motorhome Insurance

[doobster]

A teaser for you guys i have just yesterday purchased my first actual MOTORHOME ! being previously far more used to van conversions per say ...

It's a 1995 Autosleeper Trophy motorhome all well and good so far.... based on a 2.0l petrol VW Transporter 20 odd to the gallon [however will only be used for holidays so the saving on hotel bedrooms we hope will move than cover slightly higher fuel bills] poss fit LPG im considering it right now !! but i digress

So i phone my insurance company to organise insurance all good only changing from one vehicle to another - so quote is accepted no wurries however as he reads it back to me its insured as a 1994 Volkswagen Transporter 2.0l petrol swb which obviously it is but no mention of the rather more costly Autosleeper addition ???

So my question then is if god forbid i should suffer a total loss/stolen not recovered claim what will they pay out the cost of a 1994 Transporter or a 1994 Autosleeper converted Transporter as its clear there is a massive cost difference to replace the later against a standard 2.0l van ???

Is this common that they are DVLA registered as a Transporter ?? or should it be classed as something different or am i just being stupid ??

Someone put me out of my misery pls

[Twolitre]

Sorry I cannot offer insurance advice, but I can perhaps offer a little caution about your digression - LPG Conversion.
I was (maybe I still am as I still hold the Certificate) an Calor Gas authorised installer of gas conversions from petrol to LPG. I also was manager of a fleet of so converted taxis. I used to reckon that at least 7000 - 10.000 miles was needed to be covered to recoup the costs, depending on the vehicle. Since most prices rise more or less equally over the years, including petrol, I would think that estimate still stands. Newer vehicles are obviously a better financial proposition for conversion than older ones.
Do not consider a DIY conversion. It would probably compromise your Insurance Cover.
Jim.

[Twolitre]

Sorry I cannot offer insurance advice, but I can perhaps offer a little caution about your digression - LPG Conversion.
I was (maybe I still am as I still hold the Certificate) an authorised installer of Calor gas conversions to from petrol to LPG. I also was manager of a fleet of so converted taxis. I used to reckon that at least 7000 - 10.000 miles was needed to be covered to recoup the costs, depending on the vehicle. Since most prices rise more or less equally over the years, including petrol, I would think that estimate still stands. Newer vehicles are obviously a better financial proposition for conversion than older ones.
Do not consider a DIY conversion. It would probably compromise your Insurance Cover even if legal.
Jim.

[jayjay]

Hi and welcome Doobster!

What is the vehicle classed as on your reg doc?

What comes up on the DVLA site for your registration?

I would have thought that any replacement would only be for the VW and not the Autosleeper addition, if that's what it's insured as.

I think there's some way to change the reg. doc in order to note the changes, not sure how, but someone will be along soon who will know!

[doobster]

Hi unfortuntely i dont as yet have the reg docs bought and paid deposit pre arranging insurance etc so yet to receive them...

Surely as Autosleepers are one of the largest oldest conversion companies using many many makes of chassis then you would of thought it would be recalsses at origin it was sold new as an Autosleeper ???

So your telling me a £70k new motorhome is only in insuranc eterms worth what its base chassis is i simplky do not beleive that

Anyone own ANY MODEL of Autosleeper or other MOTORHOME who can answer for me pls ......

[Southpaw]

Hi, hope you enjoy your new motorhome.

Mine is insured with the caravan club under specified motorhome insurance, so the make , model etc of the conversion is what is insured and the value is the motorhome value not the base vehicle value.

You may need to check with your insurer that they do actually offer motorhome insurance as to my limited knowledge it is a specialised field with only a few insurers offering the appropiate cover.

[glenw]

Hi,

we own a coachbuit motorhome on a peugeot chassis, it is insured with a company who specialises in insuring caravans, motorhome etc.(sureterm) and is covered as a motorhome. So in the event of a claim, we would be paid out as such. Our reg. docs. state it is motorcaravan.

If I was you, I think I'd be asking the question to the insurance company - after all it will be you who is arguing with them if they refuse to pay out and I doubt the fact that "some people on a forum said..." would change things!!

Also, its worth noting that the insurance cover sometimes only covers a small amount for belongings in the vehicle so you may need to make sure your home insurance covers belongings away from the home and remove the more valuable items from the motorhome when you aren't using it.

Welcome to the forum, I hope you stick around to show us some photo's of your new van etc, we are a friendly bunch!!

[glenw]

I've just been having a look around online for you and it seems that motorhome manufacturers regularly forget to inform the DVLA that the base vehicle has been converted so your reg docs may well state it is a flat bed truck or a panel van rather than a motor caravan, hence the insurance company pulling that informationup on their database. It seems a failry easy thing to sort usually just sending off some paperwork - if you want a link to the info I found, it is from 2008, PM me and I'll send it to you (its on another forum so don't tell Graham and Pauline!!)

[doobster]

Hi gang and thanks for your comments.

I am insured currently with HIC mainly due to previously owning van converted campers and HIC are one of the few who cover such vehicles] i am in limbo here my Reg doc it transpires states its a motorcaravan and i beleive a coachbuilt not a van conversion placing it firmly in the realms of now motorhome insurance possibly a rather frightening thought though and one that maybe should be made clearer as i am well versed in T4's runninga T4 community but as yet we have no motorhomes i shall certainly be making it very clear to the community to which i belong thats for sure


I would still love to hear from a similar Autosleeper owner or anyone with a claim past or present with HIC as regards above but all comments gratefully received

Many thanks
Dougie

[doobster]

I've just been having a look around online for you and it seems that motorhome manufacturers regularly forget to inform the DVLA that the base vehicle has been converted so your reg docs may well state it is a flat bed truck or a panel van rather than a motor caravan, hence the insurance company pulling that informationup on their database. It seems a failry easy thing to sort usually just sending off some paperwork - if you want a link to the info I found, it is from 2008, PM me and I'll send it to you (its on another forum so don't tell Graham and Pauline!!)

So am i but all information should where relevant be shared i think dont you so yeah pls send the link to me cheers
And btw i will be sticking about as im now apparently a Motorhome owner

[glenw]

PM sent, hope its of use

[Moya]

Read this today on another forum - might be of use to you, especially the links that have been given.
http://********************/chatter/...PagePosition=1

[doobster]

Thanks Glen & others all useful however my query is not over whether its classed as a motorhome or not for tax purposes? it is over the fact that knowhere other than me insisting would my insurance company of even known what make/model my motorhome was other than it was based on a VW chassis which i beleive would make it impossible for them to accurately pay out on a claim should i ever require to make one in the future i have reclassed vehicles a couple of times from van to motor caravan which usually so long as you complete the required steps with DVLA is granted without issue

[these are simply being to take loads of images inside and out pop top up down, awning on off, cooker working tap running bed up down lights on off etc etc over doing it usually works, also KEEP ALL RECEIPTS for everything done or added and TAKE DONT SEND info to your local office worth the sometimes long wait as once accepted locally its usually accepted at Swansea without inspection as it would be the guy/lady your talking to locally that would inspect it anyway so always ask specifically to speak directly to whomever deals with motorhomes first off and you will be ok 4-6 weeks later new V5 with motor caravan in classification section easy peasy]

However mine is different in respect of the facts that i am worried in this osteer times that with insurnace companies doing their level best NOt to pay out that should it be a total loss i would be severly out of pocket surely as the vehicle is no longer a Volkswagen Transporter per say it should have a section for adapted, remanufactured or like us motor home owners to display the actual model of motorhome surely thats not beyond reprehension is it? i truly despair so i do, taking the fun out of owning my new vehicle