Good News!

[DaveH]

In anticipation of my forthcoming purchase of a 2017 Cali Ocean I have been undertaking the painful process of obtaining a suitable, realistic quote.

I say Painful :-
My current insurer - Saga would not quote (after being cheapest of the lot on my vRS)
NFU Mutual wouldn't quote given the postcode (Don't live in a leafy suburb).
Adrian Flux £625
Clubcare £731
Camping and motorhome club £470
Comfort was decent at £365 but their stipulations re storage and the '48 hour rule' seemed restrictive.
Safeguard was probably the best value given what you get (Breakdown etc) at £435

So, onto Compare the market that threw up surprising price of £231 through Admiral,
closely followed by Elephant at £234!

Read a comment on the CC forum from January that actually, Admiral don't insure Cali Oceans because of the onboard water system! Crackers I thought, they've quoted for it so what would happen if I pressed the 'buy' button?

Webchatted to Admiral and between waits while the chatter talked to his supervisor, it was confirmed that indeed, the Ocean was NOT covered due to the onboard water system. Damn!

So tried Elephant.

I told the Elephant chatter about Admirals stance re the Ocean and asked the guy to confirm their own stance.
He explained that they were part of the Admiral group so the stance would be the same.

The chatter wanted to find out more however and had the gumption to ask for more detail as he was puzzled as to why a price was even given for a van with running water.
He asked whether the Ocean has a toilet and I explained no, nor a shower, just and onboard, factory fitted tank, sink and waste tank.

Off he went to ask the underwriters and the good news was that the underwriters said, 'Oh that's fine then, no problem, that's ok' They mistakenly thought the Ocean had a fixed toilet and shower! (Gosh, how big do they think they are?).

Added to this, I pushed for more detail re how long the Cali could be left unattended away from the home address, eg at an airport or left in my company car park. (I plan to leave it for 4 days every other week while I commute between home and work by train Mon to Thurs).
Again, no problem as long as the Cali is on my drive for 50% of the year or more! Fab. No special conditions, no need to inform them.

Can't comment on how good or bad Admiral, Elephant or any of the others are to be honest. They are all in the same business so can't see the point in paying more than I need to in the possibly mistaken belief that I might be treated better at claim time if I pay more!
Having only made one claim in 37 years I can't say I've much experience of who's good or bad in that respect!

PS, I have the chat transcripts emailed as proof!

Hope this may help some of you chaps and ladies!

 

[Annik]

Beware!

I went through your pain and did more research, many of the so called 'car insurers' are still not familar with what a California is, the problems I had was unless you go with a specialist motorhome insurer you run a very high risk of of claims being rejected if anything in the back is damaged, ie: kitchens, awnings, cupboard etc Several years ago I had a very good quote from Direct Line but when I pushed them for a letter to confirm the habitation was covered they bottled out.

The motorhome insurers are specialist in this field for a reason hence why I went with Safeguard as they also offer new for old for the first two years so saved on GAP insurance, they also covered my solar panels.

 

[jts46]

@DaveH i used to live in Nuneaton (my home town) Marston Lane, Attleborough

 

[DaveH]

@DaveH i used to live in Nuneaton (my home town) Marston Lane, Attleborough

Haha, Sunny Nunny, thanks for the welcome!

 

[DaveH]

Beware!

I went through your pain and did more research, many of the so called 'car insurers' are still not familar with what a California is, the problems I had was unless you go with a specialist motorhome insurer you run a very high risk of of claims being rejected if anything in the back is damaged, ie: kitchens, awnings, cupboard etc Several years ago I had a very good quote from Direct Line but when I pushed them for a letter to confirm the habitation was covered they bottled out.

The motorhome insurers are specialist in this field for a reason hence why I went with Safeguard as they also offer new for old for the first two years so saved on GAP insurance, they also covered my solar panels.

Yes, of course. I will need to double check all of their policy clauses and be happy with what is protected.
At least the issue of the 'running water' is resolved. (Haven't mentioned the gas cooker yet!!!)

 

[Meoncoast]

no problem as long as the Cali is on my drive for 50% of the year or more

I would hate that.

 

[calimera]

Welcome

Have you tried camping & caravaning club ( CC & C) ? We had a very good quote from them using my husbands NCB.

They give NEW for OLD on a brand new California Ocean. Something safeguard,CMC & comfort all do ,sadly the car insurers do not. Read insurance thread for explanation. So we didn’t feel the need to take GAP insurance.

No need for breakdown cover ( UK & Europe) , you get 3 years on new Cali .

 

[DaveH]

I would hate that.

Haha, yes, but I do believe it means when not in use or 'stored'.

 

[DaveH]

Welcome

Have you tried camping & caravaning club ( CC & C) ? We had a very quote from them using my husbands NCB.

They given NEW for OLD on a brand new California Ocean. Something safeguard,CMC & comfort all do ,sadly the car insurers do not. Read insurance thread for explanation. So we didn’t feel the need to take GAP insurance.

I haven't tried them yet, no. I'll get on it. And, will read that thread - thanks.

Re new for old, the van I'm looking at is an ex demo and 2 months old so presumably doesn't qualify for the 'New for old' benefit. Therefore I would be looking at 'Market value' as with any insurer.


As a ps, in the policy booklet for Elephant, endorsement 19 states :-

"This endorsement amends or provides cover as stated
.
The policy definition of your car includes Camper Vans
.
We will pay up to £500 for personal belongings including non standard fixtures and fittings if
they are damaged or stolen
.
You are covered to attend Club Rallies and Competitions as long as your use does not involve racing, pace making, rallying, track days trials or speed tests either on a road, track, private grounds or at an off road 4x4
event"

Presumably then, Camper Vans are at least recognised as 'a thing'!

 

[RoB5urf]

I just moved from Admiral to the C&MH club. I tried to get gap insurance last week but was declined because my Admiral policy didn't have new for old.

C&MH beat Admirals premium and I now have new for old cover.

Also, I have a Beach so I was expecting C&MH to decline based on what I've read on these forums. They said as long as the V5 says Motor Caravan it's not a problem. And, I didn't even have to join the club itself. Result

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[calimera]

Does the elephant policy actually cover the kitchen & cupboards ?
The sliding table if damaged in an accident costs over £ 300 + !!!

 

[Victor]

I haven't tried them yet, no. I'll get on it. And, will read that thread - thanks.

Re new for old, the van I'm looking at is an ex demo and 2 months old so presumably doesn't qualify for the 'New for old' benefit. Therefore I would be looking at 'Market value' as with any insurer.


As a ps, in the policy booklet for Elephant, endorsement 19 states :-

"This endorsement amends or provides cover as stated
.
The policy definition of your car includes Camper Vans
.
We will pay up to £500 for personal belongings including non standard fixtures and fittings if
they are damaged or stolen
.
You are covered to attend Club Rallies and Competitions as long as your use does not involve racing, pace making, rallying, track days trials or speed tests either on a road, track, private grounds or at an off road 4x4
event"

Presumably then, Camper Vans are at least recognised as 'a thing'!

Our was ex demo and they asked for 'list price' and not the price we paid as this would give us new for old.

 

[DaveH]

Well, Camping and caravanning insurance through 'Clubcare' are the winners at a whopping £908!
C & MH and Safeguard were half of that and Comfort £365

I think the annoying thing is that my details do not change and the benefits are roughly comparable yet the premiums vary bafflingly.

 

[DaveH]

Well, Camping and caravanning insurance through 'Clubcare' are the winners at a whopping £908!
C & MH and Safeguard were half of that and Comfort £365

I think the annoying thing is that my details do not change and the benefits are roughly comparable yet the premiums vary bafflingly.

Time to get on the chatlines again and get some answers!

 

[calimera]

Well, Camping and caravanning insurance through 'Clubcare' are the winners at a whopping £908!
C & MH and Safeguard were half of that and Comfort £365

I think the annoying thing is that my details do not change and the benefits are roughly comparable yet the premiums vary bafflingly.

Wow. ,ours was under £ 300 .

 

[Stoneybroke]

I take it that the insurance you have gone for includes commuting, given you are parking it in your company car park . Have you included the broader business use as well? That is often another sticking point.

 

[Pete Wilkins]

I am still with VW have been for the 3 and a bit years since we have had a Cali NFU were more expensive, but as all insurance companies they all put up the prices every year until they no longer become the cheapest. I was willing to pay this years increase just for the comfort that they know what a California is. The caravan and motorhome club were also competitive last time I checked them for a comparison if you are a member.

 

[DaveH]

Wow. ,ours was under £ 300 .

How it varies!

 

[DaveH]

I take it that the insurance you have gone for includes commuting, given you are parking it in your company car park . Have you included the broader business use as well? That is often another sticking point.

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, I always include commuting.
Commuting is fine if it is to only one place of work. Class one business use is necessary if you have to travel for instance to a customer or go for a meeting during the day. This doesn't include commercial use though!
I have class one business on my motorbike and the wifes car

 

[DaveH]

I am still with VW have been for the 3 and a bit years since we have had a Cali NFU were more expensive, but as all insurance companies they all put up the prices every year until they no longer become the cheapest. I was willing to pay this years increase just for the comfort that they know what a California is. The caravan and motorhome club were also competitive last time I checked them for a comparison if you are a member.

I'll give them a try too!
PS NFU refused to even quote based on postcode without even being told what the vehicle was! Cheeky.
It's not like it's the Bronx!

 

[DaveH]

Does the elephant policy actually cover the kitchen & cupboards ?
The sliding table if damaged in an accident costs over £ 300 + !!!

I had a good chat to the Elephant chatter. I described the interior habitation area and the message was that everything fitted to the Ocean as factory fit would be covered. Cupboards, fridge, cooker etc etc. If there were factory fit extras these would also be covered if noted down at the time of taking out insurance including SatNav, Awning, Privacy glass.

Sliding table is standard factory fit so I've no indication this would not be covered.

 

[2into1]

Camping and Caravan club told me they have had some big changes this year, and are often finding their quotes to be very expensive, and losing lots of business.
They were still doing the 'we'll beat any quote by £25'. When I made up a fictional quote, they offered me £289. Without the fictional quote, £670!
It just shows what a daft market it is when they would happily have insured me for 289 providing someone else had quoted 25 more, when they considered my real risk to be 670.

Obviously as you need to provide proof of the other quote, I couldn't accept their bargain 289.

 

[Seán Kerr]

When I bought my insurance policy from Comfort, they said that the maximum 48 hours unattended away from home rule did not apply in car parks with barriers so airports are fine.

 

[Gambler71]

Webchatted to Admiral and between waits while the chatter talked to his supervisor, it was confirmed that indeed, the Ocean was NOT covered due to the onboard water system. Damn!

Interesting. I've been with Admiral since the end of May with my new Cali Ocean. It was added as part of a family policy, we have two other vehicles insured with them. They are all due renewal at the same time next month when I will double check on the Cali.

 

[Gambler71]

One question, for insurance purposes and terminology is there a difference between “Camper Van” and “Motorhome”, or indeed from my V5C "Motor Caravan"?