Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

Anyone have an Ocean insured with LV?

Elmo3

Elmo3

VIP Member
Messages
1,005
Location
Cotswolds
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 150
Just arranging cover for the new Ocean. We’ve used Safeguard in the past, called them and the policy proposed is underwritten by Highway, part of LV. Now, our cars are insured with LV on a multi car policy, so I called them. Price was very good. However, they are not interested in the model. All they want to know is that it’s a VW, it’s a campervan and the engine size. No model or value required. This made me nervous. I tried to explain it’s a factory built, not a conversion etc. They said they would not insure the ‘contents’ but if the vehicle was stolen, written off, burned to the ground etc, they would pay out market value of the vehicle. I’ve asked them to send the clauses through which define ‘contents’ but I’m wary to say the least. Does anyone have any experience of LV and Oceans?
 
Insured with LV for the last two or three years. Not had to claim aside from a new windscreen, but otherwise fine for me. They know the vehicle (VW Call Ocean) and value. When I first took out cover, I did confirm that it included the factory fit items, such as kitchen etc.
 
Interesting, thank you. I hope you are right and that I was just speaking with someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about. I’ll do some more homework before committing to anything but tempted to stick with Safeguard (and also try Comfort).
 
I insured with LV= in year 2, but the renewal for yr3 jumped in price for no material change so I switched to the camping and caravanning club insurance..
 
Last edited:
Just arranging cover for the new Ocean. We’ve used Safeguard in the past, called them and the policy proposed is underwritten by Highway, part of LV. Now, our cars are insured with LV on a multi car policy, so I called them. Price was very good. However, they are not interested in the model. All they want to know is that it’s a VW, it’s a campervan and the engine size. No model or value required. This made me nervous. I tried to explain it’s a factory built, not a conversion etc. They said they would not insure the ‘contents’ but if the vehicle was stolen, written off, burned to the ground etc, they would pay out market value of the vehicle. I’ve asked them to send the clauses through which define ‘contents’ but I’m wary to say the least. Does anyone have any experience of LV and Oceans?
I’m with LV. I read the small print and everything appeared covered - including fixtures and fittings.
 
I'm with them - I thought the contents cover was higher maybe £500 as its a camper van as well
 
Thanks for the responses, much appreciated. Seem to be some very conflicting information. They were basically telling me that anything inside the vehicle i.e. kitchen etc, was not covered. In the example of someone breaking into the van and smashing up the kitchen of an Ocean, it wouldn’t be covered.
 
kitchen etc, was not covered. In the example of someone breaking into the van and smashing up the kitchen of an Ocean, it wouldn’t be covered.

So you roll your Cali it is written off and LV replace in with a Kombi as only part of the van is covered.
 
we are with LV (as our car is too) lots of back and forth as they didn't seem to understand 'campervan' ended up telling me everything is classed as motorhome which in the end I just accepted.. they also didn't want to know 'value' of van just 'VW and year'...read all the small print so it's their problem if anything happens !
 
So you roll your Cali it is written off and LV replace in with a Kombi as only part of the van is covered.

I also gave them that scenario as well. The vehicle would be replaced at FMV. The issue appears to be that there can be no individual claim for or resulting from anything ‘inside’ the vehicle. All very vague but I’m guessing this would include a gas or electrical issue connected to the habitation which took the thing up in flames. I’m awaiting the actual policy document so I can read it myself.

The price was very good, but I don’t want cheap insurance, I want good insurance.
 
we are with LV (as our car is too) lots of back and forth as they didn't seem to understand 'campervan' ended up telling me everything is classed as motorhome which in the end I just accepted.. they also didn't want to know 'value' of van just 'VW and year'...read all the small print so it's their problem if anything happens !

Unfortunately I think any misunderstanding of the contract will result in it being my problem.
 
I’m with LV. Have been for two years. I’ll be reading the small print tonight :Nailbiting
 
A few years ago when we were hit up the rear in our 2012 SE and finally got the 3rd party insurer to answer and take responsibility they were very insistent in saying at a 9k repair bill would write off a 2012 van! While they were still faffing around my CMHC policy had agreed to repair at authorized VW body shop & hire car. The Cali was back on the road at the same time as the 3rd party company was offering a back street repair. The CMHC claim company sorted & all cost of repair claimed back. We could have had a like for like hire car if required. Personally, I think there is a big advantage to the Cali owner to have an insurer who specializes in Motorhomes/campervans when the crunch happens.
 
Totally agree with this. However, many on here insure their Calis with LV, our cars are with LV and the specialist Safeguard policy is underwritten by Highway, which is part of LV. It seemed obvious for me to therefore speak to LV but they have raised more questions than answers!
 
Just been on the phone to Comfort. Chalk and cheese. Knew exactly the vehicle, cover everything (yes, we know about the 48 hour rule but you can just call them if you think this will be an issue). Gas and explosion cover, camping gear upto £5K. 3 year / 15K mile new for old replacement, legal cover. Decent saving over Safeguard. I won’t even bother going through another painful conversation with LV.

All I’d say is that those who do insure their Cali with LV should check the policy very, very carefully.
 
Just arranging cover for the new Ocean. We’ve used Safeguard in the past, called them and the policy proposed is underwritten by Highway, part of LV. Now, our cars are insured with LV on a multi car policy, so I called them. Price was very good. However, they are not interested in the model. All they want to know is that it’s a VW, it’s a campervan and the engine size. No model or value required. This made me nervous. I tried to explain it’s a factory built, not a conversion etc. They said they would not insure the ‘contents’ but if the vehicle was stolen, written off, burned to the ground etc, they would pay out market value of the vehicle. I’ve asked them to send the clauses through which define ‘contents’ but I’m wary to say the least. Does anyone have any experience of LV and Oceans?

Just paid renewal with LV £ 137.80 for year
we get multi car discount
Good company LV our daughter had a new fiesta stolen in Lodon 4 years ago and LV paid out the full invoice price of the car within 2 weeks
 
Just paid renewal with LV £ 137.80 for year
we get multi car discount
Good company LV our daughter had a new fiesta stolen in Lodon 4 years ago and LV paid out the full invoice price of the car within 2 weeks
Incidentally
It states on the policy....VW CALIFORNIA OCEAN T 30 TDI 150 AUTOso they know whatbthey are insuring
 
I’ve had a letter from LV confirming their position. They specifically state their policy is not designed to cover motorcaravans (which a Cali Ocean is classified as on the V5) and as a result may not give the customer the cover they require for fixtures, fittings and contents. They say if the cover is not sufficient to consult a specialist motorhome insurer.

All too vague for me I’m afraid. Yes, LV are great for the cars but they won’t be insuring the Cali at any price.
 
I’ve had a letter from LV confirming their position. They specifically state their policy is not designed to cover motorcaravans (which a Cali Ocean is classified as on the V5) and as a result may not give the customer the cover they require for fixtures, fittings and contents. They say if the cover is not sufficient to consult a specialist motorhome insurer.

All too vague for me I’m afraid. Yes, LV are great for the cars but they won’t be insuring the Cali at any price.
Guess it’s up to you but many Cali owners are very satisfied with lv
Strikes me you have been a little pedantic and some arse covering lv employee has hedged bets
I can pm a copy of my policy clearly stating that my ocean is covered
 
Guess it’s up to you but many Cali owners are very satisfied with lv
Strikes me you have been a little pedantic and some arse covering lv employee has hedged bets
I can pm a copy of my policy clearly stating that my ocean is covered

I hope you are right Geoff. I just know how insurers will try to wriggle if you have to use them. I’ll call them again for absolute clarity but they were adamant. Really appreciate the offer, will let you know if I need to take it up. It’s the ambiguity that worries me. Comfort knew everything I asked them and it’s all covered, stated in black and white.
 
I’ve had a letter from LV confirming their position. They specifically state their policy is not designed to cover motorcaravans (which a Cali Ocean is classified as on the V5) and as a result may not give the customer the cover they require for fixtures, fittings and contents. They say if the cover is not sufficient to consult a specialist motorhome insurer.

All too vague for me I’m afraid. Yes, LV are great for the cars but they won’t be insuring the Cali at any price.
My 2019 Ocean is registered as an MPV on the V5?
 
I hope you are right Geoff. I just know how insurers will try to wriggle if you have to use them. I’ll call them again for absolute clarity but they were adamant. Really appreciate the offer, will let you know if I need to take it up. It’s lvthe ambiguity that worries me. Comfort knew everything I asked them and it’s all covered, stated in black and white.
I’m sure lv class the Cali as a car as it’s listed in glasses guide to vehicle values
If they list it as a car thena car it is !!
Incidentally I always book the Cali as a car on the ferry or tunnel .... no problem, they probably use the same data base
Reiterate that lv are a top company based on my experience
Good luck and regards Geoff
 
I have two vehicles on an Admiral Multicar policy, my California and my wife's Mini. Renewal was in Feb and I did much comparing of policies to see if I could get the same cover cheaper. LV were considerably cheaper but when I asked them about the habitation area of the California, they said point blank that it was not covered in any way! I negotiated a better deal with Admiral as they do cover the habitation area, though it took them 24 hours to confirm that with me.
The lesson I learned from that experience was to always check the cover you are paying for, as it may not be what you are led to believe.
 
I have two vehicles on an Admiral Multicar policy, my California and my wife's Mini. Renewal was in Feb and I did much comparing of policies to see if I could get the same cover cheaper. LV were considerably cheaper but when I asked them about the habitation area of the California, they said point blank that it was not covered in any way! I negotiated a better deal with Admiral as they do cover the habitation area, though it took them 24 hours to confirm that with me.
The lesson I learned from that experience was to always check the cover you are paying for, as it may not be what you are led to believe.
Really strange that lv told you that
I was assured that the whole vehicle is fully covered
Also European use 90 days
As all calls are recorded I feel confident in the cover
Your choice ... I’m not doing a p r job for lv
Regards Geoff
 
Back
Top