Leaving cali unattended

[David and Jill]

We are currently insured with Comfort but have a problem with the clause relating to leaving it unattended. The cali is our only vehicle and we need to leave it for one or two weeks at a marina while we spend time on our narrowboat. The current marina is ok as parking meets comforts criteria but we are moving the boat in April and the new car park is not classed as secure by Comfort. Can anyone recommend an insurer that would cover us?

Many thanks

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

We are currently insured with Comfort but have a problem with the clause relating to leaving it unattended. The cali is our only vehicle and we need to leave it for one or two weeks at a marina while we spend time on our narrowboat. The current marina is ok as parking meets comforts criteria but we are moving the boat in April and the new car park is not classed as secure by Comfort. Can anyone recommend an insurer that would cover us?

Many thanks

Don't think people are going to commit themselves to saying you would be covered. There are threads on here about people having problems with airport parking. You have to look at some of the insurance companies people are using on threads and call them. I'm with Safeguard, you hear a lot of people talking about LV being good value. (and about LV cover, check if your insured as a camper van). And CAMC, but it was expensive when I got quotes.

 

[66tim99]

CAMC, but it was expensive when I got quotes.

CAMC (who I’m currently insured with) will beat any renewal quote by £25.
LV (who I was insured with for the first 3 years) convinced me they do know what a California is, and do insure camping accidents, also don’t have the clause about leaving it unattended. I was happy with LV, and they were cheap, but still, getting £25 cheaper with a dedicated camper insurer convinced me to change.

 

[Stu@rt]

I am with Comfort. Their staff are so helpful. I understood it was just a case of calling them, so they could let the underwriters know in advance. I could be wrong, but I know their helpful staff will advise and it may not be the showstopper you think. Give them a quick call

 

[Luke Sharp]

I am with Comfort. Their staff are so helpful. I understood it was just a case of calling them, so they could let the underwriters know in advance. I could be wrong, but I know their helpful staff will advise and it may not be the showstopper you think. Give them a quick call

I agree. Been shopping around for insurance and spent time on the phone yesterday with Comfort and that’s how it was explained to me. Or certainly that’s how I understand it?

And as you say, really helpful staff.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I'm insured with Comfort too, I'd agree with some of the above points. Explain to them your situation and ask them to put it to the insurers underwriters, they may allow you to do this or may allow with a small additional premium. I'd suggest you do it via email so you've got an audit trail though.

 

[Agnes_Cali]

Admiral has no limitations, because it treats Cali as a car.

 

[David and Jill]

I am with Comfort. Their staff are so helpful. I understood it was just a case of calling them, so they could let the underwriters know in advance. I could be wrong, but I know their helpful staff will advise and it may not be the showstopper you think. Give them a quick call

We have been insured with Comfort and their staff are really helpful. Last year they were able to add the marina as an "approved storage location" on our account but this year the underwriters are refusing to add the new location as although the carpark is fenced and controlled by barrier there is a delivery gate into the area that is open during office hours. We just need to know we are insured wherever we leave the Cali!

 

[David and Jill]

I'm insured with Comfort too, I'd agree with some of the above points. Explain to them your situation and ask them to put it to the insurers underwriters, they may allow you to do this or may allow with a small additional premium. I'd suggest you do it via email so you've got an audit trail though.

Unfortunately despite calls they are not able to help this year.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

We live in London and I think when I asked Comfort for a quote this summer they said they didn't cover London!??

 

[KevH]

I am with Caravan Guard and am leaving the Cali at Gatwick over Xmas. CG referred to the insurer who have agreed a ‘temporary storage’ as a one-off for £38 which, oddly, might be refunded at some point.
I don’t understand the refund bit but it was made pretty clear that the insurer is reluctant to agree to cover whilst ‘in storage’ so it’s just as well that I don’t fly often.
Point is that it is down to the insurer not the agent.

 

[Azteccamper]

Why tell them?
Would you tell them if you left your Cali at home and flew for a fortnights holiday? Or parked in hotel car park for a week whilst staying there for a wedding? I think we tell them too much sometimes and they look at ways to charge you ’extra’.

 

[andyinluton]

Why tell them?
Would you tell them if you left your Cali at home and flew for a fortnights holiday? Or parked in hotel car park for a week whilst staying there for a wedding? I think we tell them too much sometimes and they look at ways to charge you ’extra’.

You don’t have to tell them, just don’t expect them to pay up though if the vans pinched.

Comfort stipulate that you are not covered by insurance if the van is left unattended over a certain amount of time.
It’s not a problem with most other insurers but with comfort you do need to tell them.

 

[Azteccamper]

Ok. So it’s a comfort thing. I get it now - just think it’s an odd stipulation I suppose and something else to think about.

 

[Luke Sharp]

This is the Aviva clause in the paperwork Comfort have just sent to me with their proposal.

But for me Comfort are the only ones who will accept NCD from another vehicle, not a motor home?

 

[Ocean Spirit]

We have been insured with Comfort and their staff are really helpful. Last year they were able to add the marina as an "approved storage location" on our account but this year the underwriters are refusing to add the new location as although the carpark is fenced and controlled by barrier there is a delivery gate into the area that is open during office hours. We just need to know we are insured wherever we leave the Cali!

Thats a bit crazy.
I am with Comfort and was aware of the requirement about letting them know if it will be unattended for a period of time but........
My insurance is based on its main residence being my driveway with a drop kerb to a public road. So to not be insured when unattended in a fenced carpark with a control barrier sounds mad.

 

[Quiddle]

Thats a bit crazy.
I am with Comfort and was aware of the requirement about letting them know if it will be unattended for a period of time but........
My insurance is based on its main residence being my driveway with a drop kerb to a public road. So to not be insured when unattended in a fenced carpark with a control barrier sounds mad.

Comfort know your postcode and make a decision based on that. Presumably it is a lot lower risk than leaving it for a month parked up in a random dodgy area. I can think of places where I wouldn't leave the van for an hour, insured or not.

 

[KevH]

Comfort know your postcode and make a decision based on that. Presumably it is a lot lower risk than leaving it for a month parked up in a random dodgy area. I can think of places where I wouldn't leave the van for an hour, insured or not.

Agree.
I am guessing that they determine the risk at the temporary address using existing claims info, hence they need to be informed.
It sounds reasonable thought of this way.

 

[BigJohn]

We're with LV, had a long conversation with them about camping cover and they seem to have it covered
They were considerably cheaper than anyone else and when we used them for a bumper repair and subsequent court case, we couldn't fault them.

 

[Shapneil]

Don't think people are going to commit themselves to saying you would be covered. There are threads on here about people having problems with airport parking. You have to look at some of the insurance companies people are using on threads and call them. I'm with Safeguard, you hear a lot of people talking about LV being good value. (and about LV cover, check if your insured as a camper van). And CAMC, but it was expensive when I got quotes.

Agree on LV. Good experience with them. Just had a renewal quote for a Cali Ocean 23 reg. (7k PA, second vehicle) £263. £50 lower than last year.

 

[Agnes_Cali]

This is the Aviva clause in the paperwork Comfort have just sent to me with their proposal.

But for me Comfort are the only ones who will accept NCD from another vehicle, not a motor home?

View attachment 131301

Admiral has no issues with NCD, not sure about LV.