Insurance for California Ocean

[Beryl]

Hello,
I posted last week that I was excited to get my new California Ocean T6.1 on Valentine's Day. Well, all is going well I'm pleased to report - except getting her insurance (I have now got this by the way). I thought I'd share my experience as I notice others have asked about this. Being a 'newbie' I didn't realise at first that I should be seeking specialist insurance. I did this and ended up with several quotes. The first I tried sounded good until I asked the question 'would Beryl insured if she wasn't parked in my driveway or on a camping site but, say, outside a friends house who we'd gone to visit at the other end of the country and actually slept in their house as opposed to in the van. Incredibly, this well known insurer said 'no, it wouldn't!' We'd have to let them know every time we spent a night away with her somewhere other than at home or on a registered camping site - I was not expecting this level of 'daftness' - I pointed out that Beryl doesn't have a toilet or shower and that if we were going away for a week or more we might want to stay at a B&B and what they were requesting was totally impractical. This is a well known insurer quoted through Caravan Guard so, I just wanted to make others aware in case they haven't asked this somewhat daft question. I then took out insurance with the 2nd quote and picked up Beryl only to receive a call to say that they were cancelling my insurance because my NCD wasn't earned on a motorhome but a car! I pointed out that Beryl is a campervan and is the same size as my previous car, just a bit taller, and my licence covers me to drive up to an 8 person minibus! To no avail; this was a quote from the Caravan & Motorhome Club. I have now taken out insurance with a 3rd well-known insurer, which I hope will work out although they force me to have a tracker which I have to pay a subscription for and I notice that they reserve the right to repair any damage with non VW parts and . Given that Beryl is under warranty, this still worries me. Any similar experiences or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Perfectos]

A Familiar tale on over the years, it may help others and save them the same situation if you Name the insurers as in other threads on the subject.

Glad you're all sorted, post some photos of Beryl

The Search function, top right (spyglass ) is a good starting point for finding similar threads and researching generally

 

[andyinluton]

Hello,
Any similar experiences or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Try LV or NFU
Both insure it as a Campervan but let you treat it as a car. I have used both with full commuting & business use on a California.

 

[Beryl]

A Familiar tale on over the years, it may help others and save them the same situation if you Name the insurers as in other threads on the subject.

Glad you're all sorted, post some photos of Beryl

The Search function, top right (spyglass ) is a good starting point for finding similar threads and researching generally

Many thanks. Yes, I'll take some nice pictures of Beryl and post them shortly. I didn't know whether it would break the 'rules' to name them but the one recommended via CAMC was Ageas Optima using Devitt as the broker; the second recommended via Caravan Guard was RSA. I've gone with Axa in the end but will include LV & NFU next time - thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Snoopy23]

Lv £305 vs camc £800 enough said!

 

[AdamsFamily]

Lv £305 vs camc £800 enough said!

Really? £350??
I only came close to that sort of price when doing an online quote then when accepting it, then getting rejected because it was a Camper and they didn't cover it.

Only "car" one I found that would insure it was my existing one (before we got the Cali) but it had to be kept in the garage!! That was a no.

Like @Beryl I tried a few "camper specialists" and ended up forking out the £700 odd with CAMC - not the cheapest, but not the most expensive, but they gave the best cover all round.

However, they insisted on a Tracker (to be fair most did when quoting) and they didn't accept the Car 15+ years NCD either but compromised and gave one year as a "motorhome" driver. I pointed out my OH drives the 18 seat minibus every week but they weren't budging!
However, I can pay £250 and have my car repaired by VW rather than Joe Bloggs down the road.

I must be honest though, I haven't come across it only being insured either at home or on a campsite for overnight purposes.
The Outlaws live 120 miles away and we often visit and stay overnight - kinda screwed if tis applies to the Devitt cover we have.

Insurers... don't just love 'em!!

 

[Snoopy23]

Really? £350??
I only came close to that sort of price when doing an online quote then when accepting it, then getting rejected because it was a Camper and they didn't cover it.

Only "car" one I found that would insure it was my existing one (before we got the Cali) but it had to be kept in the garage!! That was a no.

Like @Beryl I tried a few "camper specialists" and ended up forking out the £700 odd with CAMC - not the cheapest, but not the most expensive, but they gave the best cover all round.

However, they insisted on a Tracker (to be fair most did when quoting) and they didn't accept the Car 15+ years NCD either but compromised and gave one year as a "motorhome" driver. I pointed out my OH drives the 18 seat minibus every week but they weren't budging!
However, I can pay £250 and have my car repaired by VW rather than Joe Bloggs down the road.

I must be honest though, I haven't come across it only being insured either at home or on a campsite for overnight purposes.
The Outlaws live 120 miles away and we often visit and stay overnight - kinda screwed if tis applies to the Devitt cover we have.

Insurers... don't just love 'em!!

£305 lv are ok with factory built calis but not conversions, so as long as factory built its ok they know what they are insuring, there are many posts on this. I could not believe the price as last year they would not cover me? I think there underwriter has changed since they have been bought out by i think zurich?

 

[Magic Bus]

I’m also with LV and paying £321 this year for the Cali, only a little more than my 11 year old Vauxhall Corsa!

 

[AdamsFamily]

Buggar!! I wish I had looked at them - Wife gets Blue Card with them too.
Had I not paid upfront for the year I'd just switch it now!!
Ah well, you live and learn (and waste money doing so)

Appreciate the confirmation they are happy with Factory Built Cali's @Snoopy23

 

[Snoopy23]

Buggar!! I wish I had looked at them - Wife gets Blue Card with them too.
Had I not paid upfront for the year I'd just switch it now!!
Ah well, you live and learn (and waste money doing so)

Appreciate the confirmation they are happy with Factory Built Cali's @Snoopy23

You may have 14 day cooling off period!

 

[JAG7001]

When getting quote online with safeguard, what selection do you pick on the manufacturer/ converter ?

EDIT: Doesn’t matter, Safeguard don’t cover NI, the joys of living in the bowels of Europe!

 

[Stow]

196 this year with LV. Let's face it, it's Comfort that pulls this overnight unattended trick, and they wouldn't even insure me the last time I tried!

 

[mojo doug]

Hello,
I posted last week that I was excited to get my new California Ocean T6.1 on Valentine's Day. Well, all is going well I'm pleased to report - except getting her insurance (I have now got this by the way). I thought I'd share my experience as I notice others have asked about this. Being a 'newbie' I didn't realise at first that I should be seeking specialist insurance. I did this and ended up with several quotes. The first I tried sounded good until I asked the question 'would Beryl insured if she wasn't parked in my driveway or on a camping site but, say, outside a friends house who we'd gone to visit at the other end of the country and actually slept in their house as opposed to in the van. Incredibly, this well known insurer said 'no, it wouldn't!' We'd have to let them know every time we spent a night away with her somewhere other than at home or on a registered camping site - I was not expecting this level of 'daftness' - I pointed out that Beryl doesn't have a toilet or shower and that if we were going away for a week or more we might want to stay at a B&B and what they were requesting was totally impractical. This is a well known insurer quoted through Caravan Guard so, I just wanted to make others aware in case they haven't asked this somewhat daft question. I then took out insurance with the 2nd quote and picked up Beryl only to receive a call to say that they were cancelling my insurance because my NCD wasn't earned on a motorhome but a car! I pointed out that Beryl is a campervan and is the same size as my previous car, just a bit taller, and my licence covers me to drive up to an 8 person minibus! To no avail; this was a quote from the Caravan & Motorhome Club. I have now taken out insurance with a 3rd well-known insurer, which I hope will work out although they force me to have a tracker which I have to pay a subscription for and I notice that they reserve the right to repair any damage with non VW parts and . Given that Beryl is under warranty, this still worries me. Any similar experiences or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I’ve been able to insure with LV and Admiral over the years . They’re ok

 

[Chico]

Hello,
I posted last week that I was excited to get my new California Ocean T6.1 on Valentine's Day. Well, all is going well I'm pleased to report - except getting her insurance (I have now got this by the way). I thought I'd share my experience as I notice others have asked about this. Being a 'newbie' I didn't realise at first that I should be seeking specialist insurance. I did this and ended up with several quotes. The first I tried sounded good until I asked the question 'would Beryl insured if she wasn't parked in my driveway or on a camping site but, say, outside a friends house who we'd gone to visit at the other end of the country and actually slept in their house as opposed to in the van. Incredibly, this well known insurer said 'no, it wouldn't!' We'd have to let them know every time we spent a night away with her somewhere other than at home or on a registered camping site - I was not expecting this level of 'daftness' - I pointed out that Beryl doesn't have a toilet or shower and that if we were going away for a week or more we might want to stay at a B&B and what they were requesting was totally impractical. This is a well known insurer quoted through Caravan Guard so, I just wanted to make others aware in case they haven't asked this somewhat daft question. I then took out insurance with the 2nd quote and picked up Beryl only to receive a call to say that they were cancelling my insurance because my NCD wasn't earned on a motorhome but a car! I pointed out that Beryl is a campervan and is the same size as my previous car, just a bit taller, and my licence covers me to drive up to an 8 person minibus! To no avail; this was a quote from the Caravan & Motorhome Club. I have now taken out insurance with a 3rd well-known insurer, which I hope will work out although they force me to have a tracker which I have to pay a subscription for and I notice that they reserve the right to repair any damage with non VW parts and . Given that Beryl is under warranty, this still worries me. Any similar experiences or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I’ve been able to insure with LV and Admiral over the years . They’re ok

Hi i’ve just had a quote from Adrian Flux insurance. Very good price. Around £350.
Fully comp. i thought they’d made a mistake however they e mailed me all the details and it was confirmed. California 2.5 2007

 

[Ben Herrick]

Hello,
I posted last week that I was excited to get my new California Ocean T6.1 on Valentine's Day. Well, all is going well I'm pleased to report - except getting her insurance (I have now got this by the way). I thought I'd share my experience as I notice others have asked about this. Being a 'newbie' I didn't realise at first that I should be seeking specialist insurance. I did this and ended up with several quotes. The first I tried sounded good until I asked the question 'would Beryl insured if she wasn't parked in my driveway or on a camping site but, say, outside a friends house who we'd gone to visit at the other end of the country and actually slept in their house as opposed to in the van. Incredibly, this well known insurer said 'no, it wouldn't!' We'd have to let them know every time we spent a night away with her somewhere other than at home or on a registered camping site - I was not expecting this level of 'daftness' - I pointed out that Beryl doesn't have a toilet or shower and that if we were going away for a week or more we might want to stay at a B&B and what they were requesting was totally impractical. This is a well known insurer quoted through Caravan Guard so, I just wanted to make others aware in case they haven't asked this somewhat daft question. I then took out insurance with the 2nd quote and picked up Beryl only to receive a call to say that they were cancelling my insurance because my NCD wasn't earned on a motorhome but a car! I pointed out that Beryl is a campervan and is the same size as my previous car, just a bit taller, and my licence covers me to drive up to an 8 person minibus! To no avail; this was a quote from the Caravan & Motorhome Club. I have now taken out insurance with a 3rd well-known insurer, which I hope will work out although they force me to have a tracker which I have to pay a subscription for and I notice that they reserve the right to repair any damage with non VW parts and . Given that Beryl is under warranty, this still worries me. Any similar experiences or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi!

I feel your pain! I struggled to get insurance initially for my T6.1 Cali Ocean and would of been stuck if my existing car insurance provider (Admiral) hadn't offered me a reasonable quote (around £500 for the year with NCB and without a Tracker). I believe Admiral insure my Ruby as a car/ van rather than specifically a campervan but its a little unclear - the only mention of a campervan within the policy is a cover limit increase for personal belongings in the vehicle if its a campervan. I have told them its a campervan which they've acknowledged but because its factory built I think they just see it as a normal car/ van.

Other providers I contacted were:
VW - £1,500pa with Tracker (additional cost)
NFU Mutual - £900pa without a Tracker
JustKampers - £800pa with a Tracker (additional cost)
Others that I tried, like the Caravan & Motorhome Club, wouldn't even offer me a quote or were even more excessive in price and requirements.

The problem, at least in my case (my van being less than three years old with low mileage), was the value of the vehicle. Beyond a certain vehicle value insurers just don't want to take the risk on you.

 

[Stow]

Keep these premiums of 900 odd in perspective though. For a 60k plus list price that is crazy cheap. It's a niche vehicle and not actually high risk of theft and the elderly demographic of ownership means damage claims are low. Hence low premium. Whether it is quotable comes down to the weird rules some insurers apply over others, but fact is it's low risk and relatively low premium, if you're quoted.

 

[Beryl]

Hi!

I feel your pain! I struggled to get insurance initially for my T6.1 Cali Ocean and would of been stuck if my existing car insurance provider (Admiral) hadn't offered me a reasonable quote (around £500 for the year with NCB and without a Tracker). I believe Admiral insure my Ruby as a car/ van rather than specifically a campervan but its a little unclear - the only mention of a campervan within the policy is a cover limit increase for personal belongings in the vehicle if its a campervan. I have told them its a campervan which they've acknowledged but because its factory built I think they just see it as a normal car/ van.

Other providers I contacted were:
VW - £1,500pa with Tracker (additional cost)
NFU Mutual - £900pa without a Tracker
JustKampers - £800pa with a Tracker (additional cost)
Others that I tried, like the Caravan & Motorhome Club, wouldn't even offer me a quote or were even more excessive in price and requirements.

The problem, at least in my case (my van being less than three years old with low mileage), was the value of the vehicle. Beyond a certain vehicle value insurers just don't want to take the risk on you.

Agree. Thanks for sharing your quotes.

 

[AdamsFamily]

You may have 14 day cooling off period!

Not sure I could push for that after 100 days LOL

 

[Snoopy23]

Not sure I could push for that after 100 days LOL

unless cancelation charges are much less than what you might save!

 

[Nathan V]

Same issue here with insurance via CAMC on new Cali Beach last May. Sent proof of NCD and a week later they called and said it wasn't valid as gained on a car! I did point out that you drive it on the same license as a car to no avail, and given I was going on holiday the next day I had to swallow the price (> £1k) with no NCD applied! Annoyingly I only changed my previous car insurance from LV (who i had been with for many years) to Admiral the year before, and only went with CAMC as when I called Admiral to move the insurance from the Car to the Cali they stated they didn't insure Vans! I plan to call LV as soon as my renewal comes up!