The Caravan Owners Club

[John_C]

<b><font color="red">Hi Chaps,</font id="red"></b>

Can somebody please point me towards a company who would insure my Hobby even though I have not yet got the caravan.

Having seen the price and build differences between new Hobbies sold by UK dealers and those we could import privately we have decided to buy direct from Germany.
We plan to buy a Hobby Excellent Easy 540 Ufe

But how do we arrange insurance cover etc before we get the caravan and any identity details and chassis number etc and what else should we be aware of?[?][?][?]

A big THANK YOU in advance for any forth coming help

John & Sylvia, Sunny Hayling Island
A Hobby Excelent 540 UFe
Hyundia Santa fe TDi 4x4 (a nice little mover/tower)

[harrycee]

Hi John - Well played matey - Don't worry about the insurance just yet, once you have ordered the van they will give you the chassis number, this number will be required by your insurers together with Make and Model and value - For the value I actually included all the costs of collection from Germany, ferry, fuel, accommodation etc, I don't know if you would get away with a UK value.
I insure my van with NFU (easily done on the web) but you could also try CIS. Some insurers will not touch Hobby's, mainly because they are foreign, but also because they are very attractive to the wrong elements. But this is usually the 8 footers or twin axles. Speak to Franz Josef at Joeressen and he will guide you easily through the sale.
The 540 ufe is a lovely model - enjoy!!!

Proud Hobby Owner
540UL, 2004
Frontera 2.5 LWB

[John_C]

Thanks for the tips <b><font color="red">Harrycee</font id="red"></b> I have just read on the old Hobby Forum that SAGA (and only for the over 50's) will also insure Hobbies.

So I rang the SAGA Insurance dept on 0800 484184. It went as follows:-

Yes, Hobby caravans can be insured, as long as there are no modifications to the caravan other than any modifications or options carried out by the original dealer or manufacturer and before the caravan was first purchased by the original owner. i.e. if you or the original dealer modify it in any way after the initial purchase the insurance will be invalid!
And yes, you do need to be over 50 years old!

They quoted, a 5 year cover of New replacement caravan for Old if stolen etc, £2m 3rd party cover, unlimited travel abroad, injury cover to £5000, Access of £100, contents cover to £2000.
Price quoted was £257 PA

Pity about the modifications clause, but how would they know I have added a 12v charger, battery and wires etc, could I not claim if challenged that they were contents not modifications?


John & Sylvia, Sunny Hayling Island
Hobby Excelent Easy 540 UFe + Mover (on order from Joeressens)
Hyundia Santa fe TDi 4x4 (a nice little mover/tower)

[John_C]

Have also been in touch and got a quote from CIS on 08457 464646.

They want £260 with no strings about modifications (see previous post) but there is less cover than SAGA offers for the same money.

Only 60 days PA cover travelling abroad (plenty for most of us), Access is only £50, no other cover apart from the van itself (this includes the gas bottle and awning etc), any insurance payouts would be based on the estimated value of the van at the time of the claim. So you'll need to reduce its value each year when you renew the insurance or in later years you'd be paying over the odds.

So I think this is the one for me unless anyboudy knows better?[;)]


John & Sylvia, Sunny Hayling Island
Hobby Excelent Easy 540 UFe + Mover (on order from Joeressens)
Hyundia Santa fe TDi 4x4 (a nice little mover/tower)

[Doc]

John & Sylvia,

Do as Harry suggests and try NFU. I, and other Hobbyists have, and we've had no problems, even when accident, & attempted theft, claims have been made.

I chose to do it on the 'phone as you get instant feedback to queries etc. and the guy there was very helpful.

Get the VIN/chassis no. from F-J and NFU insure it on that, starting it on the day you collect the 'van. Can't lay my hands on the insurance stuff at present, but the premium is less than £200 for cover v. similar to the CC. You must use a wheelclamp and be aware that Hobby wheels/tyres are wider than those on most UK 'vans and so you need a wider model wheelclamp. I use an SAS HD2.

Cheers, Doc

[John_C]

Once again Doc you have come up with some important and helpful information....just little things like that about the Hobby tyres being wider is so help full to know prior to purchase rather than after...Thanks a Meg..

Bet you could write a book couldn't you...with the profits and your know how you'd be able to start a Hobby import business. Now there's an idea, I'll be your man in the South Nr the UK Ports while you'll be at head office in the warm having yer coffee made for you..Hi Any body else want to come in on this?


John & Sylvia, Sunny Hayling Island
Hobby Excelent Easy 540 UFe + Mover (on order from Joeressens)
Hyundia Santa fe TDi 4x4 (a nice little mover/tower)

[John_C]

Doc & Harry

Took your advice and ran a quote up on the FNU Insurance site..They came back with £233 for the same details as I tride with the CIS and SAGA [:D][:D][:D].... Thanks...

You know there is one more thing infavor of buying/importing abroad yourself..the insurance is lower than it would be if you bought the same German van from a UK dealer or any UK van from any other UK dealer come to that! Yippeee[:)][:)][:)][:)]

Thanks a bunch

John & Sylvia, Sunny Hayling Island
Hobby Excelent Easy 540 UFe + Mover (on order from Joeressens)
Hyundia Santa fe TDi 4x4 (a nice little mover/tower)