Seat Removal, Declaring it with Insurer

[abaron]

Hi everyone,

Recently bought a 2004 Berlingo, hoping to do a cheap and easy conversion to a camper. I've noticed that removing rear seats can have an impact on the insurance so I rang my insurer (Hastings) hoping to declare that I want to remove a couple of seats and they say that none of their providers can insure me if any of the seats are removed. I was expecting to pay a small fee for "modifying" it, but they simply say it's not possible through them.

Has anyone had similar issues, and knows of a provider who can deal with such a thing?

Cheers,
Ali

[Sol]

Try Adrian Flux? They insure modified cars. I wonder how many people have camper rear conversions that weren't declared if that's the attitude of a standard insurer.

[Ken.clark]

Try Principal Insurance. They cover home builds/conversions

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[abaron]

Try Adrian Flux? They insure modified cars. I wonder how many people have camper rear conversions that weren't declared if that's the attitude of a standard insurer.

Hey there, I did look for a quote with Adrian Flux before but it was very expensive sadly. Thanks though.

I feel like the vast majority of home builds have invalidated their insurance, even things such as slightly tinted windows needs to be declared as a modification.

[abaron]

Try Principal Insurance. They cover home builds/conversions

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Thanks, I'll take a look.

[cancunia]

You could try NFU mutual, I've been with them for years and they are always quite easygoing.
Whenever I ask on here about insurance for people that use boot jumps, there's normally silence.

[Gryffindor]

Also consider phoning a traditional insurance broker near you. They do take a cut, but in return you benefit from knowledge and experience in the insurance market.

Some conversions leave the seats in place, folded up. I appreciate though that this would take up a lot of room.

As a poss last resort, postpone your plans and enjoy the car this year, then replace it with a Berlingo van next year for conversion (no rear seats to start with). Maybe ad a towing hook and trailer, and convert the trailer into a 'sleeper' and the car into a diner/lounge?

[cancunia]

The rear seats in the B9 are designed to come out & how to do it is explained in the handbook, so should not be an issue with insurance.

[Vlad]

The rear seats in the B9 are designed to come out & how to do it is explained in the handbook, so should not be an issue with insurance.

I'm guessing that we're talking M59. Regardless, I agree. If the vehicle is designed so that rear seats can be removed for increased load this has no impact on insurance. My other vehicle is a CaddyMaxi and I have always run it with the rear seats out for the increased loadspace for my camping trips.  I do not have a permanent "conversion", but run with a "bootjump" and "Z" bed set-up which I take out as needed. I have never been asked about useage by an insurance co. other than the usual business/non business use.

Vlad

[cancunia]

Yep, the main problem will be M49 /M59 where you need to unbolt the seats. I'm guessing that most insurance companies will be nervous about any nonstandard modification and will often simply take the easy way out and decline to insure.
Depending on who does the work, there can be a big risk when putting the seats back if it's not done properly.