Chemical lithium insertion into five different types of V6O13-based intercalation hosts have been performed in this study. Four phases were identified : Li-0.56,O-13, Li1.5V6O13, Li1.5V6O13 and Li6V6O13; the latter phase representing the highest degree of intercalation. These phases are crystallographically and magnetically different not only from the phase-pure V6O13 host, but also from one another. The presence of other VOy-phases (10 mol% VO2 or V2O5) caused slower lithium intercalation into V6O13, different final phases and poor stability in the presence of water.