Advantage of club memberships

Out of choice, and after being with C&CClub for many years, about 5 yrs ago I also decided joined the CaravanClub.
The primary reason for us, was that belonging to both clubs provided the combined very large number of smaller 5 van certified sites that are located wherever we may be touring. Even over a bank holiday weekend we have still retained the sense of freedom that we feel is the important thing with Motorhoming, in always generally finding a suitable site, and then phoning ahead on the spot, after referring to both the club handbooks. We have often had to go slightly inland when in a busy areas at the time over a bank holiday in the likes Devon & Cornwall. In some areas one club will often fill in the gaps with sites that the other one is thin on the ground with.

A few years ago the C&CClub members services insurance with the RAC 'arrival' package. beat my old original specialist Motorhome insurance brokers annual costings. ( The saving on this easily covered the C&Club annual membership.) Even checking the premium with the then newly joined C&Club revealed that they came also out even higher than my original insurer at that time)

It seems a strange market place, as this year the scenario with insurance and breakdown has completely reversed. The C&CClub have beaten the C&Club with both Insurance (same cover with same end insurance company as C&Club brokers qouted !) and Breakdown (same cover provided by Green flag)
The difference has now covered the annual membership to the C&CLUB

Moral of this story I suppose - always check your renewal notice and compare the market.

I always play one company against the other and end up with what I feel is reasonable. It's a bit of a faf but worth it in the long run. This year it was Aviva through Motorhome Facts who won the day - even with Facts membership.

I also went with Motorhomefacts & Aviva, as they gave me the best cover that included business use, for my situation.
I do travel around visiting many of my Customers and having the option to take the motorhome not only gives me the freedom of knowing exactly what my accomodation will be, if needed.

It also make for a really good "Ice Breaking" introduction, when meeting new folk.

I spent many weeks, if not months, getting various quotes, but not many firms would cover "Business Use", as they seem to think that it's being used solely for selling!

Interesting - I too am about to go with MHF ( Aviva), incredible deal for my new Worcester which is valued at over £65k and the premium is cheaper than I am paying for my old van value £25k. Deal was so good I checked with my current broker who told me Aviva are currently 'buying business' as they are new to the market as far as motorhomes are concerned and that they, the broker, could get nowhere near the deals on offer.

Maybe next year will be a different story, but, let's make hay while the sun shines as they say!

The Camping and Caravan Club insurance saved me money even though I didn't buy it!!! I got a quote from the Club Care insurance in order to get entry into one of their competitions. I didn't plan to use it and initially I thought that it was a bit expensive. However I hadn't reckoned on the extra cost of European cover and when I got a quote from my own company (Caravan Care) it was about £50 more than the Club Care insurance. I was a bit shocked and told the telephone operative that and she kindly offered to match the price that Club Care had offered. So I reckon that CCC Club membership has already saved me twice the annual subscription and I haven't had to change my insurer either.

Hi there,

We spend a lot of time out of the UK and the 230 days a year that the CC Insurance allows in Europe swung it for us.

Best regards,

Hi Dutto,
You raise an interesting query in my mind.
I assume the CC 230 days cover is for your vehicle. What about house insurance? Certainly mine, at the moment only covers me to be away from the house for a maximum of 60 days. This is something I must sort out fairly soon.
Mick.

Just had house and contents renewal through (RIAS)........£15 more than last year.

Phoned them up and suggested I might go elsewhere as there is plenty of competition out there...........chappie went away and came back with a quote of £77 less than last years premium!!!!!!!!!!!

What's going on there then?
Needless to say I renewed!

PB

The Moral of the Story is never accept the renewal quote, always question it. But always weigh up what the the cover actually includes - excess is a minefield, for example. Many companies (Aviva is one) have a voluntary and mandatory excess but Saga have just one.

Do your homework.

Similar story when RAC Arrival (the C&CC breakdown scheme) due for renewal. Renewal price £138. We are also now members of CC where their Mayday scheme through Greenflag would have cost me £117. So rang RAC, told them I could get same cover for £117 at CC, phone advisor went away, I expected her to match it but she came back and said 'how does £89 sound?' Needless to say it sounded great, I renewed.