Insuring a lorry for private use

In brief

As soon as you convert a truck, two values arise: the part that drives and what you have built into it. Insurers work as standard only with the first. A cab with a complete living unit, a horse compartment with a tack room or a show specification with chrome work and lighting can never be replaced on a market value basis. So have the value professionally assessed and have it recorded that the valuation is the starting point; Article 7:960 of the Dutch Civil Code limits the payment to the actual loss, and a valuation report is the evidence of what that loss is.

The second point is the contents. Bedding, crockery, clothing, tools, tack, a television or an electric bike in the truck's garage do not fall under the motor cover. Some companies offer a limited contents module for living vehicles; otherwise you arrange that through separate cover. For a truck registered as a living vehicle, look at the motorhome insurance.

The third point is the pattern of use. A show truck is driven ten days a year and stands indoors the rest of the time. That is a favourable risk, provided you record it as such: seasonal cover, a low mileage limit and a storage clause produce a lower rate. For a truck older than forty years see insuring a classic lorry, for horse transport insuring a horsebox lorry.

This page deals with one situation. The full overview is on Compare van insurance.