Caravans, boats and motorhomes
In 1992, HPI teamed up with the National Caravan Council (NCC) to establish the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS), the national register of touring caravans. CRiS helps to prevent and detect caravan crime and acts as a security check for dealers and private caravan buyers through the issue of a Keeper Registration Document.
All caravans manufactured since 1992 by NCC members are recorded on the CRiS database by their unique 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This VIN and the caravan description are recorded on a Touring Caravan Registration Document, which is sent to the caravan's registered keeper. Even if you own a pre-1992 caravan, or imported your own caravan into the UK, you can still register it with CRiS yourself. Many insurance companies now require CRiS registration before they will issue a policy.
To apply for your caravan to be CRiS registered and electronically tagged, contact CRiS on 01722 411430 or email cris.uk@hpi.co.uk for further information.
Also, as with your car's V5 registration document, it is important that you ensure the registration of your caravan is up-to-date and that you are registered as the keeper.
The CRiS Check
Buying a pre-owned caravan then make sure you carry out a CRiS Check prior to concluding the deal. Don’t get caught buying a caravan with a hidden history or an altered identity. A CRiS Check will not only confirm the caravans true identity, but will also reassure you of the provenance of the caravan you desire and will reveal if the caravan is subject to an HP agreement, reported stolen or been recorded as an Insurance Write-Off. In addition CRiS will be able to confirm if the ‘seller’ is currently recorded with CRiS as the current keeper.
To buy your CRiS Check ring 01722 411 430 between 8:00am and 8:00pm Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturdays and 10:00am – 5:00pm Sundays. The cost of a CRiS Check is just £14.95.
Change of Keeper Notification
When you buy or sell your caravan it is important to ensure the new owner is properly registered as the keeper. The CVR2 Registration Document issued to the current keeper should be used to notify CRiS of any keeper change. Like the V5 document for your car,the CVR2 should be completed by both, seller and buyer and both parts sent to CRiS. There is a small fee for processing this change and it is normally the new registering keeper who would pay this. The fee as at 3rd September 2007 is £12.00. This can be paid by cheque or by credit card via the CRiS Contact Centre.
Extra security with CRiS Xtra
For additional peace of mind, you can mark your CRiS registered caravan with CRiS Xtra, an enhanced marking and identification kit containing an electronic tag and 1,000 micro-dots.
CRiS has also teamed up with caravan tracking specialist Phantom, to bring you the best hi-tech tracking system available.
Order your Phantom Tracker through CRiS by calling 01722 411 430 and you'll get a free CRiS Xtra kit*.
*Normal registration fee applies to non-registered CRiS keepers.
Towsafe
Once you have decided what caravan to buy, make sure your car can tow it safely. Overweight outfits can attract a fine of up to £3000. For the definitive outfit matching service, try Towsafe.
Useful links (open in new window)
- National Caravan Council
- The Caravan Club
- The Camping and Caravanning Club
- Home Office (security advice)
- Towsafe (outfit matching)
Motorhomes
Theft and fraud in the motorhome market has become an increasing problem. To combat this problem the UK Motorhome Industry and HPI joined forces to create MINDER, a vehicle security and asset registration system to help protect against theft and fraud.
Motorhomes sold since 2001 carry a unique Motorhome Identification Number (MIN), a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and their Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM). This gives a greater all round level of security to owners and enables future buyers to identify the vehicle and check its history with confidence.
In addition, to ensure accurate identification, each motorhome has a 'hidden' electronic tag and visible etching of the MIN number, as well as a permanent warning sticker.
Manufacturers or importers who would like to protect their motorhomes or use our trade MINDER Check service should contact MINDER on 01722 435478 or email minder.uk@hpi.co.uk for further information.
Boats
BOATMARK is the national register of marine craft operated by HPI on the behalf of the British Marine Federation (BMIF).
The increased level of boat ownership in the UK has led to a rise in the number of boat related thefts and fraud. BOATMARK records the boat details, based on the Hull Identification Number (HIN) given at manufacture. When a boat is purchased, the new owner can record themselves as the keeper. This means that the boat can be tracked at every stage, from factory to dealer and from the dealer to customer.
Before buying a boat contact BOATMARK to check whether the boat is free from finance and that the person selling the boat has the right to do so.
Call BOATMARK on 01722 413346 for further information.