Should I claim motorhome roof-light damage on insurance?

[maguirem]

Due to recent high winds the main roof light was blown off - after reading the insurance polict with Caravan Guard I'm left wondering is it worth claiming for the damage or fund it from my own pocket - your positive thoughts please

 

[PeterCarole29]

If you give more details because roof light may be £50 or £1000 depending on what size make

 

[Mikeco]

Personally I prefer not to claim for anything within reason but as mine was a self build I would install a new one myself. I paid out last year for a new windscreen rather than go through the insurance.

 

[Figaro]

Personally I prefer not to claim for anything within reason but as mine was a self build I would install a new one myself. I paid out last year for a new windscreen rather than go through the insurance.

Agree with avoiding claiming on insurance, but I thought windscreen claims didn't affect NCD or future premiums ?
Not made a claim for years so maybe I'm behind the times on this.

 

[mitzimad]

Personally I prefer not to claim for anything within reason but as mine was a self build I would install a new one myself. I paid out last year for a new windscreen rather than go through the insurance.

windscreen claims dont usually cost you your no claims bonus of carry any penalty

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[Mikeco]

windscreen claims dont usually cost you your no claims bonus of carry any penalty

I thought that but I was told that a windscreen claim on my van a few years ago also had to be declared on my car insurance. I paid £160 for the new windscreen instead of paying £100 excess.

 

[Badknee]

We had a bad chip in our windscreen in my eyeline but our local guy did a fantastic invisible repair for £56.00. I wouldn’t involve the insurance company for anything less than twice or three times the excess.

 

[Folkranger]

I had hailstone damage and even though the roof and other parts were peppered with dents I only claimed for a new awning. The additional premiums over the next so many years cost more than the new awning. In future I won't make a claim unless it's a real disaster.

 

[PeterCarole29]

Due to recent high winds the main roof light was blown off - after reading the insurance polict with Caravan Guard I'm left wondering is it worth claiming for the damage or fund it from my own pocket - your positive thoughts please

Have you looked in the classified adds here

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Anything less than the insurance excess would be silly to claim for as you would end up paying twice for the repair.
Again on the theory that any claim will result in an increase of premium, my view would be that a repair cost of up to twice the excess should be considered before claiming.

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[VXman]

We had a bad chip in our windscreen in my eyeline but our local guy did a fantastic invisible repair for £56.00. I wouldn’t involve the insurance company for anything less than twice or three times the excess.

Comfort insurance include 'free' repairs via autowindscreens and it doesn't affect your no claims. It really was incredibly quick. Drove in, done within 30 mins, didn't even have to contact the insurance co. Autowindscreens have you/them on their database.

 

[Lenny HB]

I thought that but I was told that a windscreen claim on my van a few years ago also had to be declared on my car insurance. I paid £160 for the new windscreen instead of paying £100 excess.

Some applications ask you if you have had a windscreen claim but it doesn't normally affect the price unless you have had a few. Our last windscreen claim was about £3k I was happy to pay the £75 excess.

 

[FrankNicklin]

Don't even discuss with your insurance. Just enquiring they will record it as a no-blame claim whether or not you do claim because you have had an "incident". Add your voluntary excess and mandatory excess together and thats what you will pay anyway if you claim on insurance.

 

[TheBig1]

depends on model fitted but a large heki rooflight complete is £629. Just the dome is hard to source

 

[Linda farley]

Due to recent high winds the main roof light was blown off - after reading the insurance polict with Caravan Guard I'm left wondering is it worth claiming for the damage or fund it from my own pocket - your positive thoughts please

Unless your roof light is an expensive one I think I’d fund it myself rather than give them the chance to increase your premium.

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[dazandandrea]

I replaced a rooflight on our pvc last year due to the old one having a crack and some other damage.
Would never go through insurance for anything other than an accident claim. Once you start getting insurance companies involved youre on a loosing run .

 

[chrisjones69]

I had the same problem 5 years back. New window cost £187 had to be ordered from Germany. Luckily the plastic frame and lift mechanism wasn't damaged. However if the roof frame needs replacing that would double the cost at least. So now be £500 +

 

[Paul and Chris]

We were living in France last year and had (Big) cosmetic only hail damage claim. No impact to French NCD so all good on the French side.

The problem was we moved back to UK in July and finding insurance in UK was a nightmare because we'd had a claim.

Even though it was not our fault, because the insurance was not recoverable from a third party, it was classed as a "fault" claim.

 

[Ianj55]

Had to replace my Dometic (seitz) large roof light that opens via a winding handle. Price from main dealer was over £550 plus vat. Purchased a brand new original that was sent from Germany through Leisure spares for under £300 including carriage from Germany and delivered to my door. I am not the greatest repairer of such items but replaced the unit myself.
Would certainly not claim through insurance as next renewal would outweigh the replacement cost. Take all the details off the old unit and give the details to Leisure Spares Ltd, Boroughbridge (01423 320009) who will be helpful and have a genuine replacement at a fraction of the original cost. Nothing to loose by contacting them

 

[The Wino]

I don't think I'd bother claiming anything less than £1000. I suspect on insurance for three vehicles being affected they would recoup that over a few years and I'd have the hassle of declaring every time. I always go for a big voluntary excess bearing that in mind.

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[Gyro]

Due to recent high winds the main roof light was blown off - after reading the insurance polict with Caravan Guard I'm left wondering is it worth claiming for the damage or fund it from my own pocket - your positive thoughts please

a similar thing happened with my Heki roof light900x600 one of the Perspex hinges smashed. It would have been around £600 for a replacement so dependent on your excess choice is yours. I fixed everything using GRP , it doesn’t look perfect but works cost £8 and a bit of my time.

 

[Clive Mott]

What excess is on your policy?
It Will effect renewal irrespective of what they might say, if not the next then the one after as you have shown to be a risk.

 

[Brains]

NO
(Unless the replacement has a comma in the price, then maybe reconsider)

 

[cyberyacht]

Perhaps the place that does replacement caravan/motorhome windows, EECO I think, could do a new lid for you.

I paid £160 for the new windscreen

Some of us could only dream of a windscreen for that price.

 

[racerdave]

Due to recent high winds the main roof light was blown off - after reading the insurance polict with Caravan Guard I'm left wondering is it worth claiming for the damage or fund it from my own pocket - your positive thoughts please

I had to replace the bonded on roof light on my 2012 Hobby Premium. As a previous owner had raised the drop down bed with something on it.
Breaking the internal pat of the skylight.
It cost £1500 and a 4th wait for the skylight and another £300 to have it fitted.
Luckily I checked the price of replacement and negotiated a suitable reduction in purchase price.
My advice is check the prices before you claim

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[two]

I regard insurance as cover against disaster, so a roof light would not qualify - especially if I could DIY.
Doing it through insurance adds unnecessary cost and you may also suffer a future premium hike because of your claim.

 

[Mikeyv60]

Personally I prefer not to claim for anything within reason but as mine was a self build I would install a new one myself. I paid out last year for a new windscreen rather than go through the insurance.

I agree with anything under your excess is worth doing yourself to prevent a claim.
Unfortunately now they class a windscreen replacement, even a smart repair as a claim, whereas before it didn't affect grrr

 

[Mikeyv60]

Comfort insurance include 'free' repairs via autowindscreens and it doesn't affect your no claims. It really was incredibly quick. Drove in, done within 30 mins, didn't even have to contact the insurance co. Autowindscreens have you/them on their database.

Correct it wont affect your no claims,but nothing stopping them increasing your premium.

 

[gus-lopez]

Here in spain very few claim as most only have tp,F&T. You can't get FC if over10/12 years old.

I can't recall ever claiming even in the UK?

 

[Zains Pops]

Anything less than £1k or even £1.5k I would pay myself. Remember the insurance industry will screw on premiums you for at least three and maybe five years after any claim and it can also affect other insurances on cars etc.

Work on the principle its heads they win and tails you lose.!!