COLUMN MONEY MATTERS Ashridge Farm Club Campsite in Hertfordshire has storage facilities that are Gold-rated by CaSSOA
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hile we hope you’re making the most of the summer and getting out and about in your outfits, now is a good time to consider storage if you plan to give your caravan or motorhome a break during the colder months. Good storage – and by ‘good’ we mean storage with high levels of security – can be expensive. However, this can be money well spent. It is worth bearing in mind that only 16% of caravans reported stolen on our Caravan Cover in 2022 were actually recovered. Those sites rated ‘Gold’ or ‘Platinum’ by CaSSOA (the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association) are generally the most secure and will usually have features like perimeter protection, access control, CCTV and security lighting – all of which may help deter thieves. If you’ve not done so already, why not see whether one of our Club storage sites is suitable for you? We have more than 40 – you can search by area at camc.com/storage to see their locations – and seven of these are rated Gold by CaSSOA. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a 100% secure site, so it’s always worth looking
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at additional measures to protect your pride and joy. Wherever possible, minimise the risk of theft further by fitting security devices such as an accredited hitch lock and a wheel lock or clamp. Ideally, fit an alarm and tracker to your outfit as well; however do check whether your storage facility allows you to keep any alarm active. If you store your outfit at home a security post will block removal and security lights and CCTV can help. While these all come at a cost they could be really worthwhile investments. Most home insurers don’t need to know about these types of additions, but it’s always worth checking. On the other hand, your caravan insurance/ cover provider may offer lower prices where good security/storage provision is in evidence, so don’t forget to tell them if you make any relevant changes. The reductions can help offset a little of the cost of your storage/ security investment. As an aside, if you store your vehicle at home, try to keep it out sight – if a thief notices its absence while you are on holiday, your home could be more vulnerable to a burglary. If the worst does happen, it’s worth remembering that even if your cover provider quickly replaces your outfit, there is usually an excess to pay towards any claim.
Storage and vehicle security are important considerations that could potentially save you money in the long run So investments in secure storage and security are hopefully helping you to avoid that cost For more information on security please take a look at the ‘Advice and training’ section on our website. For specific information about storage, please see camc.com/storage. Turn to page 29 for the latest information on the Club’s storage pitches and bookings for 2024.
SAVE ON SECURITY PRODUCTS You can save up to 10% on security products – such as this Milenco Wraith 2 Caravan Wheel Lock – at Club Shop. Visit shop.camc.com to find out more.
www.camc.com
