Insurance Recommendations

[RonB]

I have been with Coast for last few years, they are brokers for mobile homes, caravans, etc, and are underwritten in my case by Zurich. Covered for two named drivers, European travel (90 days max per trip), plus legal cover, for £267 with 9+NCD. Does not include Europe breakdown.

I didn't take Safeguard a couple of years ago because the inclusive European breakdown cover list of countries appeared to be different to those covered by actual vehicle insurance (I think may have been Croatia, etc). This may have been an error in documents but was relevant to my travel plans. Just a word of warning.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Hi Everyone

After some insurance recommendations if possible.

We have 9 years NCB 'spare' at the moment as we've just sold one of our cars that we can use the NCB on the Cali for. Do the insurance companies recognise this / keep it for us?

We're not thinking we will fit a tracker or other security stuff to our Cali unless we're forced to, are these things compulsory for a lot of insurers?

Some of the websites I've seen also say that they do replacement vehicle cover for up to the first 3 years. Has anyone used this / trusted it vs having GAP insurance?

Some of the websites seem really generic - ie tell them it is a pop top camper, not based on a ford (why??) and then with just a few more questions (not including the fact that it is a VW California). Are these sites ok? Seems quite loose?!

Cheers

It depends on the cover you require. When I reinsured mine last April, previously on the end of a car policy with Sainsbury’s, the best deal was Safeguard.
Although not the cheapest at £465, it is ideal for my needs. Covered for commuting, it also gives me unlimited time abroad and a green card. Also covered fully comp for Morocco, my favourite country!

 

[McMeefia]

I have just moved from Motorhome facts who I believe are the same company as comfort.
They would not cover airport parking or parking at a hotel while away for more than48 hrs.
We had a stop at Euro Disney for 3 nights a few years ago and probably were not covered for this. We also tend to drive out to the alps and parking at the chalet would not be covered. Caravanning club have the same exclusion.
Have moved to Safeguard, about £90 extra but if we have a long trip away we have the option of a hotel for a few days.
Here is also peace of mind knowing that all of the fittings that make it a California are definitely covered.

 

[WelshGas]

I have just moved from Motorhome facts who I believe are the same company as comfort.
They would not cover airport parking or parking at a hotel while away for more than48 hrs.
We had a stop at Euro Disney for 3 nights a few years ago and probably were not covered for this. We also tend to drive out to the alps and parking at the chalet would not be covered. Caravanning club have the same exclusion.
Have moved to Safeguard, about £90 extra but if we have a long trip away we have the option of a hotel for a few days.
Here is also peace of mind knowing that all of the fittings that make it a California are definitely covered.

When you say Caravanning Club do you mean the Caravan & Motorhome Club. If so I have had no problem parking at Heathrow Long stay for 4 weeks or so. I checked.

 

[McMeefia]

Yes, the Caravan and motorhome club, we are members and I was told that we wouldn’t be covered. May be that an underwriter will agree it if you have a policy in place but it’s not automatically covered so they say no on the phone.?

 

[WelshGas]

Yes, the Caravan and motorhome club, we are members and I was told that we wouldn’t be covered. May be that an underwriter will agree it if you have a policy in place but it’s not automatically covered so they say no on the phone.?

Well I was told the Opposite and just checked my policy, No Restrictions on Parking at all when travelling, 270 days European Cover. No restrictions on Individual trips apart from the 270 days maximum which can be extended on request.

 

[Neil Blackburn]

i have just asked the question of Comfort Insurance about long stay parking at airports. If it is on the airport and you take they keys away with you, then it is covered. If it is off site or they take the keys eg meet and greet the vehicle is likely to be uninsured. You can ring up and let them know, but it is unlikely that it will be insured off site. Safeguard do cover this except if you leave the vehicle unattended abroad

 

[Stoneybroke]

LV told us the habitation, roof etc would not be covered, baically I would just have cover as if it was a Caravelle, so if I had a side shunt I would not be covered for a new kitchen etc.. Same went for roof damage. I think many of the 'car' insurers don't actually know what a California is and could be a very grey area in the result of a claim.

We had a Caravelle, same back seat as the seater Beach and one Insurance company, when I told them we slept in it, gave us seven days to find other cover, despite the bed being part of the design and appeal of the Caravelle.
With our Beach I am (reluctantly) prepared to pay for the reassurance that the insurer hasn't got any excuses not to pay up.

 

[Wongo]

It really bugs me all this to and fro with insurers, it would take one minute to look up what an Ocean or Beach is on the VW site. It’s just wilful obsfucation to give them a get out in the case of a claim,

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Just got a quote from Caravan and Motorhome and it was £680 inc the discount.

Safeguard £400 (includes roadside assist as they can't take it off)
Comfort £350 (doesn't include roadside assist as van is new)

Is there anything really separating Safeguard with Comfort?

Good / bad experiences of either?

Safeguard is my insurer of choice. At present unlimited mileage. Unlimited number of days outside UK. Green card for Morocco with comprehensive insurance at no extra cost; you’d be lucky to get that with most insurers. Just changed from ‘16 Ocean DSG 150 to 18 4motion DSG 204 and I paid an extra £45 including “administration costs “

 

[Neil Blackburn]

Here’s a screenshot of relevant part.

I suspect it was introduced because people, as they do, pulled a fast one with where vehicle is normally parked.
Effect though can put some off. I’ve spoken to them and in the unlikely event I did leave it somewhere. Say fell Ill while away and had to fly home or something like that i would just phone them.


Mike

I declined this insurance for this very reason. I had a long conversation and they contacted the underwriters who confirmed that it would not be covered if left unattended. This includes in secure car parking, airport parking (unless on the actual airport) as well as various other places including sites, friends or relatives etc. . Simply not worth the risk in my opinion.

 

[Neil Blackburn]

Can you just elaborate on that for me? We've got two other cars in the household, so does the Comfort rule mean you can't leave it somewhere?

Yes it does, unless agreed in advance. However on questioning they will generally not agree to most locations as was confirmed by their underwriters

 

[Gruff Evans]

You get what you pay for. I use the Caravan & Motorhome Club Insurance. Not the cheapest. I pay £390/pa, Fully Comp for 20,000 miles/year.
I have personal experience of their Claims system and the New for Old, having had a £18,000 25' 7 berth caravan written off on its first outing courtesy of National Express. Would have been replaced in 3 weeks but I had bought New at end of season and had to wait for 6 weeks for the New year model.
Cheap not always best - look for Reviews regarding Claims handling etc:

Hi, new here as we have just bought our first California (Ocean 105 DSG). Expecting to collect it on Friday and have organised Insurance with Caravan & Motorhome Club Insurance, partly because of the New for Old cover.

I was considering GAP insurance which was offered by the VW Dealer (although not competitive!). I decided to see exactly what the New for Old cover meant with C & M Club, as the policy document that I received after taking out the cover was worded very vaguely.

I rang them and asked what would happen if the vehicle was written off after say 18 months. They didn't really seem to know what would definitely happen, but I was told at first that they wouldn't replace it with a brand new 2020 vehicle (as it would be by then), but that they would try to source an equivalent 2018 vehicle.

When I pointed out that the cover should then be called 'Second Hand for Old' rather than 'New for Old' she went to check, and came back to say that they wouldn't provide a new current model at that time, but that they would try to source an unregistered 2018 model of equivalent spec. If they were not able to do that they would pay Market Value. I expressed the opinion that it was highly unlikely that they would be able to find an unregistered 2018 model still available in a dealership by early 2020 and that it was inevitable that they would only be paying Market Value rather than New for Old. She went to check again.

Eventually she conceded that if they couldn't find an equivalent 'New' 2018 vehicle they would probably pay the Invoice Price, but when I asked her to email me to confirm this in writing she said she couldn't do that without speaking to her manager. I am still waiting for him to ring me back. The policy document certainly doesn't say that they would pay the Invoice Price in the event that they couldn't source an equivalent vehicle. GAP insurance starting to look more attractive!

Sorry for the long post, but it is a form of therapy after a very frustrating afternoon on the phone!

 

[Ting Tong]

Our Ocean went on our excellent Aviva MultiCar policy despite the faqs saying they don’t insure motorhomes. About £160 to March next year when the whole policy renews.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi, new here as we have just bought our first California (Ocean 105 DSG). Expecting to collect it on Friday and have organised Insurance with Caravan & Motorhome Club Insurance, partly because of the New for Old cover.

I was considering GAP insurance which was offered by the VW Dealer (although not competitive!). I decided to see exactly what the New for Old cover meant with C & M Club, as the policy document that I received after taking out the cover was worded very vaguely.

I rang them and asked what would happen if the vehicle was written off after say 18 months. They didn't really seem to know what would definitely happen, but I was told at first that they wouldn't replace it with a brand new 2020 vehicle (as it would be by then), but that they would try to source an equivalent 2018 vehicle.

When I pointed out that the cover should then be called 'Second Hand for Old' rather than 'New for Old' she went to check, and came back to say that they wouldn't provide a new current model at that time, but that they would try to source an unregistered 2018 model of equivalent spec. If they were not able to do that they would pay Market Value. I expressed the opinion that it was highly unlikely that they would be able to find an unregistered 2018 model still available in a dealership by early 2020 and that it was inevitable that they would only be paying Market Value rather than New for Old. She went to check again.

Eventually she conceded that if they couldn't find an equivalent 'New' 2018 vehicle they would probably pay the Invoice Price, but when I asked her to email me to confirm this in writing she said she couldn't do that without speaking to her manager. I am still waiting for him to ring me back. The policy document certainly doesn't say that they would pay the Invoice Price in the event that they couldn't source an equivalent vehicle. GAP insurance starting to look more attractive!

Sorry for the long post, but it is a form of therapy after a very frustrating afternoon on the phone!

All I can say is when my 1 yr old Caravan was wiped out it was replaced with the next years model, that was more expensive and with extras as standard over the previous model.
GAP insurance will rarely pay for a more expensive current model, just the difference between Market Value and Invoice Price.

 

[Gruff Evans]

All I can say is when my 1 yr old Caravan was wiped out it was replaced with the next years model, that was more expensive and with extras as standard over the previous model.
GAP insurance will rarely pay for a more expensive current model, just the difference between Market Value and Invoice Price.

Thanks for that. I hope that you are right. The person I was speaking to was very clear that they wouldn't do that now, but she didn't seem to have a very good grasp of the situation so she may have been wrong. I am waiting for the manager to contact me to clarify. Fingers crossed.

My understanding of GAP insurance is that you can choose for it to be either a return to the Invoice Price or to a new Replacement Vehicle (which is obviously a more expensive option)

 

[Melanie Day]

We ended up using Caravan Guard and although not the cheapest I felt most assured with them. Our first Cali purchase and a lot of the questions / requirements was a whole new ball game. Caravan Guard were reassuring and explained to me the things which would lower my premium and also the things which were increasing the premium. I felt that I made the right decision given the operators knowledge and additional information they provided during my phone call.

 

[iamchucky]

We've been with Comfort Insurance. We've had one claim and it was managed very well by them although we didn't get a courtesy car whilst at repairers. Premium has stayed pretty competitive at c. £330 per year despite the claim (includes business) since March 2016.

We also took out ALA GAP insurance based on vehicle replacement not invoice price. 5 year policy but we deferred the start for 6 months which we were allowed to do (Comfort covered this in the first year anyway). Very impressed with ALA customer service, however as with all insurances, customer service only really matters when you are making a claim. GAP Insurance helps with peace of mind, although I hope we never need to use it,

 

[Gruff Evans]

I have had some clarification of the New for Old cover from Caravan and Motorhome Club Insurance. It seems that if the same model is still being produced at the time a van is written off/lost they will replace it with a new van that is the same spec. If the model is no longer being produced, and therefore not available, they will pay market value (rather than invoice price). They were unable to say what constitutes a 'new model'. I am assuming that the changes that occur each year to the T6 California do not constitute a new model, but the insurers were not able to confirm that. Certainly if a new California model came out at the same time as a new Transporter T7 (rumoured to be late 2019), the New for Old cover would not apply and the insurers would only pay out the market value at the time of the loss.

GAP insurance is now on the (rather long) shopping list!

 

[paradise city]

I have had some clarification of the New for Old cover from Caravan and Motorhome Club Insurance. Certainly if a new California model came out at the same time as a new Transporter T7 (rumoured to be late 2019), the New for Old cover would not apply and the insurers would only pay out the market value at the time of the loss.

That's really helpful, thanks.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Ting Tong]

Our Ocean went on our excellent Aviva MultiCar policy despite the faqs saying they don’t insure motorhomes. About £160 to March next year when the whole policy renews.

Looking for insurance at the moment and read this post of mine: in hindsight DO NOT use an Aviva multicar policy as vehicles equipped for cooking are not covered for fire caused by cooking or anything else. I suspect this could be the case with many “car” type policies not specifically intended for campervans.

 

[B J G]

I have had some clarification of the New for Old cover from Caravan and Motorhome Club Insurance. It seems that if the same model is still being produced at the time a van is written off/lost they will replace it with a new van that is the same spec. If the model is no longer being produced, and therefore not available, they will pay market value (rather than invoice price). They were unable to say what constitutes a 'new model'. I am assuming that the changes that occur each year to the T6 California do not constitute a new model, but the insurers were not able to confirm that. Certainly if a new California model came out at the same time as a new Transporter T7 (rumoured to be late 2019), the New for Old cover would not apply and the insurers would only pay out the market value at the time of the loss.

GAP insurance is now on the (rather long) shopping list!

I took ALA 5 year Gap Insurance, bought with Cashback where a £32 saving was made. Worked out cheaper than VW 3 year Gap Ins.

 

[Hillsiders]

It’s because you drive so fast.

+1 for LV. I had to talk to them on the phone for a while to get a good value quotation. We have a 53 plate Golf as a second car so the Cali is not an only vehicle, which seems to spook some companies when it is.
We have had a couple of incidents in the past when the other party was to blame, and LV have given us a loan vehicle without question. But there seem to be a lot of individual features that affect quotations.
Certainly talk to the prospective company rather than rely on online quotations.

 

[Hillsiders]

I’ve just insured with LV fully complies for £200 could have got it for £180 if I had increased excess

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Hi Everyone

After some insurance recommendations if possible.

We have 9 years NCB 'spare' at the moment as we've just sold one of our cars that we can use the NCB on the Cali for. Do the insurance companies recognise this / keep it for us?

We're not thinking we will fit a tracker or other security stuff to our Cali unless we're forced to, are these things compulsory for a lot of insurers?

Some of the websites I've seen also say that they do replacement vehicle cover for up to the first 3 years. Has anyone used this / trusted it vs having GAP insurance?

Some of the websites seem really generic - ie tell them it is a pop top camper, not based on a ford (why??) and then with just a few more questions (not including the fact that it is a VW California). Are these sites ok? Seems quite loose?!

Cheers

Safeguard for me. At around £470 it's not the cheapest but it fits my requirements; the 2 main points being: unlimited mileage and time abroad; green card comprehensive cover for Morocco.