Insurance and Tracker Dilemma

[Alasdair]

We are due to collect our new Beach from SMG Tonbridge very soon. Finding insurance has been very interesting. Many companies simply said "No" including Comfort, Saga, Adrian Flux and one quoted £2,500.00 with no business use. Street parking in London and the fact that I appear to be invisible to the credit reference companies seemed to be the problem. I was getting a bit worried when eventually I tried LV who came up with a very reasonable £380.00 quote but required a tracker and imposed a £500.00 excess. The tracker will cost £500.00 to fit plus £159.00 per year after the first free year. Direct Line who insure my old Polo came up with a quote of £696.00 with no excess and no requirement for a tracker. Over a three year period both insurers will cost the same at about £2k once the tracker costs are added. LV then gets a bit cheaper but still with a £500 excess.
Personally I normally like to keep things simple so I am a bit tempted to skip the tracker and go for Direct Line. However, you experts might advise me otherwise. In effect, I get the tracker free but are they worth having or are they just something to go wrong? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[Loz]

A tracker only really helps in recovery, spending £400 on an Autowatch ghost and prevent it from being stolen in the first place would be better value..

 

[Alasdair]

A tracker only really helps in recovery, spending £400 on an Autowatch ghost and prevent it from being stolen in the first place would be better value..

I had to look that up but I can see your point - best to stop it being stolen in the first place.

 

[gvick]

I’m planning to do what @Loz has had done and have a Ghost immobiliser fitted they will fit a tracker for £150 if you have both done together.

Ps for an insurance rated tracker you will bit looking at closer to £700 for the highest rated Thatham one (at least that’s what I was quoted)

 

[Alasdair]

I’m planning to do what @Loz has had done and have a Ghost immobiliser fitted they will fit a tracker for £150 if you have both done together.

Ps for an insurance rated tracker you will bit looking at closer to £700 for the highest rated Thatham one (at least that’s what I was quoted)

I had better check the insurance requirement and the tracker quote to make sure they agree. I'll investigate the Ghost more thoroughly too. Thanks.

 

[Loz]

The Ghost would be recognised as a secondary or additional immobiliser. It doesn't have a Thatcham category yet as Thatcham don't yet have a category to electronic immobilisers as their current requirements are for an immobiliser are to "Break" a connection.

 

[Wongo]

Did you try Sureguard or Alan Boswell?

 

[MattBW]

That is very weird as LV don't require me to have a tracker although I do have one.

 

[Rich20]

I struggled to get insurance as many don’t recognised the Beach as a car or a Camper. I found Direct Line to be reasonable but they do try to put the price up quite considerably each year but I always haggle it down.

 

[Gary&Heather]

I've been with LV for a year now and I own a beach they never asked me for a tracker. I nearly went with Direct Line insurance but the beach would only be insured as a van and not a campervan so didn't go down that road.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Have you tried Admiral

 

[Alasdair]

Did you try Sureguard or Alan Boswell?

Certainly not Alan Boswell. I'm beginning to loose count of the others. I'll maybe try them in the morning. Thanks

 

[Alasdair]

That is very weird as LV don't require me to have a tracker although I do have one.

Maybe my London postcode is causing a problem?

 

[Alasdair]

I struggled to get insurance as many don’t recognised the Beach as a car or a Camper. I found Direct Line to be reasonable but they do try to put the price up quite considerably each year but I always haggle it down.

Thanks for the tip. If I go with them I'll keep an eye on it!

 

[Alasdair]

I've been with LV for a year now and I own a beach they never asked me for a tracker. I nearly went with Direct Line insurance but the beach would only be insured as a van and not a campervan so didn't go down that road.

Yes, they didn't seem to be able to bring up the correct model but I did question it and they assured me it would cover the vehicle. I will double check if I go with them. LV send a written quote but Direct Line wouldn't do that which is a shame.

 

[Tom Rae]

I am having a similar tracker problem albeit with Adrian Flux who would not cover the OP. My van has App Connect, can that not "play a role"? Safeguard quote was dearer but I have still to enquire if they also require a tracker - it may still be worth it!

Tom

 

[Tom Rae]

I am having a similar tracker problem albeit with Adrian Flux who would not cover the OP. My van has App Connect, can that not "play a role"? Safeguard quote was dearer but I have still to enquire if they also require a tracker - it may still be worth it!

Tom

An update, Safeguard have reduced their price to nearly match Adrian Flux (+£10) and do not require a tracker as the standard alarm is Thatcham category 1. I now await a response from AF

Tom

 

[Alasdair]

An update, Safeguard have reduced their price to nearly match Adrian Flux (+£10) and do not require a tracker as the standard alarm is Thatcham category 1. I now await a response from AF

Tom

Hi Tom, After a lot of deliberation I decided to insure with Direct Line who ended up quoting about £650.00 but with no need for a tracker and no £500.00 excess. My Polo is insured with them so it is just a matter of changing the vehicle and thereby avoiding any cancellation charges. I asked Direct Line if the premium would be reduced if I did fit a tracker and they said it wouldn't make any difference. I will buy a steering lock as a visual deterrent and I'll review everything when the insurance expires in October. It sounds like you are nearly sorted out too. I'll be collecting the van on Saturday, yippee!

 

[WelshGas]

An update, Safeguard have reduced their price to nearly match Adrian Flux (+£10) and do not require a tracker as the standard alarm is Thatcham category 1. I now await a response from AF

Tom

Based on the Reviews for Adrian Flux and Safeguard, I wouldn't bother waiting for the reply.

 

[Tom Rae]

Based on the Reviews for Adrian Flux and Safeguard, I wouldn't bother waiting for the reply.

Safeguard seems fine but a long weariesome process nevertheless, Adrian Flux I found to be economic with the facts and when I checked their proposal there were a number of fundamental errors which led me to cancel the policy but not before I incurred some extra charges that were not mentioned before. I would have gone direct line but as an earlier poster mentioned their despicable habit of ramping up the policy charge each year and then modifying it once a complaint was made. Talk about a nest of Vipers..........

Tom

 

[WelshGas]

Safeguard seems fine but a long weariesome process nevertheless, Adrian Flux I found to be economic with the facts and when I checked their proposal there were a number of fundamental errors which led me to cancel the policy but not before I incurred some extra charges that were not mentioned before. I would have gone direct line but as an earlier poster mentioned their despicable habit of ramping up the policy charge each year and then modifying it once a complaint was made. Talk about a nest of Vipers..........

Tom

I just stick with the Caravan & Motorhome Club, £400 last renewal. Has decreased every year. Everything covered. They know what the California is, and I've had experience of their Claims procedure in the past. New caravan written off on the M4. Replaced within 1 month with an apology as they had to wait for the equivalent next years model to be built.
Premium may seem high compared to others but Insured for 20,000 + miles/year.

 

[Tom Rae]

I just stick with the Caravan & Motorhome Club, £400 last renewal. Has decreased every year. Everything covered. They know what the California is, and I've had experience of their Claims procedure in the past. New caravan written off on the M4. Replaced within 1 month with an apology as they had to wait for the equivalent next years model to be built.
Premium may seem high compared to others but Insured for 20,000 + miles/year.

I will explore the insurance options in more detail next year, thanks for you useful suggestions.

Tom