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 Contents

30
6 Contents
26

13

19 10

6 16

30

News and views 16 Chausson 720 Titanium Ultimate

5 Welcome
2024’s new models are coming!
6 This month
First news of Bailey’s campervan
8 Next month
It’s a campervan-focused issue
New for 2023
10 Blitz Campers
Thought you couldn’t afford a Mercedes
Sprinter? Maybe now you can...
13 Carado T447 Edition24
This German brand returns to Transit
chassis for the year ahead
23
A unique layout that works really well
if you need extra berths
19 Knights Custom Mountain Tourer
This premium conversion on a VW T6.1
has a rear kitchen and toilet
23 Rimor Kilig 67 Plus
A very on-trend layout in a ’van with
less length and a lower price
26 Weinsberg X-Cursion Van 500 LT
T6.1 with more space and a bathroom
Buying
30 Insurance survey 2023
This year’s special report shows you how
to get the best cover at the best price

SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT MOTORHOME – SEE PAGE 28 FOR GREAT OFFERS

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 3
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 Welcome

In this issue of

As someone who once worked in the insurance industry (many moons ago), I think I’m qualified to say that it’s not
seen as the most exciting of topics. And yet, every year our contributor, Richard Dredge, manages to delve so deeply
into the subject that I avidly look forward to his report on the state of the motorhome insurance market. There are
surprises − as ever − in his uniquely detailed survey, which starts on page 30. Whatever ’van you own, or are about
to buy, you should study Richard’s findings closely.
Meanwhile, I’ve started booking budget flights to various motorhome launches, as
the usual previews commence. Daniel Attwood attended the very first one this year,
with Carado beating the rest to display its new 2024 models − and his test of the new
Ford-based T447 Edition24 is on page 13.
There’s news this month, too, of Bailey entering the campervan market, also in
partnership with Ford. And I’m not betting against a plethora of other Transit-based
debutantes. As Fiat seems to be losing interest in our sector, the blue oval appears to
be just as hungry to swoop in and take over.

PETER VAUGHAN EDITOR

Find us on WhatMotorhome facebook.com/motorhomemags

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whatmotorhome.co.uk | 5
 This month
Bailey’s first campervan is coming
ailey of Bristol is teaming up with Ford Pro

B to manufacture its first campervan later

this year. The collaboration will result in
the creation of the Endeavour van conversion
range, which will be unveiled at the Motorhome
and Caravan Show at the NEC in October.
Bailey’s successful partnership with Ford
began in 2020 with the popular Adamo
coachbuilt motorhome range. Ford has since
become the primary provider of base vehicles
for Bailey, making it the natural choice for the
Endeavour campervan. The two companies have
a strong working relationship, and Bailey is now
an official Ford Pro convertor for motorhomes.
The Bailey Product Development Team
recently presented a pre-production Endeavour
to the Ford Pro Special Vehicle Team for
evaluation at its UK headquarters in Dunton,
Essex. During the meeting, Bailey also shared
progress on a concept campervan based on the
all-electric Ford E-Transit. This concept is part of expressed his excitement about the upcoming working on a new type of leisure vehicle with
Bailey’s ongoing sustainability efforts to reduce van conversion, stating that it’s a significant its trusted partner has made the development
the environmental impact of its leisure vehicles. step in expanding Bailey’s portfolio. He praised process straightforward, and Bailey is extremely
Nick Howard, Managing Director of Bailey, the collaboration with Ford Pro, noting that pleased with the final results.

Your Laika, just a click away ERWIN HYMER GROUP TO

aika, the Italian manufacturer of
L upmarket campervans and motorhomes,
has launched a new configurator,
offering the possibility of creating your
ideal-spec motorhome interactively.
Selecting a Laika model takes you to an
internal layout of the motorhome, where
you can choose your favourite furniture,
upholstery and cushions in a few
simple clicks, as well as a wide range
of accessories and optional extras that
will make up your bespoke motorhome.
The Laika configurator will show your
choices in real time in a simulation of the
interior, tailor-made for each vehicle.
Through Virtual Tours, you can also have
a high-quality, 360-degree view of the living
space, so as to perceive every single detail
on board.
The 3D tours, available for all vehicles in
the Laika collection, offer the chance to see
the motorhome live.
The Virtual Tour view is enhanced by the
VR viewing option: if you have a visor, you
will be able to move within the vehicle’s
living unit in an interactive way.
Then, once you have configured your
Laika motorhome, you can save the quote
and find your nearest Laika dealer.
The dealer search area on the website
allows you to select and access the details
of your local dealer, who you can contact
for in-depth advice.
BUILD ON VW CRAFTER
The Erwin Hymer Group has placed an order
for 6,000 Volkswagen Crafters as part of a
new partnership between the companies. The
Crafters will be delivered to EHG in the first
quarter of 2024.
CEO of Erwin Hymer Group, Alexander
Leopold, says, “With the Crafter as a base
vehicle, we are in an even better position to
meet the strong demand for powerful, compact
campervans. In addition, we can very well
imagine joint projects with our partner, VWCV,
in areas such as alternative drive systems.”
Lars Krause, of Volkswagen Commercial
Vehicles, adds, “We are delighted to have
gained the Erwin Hymer Group as a new partner
that will offer its own camping solutions using
our vehicles as the basis. We see the Crafter
panel van as a benchmark in its class. It offers
plenty of space and great flexibility for a wide
range of solutions and is a first step in our
collaboration. We are also looking forward to
discussing further projects for other vehicles,
such as the Crafter chassis and T6.1 successor.”

6| | SUMMER 2023
 HYDROGEN CAMPERVAN CONCEPT
London and Vancouver-based automotive and clean energy
developer, First Hydrogen, has released its vision of a zero-
emission recreational vehicle as it explores the applications
for alternative fuels across different vehicle classes. Designed
to have spacious living quarters, a large front windscreen and
good ground clearance, the campervan concept is also said to
prioritise driver comfort.
The RV concept illustrates how First Hydrogen is exploring
where fuel cell electric technology could be applied to larger
vehicles. The concept has been developed in partnership with
global mobility expert, EDAG Group.
Steve Gill, CEO of Automotive for First Hydrogen, says, “The
First Hydrogen campervan is an example of how we see hydrogen
fuel cell and other electric vehicle technologies having wider
applications. We are successfully demonstrating the potential
fuel cell technology has in the LCV [light commercial vehicle]
class but are exploring how the technology can benefit other
sectors, including leisure vehicles.
First Hydrogen is currently starting a 12-18 month road trial of
its Generation I fuel cell van, so hydrogen-powered motorhomes
and campervans could be coming to a dealer near you, but there
might be a few years to wait yet…

New electric van starts real-world testing

att Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC),
W a pioneer in the design, engineering, and
manufacture of low-to-medium volume EVs,
has started an intensive, real-world testing
programme for its eCV1 light commercial
vehicle. Described as a game-changing 3.5-
tonne van, WEVC’s new vehicle attracted strong
interest at Birmingham’s Commercial Vehicle
Show and since then the prototype has been
out on the road, racking up miles as the testing
programme gets underway.
Neil Yates, CEO of WEVC, said, “We had an
amazing debut of the eCV1 prototype at the CV
Show, with media and potential customers alike
clamouring to see our new vehicle. The
response was really humbling after thousands
of hours of work to get to this stage, but the
biggest surprise for people at the show was
that the show vehicle is fully functional and
that we had driven it onto the stand.”
The first of multiple commercial vehicle
offerings to come from WEVC, the eCV1 uses the
company’s PACES architecture, a sophisticated sheet design means the eCV1 has none of the the central driving position is that it has allowed
modular electric vehicle platform. PACES structural, weight and packaging compromises the A-pillars to be repositioned inboard, thus
complies with ISO regulations and exceeds inherent in most electric LCV designs, many of reducing frontal area and drag. The unique
stringent European Small Series Type Approval which having been converted from ICE (internal platform design also creates generous full
safety standards. Its ’cell-to-chassis’ system combustion engine) drivetrains. standing height headroom.
means batteries are integrated into the primary The eCV1 features a central driving position The WEVC eCV1 prototype has a kerbweight
structure (rather than having a separate battery and its cab can be configured as a one, two starting from just 1,750kg, delivering class-
pack), optimising stiffness, minimising weight, or three-seater, with the large glasshouse leading payload and range in the 3.5-tonne
and maximising payload. As a result, the clean providing superb visibility. A further benefit of and 4.25-tonne van segments. ❯❯

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 7
 This month
Morelo expands production
uxury liner-class motorhome manufacturer,
L Morelo, has started work on a second
production facility at its site in Schlüsselfeld,
Germany, to meet rising demand.
Even at the high price point of Morelos – the
entry level Home models start at around €191,000
– continuous growth means the company has
almost reached capacity at its existing plant.
The new building will have what the company
calls a state-of-the-art production line, as well
EDITORIAL
Published by Warners Group
Publications plc, West Street, Bourne,
Lincolnshire PE10 9PH
Publisher
John Greenwood 01778 391116
Managing Editor
Daniel Attwood 01778 391154
Editor Peter Vaughan 01778 391118
peterv@warnersgroup.co.uk
Online and Social Media Editor
Chloë Holland
chloe.holland@warnersgroup.co.uk
Content Editor Sophie Bromley-Rice
Designer Claire Honeywood
ADVERTISING
Head of Advertising
Fleur Chivers 01778 392071
Sales Manager
Zellah Stark 01778 392093
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Stuart Wakeling 01778 391079
Telesales Executive
Emma Hill 01778 392057
Advertisement Production
Kate Goulding 01778 391104
Ad Design Viv Lane,
Kate Goulding
 

8| | SUMMER 2023
DOLPHIN
MOTORHOMES
as a panel-making area, design and CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
development space for prototypes,
warehousing, a canteen and a second
Dolphin Motorhomes is celebrating
its twentieth anniversary with a
employee car park for around 100 cars. summer event, which will see
The ground has already been broken in a huge display of new and used
a ceremony where the joint-MD of Morelo, campervans and motorhomes, plus
Reinhard Löhner, spoke of how important it was great savings and offers. It takes
for the facility to provide more jobs in the region. place from Friday 14 July to Sunday
This new plant will allow the company to grow 16 July at Beaulieu, the home of the
from 450 to 550 employees. National Motor Museum.
The event will also see family
entertainment and day visitors can
attend for free with no booking
required, but entry does not include
access to the Beaulieu attraction.
There will be live music, a dog
show and quiz. Refreshments will be
provided, as well as the chance to
view a full range of new and used
motorhomes.
Josh Willis, Managing Director,
Dolphin Motorhomes, said, “We are
pleased to be celebrating Dolphin’s
twentieth anniversary at Beaulieu.
This year we are focused on raising
as much money as we can for our
partnered charity, Abby’s Heroes,
a local childhood cancer charity,
so we will have some fundraising
activities for them, too. We welcome
day visitors free of charge all
weekend and look forward to
a successful event.”
MARKETING
NEXT MONTH
Brand Manager
Lucie Cox 01778 395016
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Telephone: 01778 391000 Reviews of the latest exciting new models
 Prices start from

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New ’vans

Blitz Campers Mercede

An older base vehicle saves money but there’s no shortage of space inside this conversion

BUY A BLITZ CAMPER FROM…

Blitz Campers sells
direct from its
premises at
Birtley in County
Durham, although
we saw its ’vans
at the Yorkshire
Motorhome &
Campervan Show in
Harrogate.

T
HE largest van conversions, based on new
Mercedes Sprinters and Volkswagen
Crafters, can easily sail past the £100,000
price point these days, putting them way out of
reach of many would-be buyers. This is a breed
of campervan that’s not often seen secondhand on
dealer forecourts, but there is another way to bring
prices back down to earth – use a pre-owned panel
van that has had a past commercial life.
Obviously, you’ll want to ensure that the
vehicle you convert still has plenty of life left in it
and Blitz Campers encourages its customers to
find a good base van before coming to them for
the conversion. This long-wheelbase Mercedes
Sprinter 313 CDI (with 2.1-litre, 129bhp motor)
was over a decade old and has 139k miles on the
clock but, with just one owner from new and a
fresh MoT, its provenance was reassuring – and
backed up by a three-month warranty, too. With
its white exterior still looking crisp, and (load-
rated) alloy wheels, simple graphics and colour-
coded bumpers setting it off, you could easily be
fooled into thinking this was a much younger
vehicle. Blitz had even fitted premium, framed,
double-glazed windows for the habitation area.
However, while the outside could be any other
campervan – if not, perhaps, one that you’d
expect to buy for £34,995 – the inside breaks
away from mainstream motorhome design. “We
wanted to make something a bit different, as
we’re a bit sick of looking at the same thing,” Blitz
told What Motorhome at the Yorkshire
Motorhome & Campervan Show at Harrogate.
The difference starts with the Sprinter cab,
which is not part of the living area. In fact, Blitz
has retained the van’s full bulkhead, so the two
zones are entirely separate. As the company
points out, that decision circumvents any issues
with cold or condensation in the front of the

10 | | SUMMER 2023

s Sprinter LWB
vehicle affecting camping comfort. You might
even use the cab as a pets’ bedroom for dogs or
cats at night, it suggests.
With this being a larger van, you’re not so
aware of the loss of space on site and Blitz has
also aimed to create a more homely feel inside
this vehicle. Blue/grey furniture contrasts with
white panelled walls, this being the first time the
converter from the northeast has used hand-
painted cabinets in one of its ’vans.
A glance through the back doors (which are
panelled, rather than glazed for more privacy)
initially suggests a fairly standard rear lounge
Blitz Campers Mercedes Sprinter LWB
layout, but look closer and you’ll soon realise that’s
not the case. While there are sofas along either side
at the rear (with a rather Germanic free-standing
table), the offside settee is much, much longer than
the norm. It stretches forward, opposite the galley,
and measures a whopping 2.89m long!
At night, the lounge can be converted into a
1.77m by 1.20m transverse double bed, while
retaining a seat on either side, or a larger
lengthways bed (1.81m by 1.77m) is possible.
And that still leaves a sofa facing the kitchen that
can serve as a kiddy berth. With three seats in
the cab, Blitz always tries to match the number of
FACT FILE
BASE VEHICLE Mercedes Sprinter
PRICE FROM £34,995 (on 2011 base
vehicle with 139k miles), conversion-only
£18,000
BERTHS 2/3
TRAVEL SEATS 3
LENGTH 6.95m
WIDTH 1.99m
HEIGHT 2.70m
GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg
PAYLOAD 750kg
ALSO CONSIDER
Jorvik Van Conversions
WHO IS BLITZ CAMPERS?
Trading for the
past 10 years,
Blitz Campers’
main business
has focused on
race vans for
the motorsport
market. It currently builds around one
camper per month and, usually, each
one is different. Most conversions
are carried out on customers’ vehicles
(larger Crafter/Sprinter-sized vans, as
well as VW Transporters and the like).
It fits Skyline elevating roofs and is a
dealer for Autoterm diesel heaters.
As well as full conversions, Blitz offers
maintenance and repairs, window
and pop-top fitting, safety checks,
upholstery and bespoke cabinetwork.
seatbelts to the number of beds.
The forward galley looks smart, with its wood
worktop and inset composite Belfast sink. There’s
a Thetford Triplex cooker with combined oven/
grill and, opposite, the compressor fridge has a
huge 149-litre capacity. Gas comes from a 25-litre
underslung tank, while the fresh water supply is
70 litres and inboard. The latter also serves the
shower cubicle in the front corner (with a curtain
but no door), where a portable loo is also provided.
Additional features included here are a 110Ah
leisure battery, 110W solar panel, TV aerial and
Truma Combi gas/electric heating.
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 11
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 Carado T447 Edition24

Carado T447 Edition24

Hymer’s budget brand reintroduces Ford chassis for 2024

FACT FILE
BASE VEHICLE Ford Transit
PRICE FROM £77,090
BERTHS 2/5
TRAVEL SEATS 4
LENGTH 7.36m
WIDTH 2.32m
HEIGHT 3.06m
GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg
PAYLOAD 520kg
ALSO CONSIDER
Chausson 777GA Titanium Ultimate
Etrusco T 7.3 SCF
Rimor Evo 95 Plus
Words Daniel Attwood Swift Voyager 584

C
ARADO, one of the entry-level brands
of the Erwin Hymer Group, recently
launched a trio of Ford-based
coachbuilts and this new T447 Edition24 is
expected to become one of the marque’s most-
popular models for the coming season.
As standard, it is powered by the Transit’s
130bhp turbo-diesel motor, coupled to a six-
speed manual gearbox. However, with the
option of a 150bhp upgrade and also Ford’s
automatic gearbox, it would not be a surprise
if the majority of the Edition24s sold here will
benefit from this combination.
The T447, like its T449 sibling, is 7.36m
long and it is a two-berth as standard –
courtesy of twin rear single beds, which have
new lockers above that can hold up to 25%
more than their predecessors. As is often the
case, one bed is slightly longer than the other
(2.12m compared to 2.05m), but both are the
same width, at 80cm. Three additional berths
are also available, thanks to a drop-down
double over the lounge (1.95m by 1.40m,
reducing to 1.10m), and a further bed made
up from the seats.
The rear beds can easily be adapted to
create a double with the use of a pull-out
extension above the fixed central steps, an
infill cushion and a short metal ladder. Below
is a large garage (95cm wide by 1.10m high
that stretches the entire width of the
motorhome). This garage is accessed by doors
on either side and features lashing points and
an integrated bike holder. With a 150kg limit
for the garage and an overall payload for the
model expected to be close to half a tonne
(depending on what options are specified and
the final UK specification, which has still to be
confirmed), there should be relatively few
❯❯
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 13
New ’vans

BUY A CARADO FROM…

In Scotland, Carado’s only
retailer is Perthshire
Caravans.
In England, you
can find this
German marque
at Camper UK
(Lincoln), Chelston
Motorhomes
(Somerset), Cranham
Leisure Sales
(Essex), Erwin Hymer
Centre Travelworld
(Stafford), Glossop
Caravans (Derbyshire),
Heart of England
Motorhomes (Northamptonshire),
and Southdowns Motorcaravans
(Portsmouth).

WHO IS CARADO?
In 2005 Capron
was established
as a joint venture
between Hymer
and Dethleffs to
build entry-level motorhomes and, in
November 2006, production began in a
former agricultural machinery factory
in the old East Germany. In 2009 the
base vehicles switched from Ford to Fiat
and, in 2016, production of caravans
was stopped in order to focus on
motorhomes. Now, for 2024, Fords return
(in addition to Fiat).
Today, Carado (like its sister brand,
Sunlight, which is designed to embody
a slightly more youthful feel in its
furniture, graphics, etc, but otherwise
offers the same designs) has a range of
van conversions, overcab and low-profile
coachbuilts and A-classes covering the
most popular continental layouts. All
Carado and Sunlight vehicles are now
built at Capron.
Changes from season to season are
minor and all-new models relatively rare.

concerns about overloading.
Forward of the rear bedroom are the
washroom facilities, with the shower cubicle
on the nearside with the WC and washbasin
opposite. A pull-out floor section reveals an
inset shower tray complete with wooden
duckboard. The toilet and basin area, which
has a surprising amount of storage, has a
swing-across door that acts as a divider to
make the rear of the motorhome completely
private – perfect if you have friends sleeping
in the drop-down bed.
Alongside the extra-wide habitation door
(with window and storage) is a 156-litre
Thetford fridge with separate freezer. A 22in
TV, mounted above, is standard on the
Edition24 models. Opposite the tall fridge/
freezer is the kitchen, which has a two-burner
hob, circular sink and, below, three large soft-
close drawers. All UK models will have an
oven and grill, which replaces the kitchen’s
only cupboard.
Up front is the lounge, which includes a
half-dinette with two sets of Isofix child seat
fixings. The seating area also features a large
table, a side-facing single seat and the two
swivel cab seats. These cab seats will be the
pews of choice for watching the TV. Above the
cab, a large skylight allows light to flood in.
Standard kit across the range of new
Edition24 models is impressive, as it includes
Carado’s usually optional packs – the Basic,
Chassis and Edition24. This means buyers get
upgrades such as Combi 6 gas heating, a Thule
awning, cab blinds, 16in alloy wheels, carpets
and an oven. UK prices and exact specifications
are still being finalised but expect them to be
competitive considering Carado’s entry-level
status and the use of the Ford chassis.

14 | | SUMMER 2023
 new type approved CAMPERVANS = Full
conversions = reimo roof & seat fitting
service
If you want an adventure that offers freedom, comfort and security, look no further.

At CMC we’ve been building market leading campervans since 1988 and our award
winning designs combine safety, comfort and style. Our innovative range of interiors
made with highest quality materials, are Type Approved & come with 3-year warranty.
All of our work is carried out by our highly experienced team of craftsman
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ByCMC
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CMC Reimo, Unit 1, Pennypot Industrial Estate, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6PE Tel:01303 261062
New ’vans

Chausson 720 Titaniu

Bunk beds rise electrically in this super-versatile model

WHO IS CHAUSSON?

Chausson motorhomes are built by

Trigano VDL, with its main factory in
the picturesque Ardèche region of
France. One of the largest caravan and
motorhome factories in Europe, it is
also home to Challenger motorhomes
(Chausson’s sister brand, which is not
sold here) and Caravelair caravans.
Chausson vehicles have been available
in the UK since 2003, with Britain being
the company’s second-largest export
market. With a reputation for strong value
and innovative design, the French maker
has also risen to become one of the top-
selling imported motorhome brands here.
Its range includes Fiat-based van
conversions, as well as low-profiles and
overcabs on Ford or Fiat chassis, plus the
very innovative X550 campervan rival.

W
HILE some brands are content to offer
the predictable island bed and fixed
single floorplans, you can count on
Chausson to offer something unique. The 720 is
unlike anything else in the market – and for those
seeking more than two berths (all the time or
some of the time), it really is worth a close look.
Based on the Ford Transit, it’s spec’d to the hilt
in 2023’s Titanium Ultimate guise, with black
alloy wheels, 170PS motor, automatic
transmission, ESP, Stop&Start, automatic lights
and wipers, lane assist and front fog lamps. The
body uses Chausson’s IRP construction featuring
a 65mm floor and GRP exterior panels, while an
awning and solar panel are standard, along with
external shower and barbecue fittings.
The most important feature outside, however,
will be the garage, which is 75cm wide and 76cm
high. Deploy the manual winding handle,
though, and headroom can be increased to
1.10m. There’s a small hatch on the nearside and
a full-sized door on the offside, where you’ll also
find 12V and 230V sockets and a light.
Inside, the back of the motorhome is also where
you discover Chausson’s innovative approach. As
well as the garage, there are bunk beds here. The
lower bed measures 2.00m by 82cm (big enough
for an adult) and it can be just 74cm off the floor (or
1.07m when garage space is maximised). You need
to have this bed in its lower position if you want to
deploy the second bunk, which can be stowed in
the ceiling when not required. Press a button and
this bed (a tad smaller, at 1.90m by 72cm) comes
down to 1.37m above floor level. Each bunk has its
own privacy curtain and light and, if you lift the
lower berth, you’ll find storage compartments
underneath – great for the kids’ toys.
But the rear of the 720 isn’t just about offering
beds for your offspring. It includes the ablutions

16 | | SUMMER 2023
 Chausson 720 Titanium Ultimate

m Ultimate

FACT FILE
BASE VEHICLE Ford Transit
PRICE FROM £76,140
BERTHS 5
TRAVEL SEATS 5
LENGTH 7.19m
WIDTH 2.35m
HEIGHT 2.92m
GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg
PAYLOAD 425kg
ALSO CONSIDER
Itineo Famili Compact CS660
Roller Team Auto-Roller 707

BUY A CHAUSSON FROM…

Chausson has 14
dealers around the
UK. In Northern
Ireland it is
represented by
Central Motorhomes,
while in Scotland
the dealership is
Knowepark Caravans.
Dealer
In Wales, you’ll

s
14
find Chaussons at
na

e
ti o n w i d
3 A’s Motorhomes
in Carmarthenshire.
Then, in England, there
are retailers as far north
as Tyne Valley Motorhomes (Newcastle),
as far southwest as Highbridge Caravan
Centre in Newton Abbot, Devon,
and down in the southeast at TC
Motorhomes of Herne Bay.
If you’re heading off on a grand tour,
it’s reassuring to know that there are
Chausson dealers as far afield as
Bulgaria, Lithuania, Sweden and Greece.

and can become a super-generous changing
room, too. It really is the most versatile of spaces
and it can be entirely separated from the front of
the ’van by rotating the toilet door.
The loo area is a good-sized space, too, with a
window, roof vent, robe hooks and a basin sunk
into the countertop. Opposite, the shower cubicle
is also plenty big enough, with minimum
headroom of 1.92m. It has its own roof vent and
a duckboard and, although there’s a step in the
shower tray, it’s not really an issue.
More unusual is that this area also includes a
huge wardrobe, with a 90cm drop from the rail,
three shelves and even racks for a couple of pairs
of shoes. And, as you can close off the back of the
vehicle, the bunks make a quiet zone for a
daytime nap (for kids or adults!).
Parents, of course, will usually sleep up front
where the electric drop-down bed is not only
bigger than the norm (1.92m by 1.60m) but also
comes down lower – to just 81cm off the floor.
You have to lower the table first (that’s electric,
too), but no settee cushions have to be displaced
and the habitation door isn’t obstructed.
With the bed raised, the lounge is large –
there’s plenty of room for six folk here. The seats
(side sofas on either side) are a tad high but the
table height is adjustable and each settee has an
armrest as well as scatter cushions. What’s more
unusual is that the settees convert to offer not
two, but three, rear travel seats. On the nearside,
the configuration is face-to-face with one
forward and one rear-facing seat. A fifth berth is
also possible by rearranging the seats and having
the drop-down bed in a higher position.
Even the kitchen is not without its advantages,
including a combined oven/grill in the UK spec
(not shown in our photos) and a 139-litre fridge
with automatic energy selection.

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 17
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Knights Custom
Mountain Tourer
The ultimate rear kitchen T6.1 conversion?
T
HE idea of a VW Transporter campervan
with a rear kitchen and cassette toilet is
nothing new but you can trust
Lincolnshire-based Knights Custom
Conversions to add its own spice to the recipe.
This is a converter that’s making its mark with
some very appealing high-end campers.
Here is its latest model, the Mountain Tourer,
which eschews the bodykit and big wheels style
for something much more subtle, and very
OEM. With VW’s own 17in Davenport alloys,
fully flush windows and LED headlights, it’s
how a California might look if you could have a
long-wheelbase version. Or one with twin
sliding doors. Or a rear kitchen. Or a front-
hinged pop-top…
As usual, Knights uses only the best brands
for the components here, so the roof is from
Reimo – and has roof rails and holders for two
surfboards, as well as a 350W solar panel.
There’s a Thule awning and bike rack, too, plus
neat details like the mains hook-up point
hidden behind the grille’s VW roundel. The
exterior shower point is equally well concealed
behind a panel below the offside tail light.
Of course, with a £95k price tag (as shown,
including all the toys), you’d expect a high-spec
base vehicle and this Bay Leaf Green Highline
Knights Custom Mountain Tourer
FACT FILE
BASE VEHICLE VW Transporter
PRICE FROM £95,000 (as shown),
conversion-only from £22,990
BERTHS 4
TRAVEL SEATS 4
LENGTH 5.30m
WIDTH 1.90m
HEIGHT 2.01m
GROSS WEIGHT 3,200kg
PAYLOAD TBC
ALSO CONSIDER
Bilbo’s Nexa+
Rolling Homes Livingstone
’van doesn’t disappoint. It’s a T32 to offer
maximum payload, while the 150PS engine and
DSG automatic transmission is a desirable
combination. Then there are extras such as sat-
nav and heated cab seats with factory swivels.
That last feature enables the front seats to
face inwards when making the bed, so Knights
has been able to create a 2m-long mattress
that’s not encumbered by the steering wheel.
Bed make-up also involves flattening the rear
RIB Neptune seats and sliding them together, to
make a good-sized double bed that will be
enhanced with a Duvalay mattress topper. Or,
of course, you can have twin beds and a centre
❯❯
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 19
New ’vans

BUY A KNIGHTS CUSTOM FROM…

You can only get a
Knights Custom
Conversions
camper from
the factory
near Spalding
in Lincolnshire.
Most models
are built to order
and tailored to the
customers’ individual
requirements.
It offers a range of
VW T6.1 campers –
the Ocean Explorer,
Prestige Tourer,
Fu-Tourer and Woodland Adventure,
all with side kitchen layouts, and the
Mountain Peak with a rear galley and
toilet and shower. Then, there are the
Kombination Kombi and Grand Tourer
with slide-out rear galley units.

WHO IS KNIGHTS CUSTOM

CONVERSIONS?
Owned and run
by Jonathan
Nightingale,
Knights was
founded in
2014. The
company focuses
on custom-
designed campervans using top-name
components such as Reimo, RIB, Thetford
and Webasto. All hinges and catches
used are metal, for longevity, and
roofs are fitted using a TÜV-approved
strengthening frame. Even insulation and
soundproofing get a level of attention not
always seen in campervans.
Jonathan says, “I live and breathe my
job, second only to my wife and three
children.” That’s clear in the high-end
finish of Knights’ predominantly VW
T6.1-based output. Larger Volkswagen
Crafter and Mercedes Sprinter
conversions are being developed, too,
and the company hopes to increase
production and start getting its campers
type approved soon.

aisle, if you prefer.
Where the Mountain Tourer really differs
from the norm is in having a pair of sliding
doors that close off this bedroom from the
kitchen (and also provide privacy for the rear
toilet). With the roof bed above pulled down,
it’s also a cosy space that will be easy to keep
warm. And that upper bed sits on a sprung base
for comfort and has a ladder to make reaching
it easier. Of course, with the doors closed
downstairs, upstairs sleepers can also have
private access to the loo.
In ‘day mode’, the front lounge is conventional,
with four individual seats and two round swivel
tables mounted on the B-pillars. Drawers
provide convenient storage under each seat and
the upholstery is a luxurious mix of Nappa
leather and Aquaclean-treated suede, while the
cab seats are upgraded with deeper side
bolsters. But it’s the twin sliding doors that are
the real USP – a real boon for daily driving and
continental holidays.
There’s more of Knights’ no-expense-spared
approach in the rear kitchen, where all-electric
cooking is enabled by a Clayton 3,000W pure
sine wave inverter. In the counter is a single-
ring Tefal induction hob, while most of your
cooking is likely to instead be via the Neff
combined microwave, grill and air fryer – is
that a first in a VW campervan? There’s plenty
of kitchen storage, as well as a real wood
worktop, but already the Mountain Tourer’s
creator, Jonathan Nightingale, is looking to
improve it by moving the sink further forward
for better access.
Other features of this stylish camper include
a Webasto Thermo Top 5.5kW diesel-fired
heater combined with a boiler that supplies hot
water to the sink’s hose-type tap and the outside
shower, plus a Vanshades pod that provides
neat storage for outdoor chairs on the inside of
the rear tailgate.

20 | | SUMMER 2023
             
         
motorhomes 
 

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 Rimor Kilig 67 Plus

Rimor Kilig 67 Plus

One of 2023’s most popular layouts, with an appealing price tag

FACT FILE
BASE VEHICLE Ford Transit
PRICE FROM £62,995
BERTHS 2/4
TRAVEL SEATS 4
LENGTH 6.45m
WIDTH 2.34m
HEIGHT 2.84m
GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg
PAYLOAD 794kg
ALSO CONSIDER
Chausson 650
Swift Voyager 540

K
ILIG is Rimor’s latest motorhome range.
It’s a comprehensive line-up of both
low-profile and, more unusually these
days, overcab coachbuilts, ranging from under
6m up to 7.33m. All are based on the Ford
Transit chassis with a maximum gross weight
of 3,500kg to suit any driver.
Being all-new, it’s no surprise to find the
inclusion of one of the most popular layouts of
recent seasons, as seen in this 67 Plus model.
With a generous front lounge, a supersized
rear washroom and, crucially, a garage (but
without a fixed bed above), this relatively new
type of layout ticks a lot of boxes for a large
number of customers. Originally developed by
French maker, Chausson (like Rimor, a
Trigano Group company), it’s a design that’s
now offered by a number of marques,
including British brands, Bailey and Swift.
Where the Rimor version may score over some
of its rivals, however, is in being more compact
– overall length here is less than six-and-a-
half metres.
Another plus for the Italian is its price;
Rimor is known for offering value for money
and Kilig is now the company’s entry-level
coachbuilt range. This 67 Plus starts at a
highly competitive £62,995, with the 130bhp
engine and six-speed manual gearbox. You
can choose Ford’s smooth automatic for an
additional £2,600, while other key options
include alloy wheels (£1,350) and an opening
Skyview window over the cab (£2,000).
As standard, the Ford base vehicle comes
with twin armrests on the cab seats, cruise
control, driver and passenger airbags, remote
central locking (not including the habitation
door), electric mirrors, hill start assist,
Bluetooth and phone/radio controls on the
steering wheel, ESP, ASR and air-conditioning.
Externally, the Kilig’s all-white bodywork is
broken up by geometric graphics, while the
caravan-style windows sit slightly proud of the
sides. The overcab pod has a distinctive
angular design and, as with most imported
❯❯
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 23
New ’vans

BUY A RIMOR FROM…

Motorhomes and
Caravans of Hull has
long acted as the
UK importer for this
Italian brand, but
it has appointed
other outlets around
the UK and it also
operates a hire fleet,
including a selection
of Rimor models.
Other English dealers
are Ashington
Caravans in the
northeast and new
addition, ES Hartley at Ellesmere Port.
In Northern Ireland, Rimor is represented
by Thompson Leisure. In Scotland, you
can head to Motorhome Hub in Perth or
Motorhome Sales Scotland in Glasgow.

WHO IS RIMOR?
It was in
January 1978
that the Rimor
brand was founded by Luano Niccolai,
who was passionate about motorhomes.
The marque was first officially
represented here in the late 1990s and
became part of the huge French-owned
Trigano Group in 2015.
Its well-established Seal range (on Fiat)
offers a wide variety of low-profile
and overcab coachbuilts, while the
Evo (which debuted in 2019) is based
on the Ford Transit. Then, at the top of
the tree, is the Super Brig – Fiat-based
low-profiles and overcabs from 7.17m to
7.37m long. Unusually, both the Evo and
Super Brig line-ups include rear lounge
layouts, while bunk bed models also
figure strongly in the range.
Rimor also builds Horus van conversions
on the Fiat Ducato, but the newest
addition is the Kilig entry-level
coachbuilt range.

models, the habitation door (with fixed
window) is on the continental side. Also on
the offside is the only external door into the
good-sized garage, although a sliding door in
the washroom gives internal access to this
storage space.
Inside, the open-plan front lounge with
face-to-face sofas belies the Kilig 67 Plus’
compact dimensions. The nearside settee may
be slightly longer than its opposite number
but both are a good size and, with the front
seats rotated, there’s plenty of room for feet-
up lounging. The fixed table rotates and folds
in half, so it’s never obtrusive, but it’s the
décor that really appeals to us – with funky
turquoise highlights it seems more youthful
than most rivals. If you prefer something more
traditional, an alternative is coming.
The settees can be adapted to form a pair of
forward-facing travel seats with three-point
belts and it’s also possible to make the lounge
into a double bed. However, the 67 Plus works
best as a couple’s ’van, in which case the
electric drop-down bed is where you’ll sleep.
It doesn’t come down as low as some but
measures a respectable 2.00m by 1.38m.
Beyond the lounge, on the nearside is the
galley. It’s not huge, but, for our market,
there’s an oven mounted conveniently low in
the main unit (our photos show European
spec). There’s also the Kilig’s trademark wall
rack for hanging a few utensils on, but, more
importantly, the fridge (opposite) is a tall 141-
litre model with bottle drawer.
To the rear, the washroom is key to this
layout’s appeal. With a large separate shower
on the nearside, and the basin and swivel loo
adjacent to a window on the offside, it’s a
super-spacious area that also incorporates
a vast wardrobe with more space for holiday
clothes than you’ll ever need.
Completing the spec, the Kilig has Truma
Combi 4 gas heating and UK spec includes
additional power sockets, which can be
located according to customer wishes.

24 | | SUMMER 2023
  66
6 6
6
 6 6*.(/-#.&%,3&%/-6
 6666
 

  6"6
6!6!
66


  



 6/4'1%#$6#.&66+/5601/)+'6-/&'+26
#4#*+#$+'61*%'26(1/-6




     

  

a large selection of all rimor ranges is always on display at warners’ outdoor shows!
  6/4'1%#$6#.&66+/5601/)+'6-/&'+26
#4#*+#$+'61*%'26(1/-6












 
 

 



 





MODELS AVAILABLE SOON FREE PRIZE

DRAW

 £58,495 OTR
 

 




New ’vans

Weinsberg X-Cursion V
VW T6.1 fans can now enjoy more space and a proper washroom

WHO IS WEINSBERG?

The first Weinsberg campervan saw

the light of day way back in 1969, with
coachbuilt motorhomes joining the range
in 1981. Then, in 1992, the leisure vehicle
side of Karosseriewerke Weinsberg
passed to the caravan brand, Tabbert,
which in turn merged with Knaus in 2003.
Since 2008, Weinsberg has been the
value brand within the Knaus Tabbert
Group, offering campervans, motorhomes
and caravans.
Today, the Weinsberg range includes
everything from 5.4m campervans
(referred to as CUVs – camping utility
vehicles) up to 7.4m A-classes, called
CaraCore. It also offers a full array of low-
profile and overcab coachbuilts and has
recently added pop-top models to its van
conversion line-up.

T
HERE are plenty of VW California owners
(and indeed those with other Volkswagen
campervans) who look to move up to a
bigger ’van, often to have an on-board shower and
toilet. Usually, that has meant moving away from
the Transporter base vehicle, too, but not any
more. Both Weinsberg and sister brand, Knaus,
introduced T6.1-based coachbuilts for the 2023
season and each marque offers a choice of layout.
The X-Cursion Van 500 MQ has the fixed rear
bed floorplan that you’d expect from a continental
marque but this 500 LT model is wholly different
– and almost looks as if it was designed with the
UK market in mind. Like its sister ’van, it is under
6m in length and only 2.16m wide (slim for a
coachbuilt motorhome). That’s still quite a bit
bigger than a T6.1 camper (and taller, too, of
course), but it’s very comparable with the smallest
conversions of VW’s larger panel van, the Crafter.
Externally, it’s a low-profile motorhome with a
generous overcab sunroof, running board-style
steps for the front doors and an unusual duo-tone
finish for the Transporter cab. The rear overhang
doesn’t look excessive but the back wheels are inset
in their arches. There’s no garage in a conventional
sense but a tall locker door at the rear nearside
opens onto a vertical storage space that’s 2.28m
high, and 62cm by 88cm. It also comes with a
folding shelf, hanging rail and internal access.
Entry to the actual living area is also to the
rear, but on the UK offside. As you come in,
there’s barely any furniture on the rear wall – just
a window, some shelves and coat hooks. The
‘vertical garage’ is ahead of you, followed by the
washroom on the nearside, with the galley
running forward of the doorway on the offside.
The kitchen includes a 98-litre compressor
fridge that can be reached from outside, if you
lean in through the door. The counter is inset

26 | | SUMMER 2023
 Weinsberg X-Cursion Van 500 LT

an 500 LT

FACT FILE
BASE VEHICLE VW Transporter T6.1
PRICE FROM £75,580
BERTHS 4
TRAVEL SEATS 2
LENGTH 5.88m
WIDTH 2.16m
HEIGHT 2.80m
GROSS WEIGHT 3,200kg
PAYLOAD 448kg
ALSO CONSIDER
Knaus Tourer Van 500 LT

BUY A WEINSBERG FROM…

Weinsberg has 15
motorhome dealers
in the UK, including
Camperco in
Scotland, Bunk
Campers in Northern
Ireland and Tenby
Tourers in Wales.
In England, dealers
stretch from Adventure Dealer
Leisure Vehicles in

s
15
Cumbria down to na
ti o n w i d

e
Alan Kerr in Devon.
Other outlets include
Preston Caravans and
Motorhomes, Premium,
SMC, Don Amott, Nick Whale,
Blackmore Vale, Webbs and Davan.

with a combined two-burner hob and sink unit,
much as you’d see in a VW campervan; there’s no
oven or grill.
Where the X-Cursion Van differs massively
from a California is the washroom. This is a
proper walk-in compartment behind a sliding
door and it features similar facilities to some
much larger ’vans. There’s a Dometic cassette
toilet, a corner basin, tall mirror and cupboard
with upstands to keep its contents in place.
Then, the washbasin swings to the left to create a
decent-sized shower cubicle without recourse to
a curtain; it’s just a pity that the wheelarch
intrudes so much into the area. Alongside the
bathroom there’s also a good-sized wardrobe.
Forward of the kitchen and ablutions, the
floor steps down into the lounge where you’ll
find that UK favourite of two side settees. These
do not convert into travel seats, so this is a purely
two-person motorhome but a couple will have
plenty of room to unwind, not least because both
cab seats swivel. The sofas are each 1.40m long
– enough for feet-up relaxation – and they’re at
a comfortable height. For dining, there’s a fixed
table with a drop leaf to one side.
You might expect the lounge to also form the
bed and that’s the standard configuration but this
show model had the optional (£1,867) Easy Move
bed, which pulls out on rails from over the cab.
This lengthways double measures 2.00m long and
1.46m wide and lives up to its title in being super-
simple to operate. There’s even (just about) room
to sit underneath it, although we’d recommend
you make sure you’re happy with the access (via a
ladder) and headroom in the bed itself.
A really novel addition to the market, this
Weinsberg also competes head-on with smaller
VWs on price – under £80k as shown with the
150PS engine and DSG gearbox.

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 27
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Buying advice
From cover
to cover
The motorhome insurance market is changing – we reveal
how and why in this year’s in-depth survey and find out
who now offers the best deal on cover for your ’van
Y
ou don't need us to tell you that it's been
another tumultuous year, so, unsurprisingly,
it's been just the same within the world of
insurance, which is why there's plenty to report on
in our annual insight. Those taking part this year
are Caravan Guard's Craig Thompson, along with
Stuart Craig from A-Plan (Club Care and Shield
Total). Nick Long from Lifesure and Mike Powell of
Defaqto were also interviewed, alongside Ben Cue
from Comfort. Ben's parents founded Comfort and,
just like everybody else who I spoke to this year,
Ben has many years of working in motorhome
insurance. Thanks are due to everyone who gave up
their time to share their expertise with us.
Every year in this feature there's at least one
theme and this time around it's how the industry is
shrinking in terms of the number of insurers in the
market, despite the fact that motorhome ownership
is booming. That might seem like a paradox, but
the growing popularity of motorhoming is part
of the reason why insurance companies and
underwriters are withdrawing from the market; too
much of the business is not profitable.
In last year's survey it was clear that insurers are
under a lot of pressure from various quarters: poor
parts and vehicle supply, an increase in the volume of
Windscreen excesses are on the up, which is worth checking out if
you have an A-class or a 'van with built-in sensors in the 'screen
30 | | SUMMER 2023
Words Richard Dredge
theft claims, plus a sharp increase in parts and repair
costs for an array of reasons (more on this later) are
all problems that show no sign of going away.
Ben Cue says, "Underwriters are starting to pull
out of the motor market, because of mounting losses.
It's easy to think of motorhome insurance as a large
and important sector, but in the grand scheme of
things it's tiny. Many people assume that insurance
companies posted huge profits during the Covid
lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, but they didn't.
Motorhome thefts started to rise and there were lots
of weather-related claims. When the weather did
improve, as the lockdowns were lifted, everyone went
out in their motorhomes and the collision rate rose
sharply, leading to further claims. As if all this isn't
enough, many underwriters invested in Government
bonds to shore up their finances, but the value of
those has plummeted. It really is a perfect storm, so
you can see why some underwriters are pulling the
plug on motorhome cover; they just can't make the
sums add up, at an affordable price for the consumer."
To put things into perspective, just 11 insurance
companies are included in this year's survey; in even further within the next few months, with
2018 it was 31, although this included some brokers rumours circulating of one or two mergers or
who are no longer represented, for one reason or acquisitions set to take place…
another. The thing is, that figure of 11 could shrink Stuart Craig comments, "There's a lot less choice
than there used to be and it's harder for brokers and
insurers to find their USPs. Because the underlying
products are generally very similar, they're having
to differentiate themselves through the quality of
their service, rather than their products." Read on,
though, and you'll see that it's still easy to buy a
policy that isn't right for your needs.
Craig Thompson comments, "We've seen
moderate growth over the past year, in the number
of policyholders that we have, but things have
settled down a lot since summer 2020, when it
seemed that everyone was going out and buying a
campervan or motorhome. Although the supply of
new motorhomes is easing and the frenzy among
consumers has calmed down, prices of new vehicles
are still high, and so are values of used motorhomes
and campers; we're quoting more than ever for
vehicles worth over £100,000."
With the number of insurers having shrunk so

much over the past few years, it's inevitable that those
who are left are busier than ever. This is confirmed by
Nick Long, who says, "We've seen a 13% rise in the
number of enquiries received over the past year,
helped by our presence on price comparison websites.
There's no doubting that there's plenty of demand for
motorhome insurance, but, to make it work, an
insurer needs an established book of business; any that
are on the peripheries might struggle to make a profit.
"Our retention rate has run at 80% for the past three
years, so four customers out of five are staying with us
at renewal time. As with several other companies who
figure in this year's survey, we're a broker and we work
with a panel of insurers, which enables us to tailor the
policy to the client's needs. At renewal time we don't
automatically keep a policyholder with their existing
insurer; we look at whether someone else on our panel
can provide a better deal. That's not something that
many motorhome owners think about, but it can save
money and provide a higher level of cover."
Craig reinforces the point that at renewal time
you must review the value of your motorhome,
although values can vary significantly around the
Insurers are being asked to cover a lot
more vehicles with values of over £100,000
UK. Another point raised by Stuart is that
sometimes it’s hard to pin down exactly how much
a vehicle is worth because there are so few available
to gauge values. Motorhomes are often very
individual because they’re personalised by owners.
According to the National Caravan Council, the
number of new motorhomes registered in the 12
months from January 2021 was 14,199, but for the
year from January 2022 this dipped to just 11,719.
Some of that will be down to supply problems, but
the higher cost of living will also have led to some
potential buyers putting off such a costly purchase,
waiting for things to settle down. They might have
a long wait…
On this note, Ben Cue offers good news and bad.
He notes, "I recently attended an insurance industry
seminar, in which one of the keynote speakers was
Roger Bootle, a highly experienced economist. He
offered his forecast of how the UK economy is likely
to perform in the near future and he reckons that
the next year will be pretty torrid for us, with the
UK being the worst performer within the G8
nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
Insurance survey 2023
Russia, the USA, the UK). But he expects us to
bounce back next year with interest rates falling,
along with inflation. By May 2024 things should be
noticeably better and, while this is only a forecast,
Bootle has an impressive track record."
Whatever the future holds, the recent past tells
us that at the extreme end of the spectrum some
used motorhome values have gone up by as much as
45%, according to Ben, who also asserts that, on
average, premiums went up by 10-12% across the
motoring sector between January and May of this
year, a figure backed up by Stuart.
Stuart adds, "Parts availability has been an issue,
which has led to an increase in prices and repair
costs; many parts are – or were – made in Ukraine,
or relied on neon gas. Engine parts and glass are
especially affected, along with microchips for ECUs."
Ben chips in, "The industry is having to think
outside the box, with repairers having to use
secondhand parts to keep vehicles on the road. It's
a pragmatic move that's known as green parts,
although some insurers are embracing the concept
more enthusiastically than others."
❯❯
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 31
Buying advice
ON TREND
Another worrying trend is thefts continuing to rise;
Caravan Guard saw a 12% increase in 2022 compared
with 2021, and things had already started to
deteriorate in 21 after a relatively quiet 2020, thanks
to Covid. Craig says, "The number of policyholders
that we insure hasn't changed significantly, so such a
big rise in the volume of theft claims is rather
concerning. It doesn't help that in the first few
months of 2023 we've seen motorhomes continue to
be stolen rather frequently."
Ben echoes this, noting, "Thefts were at a record
high last year, but we're hoping that things will calm
down this year. We tend to cover more high-end
vehicles and these have to have a tracker fitted,
which makes a big difference to payout rates; we
have an 85% success rate when it comes to
recovering vehicles if there's a tracker fitted."
Unsurprisingly, it's the cheaper motorhomes and
campervans that are causing the biggest problems for
insurers, because these invariably don't have a
tracker installed and, once one of these has been
pinched, it's unlikely to be returned to its rightful
owner. Every year we bang on about it and every year
it's raised by those we talk to: invest in some physical
security in a bid to retain your motorhome, whether
that's a clutch claw, steering wheel lock, some posts
on your drive or a wheel clamp. Anything that makes
your motorhome less attractive to thieves has to be a
good thing, because once it's been taken there will
probably be no turning back.
Craig adds, "Despite rising theft rates, we've had
to revise our security thresholds because so many
vehicles are now so valuable. Whereas we used to
insist on a Category 1 alarm system or a tracking
device on anything worth over £40,000, that's now
£50,000. Also, we used to insist on all trackers being
professionally fitted, but we’ve been reviewing a
new wave of Thatcham-approved trackers which
can be self-installed. These are generally cheaper to
buy and maintain, but may not have all the features
of a fully fledged tracker. The proof of the pudding
will be recovery rates, but we feel these might be a
useful weapon against thieves of mid-range
motorhomes. A good example of these is the
Don't damage your 'van and then discover you've been ghosted
32 | | SUMMER 2023
Moving Intelligence (previously Phantom) Mi01
Sentry which costs just £210 to buy.”
GHOST IN THE MACHINE
Scams and fraud are a fact of life for many of us
nowadays and it's no different where motorhome
insurance is concerned. Thankfully, insurance
companies aren't particularly seeing a rise in the
number of policyholders making claims fraudulently
but, according to Ben Cue, an increasing number of
people are being taken in by ghost policies. Social
media has made ghost broking more common and
rising premiums across the board have led to people
being taken in more easily as they try to cut costs.
Ghost brokers create a professional-looking
website, then invest in some online advertising to
lure people in. Sometimes they draw in punters
through spam emails, or they might communicate
via free internet messaging or in chat rooms. What
they won’t do is appear on price comparison websites
and they certainly won’t take out any costly print
advertising. The scammers won’t have credit card
facilities, as that would make them easy to trace, plus
they’d have to comply with a whole raft of rules and
regulations. As a result, they’ll insist on being paid by
bank transfer, which should set alarm bells ringing.
Sometimes the brokers will take out a genuine
policy on your behalf but, once you’ve coughed up
for it, they’ll cancel the policy and get a refund on
it, leaving you uninsured. Alternatively, they might
Insure your 'van on a car policy
take out a genuine policy, but with your details and you won't get all the cover you
changed so the premium is lower. So, if you’re high- need for its contents and accessories
risk because of your age, occupation, postcode or
your vehicle, they’ll change these details so, your money to a legitimate broker, so check up on
although you’re theoretically insured, you’re not. any company you’re tempted to give your money to.
The police use ANPR (Automatic Number Plate If you’ve never heard of them, see if they’re part of
Recognition) cameras to spot uninsured vehicles a bigger group, establish how long they’ve been
being driven. If you’re driving and a police vehicle trading and look online at sites such as Trustpilot
spots you and you can’t convince them that you’re for reviews of the company. If you can’t find any
insured, your motorhome will be seized there and customers who have good things to say, be wary.
then. You’ll have to pay to retrieve your vehicle and It’s also worth checking the British Insurance
you’ll also be fined for driving with no insurance – Brokers’ Association website, biba.org.uk and make
and it's an endorsable offence, so you’ll also end up sure your broker is on the Financial Services
with points on your licence. Register database, register.fca.org.uk and also
To protect yourself, make sure that you’re giving ensure they’re a member of the Motor Insurers’
Auto-Sleepers
Warwickshire Police
Vehicles fitted with a tracking device are much more likely to be recovered

Bureau, mib.org.uk
Once you’ve taken out your policy, check that you’re
insured on the Motor Insurers’ Bureau database,
askmid.com. Just enter your vehicle's registration
details and you’ll be told whether or not it's insured.
This is the same database that the police use for their
roadside checks, so, if you’re in the clear on this
database, you won’t be pulled for driving uninsured.
If you find that you’re not insured, contact
Crimestoppers either via its website, crimestoppers-
uk.org or on 0800 555 111. Report your broker and
give the police every bit of help that you can.
HEAVY DUTY
Go anywhere vaguely near any financial product
and a stack of rules and regulations won't be far
away. Last year it was the introduction of the Fair
Pricing Regulations and this year it's the Consumer
Duty Act, which came into force in April.
The Fair Pricing Regulations banned insurers
from tempting new customers in with reduced
premiums, which would then be hiked from year
two. The FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) saw
this as penalising existing customers and it brought
in the new rules to encourage people to shop
around more at renewal time. But, with no
introductory discounts available, customers are
tending to stick with their existing provider,
knowing that by switching there's no money to be
saved. Despite this, we would urge you to shop
around periodically, because premiums can vary
significantly, as the tables within this survey show.
Most insurers claim – at least on the record – that
they didn't 'buy in' new business by offering
introductory discounts, so little has changed for
them. It's the same where the forthcoming Consumer
Duty Act is concerned; it's unlikely to make a lot of
difference for the consumer, despite the name.
The Consumer Duty Act is a new set of rules
developed by the FCA, with the intention of creating
a higher standard of consumer protection in retail
markets, and to reduce the level of harm to
consumers. The FCA has said that it expects, “the
implementation of the Consumer Duty to be
iterative” and that the FCA will “learn more from
firms’ implementation”. According to the FCA, there
is also no fixed or “one size fits all” approach to
monitoring by a firm to determine if it is compliant
with the new Consumer Duty requirements. Firms
will need to use their judgment, the FCA has advised.
Craig Thompson explains the rationale behind
the act, "It’s about fairness. Customers should be
provided with products that are easy to understand
and this legislation is meant to prove to the FCA
Insurance survey 2023
Even simple devices can deter thieves
Additional locks can help, too
Auto-Sleepers
Obtaining spare parts can still be problematic
that we’re being fair. We have to spell out the
benefits of our policies and that the customer is
getting good value."
That last point is an interesting one; who decides
what constitutes good value? Most years it's Caravan
Guard or Comfort that wins our survey, partly
because of what value their policies offer. But what
if an insurer asks for a significantly higher premium
in return for a less feature-laden policy; will this
pass the FCA test? However, as Craig confirms,
companies can still justifiably price themselves out
of the market on some types of business, because it
might have proven unprofitable for them.
Nick Long adds, "The Consumer Duty Act will
have a bearing on how the insurance market
operates, but, when it comes to value and
performance, we’re marking our own homework.
However, the act is needed and now is the right time
because there is a problem that needs to be solved.
"The quality of a company's claims service is key;
things need to be resolved quickly and easily. But
timescales for settling claims have increased, partly
because of poor parts availability, while inflated
hire costs are another problem that insurers are
having to deal with. The question is: will consumers
be able to complain to the Insurance Ombudsman if
repair times get too long?"
❯❯
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 33
Buying advice

NK Group
Company Phone Website
Adrian Flux 08003 698590 adrianflux.co.uk/motorhomes
BG Insurance 01892 501501 bginsurance.co.uk/insurance/motorhome
Camping and Caravanning Club 08001 244633 clubcareinsurance.com/motorhome-insurance
Caravan and Motorhome Club 03455 040334 caravanclub.co.uk/insurance/motorhome-insurance
Caravan Guard 08001 488400 caravanguard.co.uk/motorhome-insurance
Caravanwise 08003 282084 caravanwise.co.uk
Comfort 02089 840666 comfort-insurance.co.uk/motorhome-insurance
Its Motorhome Insurance 08009 978333 itsmotorhomeinsurance.co.uk
Lancaster 01480 484826 lancasterinsurance.co.uk/insurance/campervan-insurance
Lifesure 01480 402460 lifesure.co.uk/insurance/motorhome
Radius Insurance Solutions 01132 582219 radiusinsurancesolutions.com/en-gb/vehicle/motorhome-caravan
Motorhome Protect 01865 818341 motorhomeprotect.co.uk
NFU Mutual local office nfumutual.co.uk
Safeguard 03301 626429 safeguarduk.co.uk/motorhome-insurance
Saga 03300 946166 saga.co.uk/insurance/motorhome-insurance
Scenic 03330 359837 scenicinsurance.co.uk/motorhome-insurance
Think about adding a security post on your drive Shield Total Insurance 0800 393966 shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk/motorhome-insurance

COMPARE AND CONTRAST
For the first time, this year we've spoken to Mike
Powell. He is the motor insurance expert at Defaqto,
an independent financial information and ratings
business. Because this is only the third year of
Defaqto analysing motorhome insurance, no long-
term trends are available yet, but you can see the
relevant motorhome insurance star ratings at
motorhome.ma/defaqto
Defaqto looks at what each insurer offers and an
overall rating (out of five) is produced. This headline
information is all that's available to consumers, so
there's no way of knowing how it was derived. Mike
told us, "We look at the different policies that are out
there and how insurers deal with their customers
when they need to claim. Accident management
services are really important, but few policyholders
give this much thought until it's too late. What
happens when your motorhome is involved in a
collision in Cornwall at 3am? Is there a 24-hour
helpline, or will you have to wait for the office to open
at 9am? Will you be given a replacement vehicle to
continue your journey, or is any courtesy car subject
to availability, rather than guaranteed?
"At the heart of what we do is scrutinise claims
limits and allowances and there's a huge difference
between the best and worst policies. As an example,
we look at what provisions can be made if you need
overnight accommodation if your motorhome is
involved in an accident and cannot be driven. The best
policies allow more than £1,000, whereas the least
generous will pay out no more than £150. Those same
claims limits are in place if you need onward travel and
you have to pay for tickets to use public transport."
It's clear that, even in 2023, some insurers are
selling policies for motorhome owners which are
nothing more than rebranded car policies. As a
result, the claims limits are very poor and what
34 | | SUMMER 2023
Defaqto has spotted is that, even within the short
time that it's been studying the market, insurers are
stripping out some standard benefits of cover to
make them extra-cost add-ons instead.
Mike adds, "It's essential that your policy is tailored
to your needs and that you take out the right cover. As
an example, what if your daily-driver camper is off the
road following a claim; will you be provided with a
suitable replacement vehicle or just a small hatchback
which might not fit your lifestyle? Some policies will
provide a courtesy car for the duration of your own
vehicle being fixed, whereas others will have a limit,
and this might not be very generous.
"Meanwhile, windscreen excesses are creeping up,
and, whereas some insurers will insist on you using
their approved bodyshop for repairs, others will allow
you to go to your preferred repairer. There's also a big
disparity in how you'll be treated if you're hit by an
uninsured driver and, as this very article shows all too
well [in the tables in the following pages], the terms and
conditions attached to your breakdown cover – if it's
included – as well as the limits of legal expenses,
personal effects and new-for-old cover, can vary hugely.
"You really need to be pinning down this level of
detail before you take out a policy and not after,
because by then it's too late. And, on that note, you
also need to establish what your position will be if
you cancel after the cooling off period, because, of
course, you're not expecting to do so, but every year
there's no shortage of people who do."
Stuart Craig adds, "We have more claims for
damaged windscreens than anything else. Being so
large and upright, they're incredibly susceptible to
damage; we had one customer come back to the
repairer's workshop within minutes of having a new
windscreen fitted, because he had suffered fresh
damage. Some windscreens are very costly and
fitting them is now complicated because they often
have heating elements and sensors, or cameras for
driver assistance systems.
"Some screens are still just a few hundred pounds
to replace, but some run into many thousands of
pounds and, if you have a limit on how much you can
claim, you could be left well out of pocket. An insurer
will always replace your screen, but, if a claims limit
is breached, it'll go on your record as a general claim
and that will affect your no claims bonus. We provide
cover from five different insurers and, while two have
no limit on a windscreen claim, three of them do, so
you need to pick the right policy for your needs."
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES
When talking to our panel of experts, we always
take the opportunity to glimpse into the future and
to look at recent changes. Something that's already
here, but which is being ramped up across Europe,
is the introduction of clean air zones. The UK is way
behind much of Europe; to see what you might have
to contend with if you cross the Channel with your
motorhome, check out urbanaccessregulations.eu
This lists all of the cities that have access restrictions
based on vehicle emissions; in some cases vehicles
are banned altogether, but in others you could be
stung with a hefty charge (or fine) if you enter.
If you're wondering what this has to do with
insurance, it's all part of the bigger picture. Ben
notes, "We need to invest in the leisure industry or it
won't have a future. We need to unite." Until now,
many motorhome owners have assumed that, with
Covid now history, they'd be free to return to Europe
and cruise at will, Brexit limitations notwithstanding.
But governments across Europe (and beyond) are
intent on reducing traffic in their towns and cities, so
they're bringing in ever tighter restrictions on use, as
the Urban Access website shows. Will a tipping point
be reached, when it all gets too expensive or
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Buying advice
inconvenient, and vehicle owners sell up, leading to
the current supply/demand situation being reversed?
Something else that has gained momentum over
the past few years is an increase in the number of
people buying campervans, often for everyday use.
Craig comments, "More and more companies are
converting vans into campers and, if you buy one of
these, you need to ensure that it's registered with the
DVLA as a motor caravan or a van with windows. To
determine whether we can insure a new campervan
make, we ask the customer questions such as
whether gas and electric certificates have been
provided and we’ll review the vehicle to make sure it
uses standard industry parts, so that we can be
confident we can organise repairs should the worst
happen. Campervans present a different risk to us
because of the age profile and usage; our average
mileage of motorhome users is about 5,000 miles,
but campervans often get much more use than that.
If your mileage is high and you use your campervan
for commuting, you’ll naturally get charged more
than a low-mileage motorhome owner."
Stuart Craig picks this up, "Spotting an
opportunity, at the end of 2022, Club Care introduced
a bespoke campervan product for people who use
their 'van every day and will cover higher mileages as
a result. Insurers get nervous about covering people
who don’t own a second vehicle because there’s a high
claims frequency, usually for damage rather than
theft. As an example, we had a claim recently for a
£90,000 A-class motorhome after its owner took it to
the supermarket and had a collision in the car park.
"Some people are leaving their company cars and
36 | | SUMMER 2023
Auto-Sleepers
buying a campervan. Cover can be hard to obtain, so
our policy covers single ownership (ie sole vehicle),
high mileage and business use. Premiums are higher
than for general motorhome cover because of the
higher risk, but at least cover is possible. On the subject
of higher risks, younger people are moving into ’van
ownership, which is why First Underwriting has
reduced its entry-level age from 25 to just 21. Even
now, many insurers have few customers under 50."
Ben concludes, "Until now, motorhomers tended
to fall into three distinct groups. Those aged 25 to
early 40s owned campervans, then they hit their
mid-40s and sold their ’vans to free up time and
money for the kids growing up. They then got to
55-60 and, with the children having flown the nest, a
motorhome would be back on the drive. Those
demarcations are now being blurred because people
are using their ’vans differently. People are going to
festivals with their parents, and owners are keeping
their ’vans for longer. An increasing number of
people are also running a campervan as their sole
vehicle. A lot of insurers won’t cover for commuting,
so be very careful; we offer this cover, but don't fall
into the trap of thinking that commuting to the office
once a week is OK with social, domestic and pleasure
cover. That's misrepresentation and you could find
that your policy is voided in the event of a claim.
"Customers often don’t read their policy, so we
welcome people phoning us to challenge what they’ve
read; it shows that they’ve read the contract. It’s
important that people know they’re buying the right
product before they buy it, because once you're in the
position of making a claim, by then it's all too late."
Our survey this year was based on a fictitious
couple owning a Swift Voyager 584 like this one
AND THE WINNER FOR 2023 IS…
Our table of motorhome insurance policies runs to a
mere 16 this year, with Comfort and the Caravan and
Motorhome Club offering a pair apiece. With Shield
offering no fewer than four different policies (including
one with the Club Care branding), that makes a not-
so-grand total of just 11 providers, which is about a
third of what we had five years ago (when there were
31). Gone are the likes of Sureterm Direct, Premium
Choice and Academy, along with Whittlesey. Saga is
still offering motorhome insurance, but it has
disappeared from this year's survey because we use a
fictitious couple, for whom credit checks are not
available. Everyone else could provide a quote despite
this, though…
Looking at this year's spread of quotes, some of
the figures seemed a bit on the high side, things not
being helped by the fact that our policyholders want
a 10,000-mile allowance for the year, which is high
for a ’van that isn't insured for business use. Back in
2018, quotes ranged between £320 and £893 for the
Volkswagen California Ocean which was valued at
£50,000; analyse the next few pages and you'll see
that this year's £67,495 vehicle will cost anywhere
between £346 and £621 to insure, depending on who
you go with. And that 10,000-mile limit has bumped
up the cost significantly; drop it down to a more
typical 6,000 miles and for Comfort (as an example)
the price dips by £85 to a very palatable £355.
This year's policyholders are 58-year-old Ross
Green and his 57-year-old wife Rachel, who live in
Worthing. He is a company director, and she is a
nurse, and both have clean licences with a claims-

THE DEFAQTO DETAIL
In the main article we introduced you to Mike
Powell from Defaqto, which compares policies
across the motorhome insurance market. He sent
us a very detailed breakdown of some of his
findings, and to reproduce it all would pretty
much double the size of this guide! So, in an effort
to keep things manageable, here's a summary. If
ever you needed proof that comparing policies is
key before you sign up, this is it.
NEW MOTORHOME REPLACEMENT COVER
Typically only provided subject to the policyholder
being the first registered keeper and legal owner of
the vehicle. While 10% of products do not provide
new vehicle replacement cover, 28% do if the
damage is 70% or more of the list price; 62% set the
threshold at 60-69%. Meanwhile, 42% of policies
apply a maximum age of 12 months, 37% have a 24
to 35-month limit, whereas 21% will replace up to
36 months. Sometimes there's a mileage limit on
new-for-old policies, and this is 15,000 miles in
26% of products. The same proportion have a limit
of 23,999 miles, but 48% of policies cover up to
24,000 miles or have no restriction.
WINDSCREEN COVER
10% of products have a limit of less than £1,000,
19% provide £1,000 or more, and 71% provide
cover either up to the vehicle's market value or for
the full replacement cost, minus any excess
applicable. Also, Defaqto looks at whether the
policy literature specifically states that the costs of
the recalibration of the vehicle’s safety systems are
covered; 90% do not clearly define that cover is
provided, but 10% clearly state that you're covered.
LOSS OR THEFT OF KEYS
Cover is typically provided for the costs of
replacing a vehicle's keys, lock transmitter or
entry cards, with some products also including
cover towards replacing locks. For key loss,
research has highlighted that 19% of products do
free history. They're members of the Camping and
Caravanning Club and they have three years' no
claims bonus from a previous ’van, along with full
no claims bonuses on their cars.
The vehicle that the Greens want to insure is a
2022 right-hand drive Swift Voyager 584, which is
based on a Ford Transit and comes with a 2-litre
diesel engine. Equipped with a tracker, the four-
berth Voyager is 7.85 metres long and 2.37 metres
wide, and it has a rear camera fitted, along with
parking sensors. It will be kept on the Greens'
driveway, where there is no barrier fitted.
When the Greens come to choose who to insure
not provide any cover, 14% provide less than
£500, 24% will cough up £500-£999, and 43% of
products will pay out £1,000 or more. If your keys
are stolen, 10% of products do not provide any
cover, 14% provide less than £500, 24% provide
£500-£999, and 52% will pay out £1,000 or more.
EQUIPMENT
This is a complex one because there are quite a few
different things to consider. First off is personal
belongings limits, with 14% of insurers paying out
less than £1,500, 57% pay £1,500-£4,999, and 29%
provide £5,000 of cover. Another key thing to check
is the single-article limit: for 67% of policies it's less
than £500, for 14% it's £500-£999, but for 19% it's
£1,000 or more. When it comes to gas bottles, 14%
exclude gas bottles within personal belongings
cover, but 86% include them. The levels of cover for
awnings and tents is also wide-ranging: 14%
provide no cover, 43% will pay out less than £2,000,
14% will shell out £2,000-£4,999, and 29% will
cover of £5,000. Other areas to consider include
portable generators and trailers. In the case of the
latter, 67% of products don't provide any cover,
14% will pay £1,000-£2,999 and 19% of products
include cover for £3,000.
MOTORHOME RESCUE
What would happen if your motorhome was
damaged in an insured incident and was not
drivable, so it had to be recovered? Some policies will
simply pay for the costs involved, but you would
need to make the necessary arrangements. With
others the insurer would pay for the costs and make
all necessary arrangements. Defaqto discovered that
5% of products provide no cover, 38% will simply
pay for the costs, and 57% will provide a full service.
ACCIDENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
After a crash, when you really need someone on
your side, it's clear that some insurers will look
after you much better than others. According to
with, we reckon for the first time in a while it's a pretty
easy decision to make. We reckon it has to be Caravan
Guard, because of its keen pricing and feature-laden
policy, which is one of the cheapest around, despite the
fact that it comes with UK breakdown cover as
standard; most rivals are more costly, even though
they generally don't include vehicle recovery.
Although we think Caravan Guard is a clear
winner, choosing a runner-up isn't quite so easy. it's
Motorhome might be an obvious choice because
it is even cheaper and comes with breakdown cover.
But the claims limits are very low, so the policy will
get you on the road legally and should look after you
Insurance survey 2023
Defaqto, 47% of policies provide no accident
transportation service, 10% would take all
occupants to a ‘safe place’ where their own vehicle
is taken, 10% would go to the intended destination
but would apply a monetary or mileage limitation,
while 33% would go to the intended destination.
HOTEL EXPENSES
Worryingly, 24% of products do not provide any
cover, 28% provide less than £250, 24% will pay out
£250-£499, while 24% will give you £500 or more.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT COSTS
Need to get home or somewhere else after a
breakdown or collision? Then you'd better have
the right policy. Note that some policies don't
include cover because they offer an accident
transportation service, but, across the industry,
33% of products provide no cover, 19% will cough
up less than £250, 24% will pay out £250-£499,
while 24% will give you £500 or more.
COURTESY CAR
If you need a courtesy car while your motorhome is
being repaired after a crash, the work will usually
have to be carried out by the insurer’s approved
repairer. Typically, a small hatchback is what you'll
have for the full duration of the repair, but bear in
mind that 66% of products do not provide any cover
at all, 10% provide a courtesy car as an option, and
24% will provide cover as a standard benefit.
REPAIR GUARANTEE PERIOD
To receive a warranty against any repair work
performed on your motorhome you'll have to use
the insurer’s approved repairer. Even then the
type of guarantee can vary, with some only
providing the guarantee for ‘bodywork’ repairs
while others provide this for ‘all’ repairs. Defaqto
found that 20% of products came with a three-
year warranty, whereas the other 80% have a
guarantee of at least five years.
in the event of a breakdown, but, if you need to make
a claim, you could find that you're quickly left out of
pocket. For the same reason, Adrian Flux's no-frills
policy looks good on paper and it might suit your
needs, but our second choice goes to Lifesure,
especially if you don't want or need breakdown cover.
Its claims limits are generally good, while the various
excesses aren't too stringent. But when you consider
that Caravan Guard is also impressive in this respect,
that its claims limits are generous and its policy is
among the cheapest, while breakdown cover comes
as standard, it's where we'd be recommending the
Greens spend their cash this year.
❯❯
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 37
*Must be a member to have its insurance, cost £56 per year
Buying advice

Quote without Quote with Replacement Medical Hotel / alternative Child car
Company Legal cover Misfuelling
breakdown cover breakdown cover locks cover transport seat

Up to £100,000
Up to £200
Adrian Flux £371.33 £470.33 for EU-wide cover damages and £20,000 Up to £500 Up to £100 per person Yes £13.99 extra
per person
motoring prosecutions

UK recovery, base £74,

Premium £105, Premium
Caravan and Optional extra at £1,125 maximum, £75
£616.39 UK Plus £132, EU cover Up to £750 £500 £250 N/A
Motorhome Club* £29.99 per night
available, tailor-made to
owner
UK recovery, base £74,
Premium £105, Premium
Caravan and Optional extra at £1,125 maximum, £75
£588.66 UK Plus £132, EU cover Up to £750 £500 £250 N/A
Motorhome Club* £29.99 per night
available, tailor-made to
owner
Up to £100,000 motor Up to £75 daily for up
Caravan Guard £392.00 £1,000
legal expenses to 15 days
Covered upon
£529.92 for EU-wide provision of
Caravan Wise £474.92 Extra £15 £750 Up to £150 Limited to £300 Not included
cover original
receipt
Same as Shield but
Club Care
deduct 5% from £41 UK breakdown, £82
(Camping and
premium if Club UK / EU breakdown
Caravanning Club)
member
Up to £100,000
£513.10 for EU-wide
Comfort Insurance £440.10 damages and £20,000 Yes £100 Yes
cover
motoring prosecutions
Up to £100,000
Comfort Insurance £427.72 for EU-wide
£354.72 damages and £20,000 Yes £100 Yes
cover motoring prosecutions
£346 with UK
Up to £100,000 motor
It's Motorhome breakdown cover, £396 £250
legal expenses
for EU-wide cover

£475.80 with UK cover, Available for an Up to £250 per

Lifesure £400.80 Up to £1000 Up to £250 Up to £250 Up to £300
£499.80 for EU-wide cover additional £28 claim

Up to £300
Safeguard £530.16 Up to £100,000 Up to £250
per person

£637.79 with UK cover,

Scenic £563.29 £668.79 for EU-wide Extra £32.99 Up to £750
cover
£532.82 with UK cover,
Shield Total Up to £150
£491.82 £573.82 for EU-wide Up to £750
Insurance per person
cover
£472.53 with UK cover,
Shield Total Up to £150
£431.53 £513.53 for EU-wide Up to £750
Insurance per person
cover

£662.80 with UK cover,

Shield Total
£621.80 £703.80 for EU-wide Up to £100,000 Up to £250 Up to £100
Insurance
cover

£527.47 with UK cover,

Shield Total Up to £250
£486.47 £568.47 for EU-wide Up to £1,000 Up to £250 Up to £300 Up to £250
Insurance per person
cover

38 | | SUMMER 2023
 Insurance survey 2023

In-car entertainment Personal belongings / Foreign

Liability Injury benefits Glass Excess
and sat-nav equipment travel

Unlimited for people injury,

Unlimited for factory-fitted in-car up to £20 million for
Unlimited windscreen
equipment, limited to £500 if not part property damage, plus all Up to £5,000 Up to £200 30 days £350
cover
of original build leagal costs and expenses
up to £25 million
Permanent fixtures and fittings
covered under value of vehicle. Non-
permanent fixtures and fittings £20m with £5m per event £15,000 Up to £5,000 365 days £100 per incident £550
covered under Contents, up to £5,000
with a £500 single item limit
Permanent fixtures and fittings
covered under value of vehicle. Non-
permanent fixtures and fittings £20m with £5m per event £15,000 Up to £5,000 365 days £100 per incident £900
covered under Contents, up to £5,000
with a £500 single item limit
£20 million public liability
£15,000 £5,000 £350
cover

Unlimited for factory-fitted in-car Unlimited for people injury, £3,500 − limited to £200 per
equipment, limited to £500 if not part of between £10 and £20 million £5,000 single item other than awning 180 days £600 £550
original build for property damage or toilet tent

Yes Yes Up to £15,000 £5,000 Yes £200

Yes Yes Up to £15,000 £5,000 Yes £200

£2,500 £250 29 days £450

Unlimited for people injury,

£100 + £250, £350
up to £20 million for
Unlimited cover for permanent in total (including
property damage, plus all Up to £15,000 £3,500 270 days Yes
factory-fitted equipment voluntary
leagal costs and expenses
requested)
up to £25 million
Up to £20 million for bodily Unlimited glass cover
Up to market value or £1,000 for non-
injury and damage to Up to £5,000 Up to £3,000 using Swinton's accident
manufacturer-fitted equipment
propety and claim service
Unlimited for factory-fitted in-car Unlimited for people injury,
equipment, limited to £500 if not part up to £20 million for Up to £5,000 £600
of original build property damage
Unlimited for factory-fitted in-car Unlimited for people injury,
equipment, limited to £150 if not part up to £20 million for Up to £5,000 Up to £100 Up to £600
of original build property damage
Unlimited for factory-fitted in-car Unlimited for people injury,
equipment, limited to £150 if not part up to £20 million for Up to £5,000 Up to £100 Up to £600
of original build property damage
Limit to windscreen cover
Awnings, gas cylinders and of £250 if the approved
generators up to £1,000 and windscreen provider is not
Unlimited for factory-fitted in-car £20 million for property personal belongings, linen, used or £1,000 if
equipment, limited to £250 if not part damage, £5 million for Up to £2,500 cutlery, utensils, furnishings, recommended windscreen
of original build claimants clothing and other camping specialists are unable to fit
equipment up to a value of or replace the glass and
£2,000 you have to use an
alternative provider
Unlimited for people injury,
Unlimited for factory-fitted in-car up to £20 million for
Up to £3,500, limited to Unlimited windscreen
equipment, limited to £500 if not part property damage, plus all Up to £15,000 270 days
£500 per item cover
of original build legal costs and expenses
up to £25 million
❯❯
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 39
40 |
Third party
Third party, fire & theft
Comprehensive
Maximum NCD
NCD protection
Free EU green card/duration
| SUMMER 2023
Personal effects contents limit
Option to increase contents limit
Maximum value of vehicle
Compulsory excess
Accidental damage
Theft
Windscreen
Higher excess discount
Breakdown cover
Home start
Recovery
Maximum vehicle size (breakdown)
Maximum vehicle age (new for old)
Max age of vehicle insured
Minimum age of main driver
Minimum age of additional driver
Maximum age of main driver
Maximum age of additional driver
Any driver cover available
Increased premium for LHD
Cover available for DIY ’vans
Cover for NI residents
Discount for limited mileage
Mileage limits
Percentage discount
Uninsured loss recovery
Free replacement vehicle
Business cover available
Payment by instalments
Penalty for paying in instalments
Personal injury cover limit
Alarm/immobiliser discount
Introductory bonus
Other points
Discount for booking through website ✘
Telephone service open at weekends ✔ Sat 9am − 3pm, Sun 10am − 2pm
Cover provided for full-timers
ADRIAN FLUX CAMPING AND CARAVANNING CLUB (CLUBCARE) CARAVAN CLUB CARAVAN WISE
✔ ✔ ✔ £20 million ✘
✔ £20 million, third party cover and unlimited third party injury ✔ £20 million ✔
✔ £20 million, third party cover and unlimited third party injury ✔ £20 million ✔
Any 10+ years 9 years N/A
Buying advice
✔ ✔ ✔ N/A
Green card automatically raised for 356 days FOC.
365 days (free) Up to 270 days, varies by insurer 365 days
Policy cover for 180 days
£3,000 Up to £5,000, varies by insurer £5,000 £3,500
Only if less than £3,000 as standard on the policy ✘ ✘ ✘
Any £250,000 £100,000, or higher on referral to insurers £80,000
Variable but minimum of £100
Variable but minimum of £100 £100 to £1,000 depending on value/varies by insurer £100 to £1,000, depending on value This is dependent on the risk
Variable but minimum of £100 £100 to £1,000 depending on value/varies by insurer £100 to £1,000 This is dependent on the risk
£100 per incident, unless work carried out by recommended
£0-£100 for replacement, when approved repairer used
£100 specialist. Variable excess for replacement, no excess if glass £75
Varies by insurer
can be repaired not replaced
✔ Varies by insurer Varies by insurer ✔
✔
✔ Can be included Via cross-sell to Mayday UK breakdown cover ✔
✔ Can be included Via cross-sell to Mayday UK breakdown cover ✔
No limit Max 3,000cc and 20 years of age No limit 20 tonnes max gross weight, £55, Includes UK and EU
1 year, can have agreed value though 1 year 2 years 12 months from new
Any No age limit but varies by insurer 50 years + (no agreed value) No age restriction
17 21, varies by insurer 25 25
17 if spouse/common-law 21, varies by insurer 25 25
80 at inception, can renew past this age provided
Any 90 (80 for new business) 83
claims experience is acceptable
Any 90 (80 for new business) 83 80
✔ Max 3 named drivers Over 25 ✘
All depends if the client has got experience Varies by insurer Varies by insurer
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
✔ Yes but very restricted panel and criteria Yes, but very restricted panel and criteria During conversion/completed 'vans. Day vans covered
✔ Varies by insurer Varies by insurer With 365 days full cover anywhere in the island of Ireland
✔ if discounted ✔ ✘ Up to 12,000
✔ Varies by insurer Varies by insurer
✔ Optional extra to be paid for Optional extra to be paid for Undisclosed but substantial
✔ Only when available ✔ £15
✔ On referral ✘ ✘
✔ ✔ ✔ ✘
✔ 14.36% (25.6% APR) 12.90% ✔
N/A Credit provided by a third party which charges
✔ but also built in the policy as well Varies by insurer £15,000
12.5% of the amount funded
Thatcham Category 1/2 and trackers Up to 10% varies by insurer Up to 10% – varies by insurer £5,000
✔ Up to 30% discount Up to 4 years ✔
Premium Savings Guarantee – if existing motorhome insurance
This is a flat-rated policy
renewal is cheaper than we'll beat it by at least £25 (terms apply)
✘ ✘ ✘
✘ ✔ ✔
✔ ✘ ✘ ✘
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 MOTOR CARAVAN INSURANCE COVER • Cover for all types of vehicles including
American Motorhomes available
• UK Breakdown/Recovery cover available from £50
• Limited mileage &/or club member
discounts available
SERVICES LTD • Quotes for Travel Insurance Cover
Registered Insurance Brokers (including annual policies)
12 Queen Street, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1AY T: 01733 208117
Registered and Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority

CALL 01733 208117 FOR A COMPETITIVE QUOTE

Insurance for your home

away from home

A motorhome is so much more than a vehicle. Policy benefits can include:

 Agreed value cover
That’s why at Adrian Flux, we don’t just treat your motorhome
 European breakdown cover
like any other vehicle. We find motorhome insurance tailored
 Discounts for limited mileage policies
to you, whether you need cover for travelling abroad, your  Awnings and camping equipment cover
personal belongings, or for breakdowns.  Discounts for owners club members

Call our UK team on 0800 081 0128

adrianflux.co.uk
Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Trustpilot rating checked on 7th March 2023

Third party
Third party, fire & theft
Comprehensive
Maximum NCD
NCD protection
Free EU green card/duration
Personal effects contents limit
Option to increase contents limit
Maximum value of vehicle
Compulsory excess
Accidental damage
Theft
Windscreen
Higher excess discount
Breakdown cover
Home start
Recovery
Maximum vehicle size (breakdown)
Maximum vehicle age (new for old)
Max age of vehicle insured
Minimum age of main driver
Minimum age of additional driver
Maximum age of main driver
Maximum age of additional driver
Any driver cover available
Increased premium for LHD
Cover available for DIY ’vans
Cover for NI residents
Discount for limited mileage
Mileage limits
Percentage discount
Uninsured loss recovery
Free replacement vehicle
Business cover available
Payment by instalments
Penalty for paying in instalments
Personal injury cover limit
Alarm/immobiliser discount
Introductory bonus
Other points
Discount for booking through website 5% online discount
Telephone service open at weekends 9am − 4pm Saturday and Sunday
Cover provided for full-timers
whatmotorhome.co.uk | 43
❯❯
CARAVAN GUARD WINNER COMFORT LIFESURE
✘ ✘ ✘
✘ ✔ ✔
✔ ✔ ✔
Campervan product offers 9 years max NCD. Motorhome product is net rated and therefore
9+ years, up to 72.5% discount 9 years
automatically applies the max discount for NCD
Owners can choose to add comprehensive European insurance cover ✔ Only on campervan policy ✔
365 days − Free green card 270 days, can vary depending on scheme
£5,000, £400 Single item limit ( if vehicle less than £15,000 would have £2,000 personal
5,000 (included automatically with no need to add to sum insured) £3,500, Some schemes are lower than £3,500
effects limit). Child seats included within this section
✘ ✘ ✘
✘ Referal over £150,000 £75,000 Up to £250,000 with one scheme provider
£200 excess on the policy this is paid once per claim
Voluntary excess − minimum £150 £200 excess on the policy this is paid once per claim £100 − can vary depending on scheme
Voluntary excess − minimum £150 £200 excess on the policy this is paid once per claim £100 − can vary depending on scheme
£60 − can vary depending on scheme. Lower/no excess for
£100 £75 unlimited glass cover if repair is processed by Autoglass or National Windscreens
windscreen repair rather than replacement
Maximum excess discount 15.5% @ £650 ✘ Not for windscreen
UK breakdown assistance included automatically Provided with RAC
Cover starts one mile away from home − can be on a pay-by-use basis ✔ ✔
✔ ✔ ✔
No weight/length restrictions ✘ No size, age, weight restrictions Can cover any weight or length
Must be bought from new, under 2 years old, mileage under 24,000 3 years new for old or 15,000 mileage whichever comes first 12 months
30 years for new business. 34 years for customers who stay with us ✘ 30
25 21 on campervan product, 25 on the motorhome product 25
25 21 on campervan product, 25 on the motorhome product 25
82 at renewal − existing customers under 85 years can be insured on
85 for new policyholders; for exsisitng policyholder no age limit 85
referral for additional checks
82 at renewal − existing customers under 85 years can be insured on
85 85
referral for additional checks
✘ ✘ ✘
✔ ✘ ✔
✘ If registered as a motor caravan or van with side windows ✔
✔ ✔ ✔
Mileage brackets up to 17,500. Discounts apply up to 5,000 ✔ ✔
17,501+ on referral to RSA ✘ Most schemes have no mileage limit
Up to 9% for 3,000 miles and under ✔ Varies
Uninsured driver cover ✔ Optional extra
Choose to take emergency accommodation cover, pay up to £100 per day
✘ ✔
for up to 30 days for hotels/motorhome hire to help continue holidays
✘ Subject to occupation class 1 business use applies Depending on scheme available
✔ On renewal, not new business ✔
10% transaction fee, 19.5% APR through Premium Credit There is an APR on the finance not a penalty Interest payable only on balance after deposit
£15k personal accident benefit £15,000 Varies
Immobiliser 15% or Thatcham Category 1 approved alarm 19%. Also 25%
✔ ✔
for an approved tracking device
Up to 65% - Claims, convictions and experience dependent ✔ ✔
Policyholders can hire the insured vehicle to friends, family, commercial basis. Person Substitute motorhome following a claim (optional extra),
Discounts for reversing cameras/sensors (2.5%), tyre safety device such
borrowing vehicle buys a Comfort short-term hire product which dovetails witth annual
as TyrePal or Tyron (5%). Discounts for secure storage Japanese import vehicles also acceptable
policy. In the event of claim no impact on NCD under annual policy
✘ ✘
Sat 9:30am − 3:30pm office hours. Free customer callback. Claims and breakdown 365 24/7 Saturday mornings. Claims 24/7
✘ ✔ ✘
Insurance survey 2023
44 |
Third party
Third party, fire & theft
Comprehensive
Maximum NCD
NCD protection
| SUMMER 2023
Free EU green card/duration
Personal effects contents limit
Option to increase contents limit
Maximum value of vehicle
Compulsory excess
Accidental damage
Theft
Windscreen
Higher excess discount
Breakdown cover
Home start
Recovery
Maximum vehicle size (breakdown)
Maximum vehicle age (new for old)
Max age of vehicle insured
Minimum age of main driver
Minimum age of additional driver
Maximum age of main driver
Maximum age of additional driver
Any driver cover available
Increased premium for LHD
Cover available for DIY ’vans
Cover for NI residents
Discount for limited mileage
Mileage limits
Percentage discount
Uninsured loss recovery
Free replacement vehicle
Business cover available
Payment by instalments
Penalty for paying in instalments
Personal injury cover limit
Alarm/immobiliser discount
Introductory bonus
Other points
Discount for booking through website
Telephone service open at weekends
Cover provided for full-timers
SAFEGUARD SCENIC SHIELD
✘ Vehicles under £5,000 value ✔
✘ Vehicles under £5,000 value £20 million third party cover and unlimited third party injury
✔ ✔ £20 million third party cover and unlimited third party injury
9 9 10+ years
Buying advice
Can protect if the customer has 4 or more years no Can protect if customer has 4 or more years no claims bonus. Amount of protection is dependent on
✔
claims bonus insurers. Can protect 2 claims within 5 years & 2 claims within 3 years
Free green cards available, duration is dependent on insurer/customer's needs (less than 30 days
No limits on European travel Up to 270 days, varies by insurer
minimum and 365 maximum)
£3,000, single item £500 £100 − £3,500, dependent on different insurers Up to £3,500, varies by insurer
✘ ✘ ✘
£250,000, vehicles over £125,000 must have a tracker
£250,000 £250,000
and alarm/immobiliser
Minimum £100, varies dependent on insurer
Depends on grouping of vehicle from £150 − £400 Minimum £100, varies dependent on insurer £100 to £1,000, depending on value/varies by insurer
Depends on grouping of vehicle from £150 − £400 Minimum £100, varies dependent on insurer £100 to £1,000, depending on value/varies by insurer
Unlimited cover subject to excess of £100 − £300 £0-£100 for replacement, when approved repairer used.
£60 - £100, dependent on insurer
depending on grouping Varies by insurer
Depends on level of voluntary excess chosen Depends on level of voluntary excess chosen Varies by insurer
2 options (both optional) − UK only for vehicles under 25 years old, and UK & EU for vehicles age
under 20 years
✔ Included in optional breakdown cover Can be included
✔ Included in optional breakdown cover Can be included
No limits on size. Vehicle age must not exceed 20 years No size limits Max 3,000cc and 20 years of age
2 years or 15,000 miles from new 1 year only 1 year
50 50 No age limit but varies by insurer
21, depending on group of vehicle and underwriter 25 25
21, depending on group of vehicle 25 25
80 80 90 (80 for new business)
80 80 90 (80 for new business)
✘ For drivers over the age of 25 years − dependent on underwriter Max 3 named drivers
Dependent on underwriters ✔ Varies by insurer
✘ The conversion must be fully completed to DVLA standards ✔
✘ ✔ Yes but very restricted panel and criteria
✔ ✔ Varies by insurer
✘ Dependent on insurer, some unlimited, some will limit to mileage selected by customer ✔
0 - 65% Up to 65% Varies by insurer
✔ ✔ Optional extra to be paid for
✘ Only cover under optional legal cover if it's a non-fault claim Only when available
Must meet criteria Dependent on insurers and upon referral On referral
Variable interest charge Direct debit ✔
N/A D/D variable finance charge 14.36% (25.6% APR)
£100k legal cover as claimed through uninsured losses £2,500 − £10,000, dependent on insurer. Can claim through optional legal cover to recover unlimited PI Varies by insurer
Dependent on security fitted. Thatcham Category 1
Discounts are available for alarms/immobiliser/trackers, this depends on insurers/devices fitted Up to 10% varies by insurer
alarms and Tracker discounts available
Up to 60% Up to 65% Up to 30% discount
Service charge £20 online and offline Website now live. Service charge £20 online and offline ✘
Sat 9am − 1pm Open Saturday 9am − 1pm ✘
✘ ✘ ✘
Display classifieds
ACCESSORIES TOWING
Ferry Good
for Al-ko
★★★★★
The HPC Hydraulic Levelling System is truly a step ahead for
motorhome owners. Covering all requirements expected from a Towbar Fitting Centre,
levelling system. it is simply and quickly operated using the on-board Trailers and Leisure Products
touch-screen controls. Accompanied by the AS Air Suspension
• Motorhome Towbars • Air suspension
system, all your suspension and levelling needs are catered for. At • Solar Panels • Small Car Trailers
AS Air Suspension UK Ltd, we seek to continually improve and stay • Aframes • Hydraulic leveling systems
ahead of our competitors. Using innovative materials to reduce the • Dealers for Gaslow Systems
weight of the systems, without any compromise to quality. • Fitting agent for Scorpion tracker

AS Air Suspension UK Ltd. 131 Chester Road, 275 Penarth Road, Cardiff. CF11 8TT
Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6ET Tel: 02920 371379/236121
info@as-airsuspension.co.uk www.as-airsuspension.co.uk Email: sgmtowing@btconnect.com
T 01925 740666 • M 07874 046643 Web: www.sgmtowing.co.uk

TOWING
Towbars 2 Towcars Electronic Braked A-Frames
Your one stop solution to Motorhome freedom!
• A-frames supplied as a package complete with car or
Professionally fitted to your own vehicle
• Unique Electronic proportional braked A-Frame
• Strong, lightweight, easy to fit
• Vehicle is left very tidy when the system is removed
• Safety features built in
• Folds for storage into the car boot 2017
• Fits most vehicles TOYOTA AYGO!
BRITISH DESIGNED AND BUILT A-FRAMES
• EU approved motorhome towbars fitted £10,995

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