Trackers, alarms and gap insurance

Yetiowner
Yetiowner Forum Participant Posts: 48
edited September 2017 in Motorhomes #1

What are the opinions of people, who have bought a new motorhome, on trackers, alarms and gap insurance? The motorhome will be stored to at the side of our property. The motorhome has an immobiliser. 

 

Carole

Comments

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #2

    I am not in favour of trackers. It seems to me to be an unnecessary cost for such a low risk. Insurance companies do not give enough discount for fitting one and I think that says a lot. I rely on the deterrent of a good immobiliser which means any potential thief has to get the keys to make it easier for themselves. Make it more difficult by fitting a good alarm which will also help protect against a break in which I think is the higher risk when on tour or if you store your motorhome in a high risk area. Should it be stolen it is more likely to be trashed and I then  wouldn't want it back.

    Not sure what you mean by gap insurance.

    peedee

     

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,306 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #3

    The CAMC insurance covers it new for Old for 24 months.

    "New-for-old cover for up to 24 months from new - no mileage limit"

    So unless it was possible to extend it, I think 3 years is typical if you take it out on a car, there would be no point.

    However, I have no idea if this is commonplace with MH insurance.

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #4

    Agree with peedee about trackers.  We've had one on a MH which already had it on, so we carried on with it for a couple of years.  It was linked into the alarm (don't ask me how, but that was how it was) and directly linked to their HQ.  I don't know about anybody else, but sometimes we do accidentally set the alarm off, so every time we accidentally set it off, we got a phonecall from HQ.  It was also quite expensive, and subscriptions couldn't be carried over to the next owner, or our next MH.

    We now have a good alarm in addition to the factory-fitted immobiliser.

    Gap insurance I wouldn't bother with, most insurances have new for old.

  • KeithandMargaret
    KeithandMargaret Forum Participant Posts: 660
    500 Comments
    edited September 2017 #5

    We looked at fitting a Tracker but the cost didn't seem worthwhile and stopping the vehicle being stolen in the first place seemed more of an option.

    We fitted a good alarm system, dog friendly as well, and make sure the MH keys are highly unlikely to be found and stolen.

    I fitted a 'Tracker fitted' sticker to the MH and that might help deter the thieves even if one isn't fitted.

    GAP insurance didn't seem worth the expense as Motorhomes do not depreciate as quickly as Cars, who lose a great deal once they've left the Showroom, and unless you write the MH off completely the insurance is not really a bargain.

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #6

    I agree about trackers. They're expensive and a hassle. Alarms can also be expensive and aren't always installed in the neatest of ways. 

    If your motor insurance policy gives new for old cover, it renders Gap worthless. I have a suspicion that Gap is another ploy by insurance companies to get us to part with our hard earned. 

  • Paolo Imberino
    Paolo Imberino Forum Participant Posts: 86
    edited September 2017 #7

    If your insurance policy gives you new for old for the first two years then you're sorted. GAP insurance would pay for the chosen number of years thereafter the difference between the value of your vehicle and the equilivent new if yours is written off or stolen. I don't do GAP insurance. Stastically it's a low risk of needing in my books.

     

  • ClubMember70FA6F2333
    ClubMember70FA6F2333 Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited September 2017 #8

    Hi, is there anyone using a tracker that they would happily recommend?

  • Hallsontour
    Hallsontour Forum Participant Posts: 199
    edited September 2017 #9

    I have an alarm and tracker as they were fitted to the van as part of the spec (Marquis). Would I bother if not, maybe not but I think some insurance companies do insist on these if your van is over a certain value.

    Personally I've never bothered with gap insurance but who's to say I'm right??