Car Trailer insurance?

Silvera · 16-10-2014 7:39pm #1

Apologies if this has been posted before...

Has anybody here experience of getting their car insurer to cover 'towing a trailer'?

I spoke with two insurers today (current insurer and new quote) and got various responses..

Current company - 'we only cover single axle trailers, which have been made by manufacturers, and have a serial number'..

I asked about double-axle trailers... 'we can cover those too' ..'new regulations came in in 2012 so the trailer must have a manufacturer name, serial no etc on it'

I said I thought that only applied to trailers manufacturered after 2012...and the trailer I use was made before 2012.

I was put on hold. He came back after a minute or two and said 'yes we will cover the trailer but it must have a serial number'

New company/quote - 'we will cover single axle, up to 1 ton unladen(??) both attached or unattached to the vehicle'. I ask about double-axle trailers - 'we will cover it too but only when attached to the vehicle'

Puzzling array of answers?!
+ most locally-made trailer (pre-2012) dont have serial numbers?!

Anybody else have definitive answers from their insurance company about trailer towing??

mgbgt1978 · 16-10-2014 7:47pm

TBH Silvera I'd hazard a guess that you have probably already received the most 'definitive' answers out there.
The best I've ever managed to get was "we'll cover the trailer (any trailer) while it's attached to your car, but if it comes adrift then it's your problem".

Stheno · 16-10-2014 7:49pm

You also need to make sure you've the right class of licence that changed too

CiniO · 16-10-2014 7:52pm

I fitted towbar to my car in January this year.

I rang my insurer (Allianz) to inform them that I fitted towbar (modification), but they told me they don't see it as modification, as my insurance covers me to tow trailers anyway. (and that indeed matches what is written in the policy).
They said if I wanted the cover for the trailer I'm towing (in case trailer gets damages out of my fault) then it would cost extra and I need to give them details of the trailer, but I wasn't interested in it.
So I can tow any trailer (within legal weight limits and car specified limits) and I automatically have third party cover to do it. Trailer itself is not covered though so if it's damaged by me, I'll have to cover cost of repairing it out of my pocket.

Silvera · 17-10-2014 5:22pm

CiniO wrote: »

I fitted towbar to my car in January this year.

I rang my insurer (Allianz) to inform them that I fitted towbar (modification), but they told me they don't see it as modification, as my insurance covers me to tow trailers anyway. (and that indeed matches what is written in the policy).
They said if I wanted the cover for the trailer I'm towing (in case trailer gets damages out of my fault) then it would cost extra and I need to give them details of the trailer, but I wasn't interested in it.
So I can tow any trailer (within legal weight limits and car specified limits) and I automatically have third party cover to do it. Trailer itself is not covered though so if it's damaged by me, I'll have to cover cost of repairing it out of my pocket.

As a matter of interest....did your insurance company ask you if the towbar was 'professionally' fitted?

Re Trailer insurance....I rang 123.ie today for a new quote and asked about trailer cover...they said I was covered to tow a trailer within my cars legal limit and cover also extended to 'detached cover' (excluded boat trailers, etc ...no mention of car transporter trailers being excluded though!)

CiniO · 17-10-2014 6:21pm

Silvera wrote: »

As a matter of interest....did your insurance company ask you if the towbar was 'professionally' fitted?

It was. Cost me just over 100 quid.
But insurer didn't ask. They didn't ask either for any certificates fitter gave me.
In fact they told me they are not interested in fact if my car has or doesn't have a towbar. I though it was bit strange, but that's what it was.

oldyouth · 17-10-2014 7:40pm

I think there might be confusion here. Are you looking to insure your trailer for Damage, Fire & Theft, or looking to cover your 3rd party liability while driving with an attached trailer?

Silvera · 17-10-2014 8:21pm

oldyouth wrote: »

I think there might be confusion here. Are you looking to insure your trailer for Damage, Fire & Theft, or looking to cover your 3rd party liability while driving with an attached trailer?

The basic cover - attached and detached (i.e. if it became detached when in use).

oldyouth · 17-10-2014 8:49pm

Detached cover relates to your liability when it is parked on the side of the road away from your vehicle. If it becomes detached while you are driving, your current TP cover should be sufficient. I think you are asking insurers for the wrong thing, hence the additional premium

Car Trailer insurance?

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