As a very part time GN. Still working (sorry I didn't mean to swear), living at home base, and only taking to the road occasionally, and even then only around South Oz. Would it be worth my while joining the CMCA?
I am a "Top Tourist" member and a "Premium RAA" member (RACV, RACQ, etc. equivalent).
Your thoughts?
Oz Gypsy said
03:21 PM Jul 6, 2014
Assuming you travel in a motorhome (or other complying vehicle), membership of CMCA would give you access to your local Chapter gatherings, if you are interested in spending weekends with other members. There are usually monthly meet-ups by the various Chapters.
Other than that, there would probably not be much benefit for you unless you want to insure your vehicle through their broker (Ken Tame).
Cheers, Bev
(We are CMCA members, rarely go to chapter meetings, and are mainly in it for the insurance)
Santa said
03:49 PM Jul 6, 2014
Same opinion as Bev, if we could insure the MH elsewhere at a similar rate would not bother with CMCA membership.
The CMCA is very political, factional infighting seems to be constant.
2foot6 said
04:10 PM Jul 6, 2014
We were members of the CMCA for a couple of years, we didn't attend chapter gatherings(not for us)didn't like the internal problems( I make my own at home)and found cheaper and as good insurance elsewhere,The other incidentals the CMCA offers I have gone without.Whether you join or not is really a personal choice,whether you can get a benefit from the offerings put out by the CMCA,and the life style you prefer.Cheers Peter
Bryan said
04:37 PM Jul 6, 2014
I'm the same as Bev and Santa and now I've swopped the motorhome for a caravan, I'll stay on as an associate member.
cooee said
04:47 PM Jul 6, 2014
Hi Kendo
I do not think you should join now, wait a while and hopefully you will meet plenty of happy CMCA members ( like me ) in your travels and then if you hear enough good things join up and if you only meet negative members or non-members you know you will have saved your time and money.
Big Gorilla said
05:02 PM Jul 6, 2014
Santa wrote:
Same opinion as Bev, if we could insure the MH elsewhere at a similar rate would not bother with CMCA membership.
The CMCA is very political, factional infighting seems to be constant.
I was a member, mainly for insurance. I made a claim, it was not my fault, which I was told in writing by the Insurer, but still they jacked my premium up 34%. That pissed me off and started looking around at other Insurers. Which I found, changed Insurers and departed CMCA. The Insurance looks cheap, but it's not as I found out. We all tend to look at the premium amount and say "That's a good deal". But it's not. What you must add to the insurance premium is your annual $40.00 subscription to CMCA (If you're in CMCA just for cheap Insurance) the commission paid by the Insurer to CMCA disguised as an Administration Fee, and an extra amount added to the premium, around $30.00 to $40.00 from memory, to retain your No Claim bonus for life. Now add all that together and compare it to other quotes you might get. You'll be most surprised. Also I don't automatically renew. After 11 months, I start shopping around again. If you don't and automatically renew, the premiums, if you notice, go up and up..
jetj said
11:06 PM Jul 6, 2014
I'm happy to be a member of the CMCA. It's a personal choice.
JCT said
12:00 AM Jul 7, 2014
In my mind it's a bit like JFK said ' think not what my country can do for me, but what can I do for my country' if we all only stayed as members of CMCA for the obvious benefits, eg insurance, where would we empty our black water? The majority of dump points appear to be subsidised by ' our club' and KEA. If CP's aren't made to include them by law a lot of us would be in the provable s**t. I dread to think what would be the case if we only depended on free town dump points.
I may not be fully in agreement or a particular admirer of the current Wanderer, but, in my opinion, it can only be regarded as value for money when compared with some other magazines found on the newsagents shelves, and it is included in the membership fees.
I have only owned an RV for just over 2 and a half years but have travelled some 40k km in it and realised that CMCA, despite all of its faults does a lot of good. Who looks for an RV town (sponsored/ agreed by CMCA when they travel?) Why ? If not to seek the benefits, and if you are not prepared to admit that then please do not become a member of the CMCA.
Just my views, and not intended to give any offence to any one, neither do I wish to become associated with any official office of the CMCA. I am in my 70th year and wish to enjoy travelling in my motorhome when I can find it suitable to leave my home in Sydney.
Bugsy said
08:31 AM Jul 7, 2014
I have been a member for many years and have taken an active interest in the club, politics and all. It has been my experience that you only get out of a club what you are prepared to put in.
I agree with JCT regardless of what one thinks of any particular issue that our .80c a week is damn good value for what we as club members and members generally of the RV community get, dump points, countering the caravan park lobby, political activities etc etc all of which are essential in this modern time.
I look at my $40 as an investment into the future to ensure the the current lifestyle I enjoy continues. Many who complain about the CMCA are not fully informed and I have seen some outrageous and inaccurate statement made over time on various forums and social media as to what the CMCA should or should not do or what it should or should not be.
From my point of view it is good value for money regardless of whether you want to be an active or onlooker member.
Bas + Eve said
02:07 PM Jul 7, 2014
My first year as a member and I won't be re joining. This Forum is fantastic for everything you wish to know. BTW CIL gave me a better price on the same policy for our MH.
oldbobsbus said
07:57 PM Jul 7, 2014
I have been a motorhomer since the year dot (so it seems) and have been a member of CMCA for all o0f that time ...
BUT
In the early times KTI was the only way to go and offered the very best deal for members for our beloved travel homes that we look after like babies and do everything in our power to take care of, lately the personal touch has gone out of his business and anytime you ring up you get some young uninformed phone operator with no knowledge of their business and treat you like a pain..
There are now other insurers out there that are offering better deals on out beloved travel homes that we look after like babies and do everything in our power to protect..
Crikey I have paid as much in insurance over the years without a claim as it would cost to buy a new unit IF I should ever need one..
So with KTI premiums going up and my pension staying the same I am going to move on and not renew my membership of CMCA as I have found a better deal elsewhere for insurance with MHIA
-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Monday 7th of July 2014 07:57:32 PM
Kendo said
07:27 PM Jul 9, 2014
Thanks everyone for your input, very much appreciated. I think I'll stick with what I have for now.
I love this forum for the mixed bag of views that come forward. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge out there and all you have to do is ask.
Now can someone just give me this weeks PowerBall numbers?
As a very part time GN. Still working (sorry I didn't mean to swear), living at home base, and only taking to the road occasionally, and even then only around South Oz. Would it be worth my while joining the CMCA?
I am a "Top Tourist" member and a "Premium RAA" member (RACV, RACQ, etc. equivalent).
Your thoughts?
Assuming you travel in a motorhome (or other complying vehicle), membership of CMCA would give you access to your local Chapter gatherings, if you are interested in spending weekends with other members. There are usually monthly meet-ups by the various Chapters.
Other than that, there would probably not be much benefit for you unless you want to insure your vehicle through their broker (Ken Tame).
Cheers, Bev
(We are CMCA members, rarely go to chapter meetings, and are mainly in it for the insurance)
Same opinion as Bev, if we could insure the MH elsewhere at a similar rate would not bother with CMCA membership.
The CMCA is very political, factional infighting seems to be constant.
Hi Kendo
I do not think you should join now, wait a while and hopefully you will meet plenty of happy CMCA members ( like me ) in your travels and then if you hear enough good things join up and if you only meet negative members or non-members you know you will have saved your time and money.
I was a member, mainly for insurance. I made a claim, it was not my fault, which I was told in writing by the Insurer, but still they jacked my premium up 34%. That pissed me off and started looking around at other Insurers. Which I found, changed Insurers and departed CMCA. The Insurance looks cheap, but it's not as I found out. We all tend to look at the premium amount and say "That's a good deal". But it's not. What you must add to the insurance premium is your annual $40.00 subscription to CMCA (If you're in CMCA just for cheap Insurance) the commission paid by the Insurer to CMCA disguised as an Administration Fee, and an extra amount added to the premium, around $30.00 to $40.00 from memory, to retain your No Claim bonus for life. Now add all that together and compare it to other quotes you might get. You'll be most surprised. Also I don't automatically renew. After 11 months, I start shopping around again. If you don't and automatically renew, the premiums, if you notice, go up and up..
I'm happy to be a member of the CMCA. It's a personal choice.
I may not be fully in agreement or a particular admirer of the current Wanderer, but, in my opinion, it can only be regarded as value for money when compared with some other magazines found on the newsagents shelves, and it is included in the membership fees.
I have only owned an RV for just over 2 and a half years but have travelled some 40k km in it and realised that CMCA, despite all of its faults does a lot of good. Who looks for an RV town (sponsored/ agreed by CMCA when they travel?) Why ? If not to seek the benefits, and if you are not prepared to admit that then please do not become a member of the CMCA.
Just my views, and not intended to give any offence to any one, neither do I wish to become associated with any official office of the CMCA. I am in my 70th year and wish to enjoy travelling in my motorhome when I can find it suitable to leave my home in Sydney.
I agree with JCT regardless of what one thinks of any particular issue that our .80c a week is damn good value for what we as club members and members generally of the RV community get, dump points, countering the caravan park lobby, political activities etc etc all of which are essential in this modern time.
I look at my $40 as an investment into the future to ensure the the current lifestyle I enjoy continues. Many who complain about the CMCA are not fully informed and I have seen some outrageous and inaccurate statement made over time on various forums and social media as to what the CMCA should or should not do or what it should or should not be.
From my point of view it is good value for money regardless of whether you want to be an active or onlooker member.
I have been a motorhomer since the year dot (so it seems) and have been a member of CMCA for all o0f that time ...
BUT
In the early times KTI was the only way to go and offered the very best deal for members for our beloved travel homes that we look after like babies and do everything in our power to take care of, lately the personal touch has gone out of his business and anytime you ring up you get some young uninformed phone operator with no knowledge of their business and treat you like a pain..
There are now other insurers out there that are offering better deals on out beloved travel homes that we look after like babies and do everything in our power to protect..
Crikey I have paid as much in insurance over the years without a claim as it would cost to buy a new unit IF I should ever need one..
So with KTI premiums going up and my pension staying the same I am going to move on and not renew my membership of CMCA as I have found a better deal elsewhere for insurance with MHIA
-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Monday 7th of July 2014 07:57:32 PM
Thanks everyone for your input, very much appreciated. I think I'll stick with what I have for now.
I love this forum for the mixed bag of views that come forward. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge out there and all you have to do is ask.
Now can someone just give me this weeks PowerBall numbers?