Archive for the ‘motorhome insurance guides’ Category

Motorhome Aftercare Packages

Friday, March 16th, 2012

Plenty of people buy new motorhomes or used motorhomes at the top end of their budgets and then are reluctant to purchase aftercare deals that ensure their motorhome is kept in good working order for the years to come. A critical eye is important when it comes to aftercare, but often dealers do offer very good packages. Here’s a quick guide to what you should look out for…

Motorhome Servicing

Most aftercare packages will include a comprehensive service for a number of years after your purchase and this will represent a saving over what your dealer’s normal price of a service is. Don’t be fooled by the headline prices, though, if you think you can get a good service elsewhere. On new models this might be tricky because many dealers these days request that you are serviced at a registered (or approved) dealership to maintain your warrantee. Check if this is the case before turning down a service package and make sure you’re looking for the best value for money.

Comprehensive Service

Check, also, the level of the service that you will be offered. You’ll need both a mechanical service which checks that all the engine and drive train are running effectively, and a habitation service to ensure that the inside of your motorhome is up to scratch. A fully comprehensive service package will offer both of these.

Hidden Extras

Things like cover for windscreen chips and motorhome insurance can add value to your package, but you need to check the level of cover that you are receiving. Your policy should include theft, fire and legal cover and be valid for wherever you intend to drive it. Many policies will include UK only insurance and if you want to travel into Europe this simply won’t be enough – an independent policy might just be cheaper all round.

There is sometimes a good deal to be had from certain types of aftercare package and the hard work is checking that everything within it will benefit you. Different levels of cover and service packages are appropriate for different people and if you’re only going to be on the road occasionally then a fully comprehensive service just might not represent value for money.

Getting a Campervan License

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

So you’ve been reading up on the lifestyle that comes with owning a campervan for some time, you’ve spotted a few models you’re interested in and you’ve checked out how much the campervan insurance is going to set you back. Well, the next step is to get yourself a license! You can’t drive anything weighing above 3500kg legally on the UK roads without a special license so make sure you’re up to speed.

Category C1

The ‘Category C1’ license is the one that will be most relevant for campervan owners and allows you to drive anything weighing up to 7500kg when fully laden. You will be able to find the weight of your vehicle on a small plate on the chassis -your dealer will be able to help you out if you can’t find it. Category C1 licenses can be obtained as an upgrade from a standard driver’s license (Category B) and you should contact your DVLA test centre for more information.

Towing License

If you intend to take a trailer or any tow weight away with you, you’ll need to upgrade your license further to a ‘Category C1+E’. Certain low weights are exempt from this, but do check what is required. If you are caught towing illegally you’re likely to face severe penalties, so make sure you get the required training before you leave.

Other Drivers

It’s tempting when you’re away to share the driving, perhaps after you’ve had a glass of wine or two. However, you need to make sure that anyone else you authorise to drive your vehicle is also licensed to the proper standard. If you suffer an accident in this situation then you will face serious penalties and you’ll be unlikely to recover any damages from your campervan insurance provider.

The licensing regulations vary from country to country but the full details for what is required can be found on the DVLA website. Once you have a Category B license it doesn’t take too long to upgrade but leave a few weeks before you travel just to make sure.

Motorhome Breakdowns Abroad

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

There are few things more frustrating than breaking down when you’ve just crossed the channel or driven off the ferry. Even if you’re a few days into your holiday or on your way home a breakdown can really put a dampener on an otherwise great trip. Breakdowns can’t always be avoided but there are some precautions you can take to minimise the chances of putting yourself in danger.

Servicing and Maintenance

It makes good sense to get a professional service before taking on a long drive or a big trip abroad. A service won’t necessarily prevent a breakdown but it will definitely help identify any serious issues before they become a real problem. Equally, test things like your sink and oven before you go abroad – often trying to get a serviceman to fix a gas problem in a motorhome is harder than finding a full breakdown recovery service.

Good Preparation

With any motor vehicle, check your oil, brake and washer fluids but also check your gas supplies and water tank for mould or debris. If you’re off to Europe then you’ll also need an EU breakdown kit which usually comprises of a yellow reflective vest and a red warning triangle. If you breakdown you’ll need to use both of these, regardless of whether it’s day or night. In many countries it is law so don’t be caught out.

Recovery Services

If the worst does happen you’ll need to know you’re covered. Your motor home insurance provider may offer your breakdown recovery but if not then organisations like the AA and the RAC (amongst others) will offer EU recovery. Check your policy details very carefully, however, as many companies offer cover which is restricted within the EU. Make sure your provider gives you exactly what you need and don’t get caught out – the costs of recovery are not cheap.

Breaking down is a possibility anywhere but there’s plenty you can do to minimise the chances of you encountering problems. Unfortunately, travel is a bit hit and miss so don’t let a breakdown abroad spoil a good adventure – be prepared and make sure you’re covered.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

A motorhome is a big buy and, undoubtedly, you’ll want to make sure you get the right insurance policy to be certain that you can recover the cost of any damages you might incur. There’s a good variety of insurance policies available for motorhomes online and it makes sense to do you research and find cover that really suits you.

The risks

If you’re on the road with a motorhome there’s obviously the chance that you could incur damages. Even when you’re parked it’s possible that somebody might scrape or scratch your paintwork and you need to be covered. You might also need cover for theft and contents, especially if you’re spending a long time in campsites.

Type of cover

You’ll almost certainly want to take out fully comprehensive motorhome insurance to protect both yourself and other users. Some insurance providers may offer third party, fire and theft cover and though this can be cheaper it makes the chance of you being able to claim for damages on your motorhome much smaller.

Cover abroad

If you’re taking your motorhome abroad you’ll need to make sure that you’re covered in the European Union or perhaps even further afield. It’s important to check the details of this carefully, especially if you’re planning to be away for a long time and travelling to a variety of different countries.

The best advice is to read the small print, know exactly what level of cover you need and then work out where you can get it for the best value. There’s only false economy in buying policies which won’t actually cover you in the event of you incurring any damages and it’s far better to pay a small cost upfront and potentially save yourself a lot of money in the long term.

Motorhome Owners Should Consider Spending Money to Save Money

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

With Christmas almost here and the January sales following closely behind, motorhome owners are being advised that now is the perfect time to start thinking about how they can update their mobile home for 2012, and when it comes to security there are lots of products available.

Big names often means big discounts

While it is always tempting to cut corners in order to save some money, it is worth remembering that if an owner can afford to do so, it really does make sense to go for top of the range products. This is because motorhome insurance companies will more often than not offer some very tempting discounts for fitting security gadgets. But with so many to choose from it can be difficult to know where to spend ones hard earned money.

Many experts agree that it really is worth paying that little bit extra for a state of the art security product. Thatcham or Sold Secure products for example are almost all “industry approved” and purchasers usually benefit from that when it comes to their motor caravan insurance renewal.

Insurers will normally split caravan/motorhome gadgets into two main categories, with industry approved security devices attracting the biggest insurance discount. Products that earn the approval of insurance companies include the Phantom pro-active tracking device, the Thiefbeater anti-theft system and the Al-Ko Secure chassis wheel lock system. But these are only three and there are many more, it is worth asking the retailer when making the purchase if the product is on an insurance or industry approved list.

Bargain basement worth considering

Top of the range security items can cost the motorhome owner at least £100 each, so if that puts them out of reach it is still worth searching in the January sales for some basic security devices. These items may still mean a small insurance discount and could be bought for as little as £25.

Owners are also being advised to think about protecting their mobile homes with an alarm system that goes off when there’s an attempt to move the motorhome or open the door while the owner is not there. Basic models will make a loud warning sound while the more expensive versions will send a message to a mobile phone to alert the owner.

Getting the Right Motorhome Insurance

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

As with a car it is illegal not to have insurance for your motorhome, and for good reason, as the insurance will cover you against crashes and theft. However, when purchasing motorhome insurance many owners go for the quickest, cheapest quote which seems great on the surface but can leave you short of cover when you need it most.

Motorhome vs. Car Insurance

Many car insurance policies will cover motorhome and so there is a temptation to add a new motorhome to an existing motor policy, as it will be cheap and quick. However, car insurance policies are not adequate for covering motor homes and can leave you without the proper protection in the event of a claim.

Think about it this way, a motorhome will be filled with more valuables, will travel in different ways and has a different type of security to a car. Therefore, a car insurance policy will be lacking in certain areas for a motorhome and although it may cover you against a crash it will most likely not cover your valuables in the event of theft or damage.

Where are you going?

When comparing motorhome insurance you may want to go for the cheapest quote you can find, but before purchasing this you should ask yourself why it is so cheap and thoroughly read the cover details. The chances are that a very cheap quote will only cover your motorhome in the UK and only on the road or at your house.

However, if you have bought a motorhome you are probably going to go on holidays in it, stay at campsites and maybe even travel to Europe in it. If this is the case then the very cheap quotes may not pay out in the event of a claim made in Europe or at a holiday park. It is therefore checking the policy details thoroughly and making sure you get one that covers all your needs.

Motorhome Types

When buying car insurance the first questions tend to be about the model, make and age of the vehicle, as the price will vary depending on the specific type of car. However, when it comes to motorhome insurance some providers will simply offer a set rate for all motor homes which could end up costing you more or not giving you full coverage.

Motor homes are as different as cars and so when you are getting insurance for your vehicle it is important to make sure it will cover your specific motorhome as well as your belongings, your travel and the passengers.