Hello and Happy New Year.

I have a bit of a sad story but I know not as bad as some people are suffering............ just need to share as I am still a little shaken by what has happened so unexpectedly.

Just over a year ago we bought a 2010 Troll 550 which we adored, it was our second Troll. Last winter and this winter we decided to keep her in caravan storage rather than on our driveway just so that she was kept out of the weather and dry, or so we thought. Last Thursday in the early hours of the morning we had a call to say that a river had burst its banks and flooded the indoor storage facility. The river was a field away, she tried to float but eventually succumbed and this area had never flooded like this before so we would never have thought to move her.

She has been reported to the insurers but due to the holidays we have no idea when an assessor will visit. We were of two minds whether to move her to safety but she has had water inside.

Has anyone any experience of this before, should we try to dry her out, move her, there are tide lines on the outside and some silt inside on the floor?

What a sad story! It will be interesting to hear how the insurance company serve you. Who are they?

I think if I were in your position I would not do anything to the van. I would let the insurance company see it in its worst condition.
Incidentally once it has been flooded I don't think it would be habitable again and I would not be happy with anything less than replacement.

Oh by the way, welcome. and good luck.
Tony & Frances

Hello All! Thank you for your comments.

We have been looking at values for similar and will print off examples or at the least provide the assessor with a list of companies, thank you for that suggestion. We are insured with the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Hi Randa, she is located inside a large storage facility with a concrete floor but I may ask to be moved to another part of the facility as heavy rainfall is forecast again. The rain came across a large field from the river into the storage site which you would find hard to believe till it happened, what had been a winding river turned into a giant powerful lake in a very short time.

My initial thoughts were that we should try to rescue her as she was in immaculate condition prior to this flood but my husband thinks she would always smell like a boat bilge even if we cleaned her out. So yes, we will have to let her go if that is the decision of the insurance company.

Family had a flood and insurance company says that any damage by flood water automatically condemns it. Sorry to hear the sad news and hope all goes well with the insurance. Good luck.

This is very sad, you may want to collate information such as how much "warning time" you were given, it might sound obvious but having been in the "flood" scenario before you'd be surprised how many try to defraud the insurance companies, having additional information like this to hand is useful, ie if the call was to a mobile it will show on your log, if it's to a landline you will,still be able to get the information.

You may want to read my post "to those in flooded areas".

Best of luck with your claim and stay safe and well

Absolutely heartbreaking. Ellen.

Not a happy new year tale, but I hope you get sorted and keep in touch.

This is really sad news, very sorry to hear it. I'm afraid that the only perfect solution will have to be a replacement, flood damage is very difficult to get rid of 100% I believe.

Today I met with the loss adjustor and he has written off our Troll as a category A write-off so she will be crushed. I had a good chat with him, he was very informative and I am happy it was the right decision. One good thing is that he was familiar with Eriba's so I am hopeful that we will come to an agreeable settlement with the insurers based on his report, he acknowledged that Eriba's hold their value etc.

I'll keep you updated about what we find to replace her which may well be another 550 and thank you for your advice and support.

Sad but probably the best outcome.

So sad, such a shame to crush the van. You would think that there would be some salvageable stuff. Once the water has got in anything that's got wet is ruined, It's just the stuff above maybe like the cupboards etc that might be saved. So long as they give you the market value you can at least hopefully be put back to the position you were in before.
Good luck.

I felt the same way too especially with regard to the lovely alloy wheels and as you say upper locker doors etc. But it isn't meant to be and insurance companies crush in order that a caravan involved in an incident like mine doesn't get into the wrong hands and sold by unscrupulous sellers with potential problems in time for the new owners.