Worries sick about damp

[Johnb]

Thank you, we have decided we are going to go ahead and get the damage repaired despite what the insurance say as the van is in good condition apart from the obvious and we have lots of small happy breaks in it. We are going to take the van to another repair man next week also for a second estimate just incase the insurance won’t pay out but we really are keeping everything crossed they will.
we’ve learnt a massive lesson from all this and that’s to make sure we have the caravan serviced every year.
it’s booked in to be serviced in 2 weeks time where I know the tyres are going to need replacing an god knows what else so it could end up being a very expensive year for us but hopefully if we get it all done over the course of this season it will be more plain sailing from the on

Just a thought.
Many of the service checks are things you might be able to do yourself. You can check if a light works or a tap delivers water etc
Some will need a specialist - gas, brakes and the like. Water ingress obviously need equipment ot a specialist too.
You might be able to negotiate a "partial" service with a mobile engineer. It's worth having a chat to check.
Obviously you can't compromise your safety and that of others so go steady - but nothing lost if you ask.

 

[otherclive]

Thank you, we have decided we are going to go ahead and get the damage repaired despite what the insurance say as the van is in good condition apart from the obvious and we have lots of small happy breaks in it. We are going to take the van to another repair man next week also for a second estimate just incase the insurance won’t pay out but we really are keeping everything crossed they will.
we’ve learnt a massive lesson from all this and that’s to make sure we have the caravan serviced every year.
it’s booked in to be serviced in 2 weeks time where I know the tyres are going to need replacing an god knows what else so it could end up being a very expensive year for us but hopefully if we get it all done over the course of this season it will be more plain sailing from the on

I don’t know where you live but there are body repairers that specialise in vans and Motorhome insurance repairs. Try a search.
And good luck.

 

[Coultscooking]

Just a thought.
Many of the service checks are things you might be able to do yourself. You can check if a light works or a tap delivers water etc
Some will need a specialist - gas, brakes and the like. Water ingress obviously need equipment ot a specialist too.
You might be able to negotiate a "partial" service with a mobile engineer. It's worth having a chat to check.
Obviously you can't compromise your safety and that of others so go steady - but nothing lost if you ask.

Thank you for your advice defiantly food for thought

 

[Coultscooking]

I don’t know where you live but there are body repairers that specialise in vans and Motorhome insurance repairs. Try a search.
And good luck.

Hello our caravan is based in Burnham on sea, we live in plymouth. The mechanic we seen today said he was more than happy to deal with an insurance claim, I just hope they agree to pay for the damage soon to prevent any further water getting in.
it’s going to be a nervous wait as we’ve never claimed off any type of insurance before apart from our pet insurance

 

[Damian]

Well done on what you have done so far, and I echo the previous thoughts of goodwill in your ongoing experience.
What I would also add is, now that you have found this forum please , if you are not sure of something, or just need advice, come and ask.
There is a wealth of knowledge in the folk who contribute to the Forum, and most times answers can be had to many aspects of the caravan ownership.

 

[otherclive]

Hello our caravan is based in Burnham on sea, we live in plymouth. The mechanic we seen today said he was more than happy to deal with an insurance claim, I just hope they agree to pay for the damage soon to prevent any further water getting in.
it’s going to be a nervous wait as we’ve never claimed off any type of insurance before apart from our pet insurance

While the discussion is going on with your insurance might be useful to get some weather tape over the areas of concern. Mine had it for five months whilst waiting a new panel. It worked very well.

 

[Coultscooking]

While the discussion is going on with your insurance might be useful to get some weather tape over the areas of concern. Mine had it for five months whilst waiting a new panel. It worked very well.

The man put some sealent on the cracks this afternoon, he said that will prevent any further damage for the moment

 

[Coultscooking]

Well done on what you have done so far, and I echo the previous thoughts of goodwill in your ongoing experience.
What I would also add is, now that you have found this forum please , if you are not sure of something, or just need advice, come and ask.
There is a wealth of knowledge in the folk who contribute to the Forum, and most times answers can be had to many aspects of the caravan ownership.

Thank you & any questions I won’t hesitate to ask, you’ve all been helpful

 

[Johnb]

Thank you & any questions I won’t hesitate to ask, you’ve all been helpful

And take it from me - You'll not find a better forum anywhere.
I've tried a few although I'm nor a regular by any means. Some are simply sounding boxes for small groups who support each other, have similar political views and live their lives trying to pick fault with others. Point scoring mad-men!
Enjoy and let's hope caravan will be good as new very soon

 

[Beachball]

Thanks for the update about your caravan i hope everything goes alright with the insurance claim ( i also think this forum is great )

 

[Buckman]

Is the caravan technician an AWS or MCEA technician registered as that may be an requirement by the insurance company for a claim? Although not necessary the same question can be asked about the servicing of the caravan. The last thing you need now is a so called "caravan technician" who botches the repair etc. so be careful and check out any reviews etc.

 

[Damian]

The only engineers recognised by the manufacturers and main regulatory bodies are those who are AWS registered.
MCEA are not.

 

[Buckman]

The only engineers recognised by the manufacturers and main regulatory bodies are those who are AWS registered.
MCEA are not.

Apologies I thought that they were as the Caravan Club recommend them for evaluating caravans prior to purchase. My guess is that others may think the same as myself and think they are approved for servicing caravans under warranty.

 

[Raywood]

I suppose in a way a second crack is probably better news than the strap having started to leak as probably cheaper. A second estimate is a good idea.

 

[Damian]

Apologies I thought that they were as the Caravan Club recommend them for evaluating caravans prior to purchase. My guess is that others may think the same as myself and think they are approved for servicing caravans under warranty.

Unfortunately many people think the same, but it is only AWS engineers who can service and maintain warranty.

Having looked at the offerings through the CC and the cost of the so called different levels of service, they are far too expensive, and the basic check does not include a damp check, which is the main reason for such a check. I see also that apart from the very expensive "Gold" check, neither of the other offerings include a gas tightness test or certificate, which in my opinion is unbelievable as gas is so safety critical.

A far better option is to look for a AWS engineer near you and ask them directly, without going through the Club.

 

[Buckman]

Unfortunately many people think the same, but it is only AWS engineers who can service and maintain warranty.

Having looked at the offerings through the CC and the cost of the so called different levels of service, they are far too expensive, and the basic check does not include a damp check, which is the main reason for such a check. I see also that apart from the very expensive "Gold" check, neither of the other offerings include a gas tightness test or certificate, which in my opinion is unbelievable as gas is so safety critical.

A far better option is to look for a AWS engineer near you and ask them directly, without going through the Club.

When we were in the process of rejecting the 2016 caravan we requested an inspection at the Gold rate which at the time we thought was very expensive, but a means to an end. Did not get as far as that as dealer capitulated and we got the refund. If they are so expensive, it makes you wonder why the CMC use them instead of the recognised AWS network?

 

[Raywood]

I suspect the club get a share of the fee.