This time last year we took out our 1st insurance policy with Saga Insurance. I wanted a policy that whilst towing if I hit something with the van I could make a claim, I found that not all insurance companies do this. Moving on to renewal time with Saga and discussing the details with the agent I have now been told that if my Eriba had been stolen last year, I would not have been covered. The reason for this is my fault in assuming the wheel clamp I got from the previous owner of my Eriba was sufficient for theft cover but it isn’t. I do think the agent I spoke to last year should have been more specific rather than just ask the question “ do you have a wheel clamp or hitch lock?” The question should be “ do you have a wheel clamp or hitch lock that is approved by us?” Saga require either a hitch lock or wheel clamp that is approved on the Sold Secure website and if it’s not on that website then that can invalidate a claim. I’ve renewed the policy and bought an approved hitch lock, they agreed to give me a loyalty discount and also an additional discount for being a C&MH club member. Lesson learned today, even though they do state “a wheel clamp or hitch lock that is approved by us” you need to ring them up and find out what is “ approved by us”.

Good point. I’m insured with Saga. I asked that question, they said as long as it had both devices fitted it didn’t matter what make they were. I need to clarify this and get someone’s name recorded to make sure there’s no argument. Or I need to buy new wheel clamp and hitch lock. Phone call tomorrow methinks.

I pay Ripe Caravan Insurance (underwritten by Aviva) around £200 per year for UK and European cover, new for old, on a 2017 van. The policy requires a wheel clamp and hitchlock when parked but does not specify which. I checked and my Milenco locks are acceptable. You do have to “maintain” the caravan in a good state of repair and CRis registration is not required.

Randa, according to Saga annual servicing is only required on a new for old policy. It was one of the questions I asked yesterday, as it happens I will ask this question again later in the year. I have his name just in case!

In view of this I've just checked my Saga policy documents which state the following -

1. At least ONE approved fully operational security device must be fitted when the van is left unattended and unhitched.

My Nemesis wheel lock does not appear on the Sold Secure website but the Al-ko hitch lock for the AKS3004 is listed. As I always fit both then it shouldn't be a problem. However, the policy does not actually mention Sold Secure, only that the security device must be approved by Saga therefore a phone call is required for clarification followed hopefully by a policy endorsement in writing.

2. The policy specifies the Serial/Chassis/CRIS/VIN number which in my case is the chassis number. Nowhere does it state that CRIS registration is mandatory.

3. An annual service is only required when 'new-for-old' cover applies and the van is more than 5 years old.

Roger is right when he points out that insurance companies rarely follow the 'spirit' of the intended cover and use all sorts of chicanery to give themselves a get-out clause...

Spoken to Saga this morning. As we’re taking names it was Amanda. One device approved by the underwriters, check www.soldsecure.com. Servicing is not an issue until the van is 20 years old and then you will be notified by an endorsement on your policy. The wording in the schedule is “You must keep and maintain your caravan in a roadworthy condition”.
So just need to find out what’ make the hitchlock is, we do have an Alko one, oddly enough it fitted the previous van hitch but not this one although it’s the same hitch 🤔

I’ve done some investigating and it would appear the hitch lock we use is not approved. So we have options:-
1. Change insurance company, I’m unwilling to do that as they were so good after our accident.
2. Buy an approved hitch lock.
3. Find out why the Alko hitch lock fitted our previous van but won’t fit this one despite it being the same Alko hitch 🤔. If it fitted it would be fine as it’s approved.

Funnily enough Cris registration has never come up, good job too as it’s not registered. Our first van was but not the last two.

I have the same trouble, even though I could get it on the last van but Bunny can get it on no trouble, it also fits the 3004 hitch.
Dave

I haven’t looked at it but Neil tells me there’s a piece that goes in ( or it did on the other hitch) but on this one it’s solid so no where for the bit to go in. Don’t understand because it’s the same Alko hitch.

Looking at the soldsecure site I am puzzled that the Milenco Wraith is listed but the PurpleLine Nemesis isn't - and yet they are the same thing! Hmmmm fishy?
Fortunately my Milenco clamp is on there.

I suspect that to be listed on the sold secure site costs a certain amount of money to cover the cost of the testing. They can't be suggesting that anything not listed on their site isn't secure enough as most locks have a Thatcham rating which is the same sort of thing. Fortunately our insurance just specifies that you have to have a hitch lock and either wheel lock or axle lock to be fitted when left unattended, and also state that there is no restrictions on which one is fitted. (Frank Pickles - thanks for the recommendation Colin).