Van theft - a cautionary tale

[Bluebird]

That's interesting, I'm really baffled then, I wonder what it is, feels very unfair..

It may be worth giving them a call again, can I ask what church car park it was found in ?

 

[Elmo3]

Insurance isn’t fair or unfair, it’s simply based on factual data points to derive a risk based premium.

 

[66tim99]

That's interesting, I'm really baffled then, I wonder what it is, feels very unfair..
Driver age, mileage, and postcode are the 3 main considerations when setting premiums i understand

That's interesting, I'm really baffled then, I wonder what it is, feels very unfair..

Driver age, mileage, and postcode are the 3 main considerations when setting premiums i understand.
Be worth getting quotes from LV, AIB, Caravan Guard and Caravan Club...

 

[Ladymuck]

It may be worth giving them a call again, can I ask what church

It may be worth giving them a call again, can I ask what church car park it was found in ?

I've sent you a message Juste

 

[Vagophile]

Comfort, as I understand it, give no discount based on NCB. They told me they will maintain my existing NCB if I provide evidence so that I don’t lose it if I move on from them, but it doesn’t make any difference to them.

I used to be insured with Comfort. They offer a net premium policy that does not take account of "no claims" discount, but they will provide a record of claim free years in the event of switching away from them.
I left because, while they provided one of the best policies on the market, it became progressively and disproportionately more expensive each year, despite my no claims record.

 

[66tim99]

I used to be insured with Comfort. They offer a net premium policy that does not take account of "no claims" discount, but they will provide a record of claim free years in the event of switching away from them.
I left because, while they provided one of the best policies on the market, it became progressively and disproportionately more expensive each year, despite my no claims record.

Who did you switch to? There are some who have very low (<£300pa) premiums with Comfort, and others triple that. I'm about to get several quotes...

 

[Vagophile]

Who did you switch to? There are some who have very low (<£300pa) premiums with Comfort, and others triple that. I'm about to get several quotes...

This is the first full year that I have insured the California.
Prior to that my insurance was for a motorhome. I have records since 2009, but they don't mean much today.
Four years via Comfort: first premium £301, last £379, renewal quote £425;
Four years via Safeguard first premium £337, last £334, renewal quote £532;
One year via Carole Nash first premium £335 renewal quote £600;
Two years via Shield first premium £429, last £498,

I was quoted £735 including breakdown insurance for the California, so decided to seek quotes without breakdown cover and source that separately. These are what I got:
Camping and Caravan Club (Vantage insurance services) £1078
Advance Insurance Services (camper specialist) £735
NFU Mutual £609
Adrian Flux (have two other vehicles insured) £404
AIB £339
LV online £282
Just Kampers (recommended here by some) never returned my call.

AIB offered the Highway camper insurance and although LV direct seemed to be offering the same thing, I went with AIB because I can talk to them. I reckon breakdown cover will add £55.

Two notable points: Insurance tax adds a big lump to the total
All quotes except NFU added between £35 and £55 "Admin fee" or similar.

 

[66tim99]

This is the first full year that I have insured the California.
Prior to that my insurance was for a motorhome. I have records since 2009, but they don't mean much today.
Four years via Comfort: first premium £301, last £379, renewal quote £425;
Four years via Safeguard first premium £337, last £334, renewal quote £532;
One year via Carole Nash first premium £335 renewal quote £600;
Two years via Shield first premium £429, last £498,

I was quoted £735 including breakdown insurance for the California, so decided to seek quotes without breakdown cover and source that separately. These are what I got:
Camping and Caravan Club (Vantage insurance services) £1078
Advance Insurance Services (camper specialist) £735
NFU Mutual £609
Adrian Flux (have two other vehicles insured) £404
AIB £339
LV online £282
Just Kampers (recommended here by some) never returned my call.

AIB offered the Highway camper insurance and although LV direct seemed to be offering the same thing, I went with AIB because I can talk to them. I reckon breakdown cover will add £55.

Two notable points: Insurance tax adds a big lump to the total
All quotes except NFU added between £35 and £55 "Admin fee" or similar.

Thanks - LV just gave me a £460 quote, £200 lower than Comfort. I'll call them and make sure 'camping' incidents are covered...

 

[B J G]

In my 9 years service I’ve never heard of vehicles being stolen from any camps I’ve been on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Were some stolen during my Service years but that's going back a bit.

In today's post from my Insurer, Safeguard, came a pack with Microdot Kit in it to do the Cali and any valuable/removable items. No prior notice when I renewed last week.

 

[sbmcd]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet but whenever we are out, or away on holiday and the Cali is left at home the keys are always locked away or hidden at home so that if someone does break in to the house the keys would be very difficult to find.

Its just one more thing to make stealing your pride and joy a little more difficult.

 

[B J G]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet but whenever we are out, or away on holiday and the Cali is left at home the keys are always locked away or hidden at home so that if someone does break in to the house the keys would be very difficult to find.

Its just one more thing to make stealing your pride and joy a little more difficult.

If they are really looking then they will find them.

A friend had their house wrecked, kitchen units ripped out, wardrobes broken, beds upturned etc in the search for their Son's Focus ST keys.

 

[Cali Phillip]

If they are really looking then they will find them.

A friend had their house wrecked, kitchen units ripped out, wardrobes broken, beds upturned etc in the search for their Son's Focus ST keys.

Theres a balance there between, keys being fished though the letterbox and the house or you suffering damage in finding them.

 

[sbmcd]

If they are really looking then they will find them.

A friend had their house wrecked, kitchen units ripped out, wardrobes broken, beds upturned etc in the search for their Son's Focus ST keys.

They will be looking for them while the alarm (master blaster 127Db) loudest permitted alarm is sounding, these are usually found on commercial premises and the monitored alarm system has called police response. On the odd occasion I have set off the alarm by mistake I can confirm it is quite deafening.

You can only do what you can do, trying to deter them is best, alarms, visible cctv and a 27/7 omonitored system all help.

We were broken into once before while we were away skiing (with the van) and that is the reason we have all this in place now.

 

[keredewor]

I've got CCTV and thinking of a tracker now as well although I'm not sure..also wondering about the use of a steering wheel lock.. Agree on the insurance side think I'm going have to go for the higher premium one which do old for new.

Dont waste money on a tracker, buy a cheap mobile phone........it acts as a tracker

 

[AlisonF]

Dont waste money on a tracker, buy a cheap mobile phone........it acts as a tracker

Not sure about that... having it plugged in permanently in the van will drain the leisure battery. Also, it would need to be hidden away so not obvious to anyone stealing the van.

 

[66tim99]

Dont waste money on a tracker, buy a cheap mobile phone........it acts as a tracker

Don't the thieves just chuck it out the window?

 

[keredewor]

Not sure about that... having it plugged in permanently in the van will drain the leisure battery. Also, it would need to be hidden away so not obvious to anyone stealing the van.

I have a trickle charger on my vehicle battery and the leisure batteries are hooked up to the mains, plenty of places to hide it in the California where it will never be found...........believe me it works......... and is a very low cost alternative to a Tracker.............which runs off the battery!!!!

 

[AlisonF]

I have a trickle charger on my vehicle battery and the leisure batteries are hooked up to the mains, plenty of places to hide it in the California where it will never be found...........believe me it works......... and is a very low cost alternative to a Tracker.............which runs off the battery!!!!

Didn’t mean to criticise your set up. It sounds a good cheapish solution.
We have so many posts about leisure or engine batteries being drained, I just thought it worth mentioning so that others are aware.

 

[keredewor]

Didn’t mean to criticise your set up. It sounds a good cheapish solution.
We have so many posts about leisure or engine batteries being drained, I just thought it worth mentioning so that others are aware.

Ha ha Alison .. ... you raised a valid point .. absolutely no offfence taken .. I also have blink cameras in the garage and it’s alarmed.. save for taking the wheels off no much more I can do ...

 

[Plinky]

A ghost immobiliser is an excellent idea.....i have one fitted to my van, and as far as i know, they can't be over-ridden.