Personal Belonings Insurance

[Dwayne Dibbley]

I've been having problems trying to find a company that will cover vehicle contents kept in a vehicle overnight. Nobody seems to cover this. Only between 8am and 10pm. How do the insurance companies expect you to do a vehicle based expedition and not leave gear in the vehicle while you sleep on the roof.
One company that said and I quote "belongings kept in an unattended vehicle after 10 pm and before 8am....." were not covered, so I asked if slleping on the roof is "attended" and was told no, that the vehicle was classed as unattended.
Having had my Land Rover and its entire contents incl all my gear and equipment and tools, (you name it they got it) stolen from the Drivway of a friends house in the UK the night I arrived home for Morocco, and been told I was not covered, I can't go through it again. Can anybody help? Anybody used a company that covers this?

Thanks

[Roman]

Originally posted by Dwayne Dibbley:
... How do the insurance companies expect you to do a vehicle based expedition and not leave gear in the vehicle while you sleep on the roof. ...

That's simple - they don't.

You don't mention where you are based, but say you're in Europe. Have you tried Worldwide Direct (tel tel. 0800-365121) or Alexander Forbes Insurance Agency ( http://www.afiaws.com/ ) or Alessie ( http://www.alessie.com/index_eng.htm ) or Harrison Beaumont ( http://WWW.hbinsurance.co.uk )

Rgds,
Roman (UK)

[Dwayne Dibbley]

Thanks Roman,

They were all about as useful as an ash tray on a motorbike.
Basically, if you meet all the criteria (ridiculous criteria)maximum coverage is only £1500, and that wouldn't even replace a Lap top, so its not worth it...
The other thing is, most people I have dealt with on the phone just don't seem arsed. Replies like "my personal opinion" piss me off. I don't want to know their personal opinion, I want to know what the underwriter specifically says............
I've had enough of insurance companies.

I'm in Dublin by the way, but the other team members are UK nationals.

Thanks for your help

[Roman]

Dwayne,

I thought these guys are specialists, but then most people going on expedtions are mainly concered with getting a cover for the vehicle in case it needs to be recovered back home.

Taking care for the stuff inside is a separtate field of science with many schools based on personal experience. I'd think it takes little comfort your insurance will pay for your laptop if all your electronic photos were stored on the hard disk. Window mesh, deadlocks & padlocks seem to have worked in the past, unlike insurance schemes.

Rgds
Roman (UK)

[Chris Smith]

Hi there

Try British Airways - they do their own insurance and I had the same issue for stuff kept on the bike over night or unattended during the day. I specifically asked if it was covered and they said YES! I haven't tested this through a claim and I haven't read the small print too closely but it may be a lead for you. I don't know where you're based but if it is in the UK there a loads of outlets. You want their insurance outlet - not their flights shop, although they are often linked. There is a very good one a the lower end of New Street in Birmingham. Hope this helps.

Chris

[Sam Rutherford]

You should also try the backpacker covering 'round-the-worlders', like Columbus.

They will cover your personal kit (probably not your toolbox), but may require items to be 'locked out of site in the boot'. Not sure where the 'boot' is on a Land Rover.

Certainly an avenue for research, though.

Sam.

[Dwayne Dibbley]

Thanks for all the help. World Wide who are linked off this site came up trumps. They class the vehicle as being attended if you are sleeping on the roof, and therefore, even if stuff gets stolen overnight its covered as you are still with the vehicle. THey don't cover valuables such as passport lap tops etc, but simply said take it to bed with you!
Tools will just be classsed as posessions. The cover wouldn't even come close to the value of what i'm taking, but the medical is good

[strongp]

1. I tried Colombus when planning my trans-aAfrica trip and they said tyhat my travel insurance policy stopped the moment I left a tarmac road - specialist my arse...

2. I'm no lawyer, but sleeping on a vehicle means that it is attended unless they specifically exclude this in the policy document- they'd have trouble aguing against the ombudsman on that.

3. The limits on individual items are always a joke - but the best of the bunch were Trailfinders - www.trailfinders.co.uk - though I haven't tried claiming for anything yet.

4. The best policy is just being careful, and carrying a big lock, like the man said.