Insurance review of requirements
Let me first start by stating that the CAMC insurance policies which have been negotiated by the club offer reasonable value for money for my circumstances. In addition, although I have never made a claim in over 33 years, I am led to believe that if you do run into problems, the insurance claim is administered professionally.
I don't suppose I am the only person with a twin axle caravan that finds jacking the van to put the Alko wheel locks on something of a pain. I am aware that I could have a smart hydraulic leveller fitted or use some other device. I don't necessarily want to spend thousands or replace one inconvenience with another. When other wheel locks were suggested to the insurance provider a few years ago, they were adamant that none were 'diamond' rated like Alko. It did seem reasonable, as if you don't have the same level of security, you could increase the risk of theft.
Having stated the above, I do wonder why or if the club is unaware, of new products that members can use to maintain the security of their outfit.
In particular, I found a 'diamond' rated 'sold secure' chain and lock on the Milenco website. The same rating as my Alko wheel locks. The ease and speed of use would be vastly superior. When this was mentioned to the insurer, the response changed to 'only Alko' are listed. Technology has moved on to produce improved security products. Is it now time for the club to review alternative products that would provide the same security and risk for insurers so that the dreaded wheel lock could be substituted for a more friendly alternative?
Comments
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Would it be an idea to have a look at what other insurance providers are requiring. My Lifesure policy requires two security measures, so I have the Alko hitch lock and Nemesis Ultra wheel lock. Yes I appreciate it is a single axle, but for £31.5K total cover with low x/s, new for old, stored at home, 30 days European cover [expandable] I'm paying £214 as opposed to over £700 with the club.
Colin
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Rather than ring the club, as the operator will merely tell you what's on the screen in front of them, why not write/email the Senior Insurance Administrator putting your point across to them? In past years they would merely tell you that they were only following what the Insurer dictates but as they are their own insurer now they should/could consider whether their product could be improved or merely widened in scope without weakening their risk.
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@DaveT you posted When other wheel locks were suggested to the insurance provider a few years ago…
Does this mean you haven't asked the club recently about this? But even if you have posting on here will do nothing, we can agree or not with you but we're not the ones taking the risk or setting the rules. Likewise ringing the club will do little was @Wherenext says.
The club 'writes' the cover and sets its own rules all you can do is accept or look elsewhere as suggested. I completely agree with you about how fiddly putting on an Alko wheel lock we had the same issues but as we have a single axle the club's cover is perfectly happy with another type of wheel lock we changed. But it appears Aklo locks are needed for a twin axle with the club. Unfortunately twin axles carry a higher risk of theft.
But the lock'n'level device which should help you comes in at £240 while the Kojak Twin Axle caravan Jack/Levelling System comes in at £120, so both much cheaper than the figure posted?
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Thanks for your comments. I am aware that the CAMAC negotiate with a third party to provide insurance for the members. Regrettably, my specific circumstances tie me into the club, so my ability to look elsewhere is somewhat limited - I have tried other insurance companies and they have been more expensive or have other terms and conditions. As it stands, I would have to pay an extra £120 a year for the privilege of using a device with the same security rating which is so much easier to apply and remove.
I have purchased the Kojack system previously for a S/A, however my T/A has 4 movers and thus it cannot be used. The idea of using the airbag system seems as much of a pain as the current trolley jack and plate method. Perhaps I will treat myself when I get a new van to the E&P system.
In the interim, I will contact the club insurance administrator as suggested by Wherenext. It's possible that the club are not aware of all the security devices on the market. Alternatively, they may have identified a risk with other products.
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" I am aware that the CAMAC negotiate with a third party to provide insurance for the members."
I’m afraid you are wrong on both counts. It is 'cover', not 'insurance' and it is provided in house.
see
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"Perhaps I will treat myself when I get a new van to the E&P system."
@DaveT - I did that - and despite the cost - it has been one of my better decisions and one I have not regretted in the slightest. Mine was brought about by mobility issues and although I had used Lock 'n Level for many years on TA vans, fitting the locks using even that excellent system was becoming a problem. It was getting close to the point where I was seriously having to consider giving up caravanning. I went for the Compact system which just levels side to side and saved me about £1000 on the 'full' system. After all, levelling fore and aft using the jockey wheel is simple and since you get an audible 'beep' from the system when you have achieved it, it doesn't take any thinking about. Deploying the steadies with an electric drill is probably quicker than relying on E&P to do it - but , so what!
All you have to do, after levelling laterally, is extend the ram on the nearside sufficiently to raise the wheels off the ground - fit the wheel locks - lower to original position then re- level. Simple😀
If I ever bought another TA van (which I won't at my age!), I would have it fitted from the outset.
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To be clear, the caravan “cover” that the CAMC sells is not an insurance policy. You are relying entirely on the Club being willing and able to meet your claim to your satisfaction. You have no recourse to, or direct contractual relationship with, any Insurance Company. It’s the reason I stopped buying from CAMC. If you are comfortable with the position, then that’s entirely your prerogative.
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@Fastnet all true but in the time that the club has had its cover in place there has not been one post about it not paying out, in fact there have been many positive posts about the way it does pay out and how well claims are handled, where as there have been quite a few posts where other insurances have not paid out.
From recall there an underlying insurance that would come into play if the club couldn't meet it obligations through its cover for any reason.
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