CIL Insurance - Celebrating 50 years of Service

CIL Insurance, the very first specialised caravan insurer in Australia, and the first to introduce flood, storm and cyclone cover to the caravanning community, turns 50 this year.
 
While the caravanning industry has changed over the past five decades, CIL Insurance has remained Australia’s insurer of choice for recreational vehicles.
 
“We are both pleased and proud of our ongoing commitment to promoting the caravanning way of life– to bring a sense of fun, family and community into the lives of Australians as they enjoy everything this great country has to offer,“ said Anastasia Alexopoulos, CIL Manager.
 
“We’ve been supporting the caravanning industry since we started in 1962. It’s funny to think that the great idea to start CIL Insurance came about from an insult in a pub!” Anastasia continued.
 
The story goes that Gordon Smillie, CIL’s founder, was having a beer at the pub one day, when a nearby patron asked him what he did for a living. When he said he was in insurance, the gentleman - a local caravan dealer - told him in no uncertain terms how unreasonable he thought it was that no-one insured caravans. Gordon had to agree, and that’s how CIL Insurance, then called C.I.L Brokerage Pty Ltd, came to be.
 
Things have definitely changed in caravanning since the early 1960’s – back when CIL Insurance started out, caravanning was generally a low-cost vacation option for young families, with caravanning peaking in popularity in the 1970s. Today, 60% of caravan owners are older couples getting out there and enjoying their financial freedom or empty nests.
 
In the early days caravans didn’t have solar power and satellite TV, in fact – they didn’t have bathrooms either. Nowadays, top of the line caravans have all those mod-cons, including a flushing loo.
 
“Top of the line caravans can have reversing cameras, digital electronics, and other high tech conveniences. This has meant security is more of an issue, with many customers investing in hideaway safes and ensuring their insurance policy includes extra cover for these items.” Anastasia said.
 
“Some of these mod-cons might be what’s helping caravanning mount a comeback for young holidaying families too – it’s definitely a growing segment of the community again. Families are also re-discovering the simple pleasures in life - like spending quality time together away from the pressures of everyday life. ” Anastasia added.
 
It stands to reason that those mod-cons may have also contributed to the increase in  the average value of a standard caravan i over time – a 22-foot caravan has increased from $3,000 in the 60’s to $53,000 today, and coverage and policies have changed accordingly. However, caravans tend to retain their value, and a family of four or more can get a lot of holiday mileage per dollar invested in an RV compared to the cost of airfare and accommodation.
 
Another significant change in caravan design is that most now come standard with a rollout awning, which was phased in during the early 80’s.
 
“Since then, we’ve seen a surge in awning claims, as they often get left up and damaged during weather events, which we’ve had a number of across Australia in the past few years.”
 
Although caravans and RVs may have changed over time, CIL Insurance's commitment to travel safety and the caravanning way of life still remains as strong as ever. Today, CIL promotes and encourages safe travel in informative eNewsletters and by giving a premium discount to CIL Insurance customers who have the ALKO Stability Control device.
 
Back in the early 70s, Gordon’s approach to promoting caravanning and safety was quite unique for it’s time. “Gordon got together with Aussie stars like Bert Newton and Johnny Young to film caravanning safety videos that were both informative, and a lot of fun – with Bert and the King of YTT, how could it be anything else? That sense of good, safe fun and community is how we continue to think about caravanning today – we want Aussies of any age to know how they too can have a fantastic holiday here in our own great country” Anastasia said.
 
CIL’s latest initiatives are Campsite, the online destination for all things caravanning, and CIL Facebook, where the caravanning community can come together and share their experience and know-how for the benefit of all.

This year, CIL Insurance also took out the Best Product or Service Provider award at the premier industry event, the Caravan, Camping and Touring Industry and Manufactured Housing Industry Association of NSW (CCIA) Conference. The award is an acknowledgement of excellence in products and services in the caravan and camping industry.
 
Congratulations to CIL Insurance on five decades of caravan and RV insurance leadership.