when being interviewed on Radio 4. As a dedicated pedant and bigot my other pet hate is when highly paid experts cock something up and they announce: 'Lessons will be learned' (at c.£200k p.a. !!)

So, having said that and at the end of the day your best/safest bet is to discuss it with a couple of insurance companies as cover varies. Some offer very comprehensive cover, others just so-so;) Tell them exactly what you want as ins. co's will take any opportunity to wriggle out of a claim.

As far as Brexit is concerned, I was campervanning without problems throughout Europe before we joined the E.U. and I don't have any anxiety about continuing post-Brexit.

And a big welcome and happy motoroaming Hinterloper (y)
 
Last edited:
Jun 10, 2010
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Thanks for the reply!

Do you mean don't ask about campervans on this forum or ask the insurance company? If asking about campervans on this forum is taboo, then I apologies!

I think @Hinterloper means that some insurance companies dont ask for ncd to quote.

But be careful that if you take replace your car (with full ncd) and then only run a camper on one of these policies for 3 years you will not be able to use your ncd on a subsequent vehicle as it would have lapsed.

It happened to us where we went to one car and camper and later needed an additional car and had a bit of a game with re-insuring from scratch using introductory discounts. The same can happen with classic car policies.

btw. I think if you are planning to spend that much time in it, even a transporter will be too small. VWs are also expensive, you get much more for your money with a regular pvc and the ability to shower and toilet will save you a lot on campsite fees and open up your options.
 
Oct 12, 2009
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No they couldn't. For a vehicle to be SORNed it must be in the UK. https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification

Dave

Dave

You are correct, but as one DVLA Officer once said to me rather pointedly 'Sir we do not ask on the SORN form where your vehicle is kept', althougth if you look at the small print DVLA can ask where. I suspect that Officer was sympathetic about the rule forbidding SORN to only apply in the UK.

In Poland there is no Road Tax, so when our MH is off the road I do not see why I should pay UK tax. Maybe soon change to Polish Reg.

Geoff

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Oct 12, 2009
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Just on the point of 365 day policies - most of them have a limit per trip. Otherwise one needs a 'Fulltimer' policy - more expensive - and they have limits on how long one can be away from the MH, e.g. for a fly-trip home. Who wrote 'Catch 22' ?

Just check it suits before committing.

Geoff
 

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