Is Cali insurance too good to be true?

[2into1]

The whole insurance market for all Cali's seems odd to me. Everyone seems to get treated differently (as supported by recent threads in this section).

I've not tried to insure a 204hp £55k car recently, which is parked on the street, and used for 20k+ miles per year (inc Class One business), but I suspect if I had, it would cost a lot more than £250, yet that figure seems achievable for a Cali.

My understanding was that motorhome insurance was cheap because they are little used, driven mostly in the countryside at quiet times of the day by relaxed holidaying folk (vs a typical car used for commuting / business), yet these fantastic deals seem available on Cali's used just like executive cars.

Do we have any members who have had substantial claims paid out when they've damaged their £50k Cali on the M25 at rush hour whilst on company business?

 

[T6 CFO]

Value of vehicle seems to have far less impact on cost than age and profile of the insured. These tend to be specialist insurers and I'm sure the maths must add up or they wouldn't be doing it.


Mike

 

[2into1]

Value of vehicle seems to have far less impact on cost than age and profile of the insured. These tend to be specialist insurers and I'm sure the maths must add up or they wouldn't be doing it.

I worry that the variation in acceptance (particularly around the Beach, and Business use on SEs) that has confused / frustrated some members might mean some of the companies don't have a clue what they are doing!
Faced with paying out £50k (rather than collecting £250) they might quickly learn, hence my question about if any large claims have been paid (in the UK).

 

[Geezso]

With insurance its all about risk. The vehicle and its uses do impact on premiums but drivers and most importantly postcode has a larger impact. I've had 400bhp cars half the Cali insurance, but the Cali policy is specialised.
I simply would not compromise.
Its like putting goodrides on your Ferrari cause the bridgestones are too pricy.
I would assume large claims would be write offs. I do not see why they would not pay out, unless say you went with admiral

 

[Ambler]

What's wrong with Admiral?

 

[WelshGas]

With insurance its all about risk. The vehicle and its uses do impact on premiums but drivers and most importantly postcode has a larger impact. I've had 400bhp cars half the Cali insurance, but the Cali policy is specialised.
I simply would not compromise.
Its like putting goodrides on your Ferrari cause the bridgestones are too pricy.
I would assume large claims would be write offs. I do not see why they would not pay out, unless say you went with admiral

You're worrying people now. What's the problem with Admiral?

 

[Digger]

Brilliant to deal with. Most insurers only require facts and accurate info.

 

[andyinluton]

I pay more for the cali than on a more expensive Porsche 911 both with identical cover. It appears that its the business use that limits the choice of insurer on the cali, the usual motorhome insurers won't do business use & the normal cheap car insurers don't want to insure the cali so choice of insurers is restricted.

 

[2into1]

I pay more for the cali than on a more expensive Porsche 911 both with identical cover. It appears that its the business use that limits the choice of insurer on the cali, the usual motorhome insurers won't do business use & the normal cheap car insurers don't want to insure the cali so choice of insurers is restricted.

I think I read only yesterday that someone had business use with the caravan club, which seemed very contradictory, and somewhat prompted my post.

 

[525107]

£175.20 FC with Direct Line, motor legal added for a further £27.48. Pleasantly surprised how relatively inexpensive this seems


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[Geezso]

When I spoke to admiral they only cover the 'base' vehicle and minimal contents, unlike say cc or safeguard.

 

[Rich20]

£175.20 FC with Direct Line, motor legal added for a further £27.48. Pleasantly surprised how relatively inexpensive this seems


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Have you told DL about any modifications as they class anything added (options) to the base vehicle as a mod and adjust the premium accordingly. Mine is £386 inc legal and protected NCB but I know I am properly covered.

 

[Ambler]

When I spoke to admiral they only cover the 'base' vehicle and minimal contents, unlike say cc or safeguard.

Thank you.

 

[525107]

Have you told DL about any modifications as they class anything added (options) to the base vehicle as a mod and adjust the premium accordingly. Mine is £386 inc legal and protected NCB but I know I am properly covered.

Standard Ocean, unmodified but with CC, removable towbar, park sensors and app connect, which I informed DL at the time, new as at yesterday. There's no NCD with this price, so no need to protect it, two other cars with them and home insurance that attract multi car/policy discount I even requested that they double checked with the broker as I thought it was awfully cheap. I wasn't even going to ask them to quote as I thought they would be out of the 'ballpark', glad I did


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[WelshGas]

Standard Ocean, unmodified but with CC, removable towbar, park sensors and app connect, which I informed DL at the time, new as at yesterday. There's no NCD with this price, so no need to protect it, two other cars with them and home insurance that attract multi car/policy discount I even requested that they double checked with the broker as I thought it was awfully cheap. I wasn't even going to ask them to quote as I thought they would be out of the 'ballpark', glad I did


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I would check that they know what the California actually contains with regards to the Habitation area and elevating roof etc:
My Caravan Club policy was £390 this year - 270 days European cover, New for Old, protected NCB and unlimited milage.
I, personally, would be wary of that quote because last time I checked with them it was for the base van and the contents cover wouldn't replace the rear seat/bed let alone hydraulic roof and built in habitation equipment. Maybe they have changed. Good find if they have.

 

[525107]

Went through all that at the time of requesting the quote, all covered, think it's mostly down to the multi car/policy discount


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[Vantastic2]

Just renewed our's after a lorra lot of searching for a better price and am using only those that say MOTORHOME or CAMPERVAN insurance ! Why gamble after paying maybe 50k for a Cali to Company's like Direct line, as read on there website NO mention of Motorhome or campervan insurance,say's just car or van and travel ect !
Some say only insure upto 48k !
It is very very important to read the summary of your insurance !
Funny that when I asked the doubtful ones for an email of the quote it never arrives !

 

[estresao]

I've just renewed my Cali Beach inssurance and it was a very frustrating experience. Summarizing: Only got quotes from Admiral (700£) and LV (more than 1100£).

From other I've hearded lots of stupid things. For example the CCC one saying that they do insure motorhomes and cars, but not campervans.

Exchanged my European driving license because Comfort did no give me a quotation with no GB license and, when exchanged for a full GB one, they told me that it have to be at least two years old.

Another, don't remember which one, looks like does not believe I made 21000 miles for leisure and that I never use my Cali for commuting, which I do walking.

Admiral added a claim from my Spanish inssurance just because I've mentioned once in a conversation (never ever a claim in a British insurer), but to recognize my Spanish binus they need a paper with the signature of the Pope, the King of Spain and the Queen of UK.

 

[pjm-84]

Our basic VW Up pool car for the 3 directors is £1250 a year to insure. We now have one years NCB. The cost was the same.

 

[Guffer22]

Surely If you quote the reg no and the insurers come up with your vehicle it is irrelevant what factory extras you have. I have a beach and my insurance which is for business use is half what my Kombi used to cost me.

 

[Loz]

Surely If you quote the reg no and the insurers come up with your vehicle it is irrelevant what factory extras you have. I have a beach and my insurance which is for business use is half what my Kombi used to cost me.

We just had the latest "guide" come through with our Admiral Multi-car renewal and they now list the definition of Modifications as;

any changes to your car's standard specification, including accessories and additional parts; optional extras and aftermarket alterations; trade related changes and parts. These include, but are not restricted to, cosmetic and/or performance changes or changes related to your business or profession.

This seems suggest declaring any option added to your order..

They are also saying that they will not provide a courtesy vehicle if you have a campervan.

 

[WelshGas]

We just had the latest "guide" come through with our Admiral Multi-car renewal and they now list the definition of Modifications as;


This seems suggest declaring any option added to your order..

They are also saying that they will not provide a courtesy vehicle if you have a campervan.

A good reason to pay the extra and get Insurance that covers you for what YOU want and not what the company wants to provide.

 

[Erbster]

I recently made a claim for the total loss of my Bilbo's T5. I was terrified that I would not get a proper payout. I was not insured with a specialist, however because the insurance cert said "VW transporter Bilbo's celex", they paid me based the value given by Bilbo's. It was very stressful and took a long time but they did pay in the end (including contents). Will be buying a Cali to replace

It is usual not to have courtesy car with campervan insurance (assumption is that is not main vehicle).

If your insurance says "VW California" and you have factory options on it, I don't think those are modifications.

I will certainly look carefully at the small print when I'm looking to insure my new vehicle and price will not be my primary concern. If I had googled customer feedback on my previous insurer I would not have taken the policy.


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[JohnEast]

I tried a few "reputable" insurers and got the best price from SAGA, £333 for my T5 California.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Obviously Insurance is a moving feast!
I am about to insure my Cali (well I'm getting prepared to!) and got a quote from the C&CC and it seems they will not accept NCD years that are not gained on a Campervan. Has anyone else had this as it seems odd to me. Maybe the C&CC are not the best for our Cali's. I did get online quotes from:

Caravan Club: £410.31
Liverpool & Victoria: £352.71
Nationwide: £345.87

All include: Overseas travel (max 270 days), Courtesy Car, Windscreen, Lost ignition Keys, Varying excess between £500 and £800, 15,000 miles per year (inc up to 1k Business - Its all local and no more than 1 day a week).
Excluded: NCD protection, legal cover.

I am guessing this is what I should expect but any thoughts/comments would be appreciated.

JW