Cali SE insurance quote

[777111]

Anybody any thoughts or opinions on a renewal quote -

£295 fully comp with European cover
2 clean licenses
2 x Drivers 50+
Includes Class 1 business use too which is less usual.

Seems reasonable.
Its from LV, insured as a standard vehicle (non-commercial). No mention that it is a camper van but the vehicle model is rather specific!

I haven't had much pain with LV in the past but at the same time no claims either...

I guess its about right. The Class 1 requirement knocks out Caravan Club & other specialist camper van insurance.

 

[Martin]

How many miles per year is that based on?

 

[777111]

How many miles per year is that based on?

10K. That's ok for my purposes.

 

[Martin]

That is quite a good quote, not far off what my Comfort renewal was, there once was a time that Comfort were always the cheapest around but this does not appear to be the case anymore so worth shopping around.

 

[777111]

OK, that's good to know.
If you strike off the Class 1 business use it is even cheaper.

Of course whether its actually "good insurance" is down to the provider and the service.

 

[Andy]

Do LV actually cover the kitchen etc ? I had quotes from standard insurers & most would cover the van side of it but not the camper van stuff. If that makes sense ?

 

[alstevens]

Have just insured with Nationwide (first time , new cali next week....) 215 fully comp /european cover etc. VW quoted 360......

alex

 

[777111]

Do LV actually cover the kitchen etc ? I had quotes from standard insurers & most would cover the van side of it but not the camper van stuff. If that makes sense ?

Andy,
That's exactly what was at the back of my mind. I cant see how they cant cover the entire contents (eg furniture) because that is what a Cali SE is? If it was a Caravelle wouldnt the rear seats be covered?!! Ridiculous. But....
I am deeply cynical of any insurance and will ring them tomorrow to verify.
If your suspicions were to be correct that needs to be well publicised so I will report after I speak to LV.
Suffice to say if the "comprehensive cover" excludes stuff, isn't actually comprehensive by definition, then I shall go slightly mental at them.

 

[Andy]

Do LV actually cover the kitchen etc ? I had quotes from standard insurers & most would cover the van side of it but not the camper van stuff. If that makes sense ?

Andy,
That's exactly what was at the back of my mind. I cant see how they cant cover the entire contents (eg furniture) because that is what a Cali SE is? If it was a Caravelle wouldnt the rear seats be covered?!! Ridiculous. But....
I am deeply cynical of any insurance and will ring them tomorrow to verify.
If your suspicions were to be correct that needs to be well publicised so I will report after I speak to LV.
Suffice to say if the "comprehensive cover" excludes stuff, isn't actually comprehensive by definition, then I shall go slightly mental at them.

This is why I am insured with caravan & camping club, I know the whole vehicle IS covered. Not cheap + just under £400. What price piece of mind though ?

 

[777111]

Do LV actually cover the kitchen etc ? I had quotes from standard insurers & most would cover the van side of it but not the camper van stuff. If that makes sense ?

Andy,
That's exactly what was at the back of my mind. I cant see how they cant cover the entire contents (eg furniture) because that is what a Cali SE is? If it was a Caravelle wouldnt the rear seats be covered?!! Ridiculous. But....
I am deeply cynical of any insurance and will ring them tomorrow to verify.
If your suspicions were to be correct that needs to be well publicised so I will report after I speak to LV.
Suffice to say if the "comprehensive cover" excludes stuff, isn't actually comprehensive by definition, then I shall go slightly mental at them.

This is why I am insured with caravan & camping club, I know the whole vehicle IS covered. Not cheap + just under £400. What price piece of mind though ?

This is a minefield - no surprise there.

Do you have (or could you get) Class 1 Business use? Caravan Club wont do this - period.

An "interesting" conversation with LV - not as yet conclusive. I will get a definitive answer though. Its an interesting one this as whereas a third party conversion would quite easily be excluded a factory build directly tied to the model they are definitively insuring?

Will update shortly when I am satisfied I have a reliable answer. (don't hold your breath).

 

[777111]

Nothing back from LV yet ( -surprise - I don't see a sarcastic emoticon)

but

A call to Comfort and they are marginally cheaper than LV AND most significantly are including Class 1 business use.
As it is a bespoke "motor-home policy" I would be confident it is fit for purpose.

Not sure I can see any reason to stay with LV any more particularly having queued to speak to them for 25 minutes to discover that they don't actually know what they are insuring. Not much of a recommendation. Not much of a surprise.
But I wont let it drop without a definitive answer even though the business is about to transfer away from them.

 

[777111]

A call back from LV - management rather than call operator - I threatened legal action if what they said (no cover on camper parts / furniture / etc) was true.

Categorically the standard cover of this vehicle by LV DOES INCLUDE all parts as assembled and sold by VW.

Legally I could not see how it could not be included (no listed exclusion) and it is directly linked to vehicle type = California SE = camper van.

And they have put this in writing to me.

However....
Comfort are £50 cheaper (with Class 1) and given the poor level of knowledge afforded by LVs call operator I am now very likely to move the insurance from LV anyway.

 

[777111]

SO LV credibility restored to some degree but what about "approved repairers" - the possibility that the insurance company obliges the owner to take it to their approved repair agent which may not be VW approved? And are we then looking at VW warranty exclusions on that repair?

 

[777111]

Hmmm...

Getting tricky LV state (in writing) that I am perfectly entitled to specify a VW approved repair agent.

Unfortunately Comfort say I have to use an Aviva approved agent.

I think for me that means I stay with LV. Which is a shame because the service & response from Comfort was very good.

 

[WelshGas]

BUT, Comfort do have specific terms etc: How long the vehicle can be left unattended. You have to let them know if you use the vehicle to drive to the airport for a fly away holiday etc:
I'll be insuring mine with the Caravan Club, just awaiting the registration number. Peace of mind comes at a price. Mine will be an everyday driver + extended foreign trips, all covered by them.

 

[777111]

BUT, Comfort do have specific terms etc: How long the vehicle can be left unattended. You have to let them know if you use the vehicle to drive to the airport for a fly away holiday etc:
I'll be insuring mine with the Caravan Club, just awaiting the registration number. Peace of mind comes at a price. Mine will be an everyday driver + extended foreign trips, all covered by them.

But no Class 1 from CC - that's a non-starter for me.

And it definitely isn't just about policy cost. Certainly not.

 

[Andy]

Comfort would not insure mine as it is my only vehicle. Apparently they will now only insure vehicles if they are only used as holiday vehicles.
They insured my cali in the first year of ownership, so probably have changed since then.

 

[777111]

Comfort would not insure mine as it is my only vehicle. Apparently they will now only insure vehicles if they are only used as holiday vehicles.
They insured my cali in the first year of ownership, so probably have changed since then.

...nothing like consistency! Comfort had no problem including class 1 business use for me. A rather variable policy?!

I guess I will stay with LV as the ability to specify a VW approved body shop is the deal maker for me.

 

[holliers]

777111

Thanks for the legwork here. I'm with LV (have to say, I haven't had the issues you've had, but that is by-the-by), so your feedback and information is really helpful.

Thanks for the follow ups
Mark

:goodone

 

[GrannyJen]

My cali is for business use, unlimited mileage, same ballpark as above.

10,000 miles would not cover me and Aviva insure anything over 15,000 as business use, whether it is or not.

Goodness, I'm not telling them what sort of business I might get 7p to in Albert!!

 

[777111]

777111

Thanks for the legwork here. I'm with LV (have to say, I haven't had the issues you've had, but that is by-the-by), so your feedback and information is really helpful.

Thanks for the follow ups
Mark

:goodone

Most welcome. Its a subject that's dull as dishwater but important. I got another £25 off when I renewed with LV as well - not the point but directly adds to the wine budget!

 

[Isa Neal]

I was with VW as Insurance but have switched to Comfoft as they allow you to be away up to 8 months per year providing you maintain a Uknresudence and each trip is no more than 91 days. No mileage limit.
Vwt insurance wouldn't let me be away continuously for any useful period of time now I'm pretty retired but domaine business use. At least with Comfort I can come and go across Europe and don't have to stick yo a very short period of time if the weathers good outside the Ukmail and I want to stay longer.

 

[WelshGas]

Caravan Club Insurance
Brand New California SE
Fully Comprehensive
2 yrs New for Old if written off or Stolen and not recovered
15,000 miles/year Social & Domestic
Legal Cover
2 clean licences 65 yrs old
£100 excess
270 days European cover
£3500 cover for equipment and baggage
All items supplied by VW covered.


Premium £420

Not the cheapest but saves GAP Insurance on a new vehicle and a lower excess than on present vehicle Land Rover Defender 5 yrs old which cost £302/year.

Under written by AXA

 

[acer]

Sounds good welshgas. Guess everyone's needs are different here. Do you know if with your cover any repairs can be done by VW garage to protect warranty? Not had gap insurance before, so not sure how much of a saving your making there. Anyone know how much gap insurance is?

 

[WelshGas]

VW Dealership quoted £300 for 2 years. Can be got cheaper as I have had quotes of £180 for 2 years.
Repairs are done by Manufacturer authorised repairers within Warranty period.