Caravan Insurance

We are surrounded in all our doings by people who will take our money and offer nothing in return. In reality, the only motor insurance you need to pay for is to cover the risk of serious injury or death you cause to a 'third party'. This is because the financial burden of such a claim is very likely to be beyond your means. I am sure that Peter Shaw has already worked this out. UK car insurance law does not require even this level of insurance - as long as you deposit a serious bundle of notes with the authorities.

Another oddity is the fact that county councils do not need such insurance either. This is because in legal terms a CC cannot become bankrupt - so even the biggest claim would be paid out. And backed by Her Brittanic Majesty's Government. In other words, by you and me, Peter.

Cheers, Tim

Yes, the GPO and PO Telephones had that arrangement. I'm not sure what they do now since privatisation came along.

It's called being self-insured and is a sensible option for huge organisations as it would cost vastly more in premiums compared to what they pay out.

Neil

Yes it's/was a very large bond secured by the government, and the GPO etc paid very little for their vehicles because of the economy of scale. Judging by the dents on Royal Mail vehicles, I don't think they bother that much even today. I don't know, but I don't think shareholders in private companies would agree to that amount set aside. I suspect they would get a much better deal with premiums than the likes of us.

Just a follow-up to let you know what I ended up doing.

I did a bit of checking around, well not too much really, but came to the conclusion that trying to go for 3rd party only was looking difficult, so following oxymoron's recommendation of Caravan Guard, I checked with them and found that they could insure the caravan for £157. Now ok, it's a bit unfair since I did indeed take the minimum possible insurance, and I took a large excess. But to put it in context, the Camping and Caravanning Club asked for £293, so quite a saving.

As I mentioned earlier, after what the C&CC club did to me earlier in the year, there was no way that they were going to get any repeat business from me, regardless of the costs.

So, my thanks to Oxymoron.

Peter G. Shaw

My caravan, a 2016 Bailey Pegasus is insured with Caravan Guard, they were half the price of the Caravan Club and the Camping and caravanning club for a similar policy.

I have come to regard all insurance companies with caution, I have four cats who have all been insured with the same insurer, in the case of two of them the premiums were jacked up by 50% so I decided to stand the costs of any future issues myself, I am likewise in my 70’s and not cash starved so not a problem, when the other two come up for renewal I will cancel their insurances. In respect of motor insurance I spent 22 years in the Air Force and drove service vehicles on public roads and the services had no insurance in force as the State paid any claims made against them. Unfortunately one winters morning I managed to collide with a civilian vehicle whilst driving a service Chevette estate car, there was black ice and I simply lost control, the vehicle was recovered to my unit and declared a write off and I was summoned before the officer in charge of the transport section to explain what had happened. During my explanations he accused me of being not on a service designated route and therefore not covered with “insurance” via service resources and also I would be charged with stealing service petrol. I omitted to tell the somewhat irate officer that within three days I would be travelling south to the Falklands for a period of four months. On my return it had all been forgotten and I didn’t have to pay for any of the costs he threatened me with. in some cases insurance is necessary but you need to be aware that in most cases the customer is just an income generating unit.

Dave W

Peter, so pleased Caravan guard were able to help you. Good to know a recommendation works out for someone.

As a little history, when my wife and I bought our first Motorhome in 2011 I naively thought that because I had been a named driver on my wife's car policy for many years I would be able to transfer this to the motor home. Direct line had always advertised this but had not realised it only applied to them and they would not insure our van.

I also rang Camping and caravan club insurance who were not interested, in there view I had to start from scratch with no, no claims bonus. Ditto Caravan club insurance. Incidently in 2011 both clubs used the same insurance people. I rang both club numbers in succession and spoke to the same person! Caravan guard were the only company I found who were willing to give me a discount equivalent to the years I had as a named driver on my wife policy. It was nice to find a company with a little flexibility.

Regards

Dave