Best insurance to go for on new California Ocean?

[testpilottimmy]

I can say from experience that our 3 bikes mounted on a bike rack were worth a lot more that £1000 when someone drove into the back of me last year and wrecked them. Thankfully, the cost was eventually recovered from the other driver (although it took over a year). But it certainly made me think again about my levels of cover.

The bikes might also have been covered by my home insurance too but in that situation it was more than enough hassle managing one insurance claim and then facing the premium hike so I wouldn’t want to have to make two separate claims following an accident and then end up paying higher premiums on two policies.

Would they be covered by motor home insurance? I would be surprised if they were.

 

[Rupes]

Would they be covered by motor home insurance? I would be surprised if they were.

They were covered by my motorhome policy (NFU) as “Personal Possessions”. But the policy limit was only £1000 so it didn’t cover the full loss.

 

[WelshGas]

L & V all day long.
I can't see how Safeguard and Comfort can justify their premiums.
Maybe I should have asked Welsh gas......he seems to know everything as usual!

Maybe I do.

 

[Blossom]

Has anyone used these companies (Comfort, Safeguard, LV, CC etc) for rental of a campervan? We have tried a few brokers but never seem to get a call back or most companies just say "its not something we do yet"

Would be looking to not have to register a driver each time it was rented, is that even possible? If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

 

[Blossom]

Has anyone used these companies (Comfort, Safeguard, LV, CC etc) for rental of a campervan? We have tried a few brokers but never seem to get a call back or most companies just say "its not something we do yet"

Would be looking to not have to register a driver each time it was rented, is that even possible? If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

Just realised that my previous message maybe didn't read correctly! I meant has anyone used these insurance companies where they intend to rent out their campervans for hire purposes?

 

[DaveTree]

There is a lot of nonsence talked about L&V insurance not covering the "camping" elements of the California. As Algor said it is a factory built vehicle and L&V have a Campervan specific webpage on which you request a quotation. I have read the small print twice and there is no mention of anything on the vehicle as manufactured not being covered. They are insuring a campervan !. I have also spoken to a senior underwriting manager and they have confirmed that all the habitation and camping accessories are fully covered. Had a quote of £303 from them compared to £445 and £460 from Comfort and Safeguard....... The general cover also seems better to be honest. Do not listen to people who really don't know what they are talking about.

 

[DaveTree]

following WelshGas comments I had and extensive discussion with senior guy at LV yesterday regarding level of cover. They acknowledged that their cover did not used to be comprehensive enough for Campervan/ motor home owners as it was all lumped into their general car policy however in recent months this has changed. They told me that as an insurer ( rather than a broker) they provided policies purpose written for brokers who specialised in campers/motorhomes and decided that they would start offering the same type of policies direct to clients as well as through brokers and providing you get their “motorcaravan“ cover and have it stated as such on your documents then that covers everything in the van and all camping accidents as you would expect. My docs didn’t with my vehicle being described as a VW T30 California Ocean 4 motion 204 however LV have now reissued my docs describing it as a VW Motorcaravan.
So thank to you Welshgas for your comments I now have the right description on my documents in the event of any issues. It’s interesting how a few words can make all the difference.

Just to state that L&G have since changed this policy, there is no need for your policy to state "VW Motorhome" as of course a VW California Ocean is manufactured as a motorhome so they can hardly then say they didn't realise what they were insuring - particularly if you get a quote via their motorhome and campervam website !!!! This has been confirmed by a senior L&V underwriter manager. Apparently they only need to state it as a "VW Motorhome" now if it is a conversion, to differentiate it from a standard VW Transporter van. All very logical really. So there should be no issues about whether L&V insure it as campervan - they do, full stop.

 

[WelshGas]

There is a lot of nonsence talked about L&V insurance not covering the "camping" elements of the California. As Algor said it is a factory built vehicle and L&V have a Campervan specific webpage on which you request a quotation. I have read the small print twice and there is no mention of anything on the vehicle as manufactured not being covered. They are insuring a campervan !. I have also spoken to a senior underwriting manager and they have confirmed that all the habitation and camping accessories are fully covered. Had a quote of £303 from them compared to £445 and £460 from Comfort and Safeguard....... The general cover also seems better to be honest. Do not listen to people who really don't know what they are talking about.

I suggest you re-read some of the posts questioning the LV policy, which might have changed recently.
There was no doubt that everything fitted, awning, kitchen etc: was covered in the event of a Motoring Accident.

The question was, are they covered appropriately in the event of a Camping Accident. Kitchen fire whilst cooking, awning ripped off by a sudden gust, roof damaged by storm. One owner was told he wouldn’t be covered for cooking accidents.

So, if LV have changed their policy, about time.

 

[WelshGas]

I said that to my wife then she starting listing all the California accessories ... Isotop, poptop cover, windscreen covers, bed comfort mattresses, Sea to Summit airbed, tent etc. Soon adds up!

And if you’re a Beach owner even more if you have a manufactured kitchen pod, such as a Slidepod, and a Fridge. Both expensive items which are not original equipment.

 

[Rupes]

Just to state that L&G have since changed this policy, there is no need for your policy to state "VW Motorhome" as of course a VW California Ocean is manufactured as a motorhome so they can hardly then say they didn't realise what they were insuring - particularly if you get a quote via their motorhome and campervam website !!!! This has been confirmed by a senior L&V underwriter manager. Apparently they only need to state it as a "VW Motorhome" now if it is a conversion, to differentiate it from a standard VW Transporter van. All very logical really. So there should be no issues about whether L&V insure it as campervan - they do, full stop.

I recently switched to an LV policy on the recommendation of my broker. But on reading the cover details discovered that the policy was very much aimed at motorhome/leisure use and excluded commuting and business use (which is exactly what I use my Cali for when I’m not camping in it). My broker wasn’t able to add these elements to the LV policy so I’ve ended up with another insurer now.

I do find it a frustrating experience finding a suitable insurance policy - it seems to be a constant battle against petty exclusions.

 

[DaveTree]

I suggest you re-read some of the posts questioning the LV policy, which might have changed recently.
There was no doubt that everything fitted, awning, kitchen etc: was covered in the event of a Motoring Accident.

The question was, are they covered appropriately in the event of a Camping Accident. Kitchen fire whilst cooking, awning ripped off by a sudden gust, roof damaged by storm. One owner was told he wouldn’t be covered for cooking accidents.

So, if LV have changed their policy, about time.

If you read their policy you would find it is fully covered for all eventualities in a campervan - no restrictions. All hearsay and someone said this etc etc.

 

[WelshGas]

If you read their policy you would find it is fully covered for all eventualities in a campervan - no restrictions. All hearsay and someone said this etc etc.

You obviously didn’t read some of the earlier posts Nos 21 and 23, for confirmation that LV admitted their policy was more of a general vehicle than specifically a Campervan/Motorhome policy and thus providing cover for the leisure aspect.
They have conceded this but don’t appear to have communicated this to all their call centre staff. Hopefully this will improve.

You can insure with whomever you like but your comment that there were no restrictions and that it was all hearsay is basically incorrect. It would appear that LV have changed and decided not to offer such poor cover to this group of customers in the future.

 

[testpilottimmy]

You obviously didn’t read some of the earlier posts Nos 21 and 23, for confirmation that LV admitted their policy was more of a general vehicle than specifically a Campervan/Motorhome policy and thus providing cover for the leisure aspect.
They have conceded this but don’t appear to have communicated this to all their call centre staff. Hopefully this will improve.

You can insure with whomever you like but your comment that there were no restrictions and that it was all hearsay is basically incorrect. It would appear that LV have changed and decided not to offer such poor cover to this group of customers in the future.

And they have done it at an incredibly reasonable rate - I would advise everyone to see how the prices compare and your next renewal.

 

[andyinluton]

I’ve always found that NFU are the only competitive insurer for us. I need full business use though along with commuting & most policies exclude that.

 

[Kernowboy]

I’m back with Comfort again. Full business and commuting cover, just the 48hr rule to be aware but has never caused an issue for my use; a quick call and cover has always been provided when needed. Tracker not required as long as value below £75k. By far the cheapest for us (e.g. £250 less than LV), and the customer service has always been excellent.

 

[testpilottimmy]

I’m back with Comfort again. Full business and commuting cover, just the 48hr rule to be aware but has never caused an issue for my use; a quick call and cover has always been provided when needed. Tracker not required as long as value below £75k. By far the cheapest for us (e.g. £250 less than LV), and the customer service has always been excellent.

Wow, if I could find somewhere £250 less than LV then I would be paid to insure the van! I don’t need business use though.

 

[Kernowboy]

LV wanted £572 from us……

 

[DaveTree]

You obviously didn’t read some of the earlier posts Nos 21 and 23, for confirmation that LV admitted their policy was more of a general vehicle than specifically a Campervan/Motorhome policy and thus providing cover for the leisure aspect.
They have conceded this but don’t appear to have communicated this to all their call centre staff. Hopefully this will improve.

You can insure with whomever you like but your comment that there were no restrictions and that it was all hearsay is basically incorrect. It would appear that LV have changed and decided not to offer such poor cover to this group of customers in the future.

It's a shame some people just spout nonsense, you have obviously never spoken to LV and never read their policy......it covers everything a campervan needs - period.

 

[DaveTree]

It's a shame some people just spout nonsense, you have obviously never spoken to LV and never read their policy......it covers everything a campervan needs - period.

Oh and take a look at their Motorhome and Campervan specific website, you really think they have a specific website for just this class of vehicle and don't cover what anyone would reasonably expect to be covered......bonkers.

 

[CampervanTime]

LV wanted £572 from us……

We were quoted £700 from LV and then half an hour later Comfort at £362.

The £75k tracker limit thing could be an issue for some on a new 204 4motion with a load of extras on - given the new for old cover on the Comfort policy too.

 

[DaveTree]

We were quoted £700 from LV and then half an hour later Comfort at £362.

The £75k tracker limit thing could be an issue for some on a new 204 4motion with a load of extras on - given the new for old cover on the Comfort policy too.

That is strange, I have a 2020 150bhp Ocean, no tracker etc, 60ish, full NCB, no adverse and was quoted £303 on their Motorhome website. I do live in a very low risk area though !! Amazing how insurance quotes differ !!

 

[66tim99]

We were quoted £700 from LV and then half an hour later Comfort at £362.

The £75k tracker limit thing could be an issue for some on a new 204 4motion with a load of extras on - given the new for old cover on the Comfort policy too.

Mine was almost precisely the opposite! Funny old game, insurance...

 

[WelshGas]

Oh and take a look at their Motorhome and Campervan specific website, you really think they have a specific website for just this class of vehicle and don't cover what anyone would reasonably expect to be covered......bonkers.

Calm down, watch your blood pressure. They have changed their policies recently, and about time. They did not have such cover in the past. I know, I checked last year. Do keep upto date.

 

[WelshGas]

Oh and take a look at their Motorhome and Campervan specific website, you really think they have a specific website for just this class of vehicle and don't cover what anyone would reasonably expect to be covered......bonkers.

I enclose the LV Campervan Policy Document. Following your extensive conversation with a Senior LV Manager would you be so kind as to point out which section covers damage to the vehicle whilst camping, in particular kitchen fire whilst cooking or storm damage to the roof mechanism or attached awning etc:

 

[andyinluton]

I would also like to see written confirmation as to whether they regard the roof being up as being the same as the roof being open.

In their words the van is not covered for theft if the roof is open.

I was looking at insuring the Morgan with them as well, but that wouldn't be covered if the roof was open, or the windows left open. They were not impressed when I pointed out that both the roof and the windows tended to be left at home.

Even if the windows were attached & shut, they slide open easily, there is no catch on them, similarly there is no point locking the doors, with no windows on you don't even need to open the doors to get in & if they were locked, being a 1950s landrover item, a lolly stick works as well as the keys. If that isn't easy enough, you could undo one popper and release the lock from inside the car.