We are delighted to say today we insured the star of the popular YouTube family, The Roaming Radfords. It wasn’t mum nor dad but the motorhome they tour the UK and Europe in!
It’s a good chance this will be the first you’ll have seen of the beautiful Swift Kontiki 874 on a Fiat chassis as the Roaming Radford’s were given the prototype as ambassadors for Swift. It was literally the first one off the ramp!
Our policy includes unlimited windscreen cover, additional contents cover and extended European cover and, business use (yep, even YouTubers need business use if they are using the motorhome in connection with their work!)
Given we specialize in all types of motorhomes, campers and RV’s as well as vehicle’s part converted or self-converters we have practical solutions for almost any needs. Give our office a call on 02380 268351 or visit www.aib-insurance.co.uk for an instant quote and cover.
You can watch The Roaming Radfords and see how their adventures develop by viewing here: Roaming Radfords – YouTube
Philip Tomlinson, a long standing AIB client, has started to use his motorhome as a studio to record YouTube videos!
Philip, owner of popular www.Motorhomer.com arranges rallies for his members across the UK. Spending many weekends away, he soon realised that a mobile studio would be absolutely necessary to record content for his new Youtube channel ‘Those Two Wits’.
Philip has teamed up with his good friend Bruce Lauderdale to create witty videos that leave their subscribers with a smile. Their funny reactions to other videos and the hilarious games they play with other YouTubers, make up the core of their content. Bruce, originally from South Africa, lives full-time in his self converted campervan. He is a professional videographer and he brings his expertise in this field combined with his talent for comedy, to the mix.
Philip’s eldest daughter recently got married to an American, in the USA. To better understand American culture and history, Philip and Bruce started to watch YouTube videos about the USA. They recorded their reactions to these videos and asked American citizens to leave comments on what to watch next, with hilarious results!
Their escape room style ‘Beat The Bomb’ game is a great success. The players objective is to defuse a pretend bomb by solving a series of puzzles. Each puzzle tests different skills, including hand to eye coordination and memory. At the end of the game, the player receives a score that is recorded on a leader board, with the highest-ranked being awarded a trophy at the end of the year.
Partner vs Partner is another one of their creations where couples compete against each other in challenges. These include games like ‘Raw Egg Roulette’ and ‘Undress Your Partner Blindfolded’. Seeing really is believing with these random, weird and downright hilarious games!
Their TikTok account boasts over 219,000 followers and 3.7 million likes, and they are gaining ground on other social media. In addition, they will soon be releasing longer-form podcasts that last around an hour, where they debate a range of exciting and compelling subjects.
If you are interested in watching any of their content, search for ‘Those Two Wits’ on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok or use the link below:
Motorhomes and the lifestyle they offer, are more popular than ever before; there has never been a better time to take a mini-break and explore the many wonderful attractions right here on your doorstep. For those of you who love to get away, with spontaneity but retaining home from home comfort, the motorhome lifestyle is unparalleled. It also enables those of you with other outdoor hobbies such as mountain biking, kayaking, or climbing to easily transport your equipment, still having the creature comforts of home at your disposal.
Renowned motorhome heavyweights, Chausson, AutoSleeper & Pilote, are all bringing new models and ranges to the market for 2021. All kitted out with jaw dropping luxurious fittings and interiors, gadgets and comforts, these new models will ensure you want for absolutely nothing.
PILOTE
Top European motorhome manufacturer, Pilote has been trailblazing its mark in the UK motorhome industry for over 30 years, blending classic staples with innovative customisable features. During this time, many models and styles have been made available and adapted to fit the needs of the UK market, proving its importance to such a major player.
Evidence
2021 sees the exciting introduction of the Evidence branding, featuring a spec especially designed to suit the demands of the British motorhome owner. Available on selected models: the P650C, the P626D, the P696D, the P740FC and the G740FC, Evidence includes an incredible specification list at an ‘all-in’ package price. Built around the Fiat 9 speed automatic gearbox with a 140bhp engine, the specification includes canopy, energy pack with a solar panel and large, 95Ah battery, reversing camera, chassis pack with cruise control and double airbags, comfort pack with cab blinds and an electric step… and much, much more!
Pacific and Pacific + Range
Pilote P720FGJ
The Pilote Pacific range sleeps up to five people making it ideal for couples and small families. Brand-new for 2021, the Pilote P720FGJ is a 7.2m two-berth motorhome, with twin beds at the rear and a face to face lounge-dinette that seats four. The bathroom features an innovative pivoting wall that reveals a shower hidden on one side with the sink and toilet on the other.
Pilote P626D
The compact 6.2m Pilote P626D, fresh for the 2021 season features innovative storage and sleeping arrangements. Shorter in length than a long-wheelbase 6.3m panel van means it’s easy to park but retains the benefits of a coachbuilt body. An electric drop-down bed is above the large lounge, which can seat up to six people.
Galaxy Range
Pilote are synonymous with customisable, high-quality motorhomes and the 2021 Galaxy range is no different. These top-level vehicles combine luxury with practicality. Every model in the 2021 Pilote Galaxy line-up hosts four belted seats, exceptional panoramic views, and a double-insulated heated double-floor, a Pilote exclusive. Modern looking black hardware, additional lighting and storage and new anti-slip fabrics under seating, all feature as new for 2021.
MERCEDES AUTO-SLEEPER
Auto-Sleepers’ latest Mercedes coachbuilt range provides the perfect opportunity for travelling in style. Depending on the layout you are seeking, the range is very likely to deliver the right combination. Mercedes is rightly held in high regard for its engineering prowess and the Mercedes motorhome chassis delivers the ultimate in touring luxury. Six models are available, fully enhanced to offer unrivalled home from home comfort. Features include beech sprung slats on beds, reflex foam upholstery, touchscreen displays, GRP interior walls, habitation air conditioning and many more… as standard. All include the powerful 163bhp Euro 6.2 engine, as well an optional seven-speed automatic gearbox.
1 – The Bourton delivers a spacious lounge which quickly converts at night to provide a choice between full-length single beds or a double. It also features a well-specified end kitchen. What’s more, the Bourton packs all this into a body length of just 6.5m, meaning that it’s easy to both drive and park.
Height: 2860mm / 9’5”
Width: 2660mm / 8’9”
Length: 6485mm / 21’3”
Seats: 2
2 – The Malvern camper van offers the decadence of a French bed and a large front lounge and fully equipped kitchen. The jewel in the crown is a luxe bedroom with side washroom, boasting a separate shower.
Height: 2860mm / 9’5”
Width: 2780mm / 9’1”
Length: 7330mm / 24’1”
Seats: 2
3/4 – The Burford and The Burford Duo offer the space and comfort normally associated with a tag axle Motorhome, on a lighter rear wheel drive, single axle Mercedes chassis. A spacious lounge is up front, with a fully equipped kitchen. This leads through to a stunning rear bedroom with a full width en-suite washroom,
Height: 2880mm / 9’6”
Width: 2780mm / 9’1”
Length: 79200mm / 26’0”
Seats: 2
5 – The Winchcombe features a large, luxurious bathroom featuring a double shower, a centrally positioned high end kitchen and roomy lounge, delivering homely, yet magnificent comfort.
Height: 2860mm / 9’5”
Width: 2780mm / 9’1”
Length: 7330mm / 24’1”
Seats: 2
6 – The Stanton is the most compact model built on the Mercedes rear wheel drive chassis and offers a similar layout to the Bourton. With no compromise spared on the space available inside, it features all flagship specifications, including an optional fully automatic gearbox.
Height: 2900mm / 9’6”
Width: 2660mm / 8’9”
Length: 5980mm / 19’7.5”
Seats: 2
CHAUSSON
40+ years of existence and the production equivalent of 50,000+ motorhomes, Chausson are renowned for their unique French style and flair, alongside award-winning levels of exceptional quality, comfort, and reliability. This remains the case for 2021, seeing the low-profile range broadened, offering four brand-new layouts to the line-up.
The 648 If you are looking for an island-bed motorhome, you’ll love the 648; it’s less than 7m long and offers a 160cm-wide bed, and a face-to-face ‘SmartLounge’.
The 788 is less than 7.2m in length and has a similar layout plus a transverse double-door washroom. This model is equipped with the ‘SmartLounge’ and ‘EasyBed’ as standard. The clever ‘SmartLounge’ concept provides comfort, attractiveness and practicality, seeing the two bench seats easily transformed into comfortable seats for road travel (Isofix certified). The ‘EasyBed’ system lets you raise or lower the bed to adjust the size of the garage area. Use a crank to adjust the size of the area; make it higher to transport bikes, or lower for bags and camping equipment.
The 644 less than 7m long, boasts a unique layout with five forward-facing seats for travel and a transverse double bed at the back that can be lifted to provide access to the garage underneath. The face-to-face lounge in the front includes five travel seats (with one facing backwards and a drop-down double bed.
The 777GA meanwhile, is similar to the 788 (again, less than 7.2m in length) with large twin beds (at 90cm wide) and a huge, 2159-litre garage.
All of these models are available in the three unique, Chausson ‘strengths’:
First Line, Titanium VIP and Titanium Premium.
The First Line range takes the Chausson classic layouts and gives them an exciting, new, fresh interior, complete with an award-winning Ford based chassis and all the essential equipment as standard, at an unbeatable price.
Titanium VIP includes the First Line equipment but boasts more functionalities. A 140hp engine, automatic gearbox, grey side panels and 16-inch alloy wheels and Traction+. Titanium is a legendary series from Chausson, combining great design with a full range of equipment. This exceptional series is available for the first time as a VIP version, a level of equipment which not only offers the essentials as standard but also a large number of features which will make your life easier on holiday.
Titanium Premium has all the First line and Titanium VIP specs but includes a 170hp engine with an improved luxury entrance door, wraparound cab blinds, more comfortable mattress with premium furniture and textiles, and an extractor fan skylight in rear bedroom.
We interviewed Kirby from AIB Insurance, a motorhome, campervan and RV specialist to talk about the latest happenings in the world of insurance:
Are you seeing anything interesting with Motorhome and Camper claims?
The last 24 months have been challenging times for insurers with motorhome, RV’s and camper thefts on the increase. Take North Wales for example – police recently revealed that 30 vehicles worth over a million pounds had been stolen over the past 16 months. They believe thieves in that area were mainly targeting Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer motorhomes using technology widely available on the Internet to override the manufacturer’s security measures that included the electronic immobiliser.
On a national basis though, Ford continues to be the vehicle of choice for most thieves. Our insurance partner Ageas Insurance tells me Ford manufactured motorhomes make up less than 6% of their motorhome book but the theft rate is ridiculously high. There is no pattern as to where the motorhomes are kept, how long they have been owned or the level of security measures as they’ve seen a variety of scenarios. They have had over £350,000 worth of Fords stolen last year alone which is why they took the decision to work out what model ranges/years of manufacture were affected and decline them.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), motor theft claims have increased by 20% in 2019 and motor theft claims paid by insurers in the first quarter of this year were at their highest for any quarter since 2012 with a payment made relating to vehicle crime every eight minutes. The ABI claims that the increase is in part being driven by keyless car crime whereby hi-tech criminals are able to bypass keyless technology in as little as 20 seconds. This would certainly seem to be the case with a large number of motorhome thefts as an increasing number are being stolen when they are parked on driveways.
Has this seen the cost of insurance increase?
Historically, motorhomes have been rated on three main factors: year, engine size and value (ignoring left hand drives, imports and modified vehicles etc.). Over the last 12 months, three major motorhome insurers, Aviva, Ageas and Markerstudy have taken the unusual steps to load the premium further or even decline specific years of manufacturer, especially Ford.
Generally, motorhome and campervan insurance rates have remained stagnant apart from specific manufacturers. DIY conversions tend to cost more to insure than a coach built one.
So how can owners prevent a vehicle being stolen?
If your motorhome is stolen, having the right insurance policy in place will mean that you can at least have the peace of mind of knowing that you’ll be compensated financially for your loss. However, an insurance payout can never compensate you for the inconvenience and disruption that vehicle theft causes.
The good news is that most theft is opportunistic and thieves generally don’t like to work too hard. So, if they see a motorhome fitted with wheel locks, steering or handbrake locks or wheel clamps, it may be enough to put them off. Of course, you can go further by installing an alarm, immobiliser, a tracking device or even installing PIR lights trained on your parking space that illuminate when they sense movement.
What should people look out for when insuring a motorhome, RV or campervan?
It is vital, that you take out appropriate motorhome insurance and select a policy that will cover all your needs.
Motorhome insurance is not like car insurance, it requires specialist knowledge and as such, you should speak to a specialist motorhome insurance provider. Most specialists will provide additional European cover, additional contents cover and cover for gas cylinders, generators and awnings.
We would encourage you to purchase legal expenses as, if you find yourself in a dispute, legal fees can be expensive. Likewise, breakdown cover can be challenging as non-specialist providers may place a height, length or weight restriction on the vehicle they cover.
Another thing to mention when buying cover, is the level of windscreen glass cover that the specific policy your purchasing provides. Many insurers restrict the windscreen cover to £500-£1000 but an owner of an A-Class could be left short and should seek insurers that provide unlimited glass cover.
The motorhome market continues to grow especially relating to the sale of higher value models that cost over £100,000 and that represents a different risk for insurers if they go missing.
What is happening in the classic car world – are vehicles still going up in value?
The classic vehicle market is renowned for its stability and consistency and the VW campervan is a prime example of that. Over the past 10 years, classic vehicle values have been consistently going up, outperforming just about everything I can think of apart from vintage wine. I’d argue that classic vehicles are a better investment here too as it’s possible to use them without instantly destroying their value!
That said, at the top end of the market such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and the like, it looks as though we’re finally seeing the pace slowing and interest levels cooling.
One element of this could be uncertainty. When it comes to high value classics, it’s a global market. Investors may simply be less prepared to spend big at a time of trade wars and uncertain future trading arrangements.
The classic vehicle market is forever evolving as new cars become classics as each year passes.
What’s your favourite classic within the motorhome and campervan arena?
I love the 1967 BMC Princess – it looks bonkers. Whilst it looks like a DIY conversion, it was actually coach-built on a Vanden Plas Princess chassis but was unusually modern for it’s time enjoying power steering and an automatic transmission. Another favourite would be the VW T25 hightop campervan. Again, it looks so cool and I can imagine myself sitting in it with a hot cup of tea on a cold day looking out over the ocean.
If you are the proud owner of a motorhome you may be interested to read that you are one of a growing number of holidaymakers who take to the road in such a vehicle to enjoy a break both here in the UK and overseas. According to statistics produced by the NCC that is the trade body for the motorhome, tourer, park home and caravan holiday home industries the number of people buying motorhomes rose in 2017 – in fact there has been a steady increase for a number of years.
Below are the statistics for new motorhomes registered here in the UK: –
2017 14,062
2016 12,332
2015 10,572
2014 8,733
2013 7,425
Below are the statistics for pre-owned motorhomes registered here in the UK: –
2017 55,449
2016 55,020
2015 48,839
2014 47,755
2013 45,572
The above organization also produced some interesting statistics for the number of new motorhomes registered in certain European countries that showed there has been an increase in certain countries when comparing 2017 with 2016: –
France 8.3% increase
UK 14.0% increase
Germany 15.5% increase
Italy 19.1% increase
It is estimated that there are in the region of 225,000 motorhomes being used here in the UK. Interestingly, there are about 555,000 touring caravans and 365,000 caravan holiday homes being utilized here in the UK. In 2016, it was estimated that people in Great Britain spent in the region of £2 billion per annum on caravan holidays and it is believed that about £6 billion is contributed to the economy here in the UK by the caravan industry every year.
Of course, as with most things that can be purchased, there is such a huge variance in the cost of buying a motorhome ranging from a few thousand pounds for a second hand vehicle to a six-figure sum for a brand new motorhome.
If you are considering investing in a motor home and it is not the type of holiday that you have tried before then you may prefer to hire such a vehicle for a week or two to make sure that touring around the UK and beyond is for you and your family.
Here at AIB Insurance we have many years experience in arranging motorhome insurance for numerous clients, We have a panel of reputable insurers so why not get in contact with us on 02380 268 351 and speak with a friendly, informative member of our team who will happily arrange a bespoke, competitive quotation without any obligation.
Those of you who enjoy holidaying in a motorhome or are considering buying one may be interested to read that they would appear to be growing in popularity here in the UK. According to the National Caravan Council (NCC), the number of motorhomes that were registered in 2016 amounted to 12,332. This is a significant increase in comparison to 2015 when 10,572 motorhomes were registered.
The increase is being put down to the huge selection of campervans and motorhomes that can be purchased. People from a variety of walks of life are now taking to the roads in one of them whether it is for a short break or a longer holiday. No doubt one of the appeals is that those people owning a motorhome can decide at very short notice to take off in the vehicle if the weather is particularly pleasant and enjoy two or three nights away here in the UK or spend a few days longer across the English Channel touring in Europe.
Interestingly, approved NCC dealers are finding that more and more owners of motorhomes are using their vehicles throughout the year. This is being put down to motorhomes having improved heating systems, better insulation to keep the heat in and the fact that more caravan parks stay open for a longer time in the year.
For those people who are thinking of buying a motorhome but are unsure if they will enjoy this type of holiday they may wish to consider hiring one to get a taste for it before committing to what could be a significant investment There is an extensive selection of motorhomes to hire whether your preference is for an up to date luxury model that comes equipped with numerous mod cons or a classic VW campervan that has been well maintained.
If you are considering purchasing a motorhome or campervan then you may be interested to know that here at AIB Insurance we have many years experience of helping to arrange quality insurance on such vehicles providing our customers with complete peace of mind. So, if you would welcome a competitive quotation why not speak with a friendly, knowledgeable member of our team on 02380 268 351.
Airsports Insurance Bureau Limited are pleased to announce that Tansar Insurance has joined our panel of insurer partners.
Tansar are a specialist motor underwriting agency able to write a variety of the UK’s motor products. Some of those products include non-standard car and van insurance, specialist vehicles such as motorhomes or kit cars, motor cycles and high and mid net worth cars. They offer a wide range of benefits across all their products ranging from new vehicle replacement to personal accident benefits.
AIB Spokesperson Leah Burt commented: “We have known the management team at Tansar for many years and share the same passion for providing expertise and a true commitment to customer service and product provision. We are looking forward to forging a mutually beneficial, profitable relationship for our ever growing client bank to enjoy.”
To find out more about our new partner Tansar, visit the following link: http://www.tansar.co.uk/
A number of our customers love taking to the roads both in the UK and Europe in their motorhomes to enjoy a family holiday or travel as a couple. Whether it is to go away for a weekend or a couple of weeks, they enjoy being able to stop off for a night or two either at a campsite that they had pre-arranged to stay at or spontaneously pull over in the countryside and spend an evening enjoying the panoramic views before settling down for a good night’s sleep.
However, there surely cannot be many people that have done what the Hurst family chose to do. David Hurst, his wife Debs, their two sons Daniel aged 6 and Darley aged 4 as well as their dog called Colin have spent 12 months, on and off, travelling about 25,000 miles around Europe in their motorhome – a Swift Escape 696.
Having previously enjoyed hiring a motorhome in 2014, they made the decision to downsize their home and purchase the above motorhome and then set off on what appears to have been a wonderful experience.
During the twelve months they visited almost 200 family and friends in 12 countries including the UK, France, Spain, Belgium and Morocco. Whilst on their travels they “home taught” their oldest son and generated additional income by writing. It certainly would appear that they have all had the most amazing of adventures and will have memories that will last for a lifetime.
You can read more about their travels in the Mail on Sunday in which Mr Hurst has provided some useful information about some of the places that they visited. You may find this useful should you be planning to visit some of those places.
Of course, if you are considering purchasing a motorhome, you will wish to ensure that it is suitably insured. In this respect, why not pick up the phone and speak to us here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 and we will discuss your requirements with a view to obtaining a competitive motorhome insurance quotation for your consideration without any obligation.
AIB Launch Classic Car Offering
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