Insurance

 A bit harsh eurotraveller. If you ask a question and get lots of replies you have more information than you started with and can at least learn from others experiences. I thought that was one of the ideas of visiting forums.

Colin

I agree EM.

It's the same with site reviews etc.

In answer to OP's question we had a claim 3 years ago which resulted in an economic write off with Saga and I was pleased with the way they handled it. They could have been awkward but weren't. There was no penalty at renewal for making such a large claim either.

I used to run a Commercial Insurance Brokerage so understood what went right and what could have gone wrong with the claim.

When we had the caravan we were insured with the Club and they dealt efficiently with a claim. When we moved to a Motorhome the club were very expensive and would not deal with me, only OH because he is the registered keeper. However he has hearing problems and has great difficulty in using the phone for anything complex. The Club also had difficulties with the tracker that was on our then new Motorhome, reckoned it didn’t exist! Swapped to Comfort who were super helpful and whose premiums have varied little over four or five years and two vans.

In answer to the original question. I've posted this answer before some years ago, but here goes, to the best of my recollection.

I used to teach a 6th form student whose father ran a recovery yard and was contracted to do Red Pennant Recoveries. The students mother looked after the yard and dealt with a lot of caravan insurance companies. I sought advice on choosing a company and was advised that C&MC were excellent. They are however now eye wateringly expensive and I have heard of a few not very satisfied customers over the last year. Saga, Lifesure, Cover4Caravans and I think Towergate were also at the top of her list.

The new to me, and my current insurer, is Grove & Dean. I came across these by accident during a Go-Compare search. I initially discounted them as the name was new to me. When I dug into them I discovered they are underwritten by Aviva, my car insurance provider. The only thing I could find in the policy that was lacking was re-patriation from Europe, but then I take out Red Pennant for abroad. The premium was about 1/3rd of the C&MC premium.

Ripe are also getting good reviews at present, but require additional [a 3rd] security measure for higher value vans

Colin

edit -Grove & Dean also trade as Performance Direct

Morning

Talking to folks this year on site, Saga and the CAMC were the providers of choice for caravans, not just for price but how any claims have been dealt with. I insure my motorhome and car with the club, both premiums have fallen this year for some reason! The RV insurance has gone to the moon but what price for peace of mind?

There's mention here regarding going over there, my experience of Red Pennant is that it's well worth the money. Comfort insurance have now capped repatriation from Europe at £5k, that's peanuts.

There's always good and bad stories for all providers so I'd take all the advice given on this thread onboard but make your own choice.

JK

Yes exactly. But there's always one isn't there? 

That's a very odd response to a question on a forum designed to help people with advice from others.

To start with, who said I was going to follow suit? I'll look at any recommendation myself, and make a decision based on talking with that insurance company.

And has it occurred to you that people may respond with bad experiences? Which was actually one of my questions if you care to look. These are probably more useful than recommendations, because it highlights companies to avoid.

But anyway, hope you have a better day today, and your mood improves.

"I used to teach a 6th form student whose father ran a recovery yard and was contracted to do Red Pennant Recoveries. The students mother looked after the yard and dealt with a lot of caravan insurance companies. I sought advice on choosing a company and was advised that C&MC were excellent. They are however now eye wateringly expensive and I have heard of a few not very satisfied customers over the last year. Saga, Lifesure, Cover4Caravans and I think Towergate were also at the top of her list."

Slightly off topic eM (and Andy JF) but I had a similar experience a few weeks ago when my car windscreen was damaged by a flying stone.  I insure the cars with NFU - which, like CAMC, are far from the cheapest but Nationwide Glass turned up the next day (on site), put the new windscreen in and all I had to do in terms of admin was pay the £50 excess over the phone.  Couldn't have been easier or quicker.  Chatting to the Technician from NG - he said NFU customers get priority - a) because the NFU account is their largest and b) because NFU settle up with them in a few days - unlike some others he named!

Just emphasises that cost isn't the only thing to think about when choosing an insurer.

Just to follow on from R&R’s tale, I too use NFU for the MH and car - their policies include basic breakdown cover. I had superb service from them when someone drove into my car and my premium didn’t increase either. Whether they insure touring caravans, is another matter.

Thanks for this, exactly the kind of helpful response I was hoping for. And thanks to everyone else who commented positively.

I've gone with Saga, and it turns out there is an advantage to being over 50 :-) Very reasonable premium. Nothing nasty found in terms of bad reviews, and I gave them a call - quick to answer, no lengthy phone hold, which is a good sign. Also no charge for mid-term policy changes, such as address. Which we will be doing in the next few days as we are moving house. Talk about stress!!

Thank you.