we have only just joined & are looking for some friendly advice. we have a jayco camper trailer (outback range) & a 4x4 single cab chassis with full canopy to pull it. we will be setting off for an extended period early 2009. what options have members found for insuring not only each of the rigs, but all that will be necessary (& possibly unnecessarl) loaded in both, like boat, bikes, lap top, + assorted camping gear, etc.? what pitfalls & nightmares have you found that we should best avoid? regards chris & terry
OutbackAus said
08:19 AM Jul 11, 2008
Not easy to recommend any one single insurance company to do what you want. Really is going to be a case of shopping around. If you only wanted the camper and contents insured, it would be quick and easy to recommend MHIA http://www.mhia.com.au/ If you read their policy compared to others, it is straight forward and simple to understand with no 'if's' or 'buts'. You are left in no doubt what you are covered for with MHIA. Read others policies and see for yourself. It is quite an interesting and fairly time consuming exercise. However, in recommending MHIA my caravan is presently insured with Western QBE. Reason my caravan is new and what Western QBE offer for the first two years in their policy was the best for us. However, after the two years, I will do my homework again and check, but currently would move to MHIA. MHIA also have an excellent track record on service and repairs. That is all important when the need arises.
For the vehicle, case of doing your homework. In some cases it may be easier to insure both with the same company. However, in my case, the difference in price going with one insurance company was too great a difference, and besides the price, could not get what I wanted and needed in the policy for the vehicle and caravan.
One thing I would recommend is to have whichever states motoring organisation you belong to their Extra Cover, Total Care or whatever they call it. While I am not one to over insure the Extra Cover/Total Care is worth about 50c a day travelling. If you read what extras you get and potential benifits which you never hope to use, it is a very cheap and feel necessary option. The stories I have heard from unfortunate people that have had accident or health issues and how they have been looked after by their motoring organisation with the Extra Cover/Total Care could only be described as *excellent*.
-- Edited by OutbackAus at 09:23, 2008-07-11
dave06 said
10:53 AM Jul 11, 2008
fully agree with outback aus. what looks shiny to one is dull to another, according to c.m.c.a. members, who are on the road all the time, lumleys are the go, they specialise in motorhomes and campers and caravans, I dont know what their prices are like, they can be contacted through info@kentame.com.au, as for me I am with c.u.m.i.s. I cant sing their praises high enough, when I got tballed in darwin, by a light truck, they were absolutely fantastic, everything was covered, internal and external, hire car, transport and accomodation, everthing was dealt with over the phone, nothing was a problem, but that was my experience yours may be different it pays to get on the web and just have a look around, price may be secondary if the unthinkable happens. a lot of insurers will not touch you if you are on the road more than a set ammount of time, you will have to be upfront with them and list out what it is you want insured, then be willing to pay a lot more than it costs to insure your house and contents
-- Edited by dave06 at 11:54, 2008-07-11
chris & terry said
06:29 PM Jul 14, 2008
thanks for the time taken & the advice OutbackAus & dave06. It has been taken on board & placed in the grey matter (no pun intended). Will sift through the options & when mobile hope to bump into both of you at some time.
regards chris & terry
Not easy to recommend any one single insurance company to do what you want. Really is going to be a case of shopping around.
If you only wanted the camper and contents insured, it would be quick and easy to recommend MHIA http://www.mhia.com.au/ If you read their policy compared to others, it is straight forward and simple to understand with no 'if's' or 'buts'. You are left in no doubt what you are covered for with MHIA. Read others policies and see for yourself. It is quite an interesting and fairly time consuming exercise. However, in recommending MHIA my caravan is presently insured with Western QBE. Reason my caravan is new and what Western QBE offer for the first two years in their policy was the best for us. However, after the two years, I will do my homework again and check, but currently would move to MHIA. MHIA also have an excellent track record on service and repairs. That is all important when the need arises.
For the vehicle, case of doing your homework. In some cases it may be easier to insure both with the same company. However, in my case, the difference in price going with one insurance company was too great a difference, and besides the price, could not get what I wanted and needed in the policy for the vehicle and caravan.
One thing I would recommend is to have whichever states motoring organisation you belong to their Extra Cover, Total Care or whatever they call it. While I am not one to over insure the Extra Cover/Total Care is worth about 50c a day travelling. If you read what extras you get and potential benifits which you never hope to use, it is a very cheap and feel necessary option. The stories I have heard from unfortunate people that have had accident or health issues and how they have been looked after by their motoring organisation with the Extra Cover/Total Care could only be described as *excellent*.
-- Edited by OutbackAus at 09:23, 2008-07-11
-- Edited by dave06 at 11:54, 2008-07-11
regards Chris & Terry