Do I really need specialist campervan insurance for a self-build?

Yes. Standard van insurance won’t cover the interior you’ve added or any modifications you’ve made. A specialist campervan policy protects your conversion work, equipment and living space, and ensures claims aren’t rejected later.

What happens if I don’t declare all my modifications?

Non-disclosure can invalidate your policy. Even small additions like extra windows or a leisure battery count as modifications. If in doubt, declare it so your insurer can confirm what needs listing.

Do I have to reclassify my van with the DVLA to get insured?

No. You can insure your van as a campervan even if the DVLA still classes it as a panel van. Reclassification is optional and mainly affects how the van appears on the logbook, not whether it can be insured.

Why does the DVLA care about what the outside looks like?

The DVLA wants the exterior to clearly resemble a motor caravan so the police and emergency services can recognise it quickly in traffic. Features like extra windows, a pop-top or motorhome-style graphics all help.

Will campervan insurance cover me for long European trips?

Many policies include European cover, but not all. Some limit the number of days you can travel abroad, so always check before you buy. If you’re planning extended tours, choose a policy designed for long-distance travel.

Is it more expensive to insure a left-hand drive or imported campervan?

It can be. Imports and left-hand drive vehicles often need specialist insurers because parts and valuations work differently. As long as you declare it upfront, getting the right cover is straightforward.

Will breakdown cover work the same for a campervan?

Only if the policy is suitable for larger vehicles. Check height and weight limits, whether European cover is included, and if they will tow you home if a local garage cannot fix the issue. Campervan-friendly breakdown cover is well worth having.

Why campervan conversions need the right insurance

Keeping Your Van Conversion Safe:

Getting Insurance

Specialist insurance protects all your modifications and keeps your policy valid.
Declaring changes, trip length and mileage ensures you’re covered wherever you travel.
Added security, breakdown cover and the right policy type give peace of mind on every journey.

Insuring a self-built campervan or van conversion can feel a bit overwhelming to start with. You’ve put your heart, time and savings into creating a space that feels like your own, so the idea of “getting the insurance right” can feel strangely high-stakes. The good news is that once you understand the basics, it’s nowhere near as complicated as it first seems. What really matters is that your policy recognises your van as a campervan and covers the things you’ve added, whether that’s a pop-top, a kitchen unit, extra windows or all the little touches that make it feel like home.

The right insurance gives you confidence to enjoy the fun parts of campervan life without worrying about the “what ifs.” Whether you’re heading off for quiet weekend breaks or dreaming up longer adventures across the UK or Europe, proper cover lets you travel freely and safely. Below, you’ll find everything broken down into simple, helpful sections.

Parts included in this guide:

Part 1: Why Campervan Insurance Matters for Van Conversions

If you’ve converted a van yourself, you’ve already poured a huge amount of time, money and creativity into it. It’s more than just a vehicle — it’s something you’ve built with your own hands, and every fixture and fitting has a story behind it. That’s why standard van insurance simply isn’t enough. It won’t cover the pop-top you installed, the electrics you wired in, the kitchen you built, or the solar setup you carefully planned.

A campervan-specific policy protects all of that work and ensures your investment is properly covered. It also means that if anything does go wrong, from accidents to theft, you’re not left fighting for a claim on a policy that doesn’t recognise your conversion. Proper cover gives you the confidence to travel knowing everything you’ve built is protected.

Part 2: What Counts as a Modification?

Most of the time, a modification is something that wasn't in the van when it was new. Anything that you change on your van, both inside and outside, that changes it from how it came out of the factory, is considered a modification. Insurance companies want you to say:

high roofs or pop-tops
more windows or skylights
furniture that doesn't move, like beds or kitchen units,
lining and insulation
batteries for leisure and electrical work,
water systems,
heaters or gas lines.

You have to declare changes; if you don't, your policy could be void. Protection means being open. Failing to declare modifications can void your insurance policy should the worst happen. This is a huge risk to take.

Part 3: When Is a Van Considered a Campervan? (DVLA Guidance)

The DVLA rules around campervan classification can feel confusing, especially if you’ve followed older guidance online. The important thing to know is that you no longer have to reclassify your van as a motor caravan for it to be insured correctly. Many people keep their vans registered as standard panel vans and still get proper campervan cover without any issues.

However, if you do want your logbook to show “motor caravan,” the DVLA will look mainly at the outside of your van. They want it to be recognisable as a campervan in traffic, which usually means features like extra windows, a pop-top or a distinctive motorhome-style shape. This helps the police and emergency services identify the type of vehicle quickly.

Here’s a simple summary of the DVLA’s expectations: Always check directly for the latest advice.

DVLA Exterior Requirements: What They Actually Look For

The DVLA is mainly checking whether your van looks like a motorhome from the outside. They typically expect some of the following:

Camper-style side windows (not just standard van panels)
A high-top roof or pop-top that clearly indicates a living space
Distinctive motorhome-style graphics or decals
An awning rail or fitted awning
A clearly identifiable habitation door (side entry usually)
Permanent features that suggest living accommodation, visible externally

You don’t need all of these, but you need enough visual cues for an officer, at a glance, to say:
“Yep, that’s a campervan.”

If the outside still looks like a standard panel van, the DVLA won’t reclassify it — even if the interior is fully converted.

Do the Interior Requirements Still Matter?

The DVLA no longer inspects interiors for reclassification. Today, their decision is based almost entirely on external appearance, not internal fittings.

So even if you have:

a bed
a kitchen
storage
insulation
gas and electrics

…it still won’t be reclassified unless the outside makes it obvious that it’s a campervan.

Do I Need to Reclassify My Van?

Not for insurance. You can insure a campervan correctly even if the DVLA logbook still says “van.”

Some owners still like to reclassify because:

ferry companies sometimes charge motorhomes differently
some toll/parking systems recognise campervans differently
resale value can be clearer

But it’s totally optional. If you’re considering it, always check the DVLA’s latest guidance so you know exactly what they expect. For full guidance, or to re-register your van, please refer to the DVLA’s website.

Part 4: What to Consider When Choosing Campervan Insurance

Choosing the right campervan insurance isn’t just about ticking a few boxes — it’s about finding a policy that matches the way you travel. Every conversion is different, and every owner uses their van differently, so take a little time to think about what matters most to you.

Safety and Weight

Your camper needs to be roadworthy and within its payload. Overloading or uneven weight distribution can make the van unstable and could invalidate a claim. Knowing your limits keeps you safe and covered.

How Long You Travel

Some insurers place limits on the number of days you can be away in a year or per trip. If you love long tours or plan to head into Europe, choose a policy that supports that kind of travel from the start.

Mileage

If you mainly do UK weekends and don’t rack up huge mileage, a limited mileage policy might save you money. Just be honest with yourself, going over the limit can cause problems later.

Breakdown Cover

Breakdown cover is one of the most valuable add-ons you can choose. Check for height and weight limits, European cover, wrong-fuel protection and whether they’ll tow you home if a local garage can’t fix the issue.

Imported or Left-Hand Drive Vans

If your van is imported or left-hand drive, you’ll often need a specialist policy. Some insurers won’t cover these vehicles at all, while others are very experienced with them. Be upfront so you get the right protection.

Security Features

Adding security, like trackers, alarms or immobilisers, not only protects your van but can sometimes reduce your premium. Insurers love anything that reduces risk.

A little clarity at this stage goes a long way. Once you know what you need, finding the right policy becomes simple and reassuring rather than stressful.

Part 5: Will Campervan Conversion Insurance Cost More?

It can, but not always. Prices depend on your van’s age, value, storage, annual mileage, driver history and the quality of the conversion. A well-looked-after campervan with proper security often gets better rates than people expect. The important thing is that you’re covered for what your van actually is, not what it used to be.

The whole point of a campervan is freedom: early-morning coastlines, misty mountains, sunsets at quiet park-ups and long, winding roads. With the right insurance, you get to enjoy all of that without worry. Your van is safe, your conversion is protected, and your adventures can unfold exactly the way you imagined.

Make sure that you are fully covered with converted campervan insurance, and you’ll be able to set off with real peace of mind.

Yes. Standard van insurance won’t cover the interior you’ve added or any modifications you’ve made. A specialist campervan policy protects your conversion work, equipment, and living space — and ensures claims aren’t rejected later.
Non-disclosure can invalidate your policy. Even small additions like extra windows or a leisure battery count as modifications. If in doubt, declare it. Insurers prefer honesty and will guide you through what needs listing.
No. You can insure your van as a campervan even if the DVLA still classes it as a panel van. Reclassification is optional and mainly affects how the van looks externally, not how it’s insured.
The DVLA wants the exterior to clearly resemble a motor caravan so the police and emergency services can identify it quickly in traffic. Features like windows, graphics or a pop-top help with this.
Many policies do, but not all. Some limit the number of days you can travel abroad, so it’s important to check before you buy. If you’re planning extended tours, choose a policy designed for long-distance or multi-country travel.
It can be. Imports and left-hand drive vehicles often require specialist insurers because parts, valuations and repairs work differently. As long as you declare it upfront, getting the right cover is straightforward.
Only if the policy is suitable for larger vehicles. Check height and weight limits, whether they’ll tow you home if needed, and if European cover is included. Campervan-friendly breakdown cover is absolutely worth having.