| From the land of 'super-size' come these mammoth | | | | good deal, take your time and keep an open mind, |
| holiday homes on wheels - American 'Recreational | | | | sometimes the model you thought wasn't for you |
| Vehicles', or RV's for short. | | | | turns out to be perfect when viewed in person. |
| These motorhomes are typically far bigger than | | | | Insurance is obviously a legal requirement for |
| traditional European motorhomes, but what they lack | | | | motorhomes, so before you hit the road with your |
| in subtlety, not to mention fuel economy, they more | | | | new RV make sure you've got yourself an insurance |
| than make up for in space, comfort and luxury. | | | | policy that includes cover for everything you need. |
| Often including full sized refrigerators and ovens, as | | | | Due to the value of most RV's, and the host of |
| well as king sized beds and washrooms with | | | | gadgets inside, its essential you get a solid insurance |
| domestic spec fittings, they represent the very best | | | | policy that covers the motorhome and its equipment |
| in true on-the-road home comforts. | | | | - this includes gas bottles, security equipment and |
| Traditionally American RV's have been favoured for | | | | spare tires, but also things such as flatscreen TV's, |
| long tours or full timing around Europe, but they are | | | | audio equipment, microwaves and DVD players. |
| now increasing in popularity in the UK and becoming a | | | | As well as a first-rate insurance policy it's worth |
| more frequent sight at holiday parks up and down | | | | protecting such a high value vehicle with the very |
| the country. If you're looking for a way to travel in | | | | best in security. Satellite Tracking devices and |
| the UK or Europe, without leaving your home | | | | Thatcham Category 1 approved alarms (widely |
| comforts behind, then an RV could be just the ticket. | | | | accepted as the industry top standard) should |
| The first thing to remember is that with added | | | | certainly be considered. Not only do they provide |
| luxury, space and spec comes added cost - expect | | | | fantastic security for your investment but you may |
| to pay between £100,000 and | | | | also find that specialist RV motorhome insurance |
| £200,000 for many new models, though the | | | | companies will reward you with discounts of as much |
| huge range of high end RV's on offer mean the sky's | | | | as 30% for their fitment. |
| the limit in terms of price. Compare this to the top | | | | Breakdown cover can often be included with your |
| end European style motorhomes, which rarely reach | | | | insurance policy, but it's vital that you find out from |
| the £100,000 mark, and it's easy to see that | | | | the insurer whether the breakdown company they |
| an RV is a huge investment that shouldn't be taken | | | | use is capable of towing away your RV for repair. |
| lightly. | | | | Some recovery companies have weight or length |
| There are a surprising number of dealers dotted | | | | restrictions on their recovery services, and therefore |
| around the UK, so once you've had a look at a range | | | | can't cover all sizes of RV, so make sure you check |
| of models online it's worth a trip or two to visit | | | | before you take out a policy. |
| various dealers and get a feel for the various layouts | | | | If you intend on travelling in Europe as well as the UK |
| and features before you commit to a certain model. | | | | make sure you check your insurance policy will cover |
| There are a wide range of features available, from | | | | you, and for an adequate amount of time - |
| automated slide out living spaces and bedrooms | | | | furthermore, some insurers will allow you to add |
| which greatly expand the floor space, to built in | | | | European cover as an optional extra at anytime |
| showers and flat screen TV's - so once you've | | | | during your policy. |
| viewed a number of RV's with different features | | | | Making sure you have the right type of driving license |
| write a list of key features you'd like, in order of | | | | is another legal requirement, and the size of many |
| importance, then refer to this when making a | | | | RV's dictates you need up to a Category C license |
| decision. | | | | to drive them, so make sure you find out the weight |
| The key is knowing which features and layouts meet | | | | of the RV's you wish to purchase and get the |
| your requirements best and keeping an eye out for a | | | | necessary license before you buy. |