Advice please on route home from Strasbourg with 1st motorhome (1 Viewer)

ANDY400R

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It is getting closer to my trip to Strasbourg to collect my new motorhome ( my first) and I would like some advice as to the route I should use. My current plan is as follows:
Collect motorhome and stop that night at Indigo campsite in Strasbourg (this is to allow me to check out as much as possible and still return to the dealer if there are any issues/faults that crop up before leaving Strasbourg.

Then I was planning to use the A4 up to south of Reims and stay at Mareuil sur Ay aire overnight and then push on to Calais to catch the eurotunnel around lunchtime on the 3rd day. My logic for using the A4 was that I have never driven a motorhome before, although a confident driver, and using the Autoroute might be easier. But I also noticed that an alternative could be to use the N4 up to south of Reims instead.
What do you think?
 

Judge Mental

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I always go via Belgium as it's free motorway all the way to Calais. Never heard of buying from Strasburg. What happens about plates and insurance for the trip back? Main thing is not to travel at rush hour, drive in daylight and be cautious and you will be fine!:)

Eddie

Oh! plenty of free aires on route...
 
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ANDY400R

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Thanks Eddie, plates are on what they call W garage plates which are a temporary plate that last a month but don't come with insurance. This is proving somewhat problematic at the moment in so much as I had companies willing to provide cover back in December before I placed my order but now say the underwriters have changed their minds. Still trying to find some other options but proving difficult. I don't understand why UK
Insurers won't cover me, it's fine if you start your journey and end it in the UK but not if you start it in France.

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Judge Mental

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Why most buy in Germany or Belgium I guess.....what about getting dealer to drive it to Calais? It's not that far just a days money I would think...Once on UK soil (half way through the tunnel) you can get full comp set up with the likes of Safeguard on VIN number.

Eddie

Edit: the other day someone said they set up insurance through AIB. I am doubtful to be honest but worth a call...get it in writing though! Be nice to be proved wtong:)
 
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ANDY400R

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AIB and a few others I have spoken to will gladly cover the damage and theft risk what they won't touch is the third party (road traffic act) risk.
Dealer says that he can't drive to Calais I have already tried that and even offered him €800 but they say that in france once the vehicle is sold they cannot then drive on their insurance. Don't know if that's true or they just don't want to do it. I have also tried several french insurance companies but they won't do it if you are not a french resident. I am awaiting a call back on Monday from a Dutch broker, fingers crossed they can do something.

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Popeye

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I paid an agent to collect mine and deliver it to VanBitz for some extras (Growler alarm, Gas-Low and Non-Starter Tracker, then the first I got to drive it was picking it up from @eddievanbitz , I was however still working at that time, it would be nice to do every mile yourself though.
 

Judge Mental

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Ouch! Expensive...last time I checked with german dealer I use about an hour north of dusseldorf they wanted 400 euro..
 

sallylillian

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I use the NFU and they gave me fully comp from the moment I paid the invoice, on the VIN. I understand that others have approached them but met with refusal on the basis of existing policy holders only. I have been with them for 5 years and they have all my vehicles. But may well be worth a call to see. NFU at Louth. Good luck.
 
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ANDY400R

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I use the NFU and they gave me fully comp from the moment I paid the invoice, on the VIN. I understand that others have approached them but met with refusal on the basis of existing policy holders only. I have been with them for 5 years and they have all my vehicles. But may well be worth a call to see. NFU at Louth. Good luck.
Yeah I called them on Friday but unable to help until back in the UK unfortunately.

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Judge Mental

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I'm sure if you ring transport company's they will have insured drivers with trade plates who can do it...would not think it should cost over 4-500 plus expenses
 
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I also used NFU with no bother at all

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Judge Mental

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I also used NFU with no bother at all

where did you import it from France or Germany... and have you it in wrighting it was fully comp. I used to use NFU years ago when I had demountable campers...found them very good and kike Safeguard insured on VIN for import, but sure at that time only third party until on home turf...
 
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ANDY400R

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Dutch broker finally came through and received my Green Card for third party cover this morning. Apparently it's very easy to get for Germany but hellishly difficult to obtain for France, still don't understand why this is.

Now just got to decide if I want to pay a small fortune to get fully comp insurance just for 3 days cover whilst I drive back to Calais. I have taken out a Vin number policy with Safeguard for when it's back in the UK, which in comparison is reasonable.

Still undecided on route back, does the one through Belgium use motorway all the way?
 

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