Keith T Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Having just received the annual renewal,I am surprised/annoyed that my existing insurers want me to pay a service charge to them for the privelage of retaining my business....! I have got quotes from a couple of others, and as 'new bunsiness' they are just a little cheaper than the renewal quote, but in each case, the cover is much the same (inc pan Euro breakdown) but their excesses are lower. One of these is from an insurer/broker whose name is new to me - The Insurance Factory - and i would be glad of any information or experience of anyone who has dealt with them, or knows anything about them. I will of course go back to my existing insurers again, but when I initially queried the service charge, I was given the firm impression they would not negotiate on this. Any thought welcomed.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Rather than pay a renewal fee (as CC -Devitt ask, bless'em) Go for a new quote. If you have not had your m/home valued for insurance for a couple of years, you will probably be horrified at how much depreciation has taken place. Re-insure at the replacement price might lessen the quote price, as will driving less miles. The horrific depreciation on our Rapido saved us £40on the original renewal request, £47 if you included the £7 wanted to re-insure ! Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Never heard of The Insurance Factory, but regardless of who you insure with make sure it is a proper Motorhome policy not just a modified car one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I've been with Safeguard and currently Comfort but have always been disappointed at the restrictions placed on touring non-EU countries, but now seem to have found one that is more 'open'. Scenic.....which ironically operates under the same company (Swintons) as Safeguard, yet is far less restrictive. They have given a pretty good quote too at just £243 with 12mths UK breakdown, 6mths European (Safeguard gives 12mths). I phoned Safeguard today as a 'new customer' and got quoted £380!!! When I told them what Scenic had quoted me, they got "Managers permission" for a "fresh quote" of £254. Hhmmmmmm!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Scenic & Safeguard are in the same office (I was there on business a few years ago) I was insured with them for a couple of years, until my warranty ran out changed to Comfort for two reasons. Policy about same price but breakdown cover twice the price of Comfort or Saga. Secondly their policy is not a proper Motorhome policy, did not realise my sat dish was not covered and limits on audio equipment & various other things in the policy which made it not that suitable for a Motohome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmold Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I'm insured through The Insurance Factory with Highway which is part of LV (Liverpool Victoria) and seem pretty clued up, but they are simply a broker like any other. Not had to claim so cannot comment on that side of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 lennyhb - 2013-04-25 8:03 AM Scenic & Safeguard are in the same office (I was there on business a few years ago) I was insured with them for a couple of years....... Lenny That's correct as when I was insured with Safeguard they even recommended I call Scenic as they would be able to give me a better price! I ended up with Comfort but before committing I did call Safeguard back to at least give them the the chance of matching Comforts quote, but they weren't interested! I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "not a proper Motorhome Policy"? In reference to Scenic.....or whom? Which one? Scenic appears to be underwritten by AXA which I believe to be the UK's largest Insurance company. But whatever company chosen I cannot see any reputable company operating 'outside the law' so to speak, and whilst most of us are aware there is an abundance of companies for car insurance, there are only a handful by comparison offering Motorhome policies so choice is quite limited. Re. your 'sat dish'. Reading the summary Scenic sent me, under "fixtures and fittings" it states as follows; If the vehicle insured is a motorised caravan the estimated value includes it's fixtures and fittings. I would say a Sat dish falls into that category but the company is reliant upon the 'estimated value' given by the customer at the time of taking a policy out. From my own personal experience it would only be in a serious event where an Assessor is sent out to view total damage. A small claim is usually just paid out. I will probably go with Scenic as their cover is far less restrictive than other companies, eg can't go in Serbia, Albania or Ukraine and many many more.......but Scenic will cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Afraid sat dishes and and audio systems above £500 are not included in Scenic's policy they wouldn't even give me cover at extra cost for standard fit items. My van has as standard a multimedia sound system, TV & Oyster sat system, as it was a standard fit Comfort would cover everything in the standard policy apart from the sat dish which was an extra £25 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 That your Sat dish was fitted 'as standard' from new makes it seem very odd given what I mentioned in the previous post. It's part of your vans total value. Seems strange as many late model big vans have these things now. Fortunately for me possibly the single most expensive item in my van is a 10" Avtex television at a crazy £260, but the van does have a Heki 2 rooflight fitted 'as standard' from new which would cost silly money to replace........and I once drove off with that fully open until a passing motorist stopped me. Total embarrassment! *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith T Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 Just to update my original posting - I got three alternative quotes inc Scenic who were quite a lot above my renewal quote anyway. The others were within £10 (below) of my exisiting insurers, but I was able to negotiate a further £8 off that when I called them, so it stays with the original company! saves a lot of hassle of addditiona ldocumentation! Thanks for your comments... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Bulletguy - 2013-04-25 4:57 PM That your Sat dish was fitted 'as standard' from new makes it seem very odd given what I mentioned in the previous post. It's part of your vans total value. Seems strange as many late model big vans have these things now. Fortunately for me possibly the single most expensive item in my van is a 10" Avtex television at a crazy £260, but the van does have a Heki 2 rooflight fitted 'as standard' from new which would cost silly money to replace........and I once drove off with that fully open until a passing motorist stopped me. Total embarrassment! *-) Can't find a scenic policy on line to look at but from memory it excludes audio & entertainment equipment over £500 regardless of it was original equipment. As oyster sat systems cost over 2 grand I wanted it insured probably nothing will ever happen to it but you can bet if it's not insured I'll take it off on a low branch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 lennyhb - 2013-04-25 8:55 PM Can't find a scenic policy on line to look at but from memory it excludes audio & entertainment equipment over £500 regardless of it was original equipment. As oyster sat systems cost over 2 grand I wanted it insured probably nothing will ever happen to it but you can bet if it's not insured I'll take it off on a low branch. Lenny Yes I think when I mentioned my TV set (which I only put in the van when going off somewhere), I was asked of its rrp and I remember the guy saying thats ok as its below £350 which is the max per single item. I'm phoning them tomorrow as i'm more than happy with the premium Scenic have offered plus they have been the only company to agree to non-EU countries (you have to tell them which ones and what dates), but I will ask them to clarify the "Fixtures and Fittings" sub section because how I read that, it should cover something like a Sat dish. After all.....removing it would leave a few holes in the roof! Sods Law if you went one year without it insured you'd rip the damn thing off under the first tree! Just as I could easily have done with my rooflight! I mean, what about awnings and things like that which are very common accessories on motorhomes? If they get damaged is a company going to say "oh thats not a fixture or fitting"? Because if it isn't.....then what the hell is it?!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John.N Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 When buying through a broker check who the actual insurers are. I had a competitive quote from Campton brokers, but following a claim this year I have had the most apalling service from the insurers Markerstudy. (Never heard of them before) John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 We're looking at insurance at present as ours is due in mid-May, I spoke to Caravanguard and they were £100 more expensive and didn't cover ANY personal effects at all! The Caravan Club had a compulsory £100 voluntary excess ... not voluntary at all, so the excess was £250, and their windscreen replacement and repair excesses were more too, they also had a mileage restriction too. At present we're with Safeguard and we've got our renewal notice from them so I requested a call by back Scenic via the internet but haven't had a call yet - I'll be very interested to hear what they can come up with though when they do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Mel B - 2013-04-27 7:06 PM We're looking at insurance at present as ours is due in mid-May, I spoke to Caravanguard and they were £100 more expensive and didn't cover ANY personal effects at all! The Caravan Club had a compulsory £100 voluntary excess ... not voluntary at all, so the excess was £250, and their windscreen replacement and repair excesses were more too, they also had a mileage restriction too. At present we're with Safeguard and we've got our renewal notice from them so I requested a call by back Scenic via the internet but haven't had a call yet - I'll be very interested to hear what they can come up with though when they do! You will have to wait until Monday now Mel......they close early on Saturdays, but they've given me a damn good quote. http://www.scenicinsurance.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leake Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Try Saga. We used them in a hurry when our old company refused to cover our new motorhome just before we were due to pick it up as they have a limit on the price they will cover. We get a good price from them, good cover with the normal excesses plus very good service. The price has remain reasonably stable over the years, and we now have the car and house covered by them as well. Bearing in mind the negative comments we have heard about them we were agreeably surprised. Give em a go you've nothing to lose. They are a very pleasant company to deal with and have a UK based call centre with operators who really seem to know what they are talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B. Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Just insured mine today-£289 including 12 months European breakdown with Safeguard. Have been happy with their service and very impressed when I had to call out breakdown service in France last year. Renewal was £4 cheaper than last year so don't think I can argue really. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carebear Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 At present insured with CC, but looking for other insurers with added European cover included. have had a quote from Safeguard. Any others include this, also are there restrictions to length for European Breakdown. Last year we paid £100 on European Breakdown for 10 days trip for 2 people with Mayday, plus we pay £118 on annual UK Green Flag, don`t object to this annual cost as due to length of our van, AA and the RAC are not friendly with our van :-S . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojitoes Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Have just changed from Saga to Comfort at the show last weekend. For similar cover, unlimited European & UK breakdown cover, they quoted £321, less MMM subscriber discount of £14 = £307. Saga, with whom we have been for 4 years quoted £416 with a higher excess. We have not insured via Comfort before but are influenced by the number of times they have received the sector insurer of the year trophy. we would not have changed from Saga, who came in second of the 4 quotes we received, as we have had good service from them in the past but were way too expensive this time. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leake Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Bojitoes - 2013-04-28 2:21 PM Have just changed from Saga to Comfort at the show last weekend. For similar cover, unlimited European & UK breakdown cover, they quoted £321, less MMM subscriber discount of £14 = £307. Saga, with whom we have been for 4 years quoted £416 with a higher excess. We have not insured via Comfort before but are influenced by the number of times they have received the sector insurer of the year trophy. we would not have changed from Saga, who came in second of the 4 quotes we received, as we have had good service from them in the past but were way too expensive this time. Bob As with many insurance companies all you need to do is ring them up and tell them they are too expensive and they will suddenly find a way to reduce the price. That's what we did when renewing with Saga this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Colin Leake - 2013-04-28 11:39 PM Bojitoes - 2013-04-28 2:21 PM As with many insurance companies all you need to do is ring them up and tell them they are too expensive and they will suddenly find a way to reduce the price. That's what we did when renewing with Saga this time. Have to agree, get other quotes, then contact your insurer,. I have always found that they will come down. It seems you have to "barter" with ins companies these days! PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Colin Leake - 2013-04-28 11:39 PM As with many insurance companies all you need to do is ring them up and tell them they are too expensive and they will suddenly find a way to reduce the price. That's what we did when renewing with Saga this time. Yep just reduced my wife's car insurance from £146 to £100 with one phone call to Saga. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Colin Leake - 2013-04-28 11:39 PM As with many insurance companies all you need to do is ring them up and tell them they are too expensive and they will suddenly find a way to reduce the price. That's what we did when renewing with Saga this time. Safeguard quoted me £380! When I told them Scenics quote of £243 there was a silence, then he said "just let me have a word with my Manager" and in the space of five minutes came back with £254......a drop of £126!! Saga is strange. I have never been successful in getting even a reasonable quote from them for either my van or car. Also could never get a decent quote for my Mum when she was still driving at 86 yet they openly pride themselves on insurance for pensioners! lennyhb - 2013-04-29 1:49 PM Yep just reduced my wife's car insurance from £146 to £100 with one phone call to Saga. Lenny.......just 'done the biz' with Scenic this morning but they were hectic busy busy and I never got chance to ask about your Sat dish business and the definition of "Fixtures and Fittings". But the name of the guy I dealt with is Rob and it could be worth asking to speak with him as I cannot see how/why they would not include cover for something which is fairly commonplace on more current Motorhomes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I am happy with Comfort they were much cheaper than Scenic, the breakdown cover was ½ the price with Comfort, also with Scenic you have to phone them every time you go abroad (that was when I was with them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Bulletguy - 2013-04-29 3:16 PM Saga is strange. I have never been successful in getting even a reasonable quote from them for either my van or car. Also could never get a decent quote for my Mum when she was still driving at 86 yet they openly pride themselves on insurance for pensioners! Saga's quotes seem quite bizarre, renewed the van with them earlier this month as they gave a good price, but gf has just inquired about insuring the 'old' Suzi and they want £360 which is about double what we would expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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