So if you don't have a alarm on your van, you obviously pay more insurance, or do they insist you have one fitted? Surely if you are on site with other people around you, and your hitch lock on, wheel lock on, and of course must not forget wardens on site who should know who is on site with which van. Liz
Alarms - On or Off?
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All of our past vans have been fitted with alarms and not once have we had a false trigger. like most others with "good" insurance cover if you have had the discount for a fitted alarm then it is a requirement of the policy that the alarm is activated at all times the van is unatended even for a few minuites, if the van is stolen and the alarm was not on then you will not get paid simple.
nuisance alarms are usually caused by the tilt or shock sensor but can just as easily be triggered by a coat or other item left hanging in the van, if it moves in the wind then the pir will detect it and concider it to be an intruder. it is a inconveniance if an alarm false triggers but even if someone promised to watch my van i would still be bound by my insurance to leave my system set.
nuisance alarms are usually caused by the tilt or shock sensor but can just as easily be triggered by a coat or other item left hanging in the van, if it moves in the wind then the pir will detect it and concider it to be an intruder. it is a inconveniance if an alarm false triggers but even if someone promised to watch my van i would still be bound by my insurance to leave my system set.
We don't leave our valuables out on display, so we always leave our caravan unlocked. There wouldn't be much point in locking the door, as we always leave the windows open anyway. One daughter sleeps in a pup tent, so we leave the door unlocked at night in case she needs to come in to us for some reason. Passports, documents and money are kept in the safe.
I think it's pretty sad if people have to set an alarm - whether through personal choice or because of an insurance policy - even if they leave their caravan to pop for a shower or go for a drink with a neighbour. When I go to do the washing up, go for a swim, pop to the shop or whatever, the last thing on my mind would be locking the door and setting an alarm.
To qualify the above, I should mention that we tend to go to busier sites with plenty of people around. A deserted CL in low or mid season is another matter, but that would also depend on the location and immediate surroundings.
I think it's pretty sad if people have to set an alarm - whether through personal choice or because of an insurance policy - even if they leave their caravan to pop for a shower or go for a drink with a neighbour. When I go to do the washing up, go for a swim, pop to the shop or whatever, the last thing on my mind would be locking the door and setting an alarm.
To qualify the above, I should mention that we tend to go to busier sites with plenty of people around. A deserted CL in low or mid season is another matter, but that would also depend on the location and immediate surroundings.
To Icemaker,All of our past vans have been fitted with alarms and not once have we had a false trigger. like most others with "good" insurance cover if you have had the discount for a fitted alarm then it is a requirement of the policy that the alarm is activated at all times the van is unatended even for a few minuites, if the van is stolen and the alarm was not on then you will not get paid simple.
nuisance alarms are usually caused by the tilt or shock sensor but can just as easily be triggered by a coat or other item left hanging in the van, if it moves in the wind then the pir will detect it and concider it to be an intruder. it is a inconveniance if an alarm false triggers but even if someone promised to watch my van i would still be bound by my insurance to leave my system set.
I suppose if your confident that alarm does not go off, but surely on a site with lots of vans about, nobody is going to steal your van. I can understand if site was empty or not many on site. Do you also use hitch lock and wheel lock or just alarm? Surely insurance companys would say hitch lock and wheel lock is ample protection on site. But vans in storage should have them on? Liz
Hi Mike PWe don't leave our valuables out on display, so we always leave our caravan unlocked. There wouldn't be much point in locking the door, as we always leave the windows open anyway. One daughter sleeps in a pup tent, so we leave the door unlocked at night in case she needs to come in to us for some reason. Passports, documents and money are kept in the safe.
I think it's pretty sad if people have to set an alarm - whether through personal choice or because of an insurance policy - even if they leave their caravan to pop for a shower or go for a drink with a neighbour. When I go to do the washing up, go for a swim, pop to the shop or whatever, the last thing on my mind would be locking the door and setting an alarm.
To qualify the above, I should mention that we tend to go to busier sites with plenty of people around. A deserted CL in low or mid season is another matter, but that would also depend on the location and immediate surroundings.
You seem to have the right idea. Most people on site, whether you know them or not are observant, ready to look out for strangers. Why spoil your holidays to worry about putting alarms on. OK Hitchlock on Wheel Lock on, valuables not on show. Other people here out all day windows open, no worries. Enjoy your holidays. What ever next alarms on Tents next. Liz
A wise man once advised me that there is no real market for stolen UK vans on the continent. My policy states that I have to have either a wheel clamp or hitchlock, so I have the latter. I can't be bothered with the hassle of a wheelclamp.We don't leave our valuables out on display, so we always leave our caravan unlocked. There wouldn't be much point in locking the door, as we always leave the windows open anyway. One daughter sleeps in a pup tent, so we leave the door unlocked at night in case she needs to come in to us for some reason. Passports, documents and money are kept in the safe.
I think it's pretty sad if people have to set an alarm - whether through personal choice or because of an insurance policy - even if they leave their caravan to pop for a shower or go for a drink with a neighbour. When I go to do the washing up, go for a swim, pop to the shop or whatever, the last thing on my mind would be locking the door and setting an alarm.
To qualify the above, I should mention that we tend to go to busier sites with plenty of people around. A deserted CL in low or mid season is another matter, but that would also depend on the location and immediate surroundings.
But I wouldn't leave my caravan unattended for 10 seconds on a UK motorway service area in the summer hols. I usually leave Mrs P on guard. Scary woman ......... have you met my wife?
To Alun, How annoying for you, obviously you have to have alarm on. You say 20mins then it stops. This alarm sounded for about 4 mins. 10 or 15 mins later sounded again. I tell you I felt like kicking a ball at it, but on this site no ball games aloud around caravans. So anyway you say your alarm only goes off once, and not again, and lasts 20mins then what? sounds like an open invitation to thiefs? LizFrom my understanding of the instructions for the alarms fitted to Series 5 Bailey Senators the alarm would only sound for 20 minutes anyway. In order to comply with what an Insurer would expect I do set my alarm when going off site. I did initially experience some problems at home with one of two youngsters getting fun from kicking the front of the caravan in order to set the alarm off and overcame it by switching off the tilt sensor and only having the PIR sensor activated and that solved the problem. I can not believe that the impact of a ball on site hitting the caravan would be as great as someone trying to kick the front of the caravan hard so I do use both sensors when being away from the caravan on site. The only time the alarm has gone off unexpectedly was when I tried to go part of the way into the caravan to retrieve an item without switching the alarm off and set off the PIR sensor.
Hi MikePA wise man once advised me that there is no real market for stolen UK vans on the continent. My policy states that I have to have either a wheel clamp or hitchlock, so I have the latter. I can't be bothered with the hassle of a wheelclamp.
But I wouldn't leave my caravan unattended for 10 seconds on a UK motorway service area in the summer hols. I usually leave Mrs P on guard. Scary woman ......... have you met my wife?
You should take it in turns MrP
Liz, yes we do have a wheel clamp and hitch lock as well as the alarm and we receive a discount on the insurance for all three so we are bound by the policy to use all three at all times the van is left unattended. obviousley if on site we are a little more relaxed with the requirements and would never concider using the alarm if just going to the showers etc but if going out even for just an hour then the alarm is set.
We allso have a safe which all documents cards etc are kept in, as well as jewellery and such items, but since the tv and cameras etc will not fit in the safe then the van is allways left secure and alarmed if we are away. yes its pretty unlikely that the van will get stolen with lots of people around but it could easily be broken into and nobody would notice.
We allso have a safe which all documents cards etc are kept in, as well as jewellery and such items, but since the tv and cameras etc will not fit in the safe then the van is allways left secure and alarmed if we are away. yes its pretty unlikely that the van will get stolen with lots of people around but it could easily be broken into and nobody would notice.
Hello Icemaker,Liz, yes we do have a wheel clamp and hitch lock as well as the alarm and we receive a discount on the insurance for all three so we are bound by the policy to use all three at all times the van is left unattended. obviousley if on site we are a little more relaxed with the requirements and would never concider using the alarm if just going to the showers etc but if going out even for just an hour then the alarm is set.
We allso have a safe which all documents cards etc are kept in, as well as jewellery and such items, but since the tv and cameras etc will not fit in the safe then the van is allways left secure and alarmed if we are away. yes its pretty unlikely that the van will get stolen with lots of people around but it could easily be broken into and nobody would notice.
I have noted all when you said on board, I expect your alarm does not go off when set, only when tampered with. As regard for tv etc, what about people who have tents with their tv's etc left in tents. I expect it all boils down to the site your on and where in the Country you are staying. Most people here leave their windows open tv's on show, no problem, no break in's. It is very unusual to hear a alarm going off, on vans or cars. I myself leave windows open, car unlocked and go out for the day with no worries. Liz
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