"Older camper vans ('80s-'90s) often get flagged due to outdated security features, making insurers nervous about theft."
Yep, this right here hits home. I've got a '91 Econoline conversion that's my pride and joy, but man, the insurance quotes I got at first were just plain ridiculous. One rep even told me straight up that older campers are "prime targets" because they're easier to break into—like thanks, way to make me feel secure about my weekend adventures...
After getting frustrated enough, I finally took advice similar to yours and checked out a small local insurer recommended by a friend. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—figured they'd be too niche or something—but turns out they actually knew their stuff. Instead of lumping my van in with every other older vehicle in California, they asked specific questions about where I park it, how often I use it, and even whether I'd added any updated locks or alarms. Felt like a real conversation rather than just ticking boxes on a form.
Ended up saving around 30% compared to the big-name quotes, plus they didn't hassle me about minor mods like solar panels or interior upgrades. Big insurers seem to panic at the slightest mention of DIY projects, lol.
One thing I'd add, though: don't just assume smaller is always cheaper—still worth double-checking coverage details. I almost went with another small company until I realized their roadside assistance was pretty limited. Not a huge deal-breaker, but when you're road-tripping through the middle of nowhere, having decent roadside service can really save your bacon. Learned that lesson the hard way once in Arizona...flat tire, no spare, middle of nowhere...yeah, not fun.
Anyway, glad you found something that works. Definitely pays to shop around and ask the right questions. Safe travels out there!
Totally get this, older campers can be a real pain to insure. Quick tip: adding a simple steering wheel lock (like The Club) or installing a hidden kill switch can seriously help lower your premiums. Mentioning these upgrades upfront usually reassures insurers you're proactive about security. Saved me a decent chunk on my '89 VW Westy...worth a try if anyone else is still hunting for better rates.
"adding a simple steering wheel lock (like The Club) or installing a hidden kill switch can seriously help lower your premiums."
Wish I'd seen this advice sooner. Just got my first camper—a '92 Toyota HiAce—and the insurance quotes were giving me serious sticker shock. I ended up calling around to at least five different places before finding something halfway reasonable. One agent actually suggested a kill switch, but honestly, I wasn't sure how complicated it'd be to install myself. After watching a few YouTube tutorials, it didn't seem too daunting, so I gave it a shot last weekend.
For anyone else feeling hesitant: it's actually pretty straightforward if you take your time. Disconnect the battery first (obviously), find a discreet spot for the switch, and carefully splice into the ignition wiring. Took me about two hours total, mostly because I triple-checked everything—better safe than sorry, right? Anyway, when I called back to update my insurer, they knocked off about 15% from my original quote. Not huge savings, but definitely worth the effort and peace of mind...
I was skeptical about the kill switch idea at first too—felt like one of those things that sounds easy until you're halfway through and realize you're in over your head. But your post makes me reconsider a bit. I went with The Club for my old VW camper, mostly because it was idiot-proof and required zero wiring know-how. Maybe I'll give the kill switch another look next time I'm feeling brave enough to mess with electrical stuff...
"Maybe I'll give the kill switch another look next time I'm feeling brave enough to mess with electrical stuff..."
Haha, I feel you on that one. Electrical stuff always seems straightforward until you're staring at a spaghetti mess of wires and wondering why you ever started. I put a kill switch in my old Jeep a few years back—thought it'd be a quick afternoon project. Ended up taking all weekend and two trips to the hardware store, but hey, it worked in the end and gave me some peace of mind. If I can do it without burning down the garage, you've definitely got this. Just keep YouTube handy and maybe have a fire extinguisher nearby...you know, just in case.
