UKC

I'm currently costing up getting a van and I'm getting stuck on the annual costs I might expect - mainly around insurance. I'm not sure on the best way to get insurance quotes as it seems you can only use a NCB on one vehicle. 

If it makes any difference I'd be looking to get something which would be converted to a standard which allows reclassification to a "camper". So, for anyone who's got both a car & a van..

1) How did you get the best insurance quotes (e.g. multi-car policy, do some insurers accept NCB on a second car)? And are there any specific companies to look out for?

2) Does the reclassification to a camper save much on insurance? And does it make it easier or harder to get quotes (I know my insurance company, LV, won't insure a van for example).

3) Any other things to consider? 

Anyt thoughts would be much appreciated! 

I got a merc van in Nov last year.  I have only ever driven company cars so didn't have any NCB.  I got insurance for whilst it was a van and then for when it was reclassified as a camper.  Lots of stipulations for time limit for conversion (3mths), however they gave me full NCB and I think I got it for about £240 per annum on restricted mileage.  It was through caravanwise.  Think I had to join the SBMCC forum too to get a big discount

When I got a van in addition to my car I was able to carry-over my NCB from my car policy. That was with AXA. So I've now got no claims history for both vehicles.

reclassification to a camper van should do the following; lower insurance cost, lower ved and allow driving up to normal car speeds on dual carriageways.

Check what type of policy you get if you have special insurance for the van. I had to write off 9 years of no claims when I switched from a car to a day/campervan as they did not take any ncd into account on special van policies.   Cost me a bit when I switched back to a car a few years later and had to start again.

So if you have both... Might pay to leave it on the car.

Many insurance companies won't allow NCD earned while owning a van to be transferred to a car should you sell your van and buy a car.

I bought a campervan a few months ago. Every company I asked said that my car NCD wouldn't count on the van. My car insurer didn't do campervans, so I couldn't add it on and had no choice but to get a separate policy with no NCD. Even so, my van insurance is cheaper than for my car! The van is worth ten times what the car is too. I am under the impression that a specialist campervan policy is a very good deal compared to regular car insurance, so it's best to insure the van separately with a specialist and keep the car with a mainstream insurer.