22nd Jun 2013, 08:35

Hi - (original poster of the thread) in my experience, most insurers are very suspect of Tourneos as a family vehicle, and will only insure the 8 seat including driver version after dealing direct with the underwriter. I could not get cover for a 9 seat, which seems to require minibus insurance.

Also note that most breakdown cover is maximum 7 passengers (8 with driver).

The V5c classes it as an M1 passenger carrying vehicle, under 3030kg, which makes it a car, but the V5C states body style as minibus, which is confusing. UK legislation states a minibus is with 9 seats or over.

After much discussion, I did get cover with Aviva - but only after hours of negotiation direct with the underwriting department.

What is also relevant here is the speed limits for the Tourneo: as it is classed as a car, car speed limits apply - I have checked this direct with government after being told mistakenly by a traffic police officer that van limits apply (50 single lane, 60 dual carriageway, 70 motorway).

When looking at big people carriers, bear in mind Kombis with added seats or converted vans have to stick to lower limits - this is a hot topic with VW owners where the same shell and running gear is used for a Caravelle, which is classed as a car, as for the T5/T6 kombi 6 seat van, which is still classed as N1 commercial on the docs, so the lower speed limits apply.

We now use a trade policy for our Tourneo, but keep trying and you will get normal car cover with someone after speaking to their underwriters. I remember that in the end, we had a refund of money on our Aviva policy as it was much cheaper than the car it replaced, which was a Nissan Primera 2.2dci.