Caravan Insurance for a van stored in France

ScotDave

ScotDave. I am exploring possibilities and will update when I can. My caravan is old and of modest value. I would happily leave it uninsured but the storage yard insists that it must have at least third party liability cover in case it should eg go on fire and damage other vans in their premises 

Lavender29

So Towergate didn’t give a time you had to keep your caravan in the UK? Also asking you to name a storage site in the UK knowing that it is not your choice to take it home.  That’s just what my pal said!  So are they expecting people to not do this and ignore it until they have to put a claim in? And then Towergate refuses to pay out, and how are they checking the van has been taken home? It’s all flimsy information without any evidence about travelling to the UK. 

We are still looking for insurers but pal thinks he has got a contact for a company in Cognac but I don’t know any further information except they have insured another bloke on their campsite.  He presumes they might have a Dutch underwriter or even a Spanish or an Italian which agree to insuring but one of their offices is based in France. This may be a positive find!  I’ll wait to hear from pal who was looking into it off his mate.  

Lavender29

This is similar to us and a pal.  Towergate will not state anything. He did say they have changed underwriters to Aviva and they won’t insure anything stored permanently in France.  However he has heard from someone on the campsite he stays at who has insured their caravan through a company in Cognac. I thought French insurers needed a French address but we suspect maybe it is a Dutch underwriter as they will insure a UK van or maybe it’s a Spanish or an Italian underwriter. Either way my pal is looking into this. Might be worth a Google to see if anyone can find it as well.  

ScotDave

ScotDave.  A friend(with a Hobby which Towergate refused to insure last year) found an agency in St Remy and through them found cover by Assurance Zephir. I am awaiting some more info.  Also have been recommended to try an agent of Generali Assurnce in Cognac. They have at least one English speaker. Their phone number phone number is  05 45 82 03 20. Their online contact form doesn’t accept UK phone numbers.

ScotDave

Full info 

Contact for English speaker.  Jennifer Del Valle. - does not work Wednesdays.
Address 
Agency Genrali Cognac,
16, Rue Plumejeau
16100 Cognac
France.

Mobile +33(0)5 45 82 03 20
One space.generali.fr
Cognc@ agency.generali.fr

Lavender29

I think the French insurers and underwriters need a French address where you live not just where it is stored.  The Cognac one you mention is the same as pal who is going to go with them and we will too.  I’ve not got a Hobby so no issue to think about there, phew! 

If the woman at the Cognac place has a good command of English which will be better than my French, I might ring and see what she says.  

Let’s hope this helps us all as I’m not trusting Towergate one little bit.  

TheFixersometimes

Caravan stored in France?  The insurance was straight forward, it is now a night mare as many have found out.
Ours was insured with the Camping and Caravan Club, they no longer offer this as you well know.  I tried Towergate 2/3 years ago, as our storage accommodates less than 12 they wouldn't quote.It is now insured with Generali through their agent in Cognac.  However it is not covered whilst it is towed! (That is if my understanding is correct-I don't speak French.)  As store to site is less than 1Km, not a problem, my main concern was 3rd party liability.  If our 'van caused others a serious problem whilst in France I wanted the protection of insurance.  Perhaps I am over cautious. We now have a problem as we need to bring the 'van back for a service and other work.  Looked for help in NE France to no avail. Don't fancy 300 mile journey without comprehensive cover. There are other complications, however I think I have said enough.  Look forward to further threads.

Lavender29

The Cognac insurance seems to be the one to go with and pal has opted to go with them and I’m sure we will. Yes they don’t insure for the journey from storage but we have previously had friends and family on our car insurance so the storage owner can tow it for us.  If the storage facility will tow your van, as ours does, they may have their own insurance  to do this also.  

You don’t need to bring your van back for a service as there is an English bloke who is a service engineer and travels around France servicing vans. We have used him for a few years and he’s good. Look up Caravan Help Abroad, bloke is called Chris and his wife sorts out admins stuff. Both efficient and helpful. He travels into regions around France so check where he is which he usually puts on his website. Email him and I would certainly recommend. He was in the region where we store our van when we were back in UK but he knew what we wanted doing as we had been emailing. He has a motorhome and usually stays on or around the storage sites he does the services on. 

TheFixersometimes

Hi!  when I left my comment I hadn't realised there was a second page, this explains why I duplicated the info. about Generalli.  Regarding service work I have contacted Caravan Help Abroad, they advised me that they would make contact when they started their booking schedule. I heard nothing, a repeat email was ignored.  Maybe they never get to NE France.  I have used a guy near St. Lo on two occasions, unfortunately he has stopped   this service.  My endeavours to find someone local have been disappointing.  As well as a service we have a mover and fridge problem.  If anyone out there has information on a service organisation in the Berk-sur-Mer area please speak up!

Lavender29

That’s disappointing for you. I’m surprised Caravan Help Abroad have not responded as they are usually very organised and good at responding. Don’t give up on them yet!   Try again!