Just in the process of getting our first campervan (Renault Trafic auto sleeper) and when I rang about insurance, they told me if I belonged to a club, I could get a discount.
We qualify (just!) for the classic campervan club which is £21 but would feel a bit of a fraud as all the campers on their website are really old and gorgeous. Ours is a rusty 1988 and would feel ashamed to take it to one of their rallies... Also, not really a 'club' kind of family, not great enthusiasts (yet!) just wanted a campervan as we all love camping but were tired of tents.
Thanks for the club tips, folks, will follow up. Re insurance, have got quotes from Adrian Flux (very pricey but with roadside assistance...maybe worthwhile considering what we are buying), Motorhome Insurance and Caravanwise so far. But have seen safeguard on other threads - will give them a try.
Don't worry about your camper being scruffy!
You'll have more fun because you won't be stressing over scratches and dings like those with the shiny new set-ups!
However, I'd advise getting the best cover you can if you're taking it abroad - it costs an arm and a leg to be recovered from an Autoroute, and you may need to be put up in a hotel if you do break down, so make sure your policy covers this.
We used EuropAssistance, and they were excellent when we had problems.
thanks allie - will def check them out as I have a very strong feeling that we'll need it... Found someone, Carefree, (eventually - no one likes to insure an old camper for breakdown abroad) that would do it for £92 for 2 weeks in France but will be interesting to see who else can offer it. Forgot to ask if they'd 'repatriate' the van - as well as us. Had that particular thought at 5 am this morning.
Best insurance quote is £250 from Caravanwise, Safeguard and Adrian Flux were twice that and only slightly more cover. THinking seriously too about just 3rd party because when we go abroad, will be taking out travel insurance anyway for the things in the camper (it has a proper safe inside too). What do people reckon?
Better get on with it anyway - picking it up tonight! Hooray - we have a campervan at last!!!
Have you considered joining the Renault Trafic Motorhome Register? It wouldn't get you a reduction in your insurance premium, I'm afraid, but we have nearly 300 members so loads of help and advice with your van and a lot of the vans are a similar age to yours. It's £7 a year and you get a quarterly magazine and a Yahoo group for any help you need. We have 4 or 5 rallies a year, which are all very relaxed, no pressure to join in anything.
Oh thanks so much for that Nora - I've been all over the website and it looks like a fantastic resource, especially if things go wrong. I have marked it as a favourite and will definitely sign up for membership.
What's the famous autosleeper crockery? There's some that comes with ours but I haven't had a proper look at it yet - looked white from what I saw.