Who to insure with?
 

I need damage/theft insurance from a UK company for an overland trip which is expected to include Europe, West Africa and the Americas.

Campbell Irvine appears to be one possibility. Has anyone had dealings with them - what are they like - or are their better alternatives?

I am not sure that any vehicle related insurance issued in the UK will be valid outside of Europe and you need to take it out as you go along, either country by country or part of a continent as with a comesa in Africa. I would also have thought the premium would be so much that you would be better off putting the money to one side as an emergency fund to pay for repairs if and when needed.
You don't mention what type of vehicle you are planning to take, remember expensive bikes and cars are far less prone to theft in developing countries than they are in developed ones as they standout so much they are useless to thieves.

Thanks and I'd like to follow this up with you. The vehicle is a 2005 Landrover Defender fitted with various anti-theft devices which, taken together, in my view, make it unlikely to be stolen unless lifted by crane onto a truck or some other vehicle.

The insurance I had in mind does not include any "green card" 3rd party. (I will look up "Comesa" to see whether this is third-party related.) In addition, I thought the cover for damage and damage-related restrictions somewhat narrow and am awaiting clarification of certain points.

Say a UK Accident/Fire/Theft policy cost GBP 1,000 p.a. (guessing): well, that cash would go some way towards damage repairs. How likely is something serious? No answer: that's why there's insurance.

Got 45days ,, just now