Brokers, Insurers & Underwriters for Campervans Explained

Last Reviewed - 14/10/2025

This guide explains the difference between brokers, insurers and underwriters, and how those roles can affect your price, wording, and claims experience.

Understanding who really covers your campervan and why it matters.

If you’ve ever tried to make sense of who actually insures your campervan, you’re not alone. Between brokers, insurers, and underwriters, the process can feel deliberately complicated. This page breaks down what each of them does, how they work together, and why it’s especially relevant for campervan owners.

man sitting on side of a classic campervan with question mark above his head
Table of contents
  1. Understanding who really covers your campervan and why it matters.
  2. Why it can be confusing
  3. 1. The Three Key Roles
    1. Insurance Broker
    2. Insurance Underwriter
    3. Insurance Company / Provider
  5. Broker vs Insurer vs Underwriter: quick comparison
  6. 2. How This Affects Campervan Owners.
  7. 3. Pricing & Complaints
  8. 4. Regulation & Trust.
  9. 5. Summary Table
  10. 6. FAQs - Brokers, Insurers and Underwriters (Campervans)
  11. 7. Key Takeaways

Why it can be confusing

When you buy a campervan policy, you’re often dealing with a broker rather than the insurer itself. The broker gives you a quote, takes your payment, and sends your policy documents. But when something goes wrong, like making a claim, it’s the underwriter who pays out.

Understanding this chain matters because it affects everything from your renewal price to how your claim is handled.

Broker,Insurer graphic

1. The Three Key Roles

Insurance Broker

A broker acts as your go-between. They don’t actually insure you, instead, they help match your needs to an insurer’s product. Brokers often work with several underwriters, each offering slightly different pricing or terms.

For campervan owners, brokers are vital because mainstream insurers often won’t touch modified or self-build vans. Specialist brokers understand your setup, whether you’ve added a pop-top, solar panels, or custom storage.

As one industry source put it, brokers “serve the customer,” while underwriters “serve the insurance company.” In other words, the broker’s job is to get you the most suitable policy, not necessarily the cheapest, but one that fits how you actually use your van. 

Insurance Underwriter

 The underwriter is the company that takes on the financial risk. They set the terms, calculate the premium, and decide whether to approve your claim. You’ll usually see their name in your documents under the phrase “Underwritten by…”

They’re the ones ultimately responsible for paying out if you have an accident or loss. Even if you buy your cover through a broker like Brentacre or Towergate, it’s the underwriter behind the scenes who decides whether a claim is valid.

Insurance Company / Provider

The insurer or provider can sometimes act as both the broker and the underwriter. Big names like LV or Aviva do this. But in the specialist vehicle market, most “insurance providers” are technically brokers who sell policies underwritten by larger insurance companies.

Broker vs Insurer vs Underwriter: quick comparison

Quick comparison of broker vs insurer vs underwriter responsibilities
What matters Broker Insurer Underwriter
Advises you & searches the market ✓ ◐ ✕
Creates product & sets wording ✕ ✓ ✓
Holds the risk & pays valid claims ✕ ✓ ✓
Access to multiple underwriters ✓ ✕ ✕
Primary contact for quotes & changes ✓ ◐ ✕
Decides claim outcome ✕ ✓ ✓
Best route for complex self-builds ✓ ◐ ◐
Typical complaints owner* ◐ ✓ ✓

Legend: ✓ Included · ◐ Depends · ✕ Not included
*Service/admin issues → broker. Policy wording, decisions and payouts → insurer/underwriter.*
Details vary by product; always check your documents for “Underwritten by …”.

It’s one reason why the same van, with the same underwriter, can cost different amounts depending on which broker you buy through.

2. How This Affects Campervan Owners.

Brokers dominate the campervan insurance market because most insurers don’t want the risk of modified or self-built vehicles. According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), about two-thirds of UK insurance policies are sold through brokers or agents and that figure is even higher for specialist vehicles.

In real-world terms, forum users have reported price differences of several hundred pounds between brokers, even when the underlying underwriter is the same. That’s because each broker negotiates its own commission and pricing model.

For owners, the advantage of using a broker is flexibility. They’ll often allow you to declare and update modifications easily. Direct insurers are usually cheaper for standard factory vans, but less understanding when it comes to conversions or non-standard features.

converting a campervan which will require a specialist broker to insure it

3. Pricing & Complaints

Because brokers act as middlemen, their commission is included in your premium. It’s not a hidden fee, but it does mean a brokered policy can sometimes cost more upfront than buying direct. The trade-off is expertise and better access to tailored cover.

When it comes to complaints, the Financial Ombudsman typically rules against the insurer (or underwriter), not the broker, because they’re the ones holding the policy and paying out claims.

That said, brokers are responsible for giving fair, accurate advice and the FCA has tightened the rules around how they explain products and handle renewals.

In late 2024, more than 20,000 general insurance complaints were raised in the UK. The largest volumes came from big direct insurers, while specialist brokers saw relatively few. It’s one of the reasons small, focused firms like Brentacre often attract loyal customers. 

Brokers are usually easier to reach and tend to give more personal support.

4. Regulation & Trust.

In 2025, the FCA announced plans to simplify and modernise the UK insurance rulebook. The goal is to remove outdated duplication and make responsibilities clearer between brokers, insurers, and underwriters.

As FCA Director Matt Brewis said, the regulator wants to “strip back unnecessary rules” so the industry can focus on fair pricing and transparency.

For consumers, this means clearer wording in policy documents, fewer hidden conditions, and hopefully, simpler routes to resolve disputes if something goes wrong.

5. Summary Table

Role What They Do Who They Work For When You Deal With Them
Broker Finds and sells policies, advises on cover, handles admin You (the customer) When you buy, renew, or update your policy
Underwriter Assesses risk, sets terms, and pays out valid claims The insurer/company When you make a claim or need policy approval
Insurance Company / Provider Creates and sells the actual products; may also act as broker or underwriter Both Throughout your policy life, depending on structure

6. FAQs - Brokers, Insurers and Underwriters (Campervans)

These FAQs are based on the most common questions UK campervan owners ask in forums and community threads, plus what brokers and underwriters tell us matters at quote and claim time. They focus on real-world issues: who to call, what affects price, self-build cover, DVLA status, NCD, and paperwork that catches people out. If we’ve missed your question, please send it to us and we’ll probably add it.

1Why is my quote so high? What actually moves the price up or down?
Underwriters price risk, not just vehicles. Big movers: driver profile (age, licence length, claims/convictions), postcode/parking, vehicle value and mods, annual mileage, security (tracker/alarm), usage (commuting/business), and claims history. Self-builds with poor documentation, high agreed values, or street parking can spike quotes. Add approved security, pick realistic mileage, and provide clear photos + receipts to help brokers place you.
2Do I need specialist campervan insurance or can I use standard van cover?
If you sleep or cook in it, even temporarily, specialist cover is usually safer. Standard van policies often exclude camping contents, conversions, or fitted equipment. If it’s “just a mattress” and no fixed kit, some van policies may quote, but you risk gaps. Tell the broker exactly what’s fitted now and what’s planned.
3Can I insure a van that’s still “in conversion”?
Yes, via specialist brokers/underwriters. Expect requirements: where it’s stored, photos at stages, declared tools/materials, and time limits. Cover for tools/materials is often limited, ask if you need separate cover.
4Does DVLA classification (panel van vs motor caravan) change my insurance options/price?
It can. You don’t need DVLA “motor caravan” status to insure, but classification can affect which underwriters will accept you, your price, and what they’ll cover. Be open about the current V5C status; some small vans can’t be reclassified, which is fine, brokers can still place you.
5Who do I call after an accident, broker, insurer or underwriter?
Bought via a broker: call the broker or the claims number on your schedule. The insurer/underwriter decides and pays valid claims; your broker helps with paperwork and chasing. Bought direct: call the insurer’s claims line (usually 24/7). Keep your policy number and photos handy.
6Does my broker handle claims, or a third party?
The underwriter/insurer (or their claims handler) runs the claim. Brokers support, but don’t decide or pay. Your docs may also list separate providers for glass, breakdown, or legal expense, that’s normal. Keep those numbers saved.
7Why did I get calls from an “accident management” or “legal” company I’ve never heard of?
Some policies use partner firms for credit hire, repairs, or legal help. You should be told who they are and why they’re contacting you. If you don’t want a service, say so; you can request contact comes only via your broker/insurer. If you’re unhappy, use the complaints process in your docs.
8Can I transfer my No Claims Discount (NCD) to a campervan policy?
Sometimes. Some underwriters mirror car NCD to a campervan; others don’t. It varies by broker/insurer. Ask at quote: do you accept mirrored NCD and what proof is needed? Keep your NCD proof handy.
9What details help a broker place a self-build or modified camper quickly?
Clear photos (inside/out), a mod list (pop-top, seats, windows, gas/electrics, heaters, suspension/wheels), security (tracker/immobiliser), usage/mileage, storage postcode, any agreed value target, and receipts/installer certs for major work. The more specific you are, the easier it is to match an underwriter’s appetite.
10Why are policy docs unclear about recovery, legal cover, European travel, or “contents”?
Because different parts can be provided by different companies. Check the IPID/Key Facts and schedule for: who underwrites the main policy (“Underwritten by …”), glass, breakdown, legal expenses, and contents limits (often low unless increased). If anything’s unclear, ask your broker to confirm in writing before you buy.

7. Key Takeaways

Most campervan owners are insured through brokers, not just underwriters.
The underwriter is the one who actually pays out in a claim.
The same underwriter can be behind multiple brokers, each with different prices.
Brokers charge commission, but offer expertise and access to specialist cover.
The FCA regulates all three, with new rules aiming for simpler, fairer policies.

If you ever need to chase a claim, start with your broker, but remember the final decision sits with the underwriter.