Advice Required, Regarding Fitting Extra Seats & Insurance

[VWB]

First of all id like to use my first post as an opportunity to say hello to all you wanabe and T5/4 owners. Hello!!

Now down to business-
I been thinking about buying a T5 for work and private use and fitting some extra seats in the back, but iv run in to various problems with insurance.

Iv called Adrian Flux Insurance who told me that if the vehicle is insured as a commercial vehicle then im not allowed to fit extra seats, but if it is insured for private use only then extra seats are ok, but they would not insure me for part commercial part private use and fit seats.

Iv also been told by Brentacre Insurance that they would not insure me for commercial and private use. With or with out extra seats, duno why

If I cant use the little lady for work, pleasure and have seats in the back there no point buying her

The only advice iv had so far is from a seat manufacture who said “be economical with the truth” but I like things to be straight down the line, life is stressful enough without worrying about dodgy insurance, and for a variety or reasons the cheapest quote iv had is £2100 so want it to work.

Please help- what can I do?

[akdaka]

I dont know if this helps or confuses.

I have an ex AA van (fitted with two rear seat as standard) and have no issue with insurance with Aviva as the seat were fitted by VW. I added an additional set to take the number of rear seat to three and this caused no issue as again it was a VW seat.

It seems that from talking to them if the option was offered by VW there is no issue with additional seats.

Andy

[VWB]

Thanks for your reply andy-
I could be wrong but as far as I can tell, if your van isnt factory fitted with rearer seats it then falls into the modified category and you wont get insurance as commercial or part personal/commercial use. Oh well you live and learn until next time

[ryjtrue]

Hiya,im in the same possition.....should get my van this week. Im the only driver in our small family of 3 and a half.. so, it will be our ''family'' car.. I also run a business from home but the van will help with deliveries and going to shows( i run a small clothing label) so it will be used for work too. It has only 3 seats up front at mo...need to fit more seats/rock n roll....
Please let me know how you've got on!
cheers.
RY

[alexbrownbread]

I'm fuming!
last year i took out insurance with AF and they told me i could do anything other than mess with the engine including up to 9 passengers. I didn't get round to fitting the seats (2) in the rear till yesterday. Rang to let them know today and..
As i have had a renewal letter and am now under a new policy I am not insured but it gets worse.. I said is there any way i can keep the seats and they said they would call back. I got the call and it was to say they could no longer insure me at all!!!!!!!! But wait i can remove the seats, my mistake right? Couldn't believe it when they said NO!!! I pleaded basically and they need photo evidence i have removed them in 10 days or else.
I really hope i can find a way to keep the seats and explain to AF where they can stick their policy.

BTW a friend recently had a bad experience with AF when another driver mashed up his front end. Insured for 8000 they tried to tell him he was getting 4000 as it was a write off. It's a lwb t4 with high top and all the standard camper stuff. lowered alloys bla bla. He reminded them they had photos and that he had got a valuation from them done at 8000. they said woops oh yeah.. Then they lost the van!!!!!!!!!! Sorry sir we can't locate the vehicle! 3 months later he got it back and did the repairs himself for 800 or summat silly. I don't think this insurance company is as good as they are meant to be.

I also want the van with stress free, legal, proper insurance. Please keep us posted on any outcome. Just be warned AF may not actually be able to provide you with the stress free service your looking for if you do decide to go without the seats.

[dsm]

I bought a 2 seater panel van and added windows and 2 rear seats, no problems adding the mods to my insurance, I'm with Churchill. Oh and by the way added Business to SD&P this year for an extra 30 quid

[alexbrownbread]

Originally Posted by VWB

Thanks for your reply andy-
I could be wrong but as far as I can tell, if your van isnt factory fitted with rearer seats it then falls into the modified category and you wont get insurance as commercial or part personal/commercial use. Oh well you live and learn until next time

WRONG! I told the guy from BRENTACRE I wanted to kiss him!

Almost half the amount i was with Adrian flux for and even after i payed the severance fees bla bla I'm quids in and more importantly with seats!

I am fully comp, insured for work and personal and i can do what i want as long as i tell them and the stuff under the bonnet is left alone.

Half as much money and we are not talking a small figure either! Can't believe it

May be worth a quote even if you did go elsewhere mate coz they are that cheap!