Car insurance towing with A frame

[pappajohn]

I have multi vehicle cover and when my Terios is being towed behind my camper the are both insured the same as if the were being driven sepatately

Once of the reasons that we ordered a little Daihatsu Terios was that there is a section in the owners handbook telling you "What to do when using the car as a TOAD" Apparently is a very popular TOAD in the States and Daihatsu have picked up on this.

I got the dealership to get a letter out of Daihatsu stating that towing the car behind a camper wouldn't invalidate the warranty in anyway.

So at least if I am the unlucky sod that is the test case, and something serious or horrid has happened I have at least this information from the car manufacturer to fall back on, if they decide to make an example of me legally!

But is the A frame attachment included in Daihatsu CoC or is it Daihatsu saying the warranty is valid.

Warranty and CoC are completely different things

 

[Pausim]

In that case, you will find yourself in contravention of the Road Traffic Act.

Whilst you may rely on the towing vehicle to provide Third Party Insurance for the towed vehicle, it requires Insurance in its own right because, regardless of how it is being described as a Trailer, it remains a Mechanically propelled vehicle and, as such requires Insurance in it's own right.

I disagree. The DfT (Government) official opinion is as follows.

When an "A" frame is attached to a vehicle (e.g. a motor car) and towed by a motor vehicle (e.g. motorhome) we believe the "A" frame and car become a single unit and as such are classified in legislation as a trailer.

In the UK a trailer does not require it’s own insurance, instead it relies on the third party insurance of the towing vehicle. Whilst the car is detached it is treated as a mechanically propelled vehicle and it has to have it’s own insurance if it is on a public highway.

I recognise that you have a personal opinion on this subject but find the DfT one better argued and more likely to be regarded as authoritative.

 

[Realist]

I don’t know why people ask these questions because from past experience it opens a can of worms.

Myself......

Yes I have a A Frame.
Yes I tow a car.
Yes I use it in the U.K.
Yes they are both insured.

So I personally don’t give a rats arse other people’s opinions because I’m aware of the legal aspect and happy with the way it’s being used.

To the OP, go for it bud and don’t take to heart what others moaners say and these posts just open a thread that will go on and on and on and on and on..............

I would just say thanks all, have a good read of past posts and go from their and I wish you all the best.

 

[ALI G]

Thanks for everyone's input. We have been in touch with Armitage and apparently Saga is on their list of approved insurers so we've been back in touch and they're reviewing. If that fails we have a quote from Direct Line so will be sorted one way or another.

 

[eddie]

What A frame are you towing with Eddie?

Car A Tow known the Company for 30 years

I don’t know why people ask these questions because from past experience it opens a can of worms.

Myself......

Yes I have a A Frame.
Yes I tow a car.
Yes I use it in the U.K.
Yes they are both insured.

So I personally don’t give a rats arse other people’s opinions because I’m aware of the legal aspect and happy with the way it’s being used.

To the OP, go for it bud and don’t take to heart what others moaners say and these posts just open a thread that will go on and on and on and on and on..............

I would just say thanks all, have a good read of past posts and go from their and I wish you all the best.

I agree 100%

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[Colino]

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

 

[Abacist]

I have both vehicles comprehensively insured with the NFU on the same policy having declared an Armitage A frame to tow the car behind the motorhome. Whilst being towed I will be at risk if I prang and damage the TOAD as I understand it to be third party only whilst being towed.

 

[ALI G]

Just to clarify we have been motor homing since 1990 and have toured to the top of Norway down to Croatia, Corsica, Spain , Portugal and everywhere in between. Europe has always been easy to tour around and find a place to stay for a night or two, the UK used to be easy tour round then find a cl for the night without booking in advance. Due to the increased popularity of our hobby this is getting more difficult to do so we have to do a lot more forward planning which we hate. So we had a tow bar fitted 2 yrs ago and take a scooter to Spain for the winter and with our travels in Europe put on hold plus a need to visit a poorly relative where campsites are not plentiful we have made the decision to have the A frame fitted. So it's about convenience for our situation plus UK holidays .

 

[Geo]

Dont know why eddievanbitz but i thought youd have an American Blue Ox or similar.
Proper A frames.

 

[gus-lopez]

I recognise that you have a personal opinion on this subject but find the DfT one better argued and more likely to be regarded as authoritative.

True but it completely falls down when this below is included.

) we believe

Which in effect means we haven't a clue.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Yes. & that is why no one is interested in how much there vehicle weighs. My mate comes here & you can get certified weight tickets 1€ a time . Not in the slightest bit interested .As he says ."if I don't know it doesn't worry me"

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[Pausim]

Which in effect means we haven't a clue.

It is the best guidance we are going to get until someone legislates or tests it in the Courts. Unlikely that any official agency will want to test it in the Courts whilst the DfT holds that opinion.

 

[Conal]

I have read this thread with interest and more than a little apprehension. I am having an A frame fitted to my chop top Morris Minor in June. So a further modification to a vehicle that, as far as I am aware, did not receive any certification other than a change to the registration document, presumably when converted to a soft top.

 

[Pausim]

I have read this thread with interest and more than a little apprehension. I am having an A frame fitted to my chop top Morris Minor in June. So a further modification to a vehicle that, as far as I am aware, did not receive any certification other than a change to the registration document, presumably when converted to a soft top.

I think your Minor will be old enough to pre-date any certification and does not need it as a venerable classic.

 

[Conal]

“Venerable classic”. I like that. The Morris is 59 years old. I wonder what that makes a large number of Fun members?

 

[Carpmart]

I think your Minor will be old enough to pre-date any certification and does not need it as a venerable classic.

I agree with above. My first kit car build was before IVA (now SVA) and just required an MOT.

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[scally]

I tow my trike with the front wheel off the ground. Both are insured separately and as such I say it qualifies as a spec lift or should I say a monocle lift

 

[ALI G]

Our problem is resolved - we spoke to someone at Saga who knows what they are doing and suddenly it's all fine and a very common thing they agree to apparently!! No extra cost so all good.

 

[Realist]

Well done.