INSURANCE (grr) - Self build/High Value

activecampers

activecampers

Joined
Jul 28, 2008
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Location
Wiltshire, UK
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3,483
MH
Ducato Sportivo
Exp
Since 2005! 2000+ nights so far...
Annoying.

With A-Plan, happy with A-Plan, just about to renew but apparently I now need a CAT5/6 tracker which I'm not minded to install. (Already has non approved trackers and other non approved security). Been with them since build.

Was via KGM underwriter who I was happy with.

I called KGM and managed a useful chat - they said ALL motorhomes/modified vans > £40k must have a tracker, and they should (possibly) have applied last year too! No way around that.

Called Comfort, they won't insure with gas certification which I don't have and though its installed to (and beyond) regs, last time I looked no one would sign off DIY gas.

Not touching AF/JK with a barge pole.

Any other suggestions for a high value camper? Or is it bend over and get an approved tracker?
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbi...RC4e_jqK9M2ak3K1R73_1Dos7oeWTe&[B]tn[/B]=EH-R
(Oh - also insured for class 1 business use....)
 
activecampers said:
Annoying.

With A-Plan, happy with A-Plan, just about to renew but apparently I now need a CAT5/6 tracker which I'm not minded to install. (Already has non approved trackers and other non approved security). Been with them since build.

Was via KGM underwriter who I was happy with.

I called KGM and managed a useful chat - they said ALL motorhomes/modified vans > £40k must have a tracker, and they should (possibly) have applied last year too! No way around that.

Called Comfort, they won't insure with gas certification which I don't have and though its installed to (and beyond) regs, last time I looked no one would sign off DIY gas.

Not touching AF/JK with a barge pole.

Any other suggestions for a high value camper? Or is it bend over and get an approved tracker?

(Oh - also insured for class 1 business use....)
Click to expand...

there are a number of gas installers on here that may be able to help you with the sign off however remember they are signing to say it is safe therefore leaving themselves vulnerable so it would probably need a very thorough going over before they would be happy to sign
 
Have you tried Brentacre ins brokers I’ve been with them 2 years now and I only had been with them for 1 month and I had a collision which was my fault and they paid up without a quibble so I stuck with them for my second year and the premium did not rise much at all.

John.

 
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Nanniemate said:
there are a number of gas installers on here that may be able to help you with the sign off however remember they are signing to say it is safe therefore leaving themselves vulnerable so it would probably need a very thorough going over before they would be happy to sign
Click to expand...
Not in the timescales required :(
I'm "happy" the gas install complies with regs so not concerned about a thorough inspection - though due to the build some bits can't be seen/checked (e.g. pipes run in impossible to get to places - so hard to prove there isn't a hidden join etc). Also accessing some bits would be sweary-sweary :D Its not a rubber pipe and a prayer :)
I've even got a bubble leak detector which is checked each time bottle is turned on. :)
 
AIB quoted without tracker requirement at a comparable cost, but no business use

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Out of interest why did you say this "Not touching AF/JK with a barge pole."?

I'm with Adrian Flux for our build and the insurance jumped significantly when we fixed the cost of replacing the van once finished. And we're still to have a tracker fitted. Now it's finished there might be more options when it's renewal time - although I only have a receipt for the gas work from a registered gas fitter. Not a particular certificate to show.
 
JMHerts said:
Out of interest why did you say this "Not touching AF/JK with a barge pole."?

I'm with Adrian Flux for our build and the insurance jumped significantly when we fixed the cost of replacing the van once finished. And we're still to have a tracker fitted. Now it's finished there might be more options when it's renewal time - although I only have a receipt for the gas work from a registered gas fitter. Not a particular certificate to show.
Click to expand...
I'd just say, google reviews and read forums where people needed to claim. Very good prices, salesmen on phone always say yes, but I'd say check what is actually written down and how good the claims are.
I have used them once but held my breath during the term....! It was very vague....

And agreed value (lol) - pay up front for the 12mths. Then policy does not come into affect until they approve/agree - but then they take MONTHS to sort it out - whats their incentive to speed up when you've paid and they don't need to cover it?
 
Neckender said:
Have you tried Brentacre ins brokers I’ve been with them 2 years now and I only had been with them for 1 month and I had a collision which was my fault and they paid up without a quibble so I stuck with them for my second year and the premium did not rise much at all.

John.

Click to expand...
Thanks, will try! (did your link change :D)
 
NFU won't quote without an engineers report.
 
JMHerts said:
Out of interest why did you say this "Not touching AF/JK with a barge pole."?

I'm with Adrian Flux for our build and the insurance jumped significantly when we fixed the cost of replacing the van once finished. And we're still to have a tracker fitted. Now it's finished there might be more options when it's renewal time - although I only have a receipt for the gas work from a registered gas fitter. Not a particular certificate to show.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hijack, but interested in how much the cost increased/new value of your build, and also did you have to provide any receipts for the work?
I've just submitted mine but don't really have any receipts for the cost of the build (Told the Misses that it only cost £6k, so I burnt the evidence)

Cheers

<M>

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Next Stop said:
Sorry to hijack, but interested in how much the cost increased/new value of your build, and also did you have to provide any receipts for the work?
I've just submitted mine but don't really have any receipts for the cost of the build (Told the Misses that it only cost £6k, so I burnt the evidence)

Cheers

<M>
Click to expand...
Tough call. Mine is a "top end" base van with 1001 options from factory - one reason I did it was so the "model" is a known model (Ducato Sportivo). And a cost no object build, 6mths full time effort. IMO its (at least) equiv to a pro conversion vs a pallet wood conversion etc. So I've put what I consider a "market value" on it, so less than branded builds, and probably not enough for a similar replacement. Never been asked for receipts. Insurance should cover market value, so hence on calls I ensure we discuss what that means and hence when I name my value and say its market value is about that...... then thats recorded for prosperity
(Last self build van I sold for pretty much my "figure" - so I'm sort of in the right area)
 
Neckender said:
Have you tried Brentacre ins brokers I’ve been with them 2 years now and I only had been with them for 1 month and I had a collision which was my fault and they paid up without a quibble so I stuck with them for my second year and the premium did not rise much at all.

John.

Click to expand...
50% more than renewal at A-plan and require a tracker
 
Next Stop said:
Sorry to hijack, but interested in how much the cost increased/new value of your build, and also did you have to provide any receipts for the work?
I've just submitted mine but don't really have any receipts for the cost of the build (Told the Misses that it only cost £6k, so I burnt the evidence)

Cheers

<M>
Click to expand...
We are filling the insurance form in for AF at the moment including receipts and photographs (and receipts for the gas work and we'll be finding out about certificates etc later this week). With fees to change the policy, increase the value and fix the value it was another £290, so maybe £550/£600 for the year, I'd expect it to be cheaper next year as we won't change the policy mid-year and will shop around now it's all finished. The value is about £75k because we paid someone to do the work, didn't spare the expense to get what we needed and the base Mercedes van is only a few years old from a Mercedes dealer.
 
JMHerts said:
We are filling the insurance form in for AF at the moment including receipts and photographs (and receipts for the gas work and we'll be finding out about certificates etc later this week). With fees to change the policy, increase the value and fix the value it was another £290, so maybe £550/£600 for the year, I'd expect it to be cheaper next year as we won't change the policy mid-year and will shop around now it's all finished. The value is about £75k because we paid someone to do the work, didn't spare the expense to get what we needed and the base Mercedes van is only a few years old from a Mercedes dealer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, ours isn't valued anywhere near that as we did the conversion ourselves, hoping it won't rise too much, but for peace of mind I', glad I'm doing the agreed value.

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Next Stop said:
Thanks for the info, ours isn't valued anywhere near that as we did the conversion ourselves, hoping it won't rise too much, but for peace of mind I', glad I'm doing the agreed value.
Click to expand...
Good luck with "agreed value" - IME 12mth policy runs for 9mths tops if you are lucky - and in those 3 months when they are processing you are not covered. Drove me mad. Seemed to be only if "total loss" and in specific ciscumstances. I was never comfortable with it :(
 
Nanniemate said:
there are a number of gas installers on here that may be able to help you with the sign off however remember they are signing to say it is safe therefore leaving themselves vulnerable so it would probably need a very thorough going over before they would be happy to sign
Click to expand...
It shouldn't be too difficult to get a safety certificate, depending on what the insurance company requires. A gas inspection is normally done on a Hab Check.
 
I turned 70 last December. My 2022 insurance for our Lunar RoadStar was £230. Just had the renewal for this year and it's gone up to £290 an increase of 26% - Adrian Flux

Update: Just had a quotation from 2Gether Insurance (Liverpool Victoria) for £350 on like for like basis.
 
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activecampers said:
Not answering phone at all, so if thats their sales line - what is their claim line like!?

Getting bored now :D
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Give them another try. They are only small brokers. Yes sometimes they are busy. They are brokers for Ageas Insurance. I normally get through OK

You can email them and they will ring you back

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Try Lifesure formally MHIA ( motorhome insurance agency).
Very understanding and approachable..
I had no issues insuring my van pre and post build..
 
You could try Scenic;

About Us | Scenic Insurance

Scenic Insurance, part of the Swinton Group, are specialists in Caravan Insurance, Motorhome Insurance and Camper Van insurance.
www.scenicinsurance.co.uk www.scenicinsurance.co.uk
 
poppycamper said:
Try Lifesure formally MHIA ( motorhome insurance agency).
Very understanding and approachable..
I had no issues insuring my van pre and post build..
Click to expand...

Lifesure very interesting, bit more expensive, but explained why we are limited in choice.

1 - both self employed, work as little as possible. Many only quote for full time work
2 - wife is vet nurse, some don't like that (not sure why?) even if SDP only. Odd.
3 - Van is in my name but insured in wifes (just how the policies worked out during buying/selling previous vehicles)

No one quoting for class 1 business.....
 
Try LV they are not interested in Trackers, gas installations etc. just the value you want to insure the van for. Go online first then call them if you are happy with quote.

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