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Quote: Originally posted by beanpark on 08/3/2012

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Lets hope they get it going through as it does seem silly not to be able to so. So it is a watch this space then is it

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Hi Chrissie, Have a careful look at the policy and its limitations, Number 3 and 4.

Firstly a huge thanks to John for posting this topic which has to be one of the most informative ones I have read in a while.
Secondly a big thanks to Jeff Juke for letting me know about it. Many thanks to you both.

This new addition to RSA/Rac is excellent news and hopefully there will be an article in the next Mobility Magazine as the interest continues to grow.

Hi Papa Pip, Thanks for the comment, it was my pleasure to post the information especially if it helps with the two recovery policy scenario, though the introduction of the up-grade policy is a step in the right direction, to be of real benefit to existing and future Mobility leased car users, this policy could be made known to all who use the Mobility scheme, as you have said, through the Mobility Magazine, but also though the RAC’s phone centres, and the Mobility garage agencies.

The RAC’s phone representatives should be up to speed now, on where to direct enquires about the caravan up-grade policy for Mobility scheme users, and eliminate the problems and misleading information that tango55 was given, as not all the phone reps knew of the new policy, hope he read my reply and got things sorted?.

I know of a few Mobility people that tow caravans, and they do not use the Mobility car lease scheme because of the two recover policy scenario, this new policy could certainly benefit them, and all the Mobility people who have thought about caravanning but decided against it because of the above scenario.

It can only be hoped that this new policy is advertised in a better manner for all existing and future Mobility caravaners, we can do our bit by passing the information on to others who may not know.

Hi John, could you e-mail me please using the link in my signature.

In 2006 we got a newer Thomson Caravan, 1981 Glennevis, it was in great condition but needed a wee tidy up. Having travelled to Runcorn to collect it we made our way home and had an overnight stop on the way. I had checked out all the running gear and chassis before departure and changed my caravan fully comp insurance. we done the whole trip without incident right up to Forth, where for anyone who knows the road it becomes quite bumpy due to many potholes at the time. treading gingerly we proceeded into the town over some of the worst bumps but sadly the caravan hit one that we could not avoid, Dropping about 6inches and on the way out it decided enough was enough and the A-frame came adrift, 8 miles from home. Well what a palava, phome RSA breakdown line and where told that whilst the car was covered the caravan would not be so we where in effect stranded. I must add the RSA did suggest several companies in the area who would be able to help but it would cost us as we would have to pay them directly. We settled on Dymock in Bathgate who came along with the correct truck to put the caravan on and they took it to our home. Cost of £60 which I thought was very fair, others had quoted £100-£180. Once we had it home I contacted an agricultural engineer who had done excellent work for me over the previous 15years and he came out to assess the problem. He was willing to take on the job and as long as we could get the van to his workshop he would start it asap. So another call to Dymock and they said no problem and as we had used them a few days earlier they would do the job for £30, a journey of 8 miles again. All sorte and the caravan at the repairer we where well chuffed at Dymock for their excellent care and professional care. The total cost of the repair, a new much stronger A-frame made of boxed metal and the towing fees was just under £400, which my fully comp caravan insurance paid apart from the £50 excess. All in all an awakaning to the them policy of Mobility lease cover.

This change in policy is going to be a great help to many, including those who have a trailer for bigger mobility scooters.

Hi Papa Pip, That must have been pretty scary, lucky you had the name of a good recovery firm at hand, and an excellent price for the recovery. It doesn’t bear thinking about if it had happened 70/80 mile from your home location, could have cost you over a few hundred pounds to take out a recovery policy and the removal fee on top before you could be moved, this RAC caravan up-grade policy for Mobility leased car users, could turn out to be one of the best thing to be introduced to the Mobility scheme, it could entice a lot of Mobility people that gave up caravanning because of the hassle of caravan recovery, with the caravan recovery policy now under the umbrella of the Mobility scheme, we could see them returning to the caravan fold and enjoying a new lease of life in caravanning. Lets hope they hear/see or read about this.

PS:  I have E-mailed you.

Quote: Originally posted by Papa Pip on 16/3/2012

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At first I thought it was just the stabiliser bar that had jumped off its slipper, so was not as scared until I got out and saw the actual damage. Needless to say it has been an extremly rare occasion that I have used the same route whilst towing since, I do wonder if I had stayed on the M74 and crossed onto the M8 at Coatbridge if it would have snapped on that route. The A73 route is one I used for years when I drove trucks before the M74 went so far North as Glasgow.

Thanks for the mail, have replied and will no doubt here from you in due course.

Once again a big thanks for bringing this to my attention and I have already passed on the details to other Mobility Users that I know.

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Hi, That’s is the kind of situation (brake down of van) that this up-grade for Mobility Caravaners has been introduced for, life would have been a lot easier for Mobility Caravaners if this kind of policy had been available years ago, well its here now and can only be a good thing.  

Hi All, Not been around for some time, long story, Computer Major failure, resulting in months of recovery of files photos and settings.

First the return of this topic was brought to my attention by Jeff , thanks Jeff.

Hi Rob,Since my original post regarding the cancellation and transfer of policy to new mobility car, the RAC did in fact transfer the policy from old mobility car to the present one at no cost to myself, I think this was a result of the forum.

As Rob states in his post the renewal policy booklet dose not specifically refer to a caravan, all indications look as though it refers to the tow vehicle, and not the towed vehicle which seems to be of secondary importance, I phoned the RAC as Rob did regarding this, and was informed the policy is the same as last year, which dose not make sense as the " Important Changes to your Terms and Conditions " leaflet implies, there seems to be significant changes and the terminology used creates confusion, no cross reference to any paragraph in the original " Caravan Upgrade terms of Membership " book. I have not had a chance to study the changes fully at present, though it would seem that you could find yourself paying additional charger for the removal of your van from the road side if they need specialist equipment to recover van, ( this is at the RAC's discretion), ( after paying your £40 fee for van recovery, that’s the last thing you need is additional worry and expense, ( the wheel fell off my van will they need specialist equipment). That  scenario would make this policy useless for mobility caravanner's, if this is in fact my understanding of the changes to their policy, this would put the mobility caravan fraternity back to the position before the original introduction of their Caravan upgrade policy, paying for insurance, recovery, through the mobility allowance, then having to take out an other breakdown and recovery policy for the van.

I think this merits looking into further, and have a proper look at the policy wording changes, I hope I am wrong in my fist impressions of glancing at the booklet.

Hi Rob, I think the RAC still have not got it right yet, as you say, they still spew out standard letters for all standard recovery, and although the upgrade is for mobility leased car users through the REG, there is no mention of this in their “Important Changes to your Terms and Conditions booklet” which is a supplement to the original “Caravan Upgrade Terms of Membership book”. The booklet is intended to simplify things, instead it has only caused more confusion, it could have stated E.G.-“these terms and conditions do not apply to the Caravan upgrade policy for mobility leased car users who are covered by the Mobility lease terms and conditions”. Word of mouth is no substitute for terms and conditions in black and white, as any of the knowledgeable legal guys on here will tell you.

If any confusion on the caravan upgrade about what is included and what is excluded in the policy in the event of caravan recovery needed, the first course of action would be to revert to the printed terms and conditions of the standard overall recovery policy, in this respect I think the RAC have came up short by not including a paragraph relating to Caravan upgrade for Mobility leased car users.

The introduction of the Caravan upgrade for mobility users introduced last February was a great idea and long overdue, this new policy has been up and running for 11months now, we can only hope that the confusion will be eradicated by next February.

Hi 4strockertwin, Sorry you missed the posting, it ran for approximately a month. The Caravan upgrade Fee is £40; if you’re a member of the C&CC you will receive a discount from the £40 Fee. (if not asked mention this if you take out the RAC policy)

AS for £100 waste by not knowing about the RAC’s upgrade. At the time you were none the wiser of such a policy existed, so not really a waste as you had peace of mind if you needed recovery. Annoying after you discover you could have saved £60 (a few nights camping or nearly a tank of fuel). It always pays to pop into the forum.

Hi Surfer01, The RAC’s Caravan upgrade for Mobility leased car users did not come in to existence until February 2012, May be no use to you now, at least you know is there if you need it in the future.

Hi TrigGLX, Glad to hear that all the RAC staff now know about the upgrade policy, not all the staff did when it was first introduced, caused a lot of confusion when enquiries were made about it.

Hi All, Update on the RAC’s Caravan upgrade policy, Phoned RAC to day to speak to one of the Policy Managers, and I have been informed that the important changes to the policy terms and conditions DO APPLY to the Caravan Upgrade Policy for Mobility leased car users, as I suspected they would.

These changes now make this policy useless for the Mobility caravanners, in the event specialist equipment is needed to remove your van from the roadside, E.G. (wheel studs sheered off van hub/broken axel, making it imposable to tow or put on a flatbed recovery vehicle), You will incur the removal charge, payable at the time of recovery. The policy is still good value for the Fee in respect of roadside accident where the van can be recovered by the RAC’s recovery vehicles, assistance wheel changing (providing you have a spare). In the extreme event of special equipment needed to remove your van this policy is useless in that respect, effectively making it necessary to hold a second recovery policy for the caravans recovery: (Putting you back to square one, before the introduction of this policy).

I can only see Four options available, option 1. Keep the Mobility leased car and take out a second policy for the recovery of van.

2. Take out the Caravan upgrade policy, and Hope you never need specialist recovery for the van.

3. Just have the normal full Mobility leased car users cover, and Hope you never need specialist recovery for the van.

4. Or do as some others have done, Leave the Mobility scheme and use your own car with the appropriate insurance and recovery policy for your particular needs.

The concept of the Caravan upgrade policy is a great idea and was long overdue, and by these important changes to the Terms and Conditions of the policy they have in my opinion killed it off, making it a none viable policy option for me and I suspect most other Mobility restricted caravanners. Such a great disappointment.