Trailer insurance - things I wish I’d known two months ago!

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Canterbury Cait

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Evening HHOers…I don’t post often but am hoping this might be useful information; if it saves anyone a headache in the future, it’s a job well done!

Having recently had my trailer stolen I have had a real battle getting the insurance sorted…I have, finally, had confirmation that my claim is approved, and am hoping that by sharing the details that would have made my life easier, I can save someone else from a similar fight.

(With the disclaimer that this may all be very obvious to some!

1. Take photos of EVERYTHING - the trailer itself, including the place it is kept, any and all security devices (hitch luck, wheel clamps etc), stickers, scratches/damage, and especially the information plate that has the serial number, make and model etc.

2. Keep a record of the transfer of funds from purchasing the trailer, especially if it’s a second-hand private sale. This can be hard to track down several years down the line, especially if you have changed bank accounts, so a saved bank statement will help.

3. Check whether your trailer manufacturer keeps a database of owners (Ifor Wiliams do) and whether you are on it. If not, get yourself on there!

4. Keep your receipt! If it’s a private sale, make sure that the receipt has the name of both buyer and seller, the date, the serial number and details of the trailer, full amount paid…this one sounds SO obvious, but my vendor hadn’t written his own name on the receipt and it caused problems! (He was in no way ‘dodgy’ - just a missed detail).

5. Consider a security camera - even if it’s a Ring doorbell or similar - aimed at your trailer. It might not stop the theft, but might convince your insurer that you are not in fact scamming them 🙄

6. Find out if your local Rural Policing Team offer property marking. Ours do engraving, and had put my postcode on the trailer. TAKE PHOTOS - not just of the finished marking but of the process. It was definitely useful to be able to provide a photo of a uniformed police officer in the process of engraving my trailer, even more so when said officer was able to confirm to the insurance company that he had done so.

6. If you have to claim…Don’t give up! I had the definite feeling that my insurance company were hoping I would.


Anyway, I hope that none of you ever have to use this info, but if it does help, I’m glad.

Have a lovely evening x
 
I had a similar issue when my trailer was stolen. You say you are with SEIB but they are brokers - your policy doesn’t happen to be underwritten by E&L does it? They tried extremely hard not to pay me and only when I threatened action did the money appear in my account within 24 hours!

Completely back everything you say. Also keep the receipt of any locks you have on the trailer. I didn’t have any as I had bought it off someone on the yard, this was an issue apparently despite video evidence the lock was on!

They also asked for our transcript of when we reported the theft to the police (immediately as it happened midday when people were around)…
 
Hi SOS, good point, yes - SEIB are the brokers, underwriters are Ecclesiastical. All correspondence has been via SEIB though so in my head, rightly or wrongly, they’re the villains 😁
 
This is so poor. They should ask for all of this upfront. Was it (hidden) in the t&cs?

Have you bought and insured a new trailer? Interested to know if your premium goes up.
 
Jambarissa said:
This is so poor. They should ask for all of this upfront. Was it (hidden) in the t&cs?

Have you bought and insured a new trailer? Interested to know if your premium goes up.
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Yes, I agree that if the info is needed it should be asked for upfront. The only t&c that was really relevant was a clause about security devices eg wheel clamps being installed (which I was aware of and had in place).

I am currently shopping for a replacement so don’t know yet about premiums…will try and remember to update you 🙂
 
That is very good information, thank you.

I must say that the NFU have been great as we have just had our Ivor Williams flat bed stolen. Those who took it must be like the fox round the chicken pen, (prowling round every night) because it was the first night it was left in a barn with nothing in front of it. They broke down fences and drove across fields to steal it. The Police have a good idea of where it has gone, but without firm evidence ...............

However, the NFU accepted the liability, and paid what it was insured for (new price 6 years ago) and the money was in the bank account within a couple of days and a new one purchased at the weekend (just don't tell the thieves).
 
Orangehorse said:
That is very good information, thank you.

I must say that the NFU have been great as we have just had our Ivor Williams flat bed stolen. Those who took it must be like the fox round the chicken pen, (prowling round every night) because it was the first night it was left in a barn with nothing in front of it. They broke down fences and drove across fields to steal it. The Police have a good idea of where it has gone, but without firm evidence ...............

However, the NFU accepted the liability, and paid what it was insured for (new price 6 years ago) and the money was in the bank account within a couple of days and a new one purchased at the weekend (just don't tell the thieves).
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Yes I have had lots of recommendations for NFU, I’m glad to hear they were helpful in your case too…although of course sorry to hear about the theft. May the thieves have warm pillows and cold tea forever!
 
I done same for some inheritance jewels and valuables. Told insurance company and done pictures and copy of will stating what I was given. Not horse stuff. But same reasons. But I had to get a safe installation to house them.
 
Great advice, so sorry you had to go through this. Ours sits underneath our security cameras and all locks have been purchased from amazon, with receipts printed off and put with trailer service records. Insurance companies love to take our money, but aren't so keen when we have to claim for anything. I was with SEIB many years ago with a lorry we bought that we also took out breakdown cover for, had only owned lorry for 48hrs, transporting two of our horse, wheels fell off on the motorway. Horrendous experience and they refused to recover us. Cost us £800 to get it home! Never again.
 
Muddywellies said:
I was sh1t on from a great height by Anthony D Evans. They were truly awful, and mislead me into cancelling my policy, then refusing to insure me a week later with new trailer. An incredibly stressful situation where I was made to feel like the criminal.
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I’m sorry to hear that you had a bad experience too. Completely empathise with being made to feel ‘under suspicion’, it’s horrid.
 
KC31 said:
Great advice, so sorry you had to go through this. Ours sits underneath our security cameras and all locks have been purchased from amazon, with receipts printed off and put with trailer service records. Insurance companies love to take our money, but aren't so keen when we have to claim for anything. I was with SEIB many years ago with a lorry we bought that we also took out breakdown cover for, had only owned lorry for 48hrs, transporting two of our horse, wheels fell off on the motorway. Horrendous experience and they refused to recover us. Cost us £800 to get it home! Never again.
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That’s awful, I’m so sorry to hear it, what a frightening situation for you. The last thing you need at that point is a fight with your insurers!
 
Muddywellies said:
I was sh1t on from a great height by Anthony D Evans. They were truly awful, and mislead me into cancelling my policy, then refusing to insure me a week later with new trailer. An incredibly stressful situation where I was made to feel like the criminal.
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Was this with a trailer or a horsebox?
Not that they should have treated like that over either!
 
KBIS paid out with no problems when the front end of my trailer was damaged by a blown away shed in storms a few years ago.
 
Also please please please look into fitting a tracker!

This is the best way to get a trailer back. It will trump any other security features you have.

Rewire Security - this is who I use and is cheaper than an insurance policy for the year. It can be set up to your phone. Although there’s many others out there
 
SEIB were terrible. They sent documents that should have been sent to the third party to me, and faffed around so much the third party's insurers were intending to sue me. I was never kept informed of how things were (or weren't!) progressing, it was extremely stressful and I ended up having to get a lawyer to get them to do their job. They never told me when the claim was settled either, so I worried for months that I could be sued.

Anthony D Evans have been fine so far. The ERS breakdown cover people were brilliant.

Trouble is, it's hard to know how good a company is until you have to use them. If they're rubbish, you are stuck.
 
I’m very worried after reading this post , my trailer is insured with Seib , I bought it nearly new nearly 20 years ago so probably do not have the receipt, I am registered as owner with Ivor.
I have taken photos now of it showing chassis number and wheel lock and hitch lock in place .

But I think on renewal after being with them for 20 years I will look else where thank you op , and I hope Seib read this post and realise what happens when they treat genuine claims so badly !
 
Bucking the trend on SEIB bashing, I'm v happy to say they have been marvellous over the years. From back in the late 80s to when I cancelled last week due to me selling my box. Was with them.most years apart from a 2 year move to kbis back when I downsized to a 3.5 in 2012

Super helpful with 3 accidents, 1 was DH fault, the others were 3rd party.
Not had to make a theft claim, just bodywork and once a complete new cab.
 
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