Archive for November, 2009

Should I Lie To My Insurer?

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Lovemoney.com have released a great article discussing the dangers of insurance fronting and non disclosure. Read it here

 

lifesureman

Japanese Import Motor Caravans

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

 Looking for a camper van? Planning your escape to a holiday destination? The motor caravan is the ideal way to get away from it all. They tend to cost more than a caravan but are great for those who don’t fancy towing long distances.

 

Bongo  

If you buy a compact camper it can actually serve two purposes by being your every day vehicle too. If this is the case you can justify the cost because the equivalent cost of a car and caravan would have to be considered. In addition you will only have one insurance premium to pay.

 Toyota Regius

There are many vehicles perfect for conversion to motor caravans coming in from Japan. These tend to have no rust, be low mileage and are very reasonably priced compared to European campers. There are many reputable companies in the UK sourcing the best vehicles then applying expert conversions such as DirectCampers.me.uk  in Kilmarnock.

Granvia

The ‘Big Four’ vehicles best suited to conversion are the Toyota Granvia, Toyota Regius, Nissan Elgrand and Mazda Bongo/Ford Freda. The Granvia has the greatest width, followed by the Regius, Elgrand then Bongo in order. The width mainly affects bed size.

Ford Freda

 

There is a ‘new kid on the block’ in the form of the Nissan Serena II (not to be confused with the old UK Serena) which has an excellent 2.5 diesel engine and is compact enough to be an everyday car aswell.

Nissan Elgrand

 

Test drive one, you will be pleasantly surprised!

In addition, as Lifesure have schemes for Motor Caravans and Japanese Imports you get the best of both insurance deals!

 

lifesureman

Caravans – A Buyer’s Guide

Friday, November 6th, 2009
Buying a Caravan
 
Caravanning is fast becoming the most popular type of family holidayin the UK.  Lots of people are trying caravans as an alternative to expensive annual holidays abroad. After the initial outlay the holiday cost is very reasonable. Plus with global warming the UK now enjoys better summers, right? If you are new to the caravan game, bear these tips in mind before you buy:
 
Consider what you require.  Obviously you need to match the caravan or trailer tent size or number of berths to the size of your family. An awning with internal bedrooms can increase the accommodation for older children and/or other adults.
 
Consider your budget: Caravans and trailer tents hold their value very well, consider buying an older one to see if you like it, then maybe upgrade later on. After deciding what you need, buy privately or from a dealer but consider the following:
 
  1. Analyse the finish on the caravan, this can be seen on the inside of cupboards. Most manufacturers, nowadays, have switched from the weighty and short-lived chipboard to genuine timber
  2. The general rule is the smaller the caravan the easier it is to tow. Bear in mind your vehicle’s towing capacity when buying a caravan
  3. Check everything, from the cooker to the fridge, beds and windows,  If you don’t you’re bound to find something that bites you later on. Sniff lots, if it whiffs steer clear, there could be damp or it could be a dog or smokers. Caravan smells are hard to get rid of.
  4. Check the history : Find out as much as you can about the history of the seller and reviews of old customers. 

Caravan and Trailer Tent Insurance is very reasonable, you can get a quote and cover online at www.lifesure.co.uk

Comberton

If you’re new to caravanning then make sure you take a test drive pulling the van before you go on your holiday.   Towing a caravan calls for a very different, more cautious approach to driving. There are some great towing courses available through the caravan clubs. I went on one myself when I bought my first caravan and it was great. I had a ’snaking’ incident on one holiday and controlled it without a problem thanks to the course. I can also reverse onto pitches!

DeersGalde

The best thing for me about the caravan is that you can just hitch up and go somewhere for the weekend. It doesn’t even have to be far, I use a site sometimes that is only 10 miles from my home. I would much rather have a couple of long holidays and weekends away during the year in the caravan than just one main holiday abroad.

 

Right now is a great time of year for the buyer, you will save money on the same caravan for sale in spring or summer.

lifesureman

Movember Charity Event

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

As we all know fashion continuously moves in circles, leg warmers and shoulder pads I am told are really big at the moment.

But something that has until now been long forgotten about but is now ready to be dusted off and worn with pride is the humble moustache. Whether you’re a ‘handlebar’, ‘Kitchener’  or ‘Droopy’  kind of guy Bedford Rugby club are offering us all the chance to bring back the ‘tash’, and make some cash for ‘The Prostate Cancer Charity.’

            Movember

The idea is to turn up on day one clean shaven with a pocketful of sponsorship money then after a month, present your ‘mo’ for judging, for full terms and conditions visit www.bedfordrugby.co.uk. There is also a free drink for any moustachioed man or woman that  turns up at the game againt Moseley on the 13th of November 2009.

Here at Lifesure we seem to have been a bit slow on the uptake and have missed the ‘movember’ deadline, but I am sure if demand was high enough we could arrange something similar in the coming months – any takers? 

Moustache