As we know all too well, Winter weather can be particularly hazardous and in some cases, highly dangerous. To prepare you for the season ahead, our affinity partner GEM Motoring Assist have put together some journey planning tips. Pre-journey planning is essential before you hit the road. Be sure to ask yourself the following questions before you embark: Is my journey absolutely necessary? If bad weather is forecast, only travel on the road if you have absolutely have to. This especially applies to driving through rural areas. What conditions can I expect? Always check the M...

Crusader Leisure Vehicle Insurance has announced the transfer of all business to its larger sister company, Shield Total Insurance. The decision has been taken to allow all of Crusader's customers the continued benefit of improved customer service and a wider product range.

There are a number of security devices on the market which can help deter a thief and therefore protect your caravan or trailer. Whether your unit is at an approved storage site or on your driveway, hitch and wheel locks are essential pieces of kit.  When choosing a security product, make sure you check that it's been approved by an industry body such as SCM or Sold Secure. Also, remember to use all of your security devices alongside each other as each device will act as another layer of protection from thieves. This advice was brought to you by our affinity partners Purple Line Limi...

Snaking can occur when a caravan becomes destabilised from its towing vehicle, thus resulting in the unit veering or swaying side to side. But how can you avoid this potentially very dangerous situation? A potentially highly dangerous and scary incident, snaking usually happens as a result of sudden or sharp swerving, strong crosswinds or travelling at high speeds. It can also happen when a tyre blows or if the caravan is overloaded. Although thankfully relatively uncommon, an occurrence of this nature can be the cause of a serious accident as well as major disruption to others on the r...

When not in use, your caravan's gas cylinders should always be "shut off" at the shut off valve. They should also be secured with designated retaining straps and the gas dispersal holes or "drop vents" located in the floor of the gas locker should always be kept clear. [caption id="attachment_3102" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Above: A secure gas bottle in an upright position.[/caption] Should you need to remove the cylinder, it should always be stored and transported in the upright position otherwise there is a real increased risk of explosion. [caption id="attachment_3103...

You have just bought your ideal touring caravan and now need a place to store it securely when it's not being used. Our beginner's guide to caravan storage outlines the key considerations when looking at the various caravan storage options available in the UK today.

Storing your caravan at a CaSSOA registered site

We highly recommend that you at least consider a dedicated professional storage facility - particularly one that is registered by the Caravan Storage Site Owners' Association. CaSSOA is a recognised body of the UK caravan storage industry, with over 400 sites that provide safe, sec...

Shield Total insurance has been chosen as the exclusive provider for advice and insurance products for the thousands of motorhome and caravan owners looked after by the MCEA. The MCEA is an association of specially trained engineers and dealers providing a full service to motorhome and touring caravan owners across the UK. From service and repairs to damp checks and pre-purchase reports the MCEA covers it all. Paul Stapleton MD confirmed:

"We chose Shield Total Insurance because of their excellent customer service and the wide range of insurance and warranty products available for o...

Shield Total Insurance teamed up with the National Allotment Society to choose the Allotment Shed of the Year, whereby plot-holders sent us pictures of their home from home and the inspiring stories connected to it. We’re delighted to announce that Sarah Jones, Matt Cox, Neil, Claire and Rufus from Birmingham were selected as the worthy winners of the £250 prize. Also, their shed will proudly feature on the cover of the next magazine for members. The runners up were Jackie Burch – whose party-themed shed includes a radio and disco ball – Patrick Lees – who loves nothing more than to ...

If you’re looking for a scenic, spacious campsite with secure caravan storage in France, Camping Lune Sur Le Lac in the beautiful Dordogne countryside ticks a lot of boxes.

Shield Total Insurance has expanded its partner base by forming a strong working relationship with the Auto-Trail Owners Club (ATOC) in an effort to expand each other’s offerings in the leisure sector.