California Vehicle Classification & VW UK

[Jester]

I called VW customer care regards the California classification ie MPV initially they said they will send me a form to fill in and I should then forward to the DVLA. I said I purchased a Campervan not a MPV from VW UK they should take up this fight.
I requested this gets escalated, the very next day a lady from the complaints team who was obviously well briefed called me and said VW are negotiating with the DVLA. In around about way she suggested that the more complaints VW get adds weight to our problem.

She even gave me a case number and contact phone number, If you chose to call them go firstly via customer care commercial, then ask to escalate.

 

[homerorchid]

I wrote to DVLA several weeks ago about the exact same issue (MY19 registered March 15th) but todate I haven't received a reply. I don't think for one minute they will allow MY19 owners and future new vehicle Cali owners the option to change classification and refund some of the £1760? initial first registration fee as it would appear the idea of classifying it as an MPV was to get more money oUT of owners at first registration + for the following 5 yrs. The implications for me relate to limited choice of insurance companies that will insure the vehicle as a camper van (including habitation areas). In the main insurance companies don't cover the habitation part of the van when you are forced to insure it as an MPV

 

[WelshGas]

I wrote to DVLA several weeks ago about the exact same issue (MY19 registered March 15th) but todate I haven't received a reply. I don't think for one minute they will allow MY19 owners and future new vehicle Cali owners the option to change classification and refund some of the £1760? initial first registration fee as it would appear the idea of classifying it as an MPV was to get more money oUT of owners at first registration + for the following 5 yrs. The implications for me relate to limited choice of insurance companies that will insure the vehicle as a camper van (including habitation areas). In the main insurance companies don't cover the habitation part of the van when you are forced to insure it as an MPV

I think you have the wrong end of the stick. The Vehicle Classification of M1 will remain and it is this that attracts the 1st year VED of £1760 as the vehicle costs over £40,000.
MPV or Motor Caravan is the Body Type Classification and that is what the Specialist Insurers are going by. It is in VWs interests to get a California , well at least the Ocean, classified as Body Type Motor Caravan as that is what the vehicle is sold as and advertised as and failure to do so could cause them problems in the future.

 

[MartG]

I'm not sure there is a problem, other than a few insurance companies & maybe tolls, does the MPV status not benefit owners?

 

[pjm-84]

Not caused me any problems and to be honest I didn't realise it was an M1 class vehicle.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Hi, I must be missing something.
My Cali Ocean first reg Feb 2017 was classed as a "Body Type - Motor Caravan" and "Vehicle Category M1". I have now sold this Cali.
In June 2019 I bought a new Cali Ocean and was classed as a "Body Type - MPV" and "Vehicle Category M1".
As far as I know I would have paid the same first year tax for My19 Cali be it classified "Motor Caravan" or "MPV". When I updated my insurance company of the change of vehicle it was no problem. No extra fee - just change of details (Registration Number). At no time for either Cali was I ever asked for Body Type or Vehicle Category. My insurance company is Comfort.
So far I have seen no disadvantage resulting from the change to MPV from Motor Caravan.
Should I expect a surprise?

 

[homerorchid]

If you don't mind me asking Is you vehicle (MPV) + your "Habitation" insured

 

[MartG]

Yes - only the (personal) loose items aren't insured, all factory fixtures are... ie, what VW supplied.

edit - my insurer also allows up to £1000 for personal effects / accessories.

 

[homerorchid]

That's great then, if you have a crash e.g. side impact and your kitchen unit needs replacing your covered. As far as I'm aware the likes of C&CC and C&M won't insure the new Carl's at the moment because they are "MPV's" and they don't provide cover for "MPV's" . The only one that I am aware of that will insure MY19 Carl's as a "campervan" (which is obviously what it is) is "Safeguard" , they cover the vehicle and habitation. I'm not prepared to just make assumptions that in the event of a claim an insurance company will cover and pay out unless I specifically have it in writing that the whole of the vehicle including the factory fitted habitation are included

 

[MartG]

That's what I have read on these forums regarding CMC & C&CC... I was quoted by Direct Line & LV, both stated full factory fittings covered, as if nothing had changed since before model description change, which is what it should be - nothings changed...

 

[Jabberwocky]

If you don't mind me asking Is you vehicle (MPV) + your "Habitation" insured

Please see attached "Statement of Fact" document. You can see that it is clear this is a Motorhome insurance policy, not an MPV policy with add on's.

Edit: Documents removed by poster. Happy to share if requested by PM.

 

[MartG]

Your policy document looks similar to mine... I only stated the make & model. The insurers seem to use their own vehicle classification?

 

[homerorchid]

Thank you very much "Jabberwocky" for taking the time to post that. We're with LV (Multicar) at the moment and only covered as an MPV, recently discovered after checking following reading bits on forum. Due to renew next month and that's why my concerns. I want it to be insured for what it is and not just an MPV. The cover you have is exactly what I want so feel reassured that appropriate cover is available, thanks again

 

[Scanacali]

Neuon2003 said:

Comfort Insurance’s Operations Director confirmed in a phone call this morning that currently they would not be able to insure a new California Ocean classified as an MPV. It seems this is a restriction of their underwriter. It was said that discussions are in hand with DVLA to seek reinstatement of the previous Motor caravan classification. I was told that Comfort are seeking support with DVLA from other specialist insurers and that Comfort may be looking to find a different underwriter.

The above entered on the 31st July 19 from the other thread on this topic 'New DVLA classification ?'

Anything changed with comfort recently? When I phoned them back in July, they were happy to quote until you mentioned the word 'Body type on V5 is MPV' and then they says they could not insure. I asked them if they check the DVLA classification and they said they did not. But if you told them it was Body type 'MPV they would not insure. I did notice in another thread someone recently insured with Comfort and they mentioned the underwriters agreed to cover their Cali despite being down as an MPV. Don't know if anyone else has had that experience recently?

 

[homerorchid]

Just wondering "Jabberwocky", do you remember telling Aviva that your Cali is an MPV on V5c. I think I will make them aware when I ring them that mine is an MPV as I would be concerned that there could be issues if made a claim, suppose they could potentially say that you did not tell them it is classed as an MPV and if you had done so they would not have been able to sell you " Motorhome insurance"

 

[MartG]

Homerorchid, I have just come off the phone with LV - they have checked and stated that they cover the VW Ocean to factory spec, including habitation. IF any part cannot be factory fixed, ie, is non-standard, they will cover to the value of £1000.They are aware of the body classification but treat it as a campervan. Hope that helps, but please check with them when renewal comes round.

 

[homerorchid]

Thank you MartG. I'll give them a ring, would be great if I could stay with LV Multicar, price was really good

 

[Scanacali]

Please see attached "Statement of Fact" document. You can see that it is clear this is a Motorhome insurance policy, not an MPV policy with add on's.
View attachment 49228

On Jabberwocky 'Statement of Fact' document which was posted above, the Body Type is classed as MH and not MPV as per the V5. I think it could be worth checking this with Comfort, as there disclaimer at the top warns about incorrect details have to be notified to them.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Just wondering "Jabberwocky", do you remember telling Aviva that your Cali is an MPV on V5c. I think I will make them aware when I ring them that mine is an MPV as I would be concerned that there could be issues if made a claim, suppose they could potentially say that you did not tell them it is classed as an MPV and if you had done so they would not have been able to sell you " Motorhome insurance"

I have never told any insurance company any details in the V5c and have never been asked for such information (I have owned 15 or so cars in my lifetime). Have always given the Make, Model, Trim Status and Engine Capacity and they have done the rest.

 

[B J G]

Please see attached "Statement of Fact" document. You can see that it is clear this is a Motorhome insurance policy, not an MPV policy with add on's.
View attachment 49228

View attachment 49231

Seems odd to me as I was Insured with Aviva on my previous vehicles but they would NOT offer insurance on the Cali as they said that they didn't cover this type of vehicle, 2017. Gave me a refund on unused insured months plus NCB proof.

 

[MartG]

I think it depends on the underwriters used at the point of renewal. I get wildly varying quotes each year for my motorbikes, with varying restrictions, from the same insurer. As long as you have a written contract with cover detailed, I'd hope you were happily insured for the period.

 

[Elmo3]

I have never told any insurance company any details in the V5c and have never been asked for such information (I have owned 15 or so cars in my lifetime). Have always given the Make, Model, Trim Status and Engine Capacity and they have done the rest.

Indeed. They are a specialist insurer and would be considered Subject Matter Experts, which is why you use them. They should not sell and incept a policy which is unfit for purpose. As SME’s they should know and understand the vehicle they are insuring. No doubt if you asked them to insure a Porsche, they would quite rightly refuse to even quote rather than sell you an unsuitable policy.

 

[pjm-84]

Agreed. It's on their database. Oddly I tried to ensure with Aviva as I have 3 cars already with them and they told me that I had to go with a specialist insurer, Comfort, as they didn't cover this type of vehicle on their standard policy.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Seems odd to me as I was Insured with Aviva on my previous vehicles but they would NOT offer insurance on the Cali as they said that they didn't cover this type of vehicle, 2017. Gave me a refund on unused insured months plus NCB proof.

This whole saga seems rather odd to me.

Agreed. It's on their database. Oddly I tried to ensure with Aviva as I have 3 cars already with them and they told me that I had to go with a specialist insurer, Comfort, as they didn't cover this type of vehicle on their standard policy.

And here's the irony. Comfort, a broker, then use AVIVA as the underwriter to insure your Cali! Nuts.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Oh, just thought I would share this information with you.

The official DVLA Body Type Codes are:
27 = "Motorhome/Caravan"
96 = "MPV (Multipurpose Vehicle)"
So the Body Type ("MH") that Comfort have used in my insurance since early 2017 to date is not an official designation as it is not shown on the DVLA web site.
I can't help feeling that this could be all rather academic, especially as it could be argued quite easily that an Ocean is a Motorhome and a Beach an MPV simply because one has kitchen units and the other doesn't.