Motorhome Insurance News

Archive for the ‘Motorhome Insurance News’ Category

Whitby Councillors Consider Banning Motor Homes from Town Centre

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

As the North Yorkshire town of Whitby becomes the latest coastal town to consider banning motor homes from its parking areas, local businessmen question whether a ban makes sound business sense.

Following on from resorts such as Newquay in the South West, councillors in Whitby are considering whether to stop motor homes from parking in the pretty little coastal town. The decision will be taken at the next meeting of the council and comes after residents complained about the litter and nuisance caused by motor home and campervan owners who park up in the town and stay in their vehicles overnight. Residents also complain that masses of motor homes parked up on the seafront spoil the view for others and that the narrow roads of the town have led to many claims on motor home insurance policies as drivers scrape against walls and other vehicles trying to find a way through the town.

However, local businessmen fear that antagonising and banning such a large contingent of tourists is hardly the thing a coastal resort should do in such tight financial times. Motor home owner Alan Thorne wrote to a local newspaper protesting against the plans. He said the town leaders could really make the situation worse by banning motor homes as many tourists will clog up the streets of the town looking for parking as they will not know a ban is in place.

He went on to say “I can’t understand why motor home tourism is not embraced in the UK as it is in the rest of Europe. The growth in motor homing over the last few years has been huge; trying to ban it is like trying to turn the tide. It can’t be done. The difference between motor homing and caravanning is recognised and we are welcomed as an alternative and additional source of income from tourism in every other country in Europe. A few, very few forward thinking councils in the UK have seen this and welcomed us and they are reaping the rewards.”

Local shopkeepers and tourism based businesses plan to lobby councillors before the final decision is made.

UK Motorways not Ready for a Speed Increase

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Campervan drivers with an interest in motor home insurance will be alarmed that a leading road safety charity is questioning the wisdom of increasing the UK’s national speed limit any time in the near future, because it would almost certainly see an increase in motor accidents.

At a time when the Department for Transport (DfT) prepare to launch a consultation on hiking the maximum speed on motorways from 70mph to 80 mph, the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) have released a report suggesting that the UK’s major roads are not in good enough condition to justify the speed limit increase. The RSF conducted checks on the entire 4,000 plus miles of UK motorways and believe the lack of effective safety barriers would trigger an increase in the number of serious accidents if the Dft up the maximum speed.

The DfT would implement a series of trials on certain sections of the motorway before making any changes but the RAF’s Director Joanne Marden is convinced lack of funding for motorway maintenance projects has left our major routes in a bad state of repair. She said “The vehicle fleet has become safer in the last decade through better crash protection. However, at motorway speeds, the car alone cannot protect the human body. The car has to work with the motorway’s protection systems such as safety fencing to absorb high speed crash energies. In the next decade, the greatest potential for reducing deaths is on higher-speed roads outside built-up areas, if the roads have adequate safety features.”

The charity also pointed out that not only would safety barriers be upgraded but in many places trees, that are too close to the road surfaces would have to be removed. It certainly seems the Government may have to think twice before implementing any radical changes.

Cornwall Charity Event Supported well by Campervan Enthusiasts

Friday, May 11th, 2012

Campervan owners mingled with Volkswagen lovers from all over the UK last week to back a charity that supports cancer victims and brings together motoring enthusiasts devoted to the vehicles produced by the German Manufacturer.

The weekend event took place at the Stithians showground in Cornwall over three days and saw thousands of motoring stalwarts with a truly amazing collection of vehicles come together to raise money for the Brad’s Cancer Foundation. The charity is officially supported by the Volkswagen Corporation and was set up in memory of Midlands’s teenager Brad Davis who succumbed to cancer in 2003. The charity’s aim is to help other teenagers with cancer manage their treatment and subsequent recovery. It attracts support from across the UK and the event in Cornwall was timed to coincide with the end of the Jogle 4 Brad marathon moped race.

VW fans raced from John O’Groats to Lands End on 50 cc mopeds to raise money for the charity and were ably supported by a phalanx of VW campervan drivers who supplied their every need on the 1000 mile epic journey. The three day event provided ample entertainment for the expectant crowd who were treated to a parade of classic cars, invited to compete in games for the young and old and of course subjugated to the trading samples of motor dealers from far afield. The highlight of the show was a campervan cook-off inspired by the BBC campervan chef series. Fortunately all the contestants were covered by ample campervan insurance as the troublesome wind threatened to cook more than the just the sausages on offer on more than one occasion.

Motorhome Batteries

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Whoever invented the automobile battery did an excellent job and the system really is very clever. The idea that running the engine or a vehicle could recharge the batteries and provide low voltage energy to all kinds of fixtures really changed the way we think about motor travel and brought a whole new dimension of luxury to both everyday vehicles and motorhomes.

Battery Problems

The only flaw in the system is that it is not always well understood and plenty of motorhome users forget that batteries will lose their charge if not properly looked after. A dead battery is not only completely useless, but often will need to be replaced. How can you make sure your battery is always in good condition?

Running the Engine

It sounds simple but if you’ve been using the stereo, headlights or air-conditioning for a long period of time without turning the ignition then your battery will have used up charge without being recharged. The best remedy for this is simply to run the engine for five minutes or so and you’ll find your battery charges very quickly.

Battery Problems in Storage

A common complaint is that motorhome batteries run dead just on their own and if you’ve left your motorhome in storage over the winter it will have lost some of its charge. There is a very low maintenance remedy to this, though; a small gadget called a Smart Battery Alert fits across the terminals of your battery snugly and measures the voltage. If this drops below a minimum level it issues a warning and continues to beep until the battery is recharged.

If you think your battery might need replacing before its time you should call your motorhome insurance provider – they might be able to help with the cost of replacement. Otherwise, keep the engine ticking over and watch out for periods when your motorhome is in storage, it’s not uncommon for batteries to go completely dead over a winter – check before you travel.

Motor Home Owner Calls on Council to Solve Parking Chaos

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Residents of a Bristol suburb are fed up of waiting for the council to impose parking restrictions on their clogged residential road and they claim that the situation is getting worse by the week.

People living in Grittleton Road and Alderton Road in Horfield were first told in 2010 that a scheme to impose parking restrictions in their streets had been given the green light. However, they are still waiting and in the meantime they say the roads have become more dangerous as workers from nearby Southmead Hospital and Horfield Jobcentre use them for parking. Residents are also angry that refuse Lorries cannot get down the roads due to parked cars blocking them on a regular basis.

Michela Foote, who lives in Grittleton Road where all householders have their own driveways, said: “The parking situation is diabolical. People who work nearby at the hospital are using our road as a car park. We were told parking restrictions were going to be implemented years ago but nothing seems to be happening. I’ve lost count of the number of times my motorhome has been blocked in my driveway and I’ve had enough of it. I have even had to make a claim on my motorhome insurance when my mobile home was damaged when it was parked on the road.”

The parking is also causing problems on the pavements as vehicles are parking on them on each side of the road making it difficult for pedestrians to negotiate the pavements safely. In August 2010 the council informed householders they would be progressing with the scheme and said the next stage would be the preparation of legal paperwork. A letter then stated that the implementation of the scheme was likely to be March 2011. But residents are still waiting and have been told by the council that the delay is due to the council needing to resolve eight objections to the scheme. A Council spokesperson confirmed there were objections to be resolved but that the scheme was due to finally get under way in June.

New Video Should Help Drivers Reduce Fuel Bills

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

A well known motoring expert and TV presenter is giving motor home enthusiasts tips on how to cut down their motoring costs as motor home insurance and fuel prices continue to be an issue for the average UK driver.

Quentin Wilson, one time presenter on BBC show Top Gear and now one of the leading lights in the Fair Fuel campaign that grows stronger by the day, says that driving with forethought and using a bit of common sense can help reduce the cost of motoring. Wilson has joined forces with a leading motor home insurance provider to produce a video that gives drivers tips on how to reduce their fuel costs by almost one third. The video gives a whole host of advice on how to cut down on fuel consumption with some hints well known and others not so obvious. It is fairly well documented by now that driving on correctly inflated tyres will save the average motorist about 3% in fuel costs but goes on to explain that a regular engine service will save a further 4% and that ensuring your fuel filters are clean will save yet another 2%.

Most people realise that they use more fuel the heavier their vehicle is, but often just equate this to the number of people it is carrying. The video explains how a motor home owner can easily lower his fuel consumption on every day journeys by taking out lots of equipment that he will only use when touring, and car ventilation is one more area to be considered. When driving on a motorway the video suggests you should always keep your windows up as the “drag” from an open window will seriously affect fuel usage, however, when driving in the city a partially open window may prove more economic than having your air conditioning on.

Dave Halliday helped produce the video with Quentin Wilson and said “With the cost of petrol and diesel continuing to rise who wouldn’t want to cut their annual fuel costs? Our advice is straightforward, and even if you don’t want to follow every tip, just following a few could save you money. Also by burning less fuel each year you will lower your carbon emissions, so smarter driving is good for the environment as well.”

New TomTom Product on the Right Lines for Motorhome Users

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

Campervan and motorhome enthusiasts have been specifically targeted by one of the world’s leading satellite navigation producers with the launch of a new motoring accessory.

Dutch manufacturers TomTom are recognised throughout the world for their many products centred around satellite navigation systems but their latest offering the GO LIVE Camper & Caravan TomTom has been designed with the touring fraternity in mind. In the past GPS devices have been blamed for several motorhome insurance claims where motorhome drivers have damaged their vehicle when going down routes not entirely suitable for motorhomes. It has been an ongoing problem exacerbated by the fact that mobilehome drivers are often in places that are unfamiliar to them as they travel across the country, but this new offering should alleviate many of the problems.

The new sat-nav contains software that will configure a route that is appropriate for a motorhome because it takes into account the vehicles weight, height and maximum speed, which should eradicate misdirection. It is certainly not cheap at just under £350 but you do get up to date weather forecasts, real-time traffic information with TomTom’s HD Traffic, and Google Local Search functionality included in the purchase price.

TomTom Executive, Marielke Nieuwerth-van den Akker, launched the product saying “Many customers have been in touch requesting navigation designed specifically for their camper or caravan. The launch of the GO LIVE Camper & Caravan puts an end to unnecessary detours and unwanted surprises. Not only does it calculate the very best routes, it is also a great source of relevant information on the journey including points of interest relevant to the camping fraternity.”

Car Dealer Welcomes Motorhome Manufacturer into Dealership Showrooms

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Motorhome enthusiasts in the North West will be delighted to know that one of the major car dealers in the area will now be stocking a selection of brand new motorhomes on its showroom forecourts.

Cumbrian based Border Cars are already one of the biggest names in car dealerships in the North of England and the South of Scotland with franchises for giant car manufacturers such as Mitsubishi, Mazda, Fiat and Ford. However, in the coming weeks the seven showrooms owned by Border Cars will have brand new motorhomes on show, displaying all the current models from top manufacturer Eldiss, who have decided to team up with the well respected dealers.

Mike Ferguson is the head of the new Border Cars motorhomes division and was delighted with the choice of the famous motorhome manufacturer to open up the new venture, he said: “Elddis motorhomes are renowned for their high quality design and exceptional build quality. We like the fact that Elddis motorhomes offer so much choice – a wide range of layouts, class-leading specification and really competitive prices.” Prospective customers will get a full and comprehensive service including the chance to organise extras such as motorhome insurance, extended warranties and scheduled service plans.

There is no doubt that the border country is a perfect landscape for motorhome enthusiasts to holiday and explore and now local owners will be delighted they have seven new showrooms to visit when it comes to trading in their vehicles for a newer model.

Motorhome “Try Before you Buy” Scheme Proves to be a Hit

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

There is no doubt that purchasing a motorhome in today’s tough financial climate is a major decision, fortunately one of the UK’s largest camping clubs is offering prospective buyers a “try before you buy” scheme.

The Friendly Club, officially known as the Camping and Caravanning Club, is offering a service that is proving popular not only with would be purchasers but with motorhome manufacturers as well. The club has launched the Privilege Scheme which allows members to test drive a motorhome before they buy. The hire scheme will cost participants an agreed fee which will also provide the motorist with motorhome insurance for the term of hire. Almost all Camping and Caravan Club venues will accept people on the scheme and give them preferential rates. A spokesman for the Friendly Club said: “Buying a motorhome is not something you do on a whim. The scheme allows people to test out several models before making a decision, and the chance to actually drive and live in the vehicle is so much better than just looking round different makes at a motorhome show. The scheme is proving to be very successful from both sides of the equation.”

The scheme is also proving very popular with motorhome manufacturers. As the holiday season gets into full swing and the motorhome show circuit starts attracting new buyers, manufacturers know any edge they can get over rivals will help their sales. The Privilege Scheme certainly offers that and already over 100 companies selling motorhomes in the UK have signed up. Potential customers can get more information from the Camping and Caravanning club as well as from motorhome companies supporting the scheme.

Campervan Owner Asks Public to Help Find his Darcy

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

A campervan owner is appealing to the public to be on the lookout for his distinctive vehicle after it was stolen on the public highway.

The vehicle was a classic 1979 Westfalia camper and was stolen after it broke down on the main road near the Cheshire Oaks roundabout near Ellesmere Port. The Campervan, which was just one of a number of campervans in the owners flourishing camper hire business, disappeared in the 90 minutes it took its owner, Nick, to bring a recovery vehicle. In the three years he has owned the van Nick had poured many hours of time and lots of money restoring it to its former glory. He said: “We called her Darcy and it is irreplaceable, it is my pride and joy. It took the best part of 18 months to kit her out to her present condition and this has been very disappointing and frustrating. Fortunately we have her covered with campervan insurance but we have still lost income and had the hassle of re-scheduling customers who had already booked her. She was booked throughout the summer and now we have to consider other options.”

The campervan was distinctive to say the least. It is the traditional mustard and pearl colour of many Westfalia’s but has a stainless steel wheel mounted on the front as well as a bike rack and sun shade. The wheels are all white and the number plate is FTL399T. The campervan has a bed, interior lighting, a twin cooking hob and a sink. Nick has already fitted the remainder of his campervans with tracking systems but is appealing for the general public to keep a look out for his beloved Darcy.