Its renewal time again

[Grahamh]

I realise that this an 'old chestnut' but....
My renewal quote is here(caravan club). I know it is probably the best cover but it's high (£323). Higher by far than any of the other insurance I carry although the value of the van is less than car etc. Is there an acceptable alternative? The renewal is word for word the same as last year - they don't give any further discount beyond 4 years. The other discounts are only available by spending lots on security devices.
Must I bite the bullet again?

 

[emmerson]

That seems very high Graham. Shop around. I've used Caravan Rescue for the last twenty odd years. 0845 345 4525.

 

[Grahamh]

Thanks for that. Have just rung C&C club and their quote is £295 which falls to £266 if I join the club. Have you ever had reason to claim from Caravan Rescue. The last van I had I used a company that was much cheaper but when I tried to claim they weaseled out. CC are very good but V expensive. Never claimed mind.

 

[emmerson]

Yes Graham I have made a claim, about four years ago.Assessor arrived at my home within a week, agreed the repair. it was repaired at the end of the season, at my convenience with no drama at all.
I should perhaps point out that as my caravan is unique I have an agreed value policy, and the repair cost was well below that value.
Aside from all that, you get to speak to a lovely lady who has been in the insurance business for many years, and was trained by her father, who had a lifetime experience in caravan insurance.
Tell her I sent you!!!

 

[emmerson]

Graham, I've just had a letter from Caravan Rescue to say that Ms Bedford is giving up all other insurance broking to concentrate solely on caravans!

 

[DeliDave_]

Mine is up in April so Ill give her a ring nearer the time

 

[Grahamh]

Spoke to the lady this afto and she is coming back with a quote (she says hi BTW).
Thanks again

 

[Raywood]

The difference in the policies is often in the theft cover. Do read this carefully and make sure you understand and obey it. Most will want a wheel clamp at all times the caravan is left unoccupied including motorway stops. The CC gives you cover if left temporarily but still require ones for longer periods.
One policy I saw on the face of it excludes fire on the wording if the heater causes it although they may not take the point in practice. All policies should be OK if you have an acvodent when travelling and it is repairable but have a total loss and then you will see the difference between companies.
I have never had any dealings with Caravan Rescue so cannot coment on them. Will try to have a look at the policy wording on there web site if it is there when I have time.
My personal feeling is I would not go beyond the two clubs or NFU if I could help it.

 

[chrisbee1]

The difference in the policies is often in the theft cover. Do read this carefully and make sure you understand and obey it. Most will want a wheel clamp at all times the caravan is left unoccupied including motorway stops. The CC gives you cover if left temporarily but still require ones for longer periods.
One policy I saw on the face of it excludes fire on the wording if the heater causes it although they may not take the point in practice. All policies should be OK if you have an acvodent when travelling and it is repairable but have a total loss and then you will see the difference between companies.
I have never had any dealings with Caravan Rescue so cannot coment on them. Will try to have a look at the policy wording on there web site if it is there when I have time.
My personal feeling is I would not go beyond the two clubs or NFU if I could help it.

No it doesn't. You just don't get the 10% discount you would get if you used one.

 

[emmerson]

The difference in the policies is often in the theft cover. Do read this carefully and make sure you understand and obey it. Most will want a wheel clamp at all times the caravan is left unoccupied including motorway stops. The CC gives you cover if left temporarily but still require ones for longer periods.
One policy I saw on the face of it excludes fire on the wording if the heater causes it although they may not take the point in practice. All policies should be OK if you have an acvodent when travelling and it is repairable but have a total loss and then you will see the difference between companies.
I have never had any dealings with Caravan Rescue so cannot coment on them. Will try to have a look at the policy wording on there web site if it is there when I have time.
My personal feeling is I would not go beyond the two clubs or NFU if I could help it.

I don't really understand your comments, Ray. Are you suggesting that all insurance other than CC, CCC and NFU is suspect, although you admit to not having tried them?
I'd suggest that Caravan Rescue must have a vast amount of caravan insurance if she can give up all other business, and only do caravans.
Btw, my neighbour has just made a claim on them too. it also was settled within a couple of weeks. sadly his van was beyond repair, but he received a cheque and the van back.

 

[Grahamh]

Finally decided yesterday as that was the renewal date. I joined CCC and went with their policy. Upped the excess and with being a member got the premium down by £100. Caravan rescue never came back with a quote and repeated attempts to phone them met with no success. Have peace of mind now and can start off the season next week with a trip to the Malvern Hills

 

[emmerson]

Finally decided yesterday as that was the renewal date. I joined CCC and went with their policy. Upped the excess and with being a member got the premium down by £100. Caravan rescue never came back with a quote and repeated attempts to phone them met with no success. Have peace of mind now and can start off the season next week with a trip to the Malvern Hills

Graham, I don't understand why no contact from Caravan Rescue. I spoke to her on Thursday and Friday.
I'll phone her tomorrow to find out what happened.

 

[emmerson]

Graham, I have spoken with Caravan Rescue this morning. Ms Bedford says that ,as requested, she emailed her quote to you. As for not being able to contact her,she works alone and consequently it make take a few minutes for her to answer. She does have voicemail, and there are no messages from you.
Enjoy Malvern. I'll be there on Saturday for the Commercial Vehicle show.

 

[Grahamh]

Hi Emmerson,
yes she phoned me this morning and we had a chat. Can't understand where the quote got to as I check my mail (including junk mail) regularly. I also explained how I had tried to phone her a couple of times but could not get through. She told me what the quote was and I said that I would not have taken it as it is higher than I got from CCC (although with a lower excess).
Where are you staying in Malvern. We are going to visit our daughter as she is a teacher/coach at Malvern College. Not sure of a site yet and hoping the weather settles down before Thursday.

 

[emmerson]

Glad that's sort of sorted.
I'm not taking the van to Malvern, as its only an hour from home, and Herself has no interest in what she describes as "smelly old lorries"!
Can't help with a site either I'm afraid.

 

[Grahamh]

No worries, have a couple of CL's that swmbo has found. Don't think I could persuade her either. It'll be walking and walking for us. Might get a pub lunch though Still the weather forecast is good.

 

[Gagakev]

Rang the C&CC today to renew my policy. Answered a few questions and the premium dropped £7.00
Reason.....................The market value of the van has dropped £1270.00 hmy: IN ONE YEAR
And I thought I was getting cheap holidays!!!

 

[Raywood]

I would not suggest the others are useless but the two clubs do give more cover than any other policy I have seen and both them and NFU have excellent reputations for fast and good service and claims settlement.

 

[Gagakev]

I would not suggest the others are useless but the two clubs do give more cover than any other policy I have seen and both them and NFU have excellent reputations for fast and good service and claims settlement.

Hope I never have to put them to the test

 

[Dustydog]

I would not suggest the others are useless but the two clubs do give more cover than any other policy I have seen and both them and NFU have excellent reputations for fast and good service and claims settlement.

I'm in the Ray camp here.
Yes there are many excellent other Insurers out there but you have to ask yourself who has the clout to ensure the Insurer plays fair with the Insured at the time of a claim?

From what I have seen over the last thirty odd years the two main clubs carry a lot of sway with their Insurer panel. I suspect the benefit of doubt has been given often by the club's Insurers than the rest of the market put together.
Clearly Emmo's choice is driven by a well respected Broker who may be able to assist in a crisis. A direct no Broker Insurer may be more problematic. Who will fight your corner?

My CC renewal came through this week Gross £950. but after discounts , NCD etc reduced to £ 366.00. Guaranteed £23k if the caravan is written off plus all the usual add ons including a very wide theft cover but as expected subject to wheel clamps etc.
All in all I'm happy to stick with The CC Insurer. Loyalty also counts in a crisis.

 

[ProfJohnL]

........................Loyalty also counts in a crisis.

Hello Dusty,
I'm not so sure I can accept your statement here. I would love it to be true, but in these days of computer generated liability scores, I don't think these companies even the reputable ones ever offer preferential treatment (with the exception of NCD) to any policyholder over a new policyholder.

If you think about it, if an old customer and a new customer both made identical claims, if it was shown that one was treated with greater preference than the other, the lesser served would have a genuine claim for breach of contract against the insurer, as they had not been treated equally (plus the fact as a new policyholder theyprobably have less NCD so are paying more) .

Don't forget that technically no policy rolls over year after year, renewal is exactly what it states you are re- newing or making new again the policy. The fact the insure already has the relevant details from the previous year just simplifies it for you and them.

Sadly these days loyalty is not rewarded, hence the culture across so many businesses of poaching customers by tempting them with so many months free or half price so rife in the telecoms industry and similar types of offers elsewhere.

 

[Raywood]

As far as claims service is concerned you will not get preferential service whether you are a new or old customer. The claims go into the system and are all dealt with in order by the same staff.
If you have been insured for less than six months and have a theft claim and one or two other known fraud risk claims though you might find they look a bit more closely at you. The companies now have a set of fraud risk criteria and if you come up on this it will be investigated and fraud is normally is known to be more likely on relatively new policies.
In the case of marginal claims some companies will look at how long you have been with them and long standing customers might get a bit better deal but don't count on it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

.............ims some companies will look at how long you have been with them and long standing customers might get a bit better deal but don't count on it.

Hello Ray,
If I even got a snifta that any claim of mine had been handles less favourably than anyone elses I'd be kicking up an almighty fuss. The policy is a contract and dual standards are not acceptable.

 

[paws]

Hi PJL, Raywood can answer for himself, but I hope you will forgive me for popping in....
He did make it clear, but I have taken the liberty of highlighting some important words

As far as claims service is concerned you will not get preferential service whether you are a new or old customer. The claims go into the system and are all dealt with in order by the same staff.
If you have been insured for less than six months and have a theft claim and one or two other known fraud risk claims though you might find they look a bit more closely at you. The companies now have a set of fraud risk criteria and if you come up on this it will be investigated and fraud is normally is known to be more likely on relatively new policies.
In the case of marginal claims some companies will look at how long you have been with them and long standing customers might get a bit better deal but don't count on it.
Read more at http://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/insurance-security-and-storage/50659-its-renewal-time-again?start=20#BRS0XefYAOqpKRcT.99

 

[Raywood]

The problem you have with other customers being dealt with differently is how would you know.
Loyalty can be a valid reason for helping a customer and I have certainly seen several cases where these people have been given a better deal on difficult claims., The discretion point is a consideration with some companies, but I doubt it would be a valid point at renewal unless the saving moving the policy was very low as the chances of you needing this are very minute and will only affect a very small proportion of people.