Secrets of Getting a Cheap Insurance for Motorhomes

Preliminary mistakes when shopping around for a cheap campervan insurance quote are as follows:

• Surfing the Net for a few camper van insurance comparison sites, finding the “cheapest” one on screen and going with that one.
• Accepting everything the insurance broker is saying without challenging anything.
• Not haggling.

Haggling for the Cheapest Insurance for RVs

A good strategy is to play one insurance broker against the other by these simple steps no matter you buy new Motorhome.

• Look on several van comparison sites for insurance quotes. Never rely on just one comparison site alone.
• Ring the agent with the lowest quote, then ask politely if the offer can be improved upon. Get the agent’s name or quote reference if this is the case.
• Ring another insurance broker and repeat the procedure.
• Ring the original broker and inform on the better offer. Be prepared to refuse it if the quote cannot be bettered.
• Ring a third or fourth broker if necessary and repeat.

A Knockdown Insurance Quote for Camper Vans

Look out for unnecessary or superfluous insurance cover, which can easily occur with campervans and RVs. Some of the following are sold as standard, but not all.

Breakdown cover. Check whether this is really necessary, as the RV breakdown could already be covered under personal cover (an insurance that covers the individual against breakdown, regardless of the vehicle driven.)

European travel insurance. If the motorhomer plans on remaining within the UK, try to get this omitted.

Cover for a limited annual mileage allowance (usually 3,000 miles). Get this reduced if the motorhomer plans on just a few trips per year which will safely remain within this limit.

Cover for motorhome personal effects. This is usually offered at up to £3,000. Endeavour to stock the van with second-hand, cheap or easily replaceable items to avoid costly contents insurance. Again, loss of personal belongings whilst on holiday could already be covered under home insurance, and this includes bikes. If this is the case, consider getting a reduction.

Legal Expenses Cover: organisations such as the CSMA (Civil Service Motoring Association) may offer their members free legal expenses cover, which makes it unnecessary within the insurance policy.

Cheap Motorhome Insurance Secrets

If the motorhome is pretty old, or if the RV owner is dab-hand at making repairs, the insured may not wish to make a claim on damage if it means paying an excess, even if it is only £100 or so. It might be worth increasing the excess to get cheaper van insurance if a claim in this regard is never going to be made.

How to Haggle to Get Cheap Insurance

Under the FSA regulations, the insurance broker must explain what is covered under the van insurance, but sometimes, the agent speaks quickly, making it easy for the motorhomer to miss something. It is important to listen carefully to the broker, look out for obscurities and challenge anything, especially unnecessary or excessive cover. Ask for reductions. Above all, haggle.

How to Haggle on the Telephone

Haggling may strike fear into some people, but it really is worth it. Haggling means being a little cheekly but always polite. Remember, insurance companies make a fortune, but are always desperate for custom. Brokers work on commission and every one counts. And when it comes to haggling, there is a golden rule.

Don’t fill silences.

Stay quiet, no matter how hard this might be. The broker could feel obliged to fill the silence with audible hesitations, a freebee or even a better insurance offer. But don’t push it if the broker refuses to budge. Just move onto the next broker.

Hot Tips for Cheap Van Insurance

Getting surprisingly cheap insurance for a motorhome is possible by simple strategies.

• Use more than one insurance comparison site.
• Play one insurance broker against the other.
• Listen carefully to the broker for anything in the schedule that offers unnecessary or excessive cover and challenge it.
• And haggle.

Lastly, it is vital to read the insurance policy carefully to ensure that what has been agreed on the phone reflects what is in the schedule.