As an added resource for our customers, Safeguard have provided definitions
for some caravan insurance and motorhome insurance terms.
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A
A-Class -
A purpose built motorhome where the body is
built onto a new chassis/engine unit. Safeguard can cover A-Class Motorhomes.
American Motorhomes -
These are motorhomes built and
constructed in America. They are all left hand drive and are the largest
motorhomes on the road. They are classified into two groups – C-Class where
there is a large bed over the cab of the vehicle and A-Class where they are
flat fronted with extremely large windscreens. The A-Class models are the
biggest of the bunch. Safeguard insure american motorhomes.
Ancillary Equipment -
Awning, Motor Movers,Gas and water/
waste bottles including generators used soley for use in your motorhome
and/or caravan.
Approved Workshop Scheme -
An assessed and approved caravan
and/or motorhome repairer.
Awning -
A tent-like structure, which can be attached to the
side of a caravan or motorhome.
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B
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C
Coachbuilt -
These motorhomes can also be known as C-Class.
With coachbuilt motorhomes, the chassis and cab of the base vehicle are used,
but a new vehicle is built on the back of it. Safeguard can cover coachbuilt
motorhomes.
Conversions -
All motorhomes are in essence conversions as the
van/cab/chassis is converted by recognised motorhome manufacturers into purpose
built motorhomes. Safeguard only cover professionally converted motorhomes.
Caravan Holiday Home -
Safeguard defines a caravan holiday home
as a form of caravan which is transportable, but which does not meet the requirements
for construction and use of road vehicles, and which cannot be towed on public
roads. A caravan holiday home is based on a registered site with service connections.
Safeguard also refers to caravan holiday homes as static caravans.
Construction and Use -
'The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986'
are a set of laws that determine how all road vehicles, including touring caravans
and motorhomes, must be built. These laws also determine how road vehciles can be
lawfully used whilst on the road.
Corner Steady Locks -
An anti-lift mechanism which prevents thieves from hitching
the caravan to a towing vehicle. Safeguard offer up to a 30% discount for approved
security devices fitted to your motorhome or touring caravan.
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D
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E
Electronic Alarms -
An audible security device for your caravan and motorhome.
These may use a combination of passive infrared (PIR) detectors and motion sensors,
these will cause an alarm to sound if a thief enters or tries to move the caravan or
motorhome. Safeguard offer up to a 30% discount for approved security devices fitted
to your motorhome or touring caravan.
Emergency Accommodation Expenses -
Cover for alternative accommodation if your
caravan is stolen or damaged to a point where it cannot be used for a booked
holiday or whilst away on holiday. Safeguard provides up to £1,000 alternative
accommodation costs if your caravan is uninhabitable after an accident or other
cause of damage. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions
please contact us.
European use -
If you travel abroad, you need to check that such cover is included.
Safeguard automatically covers you for unlimited annual European travel for our
motorhome insurance and up to 180 days per year for our caravan insurance. For
full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please contact us.
Excess -
amount payable by the policyholder towards a claim.
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F
Full Service Pitch -
A pitch which has its fresh water supply and waste water
disposal, and mains electricity and sometimes television aerial connection.
Full Timing -
This is where a motorhome or caravan is used as a permanent dwelling.
Safeguard do not insure this type of risk.
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G
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H
High-Top -
A motor caravan where a fixed raised-height roof has been added to a
panel van as part of a van conversion. This creates extra space within the vehicle
and thus aids mobility around the motorhome.
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I
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J
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K
Kerb Weight -
The total weight of a vehicle containing standard equipment, operating
consumables (such as motor oil and coolant), and a full tank of fuel. The weight of
the caravan should not exceed 85% of the kerb weight of the towing vehicle.
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L
Levelling -
Making sure that a caravan or motorhome is level when set up on a pitch.
Important for comfort and for correct functioning of the drinking water and waste
water systems.
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M
Mechanical Security devices -
These include hitchlocks and wheel clamps which are
often the minimum required security level by insurance providers. Safeguard offer
up to 30% discount for fitted security devices to your motorhome and touring
caravan.
MOT -
The annual test required for motor vehicles. Caravans do not currently
require an MOT. Motor caravans require the same MOT as a car ('Class IV').
Motorhome -
Safeguard defines a motorhome as a professionally converted vehicle
with the following features: at least one bed with a minimum length of 6 feet,
wardrobes and/or cupboards, permanent installation to house a water container
of not less than 6 gallons capacity and seating arrangements for diners to sit
at a table.
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N
National Caravan Council -
The trade association for caravan manufacturers, suppliers and dealers.
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O
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P
Payload -
An indication of how much a vehicle can carry.
Personal belongings -
Items taken from the home on motorhome and caravan holidays.
Some can be covered on a motorhome or caravan policy, yet it is advisable to check
that such items are not already covered under your household insurance policy.
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Q
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R
Replacement cover -
If your caravan is stolen or damaged beyond economical
repair it will be replaced with a new caravan or motorhome. Safeguard offers
new for old cover for caravans and motorhomes up to 2 years old providing the
owner insures the caravan at what it would cost to replace with a new caravan.
For caravans or motorhomes over 2 years old market value cover will apply
whereby at the time of a theft or write off, Safeguard will pay whatever the
caravan or motorhome was worth at that time.
When insuring on a new for old basis you must insure for the replacement cost
as new and don't forget to add equipment such as awnings, gas bottles, pots, pans
and security devices to the total amount. For full policy terms,conditions,
restrictions and exclusions please contact us.
Road Tax -
More correctly known as vehicle excise duty. Caravans do not currently
pay road tax. Motorhomes below 3,500kg gross vehicle weight are taxed at the
same rates as cars, while those over 3,500kg are taxed as private heavy goods vehicles.
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S
Security Devices -
Electronic alarms and tracking devices are often classified
by the Thatcham Vehicle Research Centre. For more information about Thatcham
apporved devices visit their website by clicking here. You will also see Safeguard
listed under Thatcham’s useful links section.
Also look out for the Sold Secure approval of devices such as wheelclamps and
hitchlocks because these will have gone through meticulous testing in order to
get this stamp of approval.
Self-Build -
A motor caravan which is converted by a private individual or a
converter that is not recognised by Safeguard. Unfortunately, Safeguard does not
accept such vehicles at this time but they can refer you to an insurer that does.
Single Axle -
A touring caravan with a single pair of wheels on one axle.
Storage -
Home is often considered the safest place to store your caravan or
motorhome. At home, security such as a locking gate or drive post can greatly
reduce caravan and motorhome theft.
You may want to consider using a storage site. The Caravan Storage Site Owners
Association (CaSSOA)(link) regulates the standards of storage sites.
Safeguard offer up to a 30% discount for approved security devices fitted to
your motorhome or touring caravan.
Storm Damage -
Not all insurers cover storm damage to awnings and with some
awnings costing in excess of £500 it is important to check that cover is included.
At Safeguard we cover storm damage to awnings provided the awning is covered in your
sum insured. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please
contact us.
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T
Tagging Systems -
CriS is the caravan registration and indentification scheme,
The Stoptheft system hides tags within the caravan which police can scan for if
they encounter a stolen caravan. This is fitted in all British caravan manufactured
after 1998. Safeguard offer up to a 30% discount for approved security devices
fitted to your motorhome or touring caravan.
Tracking Devices -
Tracking devices offer the best way of quickly recovering a
stolen caravan or motorhome. Tracking devices utilise satellites to guide the
police to the location of your stolen vehicle. Safeguard offer up to a 30% discount
for approved security devices fitted to your motorhome or touring caravan.
Tourer Caravan -
Safeguard defines a tourer caravan as a vehicle used as a mobile
dwelling for personal use. It is manufactured as a caravan with seating and beds.
Trailer -
A road vehicle designed to be towed by another vehicle. Caravans and
trailer tents are both legally considered to be 'light trailers'.
Twin Axle -
A touring caravan with two pairs of wheels on two axles which are
located close together.
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U
Underwriter -
Every insurance policy will be backed by an insurance company who
sometimes is referred to as the ‘Underwriter’, for example Safeguard’s caravan
insurance underwriteris AXA Insurance UK plc and the motorhome scheme’s is Allianz.
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V
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W
Wheelclamp -
A security device intended to prevent one of the road wheels
rotating. Safeguard offer up to a 30% discount for approved security devices
fitted to your motorhome or touring caravan.
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X
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Y
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Z
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