Our friends at Covi NZMCA Insurance tell us they see a lot of claims from members when they start travelling again after hibernating during the cooler months. The most common one is hitting a fixed object. These accidents often happen at home or at the end of a trip when you’re tired. We want you to have a safe, incident-free adventure without the hassle of having to get your motor caravan fixed. So, here’s a few helpful tips from Covi.   

Before you head off  

• Ensure you have a current insurance policy and roadside assistance 
• Check your vehicle is road legal with documents and licencing up to date  

Reversing your vehicle  

• Know your surroundings by taking a moment to circle your vehicle    
• Reverse at a slow speed  
• Consider getting a reversing camera or sensors, especially if you have a larger rig  
• Ask your navigator to jump out and guide you to avoid an accident  

Take additional precautions  

• Drive slowly if you’re on an unfamiliar, narrow road (and pull-over when possible, to let others pass)  
• Take turns driving, or stop often to recharge 
• Arriving at your overnight destination in daylight hours makes setting up safer 

If an accident happens   

• Get witness, vehicle and driver details that you might need for a claim 
• Take photos of the damage or accident scene with your phone/tablet  
• Have peace of mind knowing Covi NZMCA Insurance are just a phone call away 

VTNZ’s six must-do's:  

1. Make sure your tyres are not only pumped up but have good tread depth (over 1.5mm). Don’t forget the spare! 
2. Check all your lights are working, including the indicators. 
3. Check the engine oil level is above the minimum indicator on the dipstick. 
4. Check the condition of the engine oil. It shouldn't appear dark, thick or sludgy. 
5. Check and, if necessary, top up the window washer fluid level. 
6. Clean the front windscreen and check there are no chips or cracks.  

Prevent a problem, or solve it if it happens:  

Get your tyres checked by our friends at Carter’s Tyre Service, with 40+ convenient locations nationwide. You can get a free tyre pressure check from Carter’s and they’ll pump them up if they need it (including your spare). Or they can organise a competitive deal on new tyres.  

Did you know you can fill up your water tank at the majority of Carter’s branches, water restrictions permitting. It’s easy access and Carter’s will welcome you.  

If you get a flat tyre while you're exploring: 

Simply call Carter’s Tyre Service Call Centre on 0800 50 1000. As an NZMCA member you’ll get a discount on their call-out service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You only need your NZMCA membership card and credit card. 

For a longer checklist we’ve got you sorted, courtesy of member Des Austin and NZMCA Waikato members: The essential checklist for motorhomes and caravans. 

It's a great value bike service that they can't discount - but you can save up to 20% on their wide range of products for your next adventure (t&c’s apply) at 24 stores, including their newest in Invercargill opening in December. 

Signs that your bike is due for a service: 

• A squeaky chain 
• Grinding, skipping or clicking noises from the gears 
• Bike chain falling off the sprocket 
• Poor brake engagement 

With 65 cycling and 188 walking trails listed on our NZMCA app and website, there’s something for all fitness levels. Use the NZMCA app to find your trail: Tap the menu in the top right corner, select walking and cycling trails, then Filter Results. 

Don’t have a bike to tackle a cycling trail? Torpedo7 also has you covered with bike hire services at their Taupo, Nelson, Queenstown and Wanaka stores. Simply drop by a store on your way to and from the trail.

Smart security tech lets motor caravanners keep an eye on their home, or make it look like someone’s home. There are different levels of security you can get to suit your needs. 

Noel Leeming’s Top Picks: 

• Smart cameras: record indoors and outdoors, with built in lighting, motion detector, night vision and a siren if you need to sound the alarm. Check out the Ring Floodlight Camera and the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight camera. 
• Video doorbells: record what’s happening on your front doorstep, motion detect visitors and chat with them remotely through your smart device. Such as the Ring Video Doorbell. 
• Smart lights: Use timer settings to switch lights on and off on a schedule to appear as though you’re home. Or turn them on and off when it suits, using an app. A good place to start is this Philips Hue model. 

Tips for your smart home security set up: 

1. Map out the number of cameras and other devices you’ll need to keep your property secure. 
2. If you choose wireless devices, add an extra battery or two and keep them charged to swap in when needed, like right before you leave on holiday. 
3. If your smart tech requires an internet connection, make sure you have it at your home for the tech to connect to, and enough data for your smart device when you’re on the road. 

If you’re not sure where to start, ask the team at Noel Leeming. Most smart security is easy to set up, but they’re happy to help with installation. Call 0800 555 989 and ask for myTechSolution.  

To get your NZMCA discount, simply show their team your NZMCA membership card (in your app or physical) at any Noel Leeming store. Stock will vary by store, while stock lasts. You’ll also get free tech support from Noel Leeming’s helpdesk for one year after your purchase.   

Our motor caravans take up quite a bit of space on the ferries so that’s why it’s best to book ahead to secure your spot. By booking earlier you can also usually get into Interislander’s Plus Lounge or book a private cabin.   

A lot of members prefer to wing it – you still can if it doesn’t worry you if you’re not able to get on the next sailing when you turn up at their terminal.   

But what if I need to change or cancel it? As an NZMCA member, you’ve got nothing to lose. You can change your sailing up to 1hr before you go for free or cancel for a full refund.  

Use our app to book your Interislander ferry crossing.  Tap More > then tap Members Portal > scroll down to Quick Links > then find the link to Interislander to get your discount code.  

Or call Interislander on 0800 802 802 

It’s the easiest way to pay when you stay at NZMCA Parks. Your membership card is on it so you can easily show you’re eligible for the CampSaver Summer discount at 86 participating campgrounds and thousands of savings you can make on essentials and adventures with our trusted partners.  

Here’s some of the other things you can do with your NZMCA app to make exploring easy: 

1. Membership lapsed? Renew your membership before you go or while you’re travelling (select More > then Members portal > and Renew membership) 
2. Self-containment about to run out? Find a Self-containment Officer near you (select More > then Members portal > and Search contact).  
3. Lost your membership card or it hasn’t arrived in the post? Easily access your membership e-card in it’s place. 
4. Want to plan where to stay? Find a list of POP’s, campgrounds, DOC camps, CampSaver camps and NZMCA Parks. 
5. Want to know what’s close by for when you need it? Find public dump stations, potable water access, rubbish/recycling, and LPG swap and fill. 
6. Planning what to do when you get there? There’s walking and cycling trails, events and NZMCA rallies often with convenient overnight parking. 

More information, including how to download the app here.