Insurance

[66tim99]

They know what they are insuring but the cover is lacking in serveral ways, particularly if you have a new van which you managed to negotiate a good discount on.

They know what they are insuring but the cover is lacking in serveral ways, particularly if you have a new van which you managed to negotiate a good discount on.

They’ll replace it with a new vehicle if less than a year old. If there isn’t one available they’ll pay the price you paid. Sounds like a reasonable balance, recognising that in that circumstance the payment isn’t going to get me a new vehicle (there’s always a chance of a dealer having a new one available
though), but also that it’s unlikely to happen. I’m sure I could pay double the premium and have new for old for 2 years, or manufacturers list price, but in the unlikely event of it happening, I’d be ok with getting my money back. You can arm yourself to the teeth with insurance and haemorrhage cash monthly, or strike a balance.
In what other ways is it lacking?

 

[JamesTT]

They’ll replace it with a new vehicle if less than a year old. If there isn’t one available they’ll pay the price you paid. Sounds like a reasonable balance, recognising that in that circumstance the payment isn’t going to get me a new vehicle (there’s always a chance of a dealer having a new one available
though), but also that it’s unlikely to happen. I’m sure I could pay double the premium and have new for old for 2 years, or manufacturers list price, but in the unlikely event of it happening, I’d be ok with getting my money back. You can arm yourself to the teeth with insurance and haemorrhage cash monthly, or strike a balance.
In what other ways is it lacking?

I’d rather pay the £200 extra to get new for old. LV would pay me £73K, and nothing if I had a cooking accident and burnt out my van, whereas those offering new for old would give me £83K and would cover camping accidents. LVs goods in vehicle was also lower as was there single item limit. European cover limited to 90 days pa, others 365 days.

 

[JamesTT]

They’ll replace it with a new vehicle if less than a year old. If there isn’t one available they’ll pay the price you paid. Sounds like a reasonable balance, recognising that in that circumstance the payment isn’t going to get me a new vehicle (there’s always a chance of a dealer having a new one available
though), but also that it’s unlikely to happen. I’m sure I could pay double the premium and have new for old for 2 years, or manufacturers list price, but in the unlikely event of it happening, I’d be ok with getting my money back. You can arm yourself to the teeth with insurance and haemorrhage cash monthly, or strike a balance.
In what other ways is it lacking?

Although they know what a VW California is, it’s really a fairly standard car policy. If your camping on a regular basis, in my opinion it’s much better to have a dedicated Motorhome or Campervan policy…

 

[andyinluton]

I’d rather pay the £200 extra to get new for old. LV would pay me £73K, and nothing if I had a cooking accident and burnt out my van, whereas those offering new for old would give me £83K and would cover camping accidents. LVs goods in vehicle was also lower as was there single item limit. European cover limited to 90 days pa, others 365 days.

Can you show me something in the LV motorhome policy that states a cooking accident is excluded from the policy?

I'm currently insured with LV & the following are extracts from my policy documents that seem to disagree with your statements.

Their wording re new for old:
New car replacement
If you or your partner bought your car from new, have had it for less than a year and you or your partner are the first registered keeper and either:
• the estimated cost of repairing it is more than 50% of the manufacturer’s list price (including taxes and accessories) when the damage or loss happened; or
• it’s stolen and not recovered
we’ll replace your car with a new one of the same make, model and specification.

Also from the policy document: Driving abroad 180 days maximum cover - If you're travelling abroad, please request a green card from LV.com/green card

 

[Hawthorn37]

Hi all. We’re hoping to take delivery of an Ocean in January ‘22 (if the latest update is to be believed ), and I’m just getting my head round the need for specialist insurance. The posts on this thread make interesting reading, and good prep for getting quotes. I’m wondering if anyone has experience of another aspect - if other drivers (in our case our son and daughter, and their partners) can be added to the policy for a period of time?? Are there any companies that will allow / any that won’t ?

 

[gpbeck]

I’d rather pay the £200 extra to get new for old. LV would pay me £73K, and nothing if I had a cooking accident and burnt out my van, whereas those offering new for old would give me £83K and would cover camping accidents. LVs goods in vehicle was also lower as was there single item limit. European cover limited to 90 days pa, others 365 days.

£200 extra a year, why not get gap insurance which is less?

 

[JamesTT]

Can you show me something in the LV motorhome policy that states a cooking accident is excluded from the policy?

I'm currently insured with LV & the following are extracts from my policy documents that seem to disagree with your statements.

Their wording re new for old:
New car replacement
If you or your partner bought your car from new, have had it for less than a year and you or your partner are the first registered keeper and either:
• the estimated cost of repairing it is more than 50% of the manufacturer’s list price (including taxes and accessories) when the damage or loss happened; or
• it’s stolen and not recovered
we’ll replace your car with a new one of the same make, model and specification.

Also from the policy document: Driving abroad 180 days maximum cover - If you're travelling abroad, please request a green card from LV.com/green card

Hi, I can’t show you anything in the LV policy that states a cooking accident is excluded and I can’t show you anything that states that it is. I can tell you that I specifically asked about this when getting a quote yesterday, after another member mentioned that LV didn’t include it. I spent 20 minutes on hold while the lady checked with the underwriters. The answer was that I would not be covered.

I also asked if she could check with the underwriters regarding new for old, (my list price is £83K but I paid £73K through DtD in Feb this year,) the answer was that if they were unable to supply an identical vehicle to me within a reasonable time frame (not sure what reasonable time frame means and still pending an answer from the underwriters on that one) that the claim would then be capped at invoice.

The lady I spoke with also mentioned 90 days abroad rather than 180, although after checking my LV ‘car’ insurance (I’ve been with them for 8 years now) it clearly states 180 days, but this is still less than the unrestricted policy of others and as I will be retiring soon and spending up to six months of the year in Europe, its better for me to have an unrestricted policy.

To be honest I’m finding it all a bit of a nightmare and don’t want to waste money, but insurance is a personal choice and what is right for one person may not be right for another.

I suppose one would only really find out if they had to make a claim.

 

[JamesTT]

£200 extra a year, why not get gap insurance which is less?

I found several GAP policies, one up to invoice (£299 quoted) and one invoice + (349.00 quoted), but again if they can’t find an identical replacement this too is capped at invoice. So you are right that a GAP policy is cheaper but it doesn’t come with all the other insurance benefits as far as I can see.

 

[66tim99]

nothing if I had a cooking accident and burnt out my van

That’s not true, but has been assumed by people on here before. It would be accidental damage, confirmed when talking to LV.

I can’t show you anything in the LV policy that states a cooking accident is excluded

It would need to be excluded (see attached, it’s not), because fire is included (see attached)

I spent 20 minutes on hold while the lady checked with the underwriters.

Really? Mine checked with the underwriters in less than 5 mins and specifically said it would be covered as accidental damage, as would eg breaking in via cutting the raised roof (vandalism) and stealing (theft).

dedicated Motorhome or Campervan

LV states the ‘product’ is a ‘motor caravan’ and eg states they will pay £1000 for ‘personal belongings in a motorhome’.

I’d rather pay the £200 extra to get new for old.

It is new for old for one year, unless there isn’t one available, at which point you receive the price paid. My quotes with eg Comfort were double the premium (£1150 for me) and I can't recall how long the 'new for old' lasted.

A lot of misinformation going around about LV. I do understand some people prefer to insure themselves for every eventuality, but personally I'd prefer to keep premiums low commensurate to the risk and the investment.

 

[WelshGas]

That’s not true, but has been assumed by people on here before. It would be accidental damage, confirmed when talking to LV.

It would need to be excluded (see attached, it’s not), because fire is included (see attached)

Really? Mine checked with the underwriters in less than 5 mins and specifically said it would be covered as accidental damage, as would eg breaking in via cutting the raised roof (vandalism) and stealing (theft).

LV states the ‘product’ is a ‘motor caravan’ and eg states they will pay £1000 for ‘personal belongings in a motorhome’.

It is new for old for one year, unless there isn’t one available, at which point you receive the price paid. My quotes with eg Comfort were double the premium (£1150 for me) and I can't recall how long the 'new for old' lasted.

A lot of misinformation going around about LV. I do understand some people prefer to insure themselves for every eventuality, but personally I'd prefer to keep premiums low commensurate to the risk and the investment.

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Yes, a Motorhome Policy that mentions " Motorhome " once compared with " Car" many times.

I think I'll stay with the Caravan Club Aviva policy which doesn't mention " Car " at all in the Policy Documents and covers all camping equipment used in proximity to the Motorhome wether connected or not to the vehicle, especially as this years renewal has gone down in price..

 

[66tim99]

Yes, a Motorhome Policy that mentions " Motorhome " once compared with " Car" many times.

I think I'll stay with the Caravan Club Aviva policy which doesn't mention " Car " at all in the Policy Documents and covers all camping equipment used in proximity to the Motorhome wether connected or not to the vehicle, especially as this years renewal has gone down in price..

'Car' is just a generic description of a vehicle rather than a building or health. LV mentions Motorcaravan throughout including describing the 'product' and 'vehicle covered' such, an again under 'your car details'. It would be difficult for them to claim it wasn't a motorcaravan they were insuring, particularly with all the recorded conversations I've had with them about exactly what is and isn't covered. I don't need to insure my camping equipment - I have household insurance but would never claim. If eg a BBQ fire damages my motorcaravan then that is covered.
Each to their own, but people shouldn't be put off the great deal you can get from a major insurer like LV. After not insuring a vehicle for 20 years, so without NCD, £600 (extra for Comfort) would be better spent this year on other things. I look forward to the 60% LV no claims discount next year...

 

[JamesTT]

That’s not true, but has been assumed by people on here before. It would be accidental damage, confirmed when talking to LV.

It would need to be excluded (see attached, it’s not), because fire is included (see attached)

Really? Mine checked with the underwriters in less than 5 mins and specifically said it would be covered as accidental damage, as would eg breaking in via cutting the raised roof (vandalism) and stealing (theft).

LV states the ‘product’ is a ‘motor caravan’ and eg states they will pay £1000 for ‘personal belongings in a motorhome’.

It is new for old for one year, unless there isn’t one available, at which point you receive the price paid. My quotes with eg Comfort were double the premium (£1150 for me) and I can't recall how long the 'new for old' lasted.

A lot of misinformation going around about LV. I do understand some people prefer to insure themselves for every eventuality, but personally I'd prefer to keep premiums low commensurate to the risk and the investment.

View attachment 86603

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Thank you for your thorough reply, which you have obviously taken a lot of time to prepare, but I resent your implication that I am lying. It is quite obvious to me, maybe not to you, that sometimes departments are busier than at other times and that some staff have more experience than others. To imply that I am lying because you got a different answer much more quickly is disappointing. I am merely informing other forum member of what I believe to be the case, so they can then confirm for themselves. I’ve a good mind to ask for a transcript of the conversation under the freedom of information act, but can’t be bothered.

I have spoken with LV again and they have again confirm to me that camping accidents are not covered because its a car policy.

They have also confirmed that in the event a similar specification car was not available then they would only pay the invoice cost, which in my case is a deal breaker, so it is not a ‘real’ new for old policy.

Your quote from comfort does seem rather high though, as mine was only £359.25, but their 48 hour rule and electoral register requirement is unacceptable.

Insurance is a bit of a minefield, so the more info that’s out there, the better. People can then make an informed choice after checking themselves. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to wriggle out of paying out, so if policies are ambiguous its always better to check with the underwriter directly.

Caravan Guards campervan policy does not cover you if your vehicle is parked away from your address if you are not sleeping in it overnight! So you can’t visit a friend in your campervan and sleep in their house, well you can, but if your van gets nicked in the night they will not pay out!

I definitely won’t be using LV for the campervan, despite their premium being the lowest at only £120.80 to August next year then £250 pa thereafter. Its also slightly worrying that their staff obviously aren’t singing from the same hymn sheet.

 

[WelshGas]

'Car' is just a generic description of a vehicle rather than a building or health. LV mentions Motorcaravan throughout including describing the 'product' and 'vehicle covered' such, an again under 'your car details'. It would be difficult for them to claim it wasn't a motorcaravan they were insuring, particularly with all the recorded conversations I've had with them about exactly what is and isn't covered. I don't need to insure my camping equipment - I have household insurance but would never claim. If eg a BBQ fire damages my motorcaravan then that is covered.
Each to their own, but people shouldn't be put off the great deal you can get from a major insurer like LV. After not insuring a vehicle for 20 years, so without NCD, £600 (extra for Comfort) would be better spent this year on other things. I look forward to the 60% LV no claims discount next year...
View attachment 86608

You make your own decision as has been said. The proof of the pudding is in how a claim is handled, especially a Camping claim.
There is always a reason why one insurer is so much cheaper than another, just saying.

 

[66tim99]

Thank you for your thorough reply, which you have obviously taken a lot of time to prepare, but I resent your implication that I am lying. It is quite obvious to me, maybe not to you, that sometimes departments are busier than at other times and that some staff have more experience than others. To imply that I am lying because you got a different answer much more quickly is disappointing. I am merely informing other forum member of what I believe to be the case, so they can then confirm for themselves. I’ve a good mind to ask for a transcript of the conversation under the freedom of information act, but can’t be bothered.

I have spoken with LV again and they have again confirm to me that camping accidents are not covered because its a car policy.

They have also confirmed that in the event a similar specification car was not available then they would only pay the invoice cost, which in my case is a deal breaker, so it is not a ‘real’ new for old policy.

Your quote from comfort does seem rather high though, as mine was only £359.25, but their 48 hour rule and electoral register requirement is unacceptable.

Insurance is a bit of a minefield, so the more info that’s out there, the better. People can then make an informed choice after checking themselves. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to wriggle out of paying out, so if policies are ambiguous its always better to check with the underwriter directly.

Caravan Guards campervan policy does not cover you if your vehicle is parked away from your address if you are not sleeping in it overnight! So you can’t visit a friend in your campervan and sleep in their house, well you can, but if your van gets nicked in the night they will not pay out!

I definitely won’t be using LV for the campervan, despite their premium being the lowest at only £120.80 to August next year then £250 pa thereafter. Its also slightly worrying that their staff obviously aren’t singing from the same hymn sheet.

I apologise for seemingly implying you were lying. "Really?" was a figure of speech because your conversation differed entirely from mine.
As a result of this I have just called LV back who confirm: the cooker, awning, fridge and beds etc are covered as part of the vehicle; and bed linen, cooking utensils, crockery and clothes under the £1000 'personal belongings motorhome' above. If you have Home insurance with LV (I do) then personal items (such as jewellery) over that figure are included as if they were in the home. It is not car insurance.
The policy is not ambiguous, it includes many instances of the the word 'motorcaravan', and LV have just confirmed they use the word 'car' to mean 'vehicle' because it is a more accessible word(!) - they would use that word for a van as well.
When you compare your LV premium quote to mine (£559) you can see that it is worth me seeking a good deal. I'm happy with the cover it offers me, I don't think it is ambiguous at all given the recorded phone conversations I've had with them, its just simply put. I have suggested they put a page on their website, and include a motorhome-specific pamphlet to put peoples minds at ease.
Thanks for the prompt to call them again, I hadn't made the link with my LV home insurance and wouldn't have made it myself.

 

[66tim99]

is so much cheaper

Fairer? Not playing on insecurities?
Just saying

 

[WelshGas]

Fairer? Not playing on insecurities?
Just saying

Not at all. I’ve had personal experience of Specialist and General insurance companies.
You haven’t stated LV will cover, if You cause the fire whilst frying your bacon for your bacon sarnie? Or replace the awning if it gets damaged when deployed?
I’ sure they will cover cooker and awning if damaged in a road collision. Just saying.

 

[andyinluton]

Not at all. I’ve had personal experience of Specialist and General insurance companies.
You haven’t stated LV will cover, if You cause the fire whilst frying your bacon for your bacon sarnie? Or replace the awning if it gets damaged when deployed?
I’ sure they will cover cooker and awning if damaged in a road collision. Just saying.

My Ocean is covered by LV, I am happy that that their motorhome specific policy covers every factory fitted part of the vehicle against accidental damage particularly if that accident was occurred whilst using a factory fitted piece of equipment.

I would however be far more cautious & seek further confirmation if I was insuring a beach, for example thinking of claiming when the camping stove I was using inside the van got knocked over & caused a fire. In that case there could certainly be arguments about whether you were taking reasonable steps to avoid the incident.

 

[66tim99]

Not at all. I’ve had personal experience of Specialist and General insurance companies.
You haven’t stated LV will cover, if You cause the fire whilst frying your bacon for your bacon sarnie? Or replace the awning if it gets damaged when deployed?
I’ sure they will cover cooker and awning if damaged in a road collision. Just saying.

Both of those are covered (the first is fire "if your car and/or its accessories - even in your garage - are lost or damaged by fire..." and the second is damage ("if your car and its accessories are damaged by accident or vandalism - even in your garage...") and have been confirmed in two conversations with LV. The first conversation was had several months ago because of your concern (answering similar concerns to the ones you've made again), and the second just now because of @JamesTT's.
LV know they are covering a motorcaravan, and cover damage to the motorcaravan when camping - I've had it confirmed on two recorded phone calls with them, and the motorcaravan policy document doesn't exclude them, but does include them as above. I'm convinced a massive company like LV will pay out, particularly given the phone calls but also the simple clear policy documents. But its likely they'll never have to, in which case I'm £600 up this year, and no doubt hundreds more into the future. Why pay more than you need?
Just saying, to allow people who are shopping for insurance to not write off LV because of uncertainty seeded on here.

 

[JamesTT]

I apologise for seemingly implying you were lying. "Really?" was a figure of speech because your conversation differed entirely from mine.
As a result of this I have just called LV back who confirm: the cooker, awning, fridge and beds etc are covered as part of the vehicle; and bed linen, cooking utensils, crockery and clothes under the £1000 'personal belongings motorhome' above. If you have Home insurance with LV (I do) then personal items (such as jewellery) over that figure are included as if they were in the home. It is not car insurance.
The policy is not ambiguous, it includes many instances of the the word 'motorcaravan', and LV have just confirmed they use the word 'car' to mean 'vehicle' because it is a more accessible word(!) - they would use that word for a van as well.
When you compare your LV premium quote to mine (£559) you can see that it is worth me seeking a good deal. I'm happy with the cover it offers me, I don't think it is ambiguous at all given the recorded phone conversations I've had with them, its just simply put. I have suggested they put a page on their website, and include a motorhome-specific pamphlet to put peoples minds at ease.
Thanks for the prompt to call them again, I hadn't made the link with my LV home insurance and wouldn't have made it myself.

Thanks for the apology but really no need after your explanation, sorry I took it the wrong way.

From my experience there does appear to be a lack of in-depth product knowledge by staff selling these policies and that is true of most of the companies that I have spoken with over the last few days.

I totally understand why you have made your choice of LV and probably would have made the same decision myself in your circumstances. Both my BMW 5 series and Porsche (now sold to pay for the Cali) were insured with LV and my wife’s Landrover Discovery Sport is still insured with them. They are a great company and their campervan insurance is perfectly good for most, its just not right for my circumstances.

I think what this has shown is that you really need to put the exact scenario to the underwriters and ask directly if they would pay out if such a scenario did unfold… you might be surprised by the answer, given the policy wording… then make up your own mind what risk you are prepared to accept.

 

[JamesTT]

Both of those are covered (the first is fire "if your car and/or its accessories - even in your garage - are lost or damaged by fire..." and the second is damage ("if your car and its accessories are damaged by accident or vandalism - even in your garage...") and have been confirmed in two conversations with LV. The first conversation was had several months ago because of your concern (answering similar concerns to the ones you've made again), and the second just now because of @JamesTT's.
LV know they are covering a motorcaravan, and cover damage to the motorcaravan when camping - I've had it confirmed on two recorded phone calls with them, and the motorcaravan policy document doesn't exclude them, but does include them as above. I'm convinced a massive company like LV will pay out, particularly given the phone calls but also the simple clear policy documents. But its likely they'll never have to, in which case I'm £600 up this year, and no doubt hundreds more into the future. Why pay more than you need?
Just saying, to allow people who are shopping for insurance to not write off LV because of uncertainty seeded on here.

Perhaps LV should listen to some of the recorded phone calls between their sales agents, claims department, underwriters and prospective customers. They might then realise that a bit of product knowledge training is definitely required.

I gave them the bacon sarnie scenario and was clearly told that ‘that kind of accident’ wouldn’t be covered wether on a campsite or in your garage!

 

[brooodie]

Both of those are covered (the first is fire "if your car and/or its accessories - even in your garage - are lost or damaged by fire..." and the second is damage ("if your car and its accessories are damaged by accident or vandalism - even in your garage...") and have been confirmed in two conversations with LV. The first conversation was had several months ago because of your concern (answering similar concerns to the ones you've made again), and the second just now because of @JamesTT's.
LV know they are covering a motorcaravan, and cover damage to the motorcaravan when camping - I've had it confirmed on two recorded phone calls with them, and the motorcaravan policy document doesn't exclude them, but does include them as above. I'm convinced a massive company like LV will pay out, particularly given the phone calls but also the simple clear policy documents. But its likely they'll never have to, in which case I'm £600 up this year, and no doubt hundreds more into the future. Why pay more than you need?
Just saying, to allow people who are shopping for insurance to not write off LV because of uncertainty seeded on here.

Reassuring Tim, thanks for the legwork in rooting these clauses out. I've also gone with LV= as they were the only provider who gave a quote that was reasonable (~£500 vs ~£1500 with other providers).

Edit: And this is after having had a terrible experience with LV home insurance some years ago where they tried to stiff me out of a home claim. After a chimney fire their claims handler called up the company that was meant to be doing the repair, he pretended to be _me_ on the call to the company and tried to get them to state that the cause of the fire was poor maintenance of the chimney (it wasn't). Thankfully they had recorded the call and his manager was able to verify my version of events and overturn the decision not to pay out, but it left a bad taste. Was left with the lesson that every insurance company will probably try and do anything to get out of paying a claim so it's good to have these sorts of facts from the contract up your sleeve just in case.

 

[Darren Critten]

Just shopping around for insurance for my forthcoming Cali. Comfort is coming out cheapest and with unlimited mileage BUT are saying that I have to have a Cat5 or 6 Thatcham approved tracker due to the value of the vehicle. Is this what other members have found? If so what tracker did you fitted?

Snap ....Picking up my first Cali on Monday.....Researching insurance options today.
I've just been advised the same by Adrian Flux Insurance services that I need a tracker fitter due to value of vehicle

 

[66tim99]

Snap ....Picking up my first Cali on Monday.....Researching insurance options today.
I've just been advised the same by Adrian Flux Insurance services that I need a tracker fitter due to value of vehicle

Consider obtaining a quote from LV

 

[chockswahay]

Well here we go again I'm just checking insurance and the question of whether or not its a campervan/motorhome or car keeps raising its ugly head! The van is insured with NFU at present but they want just over £500 at renewal in May......LV just over £400 but doesn't say car or camper (but do identify it as a Coast) ..... Directline just said unable to proceed based on info given (seen that with them before).

So just before I give in and go with NFU again I thought I would just ask what recent experience others have had. Oddly enough, I have no complaints with NFU and they never charge for admin type changes and I can always speak to them in person ..... yet their premium has risen by over £100 so I feel obliged to check out the competition

 

[andyinluton]

Well here we go again I'm just checking insurance and the question of whether or not its a campervan/motorhome or car keeps raising its ugly head! The van is insured with NFU at present but they want just over £500 at renewal in May......LV just over £400 but doesn't say car or camper (but do identify it as a Coast) ..... Directline just said unable to proceed based on info given (seen that with them before).

So just before I give in and go with NFU again I thought I would just ask what recent experience others have had. Oddly enough, I have no complaints with NFU and they never charge for admin type changes and I can always speak to them in person ..... yet their premium has risen by over £100 so I feel obliged to check out the competition

If you go online LV actually have a dedicated motorhome area of their site, get the quote through that & there can be no ambiguity as to what you are insuring.

Lv were about a quarter of the price for me at last renewal.