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Hi all,

To cut a long story short - the much loved trailer tent was stolen off our drive this year.  As you can imagine, we were gutted.    It was not quite a year old!  The kids........well you can imagine.

Anyhow, we were lucky, we were insured - if only just.  I cannot stress how important it is if anyone out there thinks it will not happen to them.  We only took the plunge months after buying the TT.  Like I say, we were lucky.

The insurers are happy to pay to replace the TT, and we are not quibbiling.  We always knew that the items inside the TT would not be covered due to the lack of security.  However, I was lead to believe when taking out the policy that items such as the gas bottle and security devices such as a hitch lock would be included as part of the main unit due to their being essential. 

My question is am I being unreasonable to ask for these items to be considered?  I don't want to be greedy, but I don't want to give them leave to short change me either.

Once again, let me say, even though I have questions, please please please if you are not insured, and you do not have the keys to fort knox for storage, get insured!

Many thanks for looking.

Sis

Post last edited on 04/10/2005 18:51:56

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Glass half full ~ someone top me up!

Just shows how far you have to go to secure these things. Theres a bloke on Conway Owners site who sais he's fitted a tow ball to his house and then locked his camper to his house.

Beats a wheel clamp I suppose.

As a general suggestion: NEVER ACCEPT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES FIRST OFFER.

Like all companies, insurance companies exist for the benefit of their shareholders. The insurance claims assessor is engaged by the insurance company to minimise claims.  They will try you out with a very low settlement offer initially.  Just write back to them, on as firm a basis as you can asking for more. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose as they cannot reply by offering you less!

For the price of a second class stamp you could end up a couple of hundred pounds better off! 

John Jory

Our insurance is in 3 parts.

TT

Camping equipment

Personal belongings

Could I be nosey and ask which companies you are all with as I'd like to get some quotes for our tt. If you have phone numbers too that'd be just the ticket!!

We're currently with Bakers of Cheltenham who took on our policy from Hill House Hammond but I'd like to shop around and compare deals before we next renew.

Many thanks 

Thanks to all for your replies.  I feel better about feeling the offer was a little on the low side. 

As a number of you have said, my insurance is in parts:

Caravan & Associate Equipment (it says TT on the schedule)

Contents (excluded)

Hotel and Caravan Hire

Liability

Personal Accident

It is the 'Associated Equipment' that I am thinking of.  What items would you put in this catagory?

I was thinking hitch lock, electric hookup, gas bottle and regulator.  Other items such as fridge, tables and chairs seem more like contents don't you think???

Fruitymiss - We used the caravan club insurance service.  We paid £89 for the year (being a trailer tent the policy includes a £18 deduction for contents).

Thanks again for taking the time to reply

Sis

Post last edited on 05/10/2005 19:18:31

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Glass half full ~ someone top me up!

Mmmmmmm,

What seems like a 'Grey area'

Easy to say now I know, but, for anyone else thinking of taking out such cover I would ask the provider exactly what 'Associated Equipment' means before signing up

I agree totaly that Insurance cover is a must

Keep us updated as to how you get on.

Sis

When my caravan was stolen last year, we itemised on a spreadsheet everything that was taken, whether covered or not, and let the insurers determine the items we weren't covered for, which included a windbreak, mallet and barbeque.

Security items were classed as associated equipment, along with everything else required to pitch and live in the caravan. We were also covered for contents, but interestingly, not for any electrical equipment such as TV's, cameras, etc, which we don't keep on the van but didn't realise we were not insured on site either.

We were very pleased with the insurers original offer, which we considered both fair and reasonable, and it was all completed within 6 weeks of the theft. Unfortunately, we were asked to provide a tracking device to insure with the same company for the new van, so moved elsewhere, although we now have a reduced total sum insured.

It's easier to come down from claiming for everything than to claim for a few items and then ask for more further down the line. Most insurers have to follow a code of practice these days and I'm sure a lot of the problems are down to communication between the insured and the insurers, particularly if you have to deal with over zealous staff.

Hope it goes well for you.

Regards

Mick

Hi all

Just to update really.  Have now settled with insurers.  A little barganing can go a long way it seems.  Having said that I have learnt two lessons

1. Ask your insurers specific questions and demand detailed answers. 

2. Ask everyone on campsiteUK for their advise - without it I think I would have bottled out and taken the first offer - so thanks to you all! 

Regards 

Sis

Glass half full ~ someone top me up!

Thanks for that though Romany - I don't know - I will check over the weekend. 

Stupidly we left a lot of items inside, even though we did know the TT insurance did not cover it.  You just don't realise how much it all adds up to till you do the sums!

Sis

Glass half full ~ someone top me up!