Caravans and Insurance

Think about your caravan – one you already own or are intending to buy – and in your mind’s eye you probably conjure up pictures of carefree holidaying in the UK and abroad. That’s just the way thousands of other British caravan enthusiasts feel about this glorious outdoor pastime.

In raptures about all the adventures to come, though, it’s equally important to remember that your caravan is a valuable asset and one that you will want to protect against the many risks of loss or damage. It’s likely to be a smart move, therefore, to consider caravan insurance.

Why insure your touring caravan?

As with any type of general insurance, the question to ask yourself is what you would do if you did not arrange the cover? In this case, how would you be placed if your caravan were damaged in some way – possibly beyond repair? In the absence of any insurance cover, you might not be able to repair or replace your caravan if it was destroyed in a storm or fire, for example.

Touring caravans are also prey to thieves who steal to order. And a recent article by the Camping and Caravanning Club suggests that some of these gangs are using the advanced technology of Google Maps to track your caravan when preparing to steal it.

Your regular motor insurance typically may provide the necessary legal minimum of third party insurance for the towing vehicle – and this cover may extend to the trailer or caravan. But it provides only third-party cover – enabling you to meet the claims of other road users and property owners who might be injured or suffer property damage because of the caravan you are towing. To safeguard against loss or damage to the caravan itself, you must arrange caravan insurance.

Types of Insurance available

There is a variety of different types of cover available from providers. You may be looking for a different type of insurance policy depending on whether you need:

  • touring caravan insurance;
  • static caravan insurance; or
  • motorhome cover.

What might the policy look like?

Your caravan’s insurance policy may depend on what you need, and what each provider offers. Typical cover may include damage caused by risks such as storms, fire, or flooding to the structure of the van itself. But caravan insurance may also include cover for the contents of the ‘van.

The contents section of the cover may be where a few limitations and exclusions can be found. For instance, some insurers may limit how much can be claimed for one particular item. Accordingly, you may wish to consider leaving especially valuable items at home – or, of course, arrange separate cover for them.

Your caravan insurance is also likely to incorporate an element of third-party liability indemnity insurance – to protect you against claims from third parties who sustain an injury or have their property damaged through some contact with your caravan in something other than a road traffic accident while it is parked off-road.

Like all cover, a caravan’s insurance policy may include an excess (this is the amount that you may have to pay in the event of a claim), and there will be set a procedure for making a claim.

What may affect the price and availability of caravans insurance?

Location, location, location may be an important factor in the price and availability of caravan insurance.

For example, if you keep your touring caravan in a safe and secure place, you may find that policies may be more attractively priced than if the caravan is kept somewhere with minimal security provisions. At Cover4Caravans, for example, we offer attractive discounts (up to 20%) if you store your caravan at a secure site registered with the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CASSOA).

Some caravan insurance policies may also depend on the security measures that you have installed. Some insurers may insist that you fit both a hitchlock and a wheel clamp as minimum security measures on an unhitched tourer.

If you have not already installed these, there may be an initial outlay for you, but in the long term, you may be glad that you have taken these steps, both from an insurance point of view and for your peace of mind.

More questions?

If you have any questions about caravan insurance – whether about getting a quote or relating to your existing policy with us – please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be delighted to help.