Caravan Guard
Caravan Guard is a leisure insurance intermediary based in Halifax, West Yorkshire
| Industry | Insurance |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Halifax, United Kingdom |
Key people |
Ryan Wilby (Managing Director) |
| Products | Caravan, Motorhome and Leisure Insurance |
Number of employees | 102 |
| Website | www.caravanguard.co.uk |
Caravan Guard is largely regarded as one of the first UK companies to launch a specialist travel trailer insurance policy with a sophisticated premium calculation system.[1] At the time of its launch in 1994 there were only a handful of rival specialist caravan insurance providers. Caravan insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. Third party damage caused by a caravan being towed is covered by car insurance, however damage to the caravan itself is not.
A specialist caravan insurance policy will provide cover for accidental damage, storm and flood.
In the news
Caravan Guard hit the headlines in 2002 [2] when one of its customers caravans sited on a caravan site in Devon was damaged by a cow that had fallen from a cliff face overlooking the campsite.
Caravan Guard are renowned for customer service [3] and have won multiple awards since 2001 at insurance industry awards.[4] Its policies are underwritten by one of the UK’s leading insurers, Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc [5]
History
Caravan Guard was established as a trading name of Wilby Limited in 1995. Wilby Insurance Brokers was originally formed by Chairman Peter Wilby in 1984 following many years’ working with leading local and national insurance brokers.
In 2001 Caravan Guard became a separate limited company.
Leisuredays was founded three years later in 2004 after it was decided that Caravan Guard was an unsuitable name for its static caravan and holiday lodge policy [6] At the time the industry was keen to describe these units as holiday homes rather than static “caravans”.[7]
Office
Up until 2008, Caravan Guard was based at Wilby Ltd’s Gordon House office in Halifax town centre.
In March that year, Caravan Guard – together with sister brand Leisuredays - relocated to a newly developed site on nearby New Road.
The 1m investment saw the development of the town’s former printing works (known as Caxton House) into a purpose built four-floor office premises. The new headquarters were open by then Chairman of the National Caravan Council, Peter Draper.
Sponsorship
In 2014, Caravan Guard announced its sponsorship of double paralympic gold medallist, Hannah Cockroft. The company has pledged over £6000 to help Hannah – who first came to fame at the London 2012 Paralympic Games – with training and travel costs since 2009.
Charity
Each year a Caravan Guard team takes part in the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride, a 70-mile charity ride from Wetherby in West Yorkshire to Filey in North Yorkshire.
To date, ‘Team CG’ has raised over £17,000 for the Yorkshire charities supported by the event including Yorkshire Cancer Research, Heart Research UK, Martin House Hospice and St. John Ambulance [8]
References
- ↑ http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/business/business-news/caravan-insurer-celebrates-10-years-in-business-1-1952716
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/3101264.stm
- ↑ http://www.practicalmotorhome.com/news/caravan-insurer-wins-customer-service-award
- ↑ http://www.caravanguard.co.uk/awards/
- ↑ http://www.rsagroup.com/rsagroup/en/aboutus/group-facts#.U7bEOPldU7k
- ↑ http://www.caravanguard.co.uk/news/top-twenty-for-caravan-guard-912/
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284431/oft734.pdf
- ↑ http://www.gybr.co.uk/page/11/gybr_2013_rider___charity_presentations_report.html