VW crafter campervan arson attack

Today we highlight the issues around insuring your campervan correctly, Rod and Sue lost their campervan Bulli to an arson attack, to add insult to injury the insurance company has only paid them a fraction of its true value, they thought they had an agreed value but this wasn't the case, find out why

[@northeastcarpfishing]

Hi guys 1st of all thanks Sam Lisa and wor Riley for coming yesterday was Lovley seeing you both it’s really lifted our spirits but I think this vlog is brilliant in making people think about there selves when doing your insurance and getting it right I wish I had but we live and learn we will still attend events and see our friends the worst bit we had plans of selling up in next 2 years and travel them dreams are now gone I could never afford or be able to do it again but thank you all from me and Susan for all the love and nice comments your a canny lot xxxxxxxx

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Your welcome mate it was lovely to see you both and your a natural behind the camera nothing to be worried about in the end 😊🫶

[@tonyryecroft9981]

sad video Sam, hope they pick themselves up from it. Brilliant info on checking what your covered for. Previous company had no idea, just renewed with another company, saved £350. And everything documented. One of the best Informative videos. Take heed folks!!!

[@alarmactionukalarmactionuk893]

Caravanner here. Really sorry to hear of this Rod but the main thing being your family is safe and well. Mindless vandalism seems prevelant all over the UK sadly which is why we have to use a storage compound. Atb.

[@patrickconnolly1775]

My hart goes out to Rod and Sue! Im half way through my build and would devastate me if anything like that was to happen, like Rod, i couldn't afford to do another van, financially or physically. Your a very honest and caring Man Sam..... All the best for a better future Rod & Sue

[@seiger1827]

Wow! so sorry for what happened to your van. This video has made me realise my van is ridiculously under insured, it’s not finished by a long shot but nether the less I will be making a phone call to A-PLAN !!!new subscriber! And thoroughly enjoying the channel, many thanks !

[@viv-i-vangoesforth]

Boss, you are a good man and I am proud to call you my friend. I didn't know the full story of how Rod lost his van . I only saw the photo of it being taken away that Rod posted on our Crafty campers group. I'm so gutted now about the mindless ***** that not only destroyed a great van, but put Rod and his family in great danger. What kind of bas***d does that. I'm so furious. I'm with A-plan and its now made me worry about my cover on Viv-i-van. This video is a timely reminder of how to be very careful of dotting the I's and crossing the T's and making everything. I supplied as you did, Sam all details and photos of the original conversion and am doing so with the new one. Thank you for the video but I'm gutted a friend lost his van for us to learn a valuable lesson. To Rod, I can only say I';m sorry a scrote bag did this to you but you are still alive and things can always get better. We will still see you at meets in your Amrok and tent and next one we are at together, I will be giving you a brotherly hug and buy you a pint. As always much respect to you, Lisa and Reily and to Rod and family🙏 - Kenny

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Top man Kenny lovely words mate

[@stevebee2146]

In the process of building a lwb vw crafter camper , I proper feel for ya m8 ,the time effort money and love that goes into building them and for some toe rag to take that away fair play for still having a smile on your face and thanks for making this video I will definitely be contacting my insurance 😊😊

[@anyjimblogs]

Thanks so much for the video and raising awareness regarding the insurance. I personally really thank you for making me think about that when insuring my van. I feel so sorry for your friend who lost his van. It’s absolutely terrible and I hope they get back on their feet soon and get some good luck along the way. I’m devastated for them and wish them all the very best.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Thank you

[@markh2471]

Gutted for Rob, Sue and family! What a shit thing to have to deal with. My heart goes out to you all. We lost our van last year, different circumstances but gone all the same! Like you we had events planned for the year! At first we just wanted to cancel everything but after time we took the same decision as you have! Fu€k em!!! We did everything we had planned but in a two man tent and our Fiat 500! We had some amazing times! Hope you can too.

[@debh-h6821]

Such idiots about.... mindless minutes of fun for them, resulting in such sadness and financial negatives for Rob & Sue. The effort that goes into creating your own piece of freedom on a self build all to be devastated by fire. 😢 I'm happy that nobody was hurt but sad Rob & Sue have to go through this, especially not being able to get the full value of the van back. That in itself it a learning for us all. Sending cwtches from Wales.

[@AXISUK]

Sorry for your loss 😢definitely made me think about my insurance now!

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I would check just for piece of mind

[@christinamacintyre9972]

You are such a good human being Sam

[@lifeonthehighway6917]

Hi Sam: Wow this is some telling story to hear and certainly hits home. It is very saddening to hear the loss of such hard workmanship put in to a self build Motor home by Rod & Sue only for some spiteful bugger to destroy it. Thank you very much Sam and including Rob & Sue for sharing there very recent experiences. Sam, You are a true gentleman and it is very thoughtful and respectable of you to have filmed this to make aware of his matter, But If at all possible have you thought of setting up a, Go Fund Me for Rob & Sue, I'd be happy submit something in. Steve from Manchester. I have to for future reference saved this video to my U-Tube watch later list. You will notice in the thumbnail, I am in process of converting a Mercedes Vario.

[@Dave.defender]

Thats so sad they are not just a van to people, glad hes getting sorted and will be back out enjoying life

[@six_inabus]

As always Sam, a total gent and showing why the community is such a good one to be in!

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Cheers mate

[@leemillington7164]

Great but sad video Sam. You touched on some good points. My insurance is due next month. I will give you a call in the week for a chat. Keep up the great work 👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Speak soon pal

[@Alivefrom45]

Great video, its amazing how common it is for people to under value their vans. Like yourself we covered everything with the insurance company detailing what we have in the van and valuing it accordingly. Hope others learn from this video. 👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

So true pal I'm watching your latest video tonight I'm having a binge catching up on vids 😁🫶

[@Alivefrom45]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife be careful it might make you want to take a trip to the Arctic too.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@@Alivefrom45 I already do mate

[@colinjspinks]

Great video Sam Unfortunately all insurance companies have departments whose purpose is to find a reason not to pay out so it’s always a lottery if you get paid , I’ve been caught out twice

[@patagualianmostly7437]

That is so true. Mum and Dad bought a used VW camper....The insurance premiums went up every year......Well over the rate of inflation.... The company argued that if the worst happened....they would want to replace completely...and surely Mum & Dad had put extras in the van since they bought it? So Mum & Dad duly coughed for Fully-Comp -All-Bells-And-whistles..... Belt-&-Braces..... Well, the worst did happen: It got stolen. How much did the Insurance company want to settle for? TWO GRAND. Two $%#"#$&/ Grand!!! They argued it was now X-Years old and not worth much...... What hell can you buy for two grand? Insurance companies! Hate the.......Always the same story with them.

[@paultinkler470]

Obviously someone on the street responsible if that’s the 2nd one targeted 😡

[@gonefilming2020]

I am still at a loss for words to Rod & Sue's senseless arson attack. All the best to you! If nothing else, it made us all aware of the neccessity to get the insurance down correctly to the fineprint and not miss a beat. Money is the only compensation that's left when all is said and done. We'll see you all soon at the next campout. Hugs and best regards from across the pond - stay safe! 🚐☁🍀

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

True words Volker it is only compensation at the end of the day

[@johnpatterson5744]

So sad to hear.😢

[@christinamacintyre9972]

Literally just as i am watching this - i have had a valuation done on the van so i can present it to insurance company - hes come back way low - i emailed him back said - it has this and this and this - why the low valuation. He had all that information anyway.

[@CraftyCampervanners]

It’s quite the wake-up call!! Devastating to loose a can like that. Were currently in process of going from van to campervan and need to start thinking about insurance properly. Any suggestions for a good one? Pete & Kaz.

[@purplehayzealternativegifts]

So gutted ..love these guys 💜💜💜

[@mrt4003]

Absolutely gutting. I’m not computer savvy but if anyone happened to set up a funding page I would gladly donate. I’m sure many others would too. Insurance has so many bloody loop holes.

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

If it usnt in writing, it didnt happen! So absolutely right, make sure you tell them everything. No loopholes to jump through, insurers dont take risks!

[@grahamunderwood9353]

so sad, lost for words ,how someone can destroy someones belongings in such a manner is beyond me, my heart goes out to rob and his family ,am sure if you was to set up a just giving page people like myself would be happy to contribute and get rob restarted on his journey

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Thank you

[@TheSpike297]

Still really sad not seeing big red on the street hope Rod and sue can get back to normal

[@wc3101]

Crazy coming across this video and also being from shields myself, haven't lived there in almost 10 years but each visit gets worse and worse. Crime, immigrants, and more abandoned buildings. This judging by the houses looks a bit like Stanhope road, or perhaps Chichester, quite a lot of those types. Shame how much shields has fallen

[@UrbanVanlife]

We have mentioned this so many times . Work out how much it would be to replace the whole van now . And I bet it will be 10k more that when you built it . Low insurance is great but If bad things happen it’s only you that’s out of pocket . Get a guaranteed price off them and keep your self safe cos there are so many sh**y people out there wanting to destroy and take the things we spend all our time and effort on . Such a sad story to hear this and our hearts go out to you .

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

It's definitely worth paying that little extra to stay ahead of the game

[@liberexcogitatoris1792]

I used to travel and work throughout Europe I noticed there is a large difference between the Europeans and the parts of the UK in that there is something about the psyche and mindset of some of the UK population that is genuinely evil. Now with the growing financial problems and the socially engineered self absorbed selfishness that has been instilled by our unscrupulous politicians I think we are going to see more of this, we are truly going Mad Max. Even the police are effectively turning a blind eye to such criminality/vandalism as they concentrate on thought policing and social engineering of the general population, again the police are only interested in adherence to the politicians top down mind boggling diktats. What a shame regards the van, but it underscores the need to get off this sinking ship.

[@paulreed480]

Interesting point of view, I've travelled all over Europe and find other countries more simple just food, sunshine, relax, not as materialistic and a car is just a form of transport nothing else, over here cars are status symbols, driven erratically by alot of people. All you see on t.v in uk is police programmes, bailiffs, debt, crime crime and more crime, its a different world in u.k

[@douglastodd1947]

Do NOT Accept first Offer of Insurance Company, Tell them to Provide the equivalent Van or Keep to the Agreed Contracted Valuation when Purchasing Their Policy. They'll come backwith an improved offer.

[@northeastcarpfishing]

I did knock it back straight way then guy from insurance callled me back and said he wouldn’t give me any more because of high mileage and it was a cat n right off before I owned it that’s why I didn’t over value it it stood me over 20000 but it’s done now

[@wayne1243]

Only thing you could do is get a independent insurance inspection and if he’s says it’s worth £15000 you have someone who qualified to back up your price for the van

[@FUK-ULEZ]

Can't you buy the van back off the insurance and swap all the extras to another van? There would have been a lot salvageable on that van and thus limiting your loss. We had a simular problem when we got burgled last year, we did actually had full coverage but they tried to screw us with the fine print our shed had a max limit of £3000 but we had peddle insurance on the bikes too, 4 bikes and some tools were stolen totalling to near 5k, they eventually paid out but blimey talk about stressful.

[@anthonysanders8847]

so gutted for the family

[@SwamperJez]

Hey guys, great vlog and prompted me to contact my insurance today. They promptly confirmed they only offer agreed value policies to classic vehicles. I then contacted one of those you suggested in this vlog, who suggested that as of 1 April 2024 the FSA will legislate against all new agreed value policies and existing, in flight policies will be rendered null and void from this date. This will be for any vehicles, including classic cars. Have you heard of anything like this, especially from your insurance?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I'm going to look into that thanks

[@Trotterthecampervanbuild72]

I feel for rod and his family. Very sad. 😢

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Sad times

[@deea79deiu]

Hi, all! Any good insurance for a campervan, please??

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Just kampers for me

[@Rob.1340]

Best wishes to Rod and Sue. All the best. 👍🚐😎

[@chriscarey3135]

Was this in Newcastle?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

South shields

[@onemanandhisdog9]

Why were the back doors damaged, fire brigade or the scumbags failing to get in and burning it?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Fire service used the jaws of life on it to remove the gas bottles

[@alecjames1426]

Can he not buy it back and strip it for parts

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Unfortunately it's gone now

[@CarpyChris1964]

Did the cops do any investigation arson Is it a serious offence

[@susansams444]

Never seen a police officer yet

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Their not bothered to stretched to cope with everything

[@stevehopwood6392]

what a sad thing to happen to you both sending ❤ your way

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Really sad

[@CarpyChris1964]

Can't believe the cops never investigated. There could of been people asleep in the camper 😮 attempted murder surely 😮😮

[@Heremenow497]

Someone has a grudge against you 😂😂

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Is that you volunteering some information?