New member saying “hello”

[Threehorsehead]

My family and I have been campers for a while and the opportunity arose to buy a relatives old caravan. It is an Abbey Freestyle 500SE. We thought, why not. We have never been caravanning and know nothing about it, it just seemed a nice way to take a family holiday. I have been lurking reading he forums and ,so far found them really helpful.

So we are now getting into the details and are looking for insurance. So I now find myself looking for help. I have already worked out that the age of the caravan means we won’t get new for old insurance, which is fine. It is the other stuff I’m not sure about, specifically the cover levels I need.

Awning cover? How much does an awning cost?

Contents cover? Is this just personal possessions like bedding, or would this include the hobs, fridge, heaters, etc? Do you just guess ?

Equipment cover? What’s all included in this? I was taking a punt at £500 but have no idea if this would cover “equipment” as I’ll be honest I have no clue what I’ll need.

If anyone had some ideas it would be a great help.

Thank you.
Phil

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Phil Threehorsehead,

Welcome to the forum.

Caravanning is no lesser or greater than Camping, they're just different ways of spending your precious holiday time, and money

Insurance is not essential but for anyone with a limited budget it does make a lot of sense. You would have to look at the policy details to find out what is covered and if you can elect to have certain items covered to a particular value.

If you can only expect to have replacement values, then for things which are quite specific like awnings you need to know the make an model and size, and to find out what they typically sell for on the second-hand markets. Popular auction sites sometimes have "Trending values" which indicate what the same or similar products have sold for recently.

Some personal items may already be covered by your household insurance, so check the details there.

There are several web pages that will give you a good idea of what equipment you may need, Several items of your camping equipment may be transferable to the caravan.

Whilst they are not usually the cheapest, the two major caravan clubs and some of the other well known insurance companies have got some well respected policies that suit most caravanners. And on top of that their claims procedures seem to be smoother and easier than most of the cheaper options. Read the small print, because that's where the differences will lie, and occasionally we do hear of some insurers making claims much more difficult though get outs in their terms and conditions.

I'm sure some forum members will be along to give some of their ideas, but as you have been able to find this forum I'm sure your computer skills will be able to find some of the other bits of information that will be useful to you.

 

[CustardAvenger]

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

I purchased caravan insurance for the first time last year. Over and above the new for old value of the caravan I had no idea on the figures so had to guess and just went with the insurers defaults.

The awning was easy... I didn't have one. The one I have now is a simple canopy worth less than £100. A full Isabella may cost upwards of £2000! So the price varies widely on size and quality.

I now have a value for items as I made a spreadsheet of what I paid and what they are worth new. This gives me an accurate insurance figure.

Equipment is all the practical things like water and waste containers, locks, bedding etc... this insurer gives a comprehensive list: https://www.caravanguard.co.uk/news/set-correct-insurance-value-caravan-equipment-6766/

Contents would be any personal possessions not covered away from the home on say, a home insurance policy, but most insurers specifically exclude high value items like jewellery and electronics. But it is quite vague in the definition to be honest.

This year I have seen a large increase in my premium, which I was informed was due to a large number of tourer policy claims (There have been several instances of storage yard fires recently) and in increase of risk.

Hope this helps.

N.B.

As you're just starting out make sure you don't just buy something as it's on a list of essential kit. I only bought something as I needed it. E G. Bedding. We made do with our old camping sleeping bag for ages. Then decided a normal domestic duvet was the best for us.

 

[Craigyoung]

For your first trip away take what you think you may need and then whilst you are actually away in the caravan and you go to get something that you haven't got make a note of it .

 

[ProfJohnL]

I totally agree with the other comments about thinking carefully about what items to buy. Especially as you have experience of camping you will know what you need to get by with. Use that as a starting point. Then try it and see what else I would make the experience better.

On a slighty more negative note, there are number of things you need to be made aware of. Caravans of all makes have a tendency to suffer with water leaks or water ingress. Dont get it confused with condensation. Rot and damage caused by water ingress can be expensive to repair.

The gas system and appliances will deteriorate even if they are not used. They should be inspected annual.

Water systems usually benefit from an annual clean and some have filters that should be replaced or if your only UK caravanning then in practice you can remove or bypass them.

Tyres should be regularly checked for pressure and signs of ageing, caravans rarely wear tyres out. Industry advice is that tyres should be changed at least every 7 years.

There is a network of mobile caravan service people who generally can do a service at you home or storage location.

 

[Dustydog]

Welcome Phil,

Have a look at the two Clubs Insurance covers. Not the cheapest but generally consider the best.
https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/insurance/caravan-insurance/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8LTmBRBCEiwAbhh-6AbYDIoRhehbxjtc5eAoZ5eKfWJWUBxM5z9nxPxQHCogpgP3bnbniRoCbF0QAvD_BwE

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/insurance/caravan-insurance/

 

[Threehorsehead]

Thank you all very much. I’m pretty sure this will all just take some getting used to. Some quick googling suggests the awning is worth another 100 quid second hand (it’s not a full awning).

I like the idea of making a spreadsheet, a quick way of totting up costs.

We went along to our local caravan shop today, just to get an idea of all the stuff we could get.
It gives me an good start .

 

[CustardAvenger]

Thank you all very much. I’m pretty sure this will all just take some getting used to. Some quick googling suggests the awning is worth another 100 quid second hand (it’s not a full awning).

I like the idea of making a spreadsheet, a quick way of totting up costs.

We went along to our local caravan shop today, just to get an idea of all the stuff we could get.
It gives me an good start .

My spreadsheet has a worksheet for the dimensions and weights of the caravan, every item I have put into the caravan and its weight, the price/value of the items in the van I have bought, a brief diary of my trips, and a cost break down the sites I've visited.

 

[Raywood]

Welcome to the forum. Insurance is not a legal requirement but is probably needed particularly for the third party cover even if the value of the caravan is low. The cars insurance covers third party claims when being towed but you need it once the car is unhitched. Do tell your motor insurer you have fitted a tow bar, it is a modification although it should not affect your premium.
You will need to get the chassis number before you can insure it.
The insurers named are all good although you could also try NFU and SAGA.
An awningt costs whatever you want to pay for it. They range from about £100 upwards into £2,000 or more. You do not need to insure an awning until you have bought one though and only then will you know if insurance on it is worthwhile. l would try a short break without one and see if you need it first and if so how big you will want.
The basic idea for value is the caravan itself. Anything permanantly attached is part of the caravan, anything used in conjunction with it such as the gas bottles and water carriers are accessories. I am afraid that the best way of valuing them is to check what you have with it or bought and add up the value.
Anything else is contents but your house policy should cover a fair bit of this so check that first.

 

[Threehorsehead]

Is that the chassis number for the caravan?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Is that the chassis number for the caravan?

Yes the caravans chassis number. It should be on a plate fixed to the A frame.

 

[Threehorsehead]

Thank you. I haven’t got that and because it’s still stored at a location remote from me getting it is a bit of a pest. I have two CRIS numbers, would either of them be it? None of the insurers I have spoke to so far have asked for it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

You should only have ONE CRIS number, Two makes it look suspiciois.

You mightfind this web page usefull

https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=89

 

[Threehorsehead]

Ah ok, no it is one number then . It has 17 digits, just etched into window in two lines.

 

[Beachball]

Hi welcome to the forum enjoy

 

[Threehorsehead]

So I have been running into an issue, which seems to be causing a problem.

Our van is stored in a locked compound surrounded by a steel 8ft fence. The site store the vans side by side, close together so when in storage there is not enough space between the vans for a person to get into.

The insurers are declining because I have been honest and said that the van does not have a wheel clamp in storage. It’s impossible to get to the wheel to fit it.

So what should I do know? I would guess that at least some of the vans in the storage compound must have insurance. Do these owners just say yes to having a wheel clamp and only use it when on pitch?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Deliberatly Misleading insurers s a very risky game!

If you get found out, the insurers are very likley to "void" your policy, and your name will be linked to that fact on the insurance industries data base which is shared by all insurers, so you would find that insurnace of any kind will be more difficut to get, and the premims will almost certainly go up,

If your insurer insists on a wheel clamp you must fit one, and if that means the storage compound you currently use cannot accomodate it then you will have to find storage where you can use the clamp.

You might be able to have the requirement removed if you discuss it with the insurer but it may result in a less favourablel policy or a significnt hike in premium, or more restrictoins on what liabilities teh insurer will accept.

Other providers may not have the requirement, so it might be worth looking around.

 

[Threehorsehead]

Indeed.

I have just gone back and searched again. I have located a favourable insurance policy which doesn’t require me to move the van. We like where it is. But as you thought, the premium increased 40%. Still it is now insured.

Thank you all for your help.