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Subject Topic: Do I need different car insurance to tow? Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonArchibaldB
05/8/2014 at 9:38am
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Hi all,

I'm a n00b to this forum and to caravanning so... please go easy on me. We’re about to buy our first van and I’m realising there’s an awful lot to learn.

The thing that’s got me stumped currently is car insurance. I’ve called out current insurer (Admiral), who tells me that our current policy won’t cover us if the van topples over/causes an accident. They were also unclear about whether third parties would be covered, though seemed to suggest that third parties *would* be covered *if* the van had become disconnected from our car.

Now, we’re not spending a fortune on the van and if something bad happened, I wouldn’t worry too much about the van being written off. But I *am* worried that our car/third parties aren’t covered simply because we’re towing. Does this sound normal? Do I need to switch policies/insurers? Do other insurers commonly allow towing?

Thanks!

Archibald.


Personmadz
05/8/2014 at 9:51am
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You need to get insurance for your caravan, that will cover these things for you.

You might also want to think about what happens if your car or caravan breaks down and how you will get home again. A lot of breakdown services only cover the van if its attached to the vehicle at the time.


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Personblueexpo97
05/8/2014 at 10:10am
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Whilst the caravan is attached to the car it is covered by your car insurance.
Whether or not you insure your caravan is up to you, it is not compulsory.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


Persontrog100
05/8/2014 at 11:28am
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make sure your caravan stays attached to your car and you will be okay.. :)

trog


Personalbee
05/8/2014 at 12:43pm
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Hi, just check your policy or with your insurance Co as some consider a towbar as a modification, so just inform them you tow and you,re sure they and cant wriggle off the hook in event of claim. especially if you buy insurance off internet as the onus is on you to ensure you get the cover you need.


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PersonGrampian91
05/8/2014 at 1:42pm
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My latest insurer actually made a note of the towbar being fitted.

You need to mention it these days. I used to get them saying no need to inform us of that. Then it changed to thats OK no change.

Now they make a note of it..


PersonArchibaldB
05/8/2014 at 2:13pm
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Thanks all. It seems the person I spoke to at Admiral gave me inaccurate advice. My policy does indeed allow me to tow a caravan. My car remains fully-comp and third parties are covered if the van hits them during an accident.

The confusion seems to relate to if the van becomes disconnected and *then* causes an accident - but I guess that'd be one for the law to decide.

Good advice on advising them of the towbad mod - thanks!


VangoMan02
05/8/2014 at 2:18pm
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Agree about telling them about towbar attached as it is treated as a modification with Ins Companies. Always do it at time of insuring, if you do it later they will charge you a fee.
My mate just got stung for £25 for this change as he initially forgot to mention it when changing Ins companies at renewal time.

-------------
It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


PersonJTQU
05/8/2014 at 2:27pm
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Quote: Originally posted by ArchibaldB on 05/8/2014

The confusion seems to relate to if the van becomes disconnected and *then* causes an accident - but I guess that'd be one for the law to decide.



I never though there was any confusion on that point, so we insure the van just in case an injury happens if it is not attached. I could not cope with an uninsured injury claim against me, simply not that rich.


PersonArchibaldB
06/8/2014 at 11:26am
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Quote:
I never though there was any confusion on that point, so we insure the van just in case an injury happens if it is not attached. I could not cope with an uninsured injury claim against me, simply not that rich.



Well, I was confused. And to be honest, I still am on the technicality. I'm not talking about damage the caravan causes when it's *not* connected to the car -- ie, if once pitched it rolls in gale across the site and breaks something/someone. I understand that in these circumstances separate caravan insurance can cover contents/damage to third parties etc and it is therefore a good idea.

My concern was/is what happens if it *becomes disconnected* when driving (and then is causes damage to a third party) or even *during* an road accident. Would the motor insurer then refuse to cover based on the technicality that the van was not connected to the towing vehicle? Who decides at what point during an accident the van became disconnected and thus no longer covered for any damage it causes to third parties? Perhaps I worry too much about little details like this but that's why I said it might be one for the law to decide based on the specific circumstances of any incident.

Really, I'm sure I'm being too anal. But hey, I reckon that's normal for caravanning ;)

Archibald.


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Personblueexpo97
06/8/2014 at 11:33am
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Attached, car insurance. Unattached, caravan insurance.

"Who decides at what point during an accident the van became disconnected" doesn't really matter as it is unattached, so any damage caused, it's caravan insurance.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


PersonGrampian91
06/8/2014 at 12:20pm
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Some of the above seems unclear to me. Maybe im skip reading?

But damage to the caravan wont be covered on your car insurance though unless you can claim from a 3rd party.

Your covered if you cause damage to something else. With car or van when attached. But not damage to your van.

Thats probably what the call centre person was talking about.

I now make a point of mentioning the towbar when getting quotes. Makes no difference to the quote but they now make a note of it.


PersonJTQU
06/8/2014 at 12:58pm
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With respect but surely "attached" is crystal clear, so if the van has broken free it is no longer attached and the the car's insurance will not cover.
If the incident was at the moment it was about to part then the facts I am sure would be considered.

However, that leaves a whole load of risk that once free rolling it can do untold damage. That might be something we could delve into our savings and cover any material claim ours or others. But,if it mutilated a child, for example, we could never meet the possible multi millions £ claim.

I have no struggle in making the decision whether to insure. The financial lost of my van is the least of my concerns.


Personsaxo1
06/8/2014 at 1:45pm
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It is pure speculation whether or not you are covered for third party ins should your van become detached whilst towing,the only way to be certain is contact your insurer.
I read the terms and conditions of one insurer and they did cover but the advice given by others is to contact them.
saxo1


PersonJTQU
06/8/2014 at 2:19pm
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My LV tow car insurance documentation gives no hint of ambiguity, the word is “attached”, not "has been" or any such term.


In section 3 of your document of car insurance it also includes a trailer, caravan or
broken-down motor vehicle while they’re attached to your car for towing.

I very much doubt any call centre operative is going to be able to re write the underwriters terms.


PersonArchibaldB
06/8/2014 at 4:14pm
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Quote: I have no struggle in making the decision whether to insure. The financial lost of my van is the least of my concerns.


No, indeed. And I will insure my van for precisely those reasons.

Thanks all.

Archibald.



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