This year’s caravan season is now well underway, of course, and the headlines continue to shine a light on some of the most recent developments. Here we highlight just a few of those.

Caravan Salon Düsseldorf expands for this year

The German city of Düsseldorf once again hosts Europe’s largest motorhome show.

The Caravan Salon Düsseldorf opens from the 26^th of August until the 4^th of September and is shaping up to be the biggest event yet.

Thanks to an extra three halls of exhibition space, the Salon will present a vast range of new motorhomes, caravans, tents, campervans, and camping gear representing the products of around 600 exhibitors in 250,000 square metres of 16 exhibition halls.

Wick caravan park and campsite to reopen this month under new community ownership

The famed community spirit in the far north of Scotland has come to the fore once again as the community enterprise, the Wick Development Trust, takes on the running of the local caravan and camping site.

With the current owners retiring and no viable commercial interest to take over the running of this important amenity for the region’s tourism industry, the Wick Development Trust re-opened the site on the 27^th of June and is set to plough back its profits into local regeneration projects.

In its story about the community enterprise project, the Highland’s Press and Journal on the 14^th of June noted that the caravan and campsite is the only one in Wick.

Top 20 best touring caravan sites in the UK revealed

The next time you’ve decided on your destination but wonder where there are the best caravan touring sites, you might want to take a look at the top twenty sites selected by Auto Express recently.

The chosen sites are arranged by region, so there are no overall winners, but those coming out on top include:

Southern England

• Golden Cap Holiday Park makes an ideal base from which to explore Dorset’s world-famous Jurassic Coast, with the beach just 150 yards or so from your onsite pitch;

• the site boasts a total of 69 pitches for caravans, all with electric hook-up and 41 of which are on grass;

Northern England

• the wild expanse of the North York Moors lies inland while the sleepy fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay is a bare 30-minute walk away – Bay Ness Farm is the ideal place to pitch your caravan or camper van on the beautiful east coast of England;

• the site aims for simplicity – so all of its pitches are on grass but each one has an electric hook-up;

Central England

• located on the edge of the mysterious vastness of the Forest of Dean is Bracelands campsite – an enticing hub for all manner of adventure sports and a peaceful spot to return to at the end of the day;

• it’s a big campsite – 520 pitches – yet still manages to preserve a great sense of relaxed spaciousness;

Northern Ireland

• too often overlooked when it comes to caravan holidays, but Highview Holiday Park will give you a whole new outlook on the attractions of Northern Ireland;

• it’s close to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway and to the unspoilt beauty of White Rocks beach;

Scotland

• of course, there are the Highlands and the outer isles, but sooner or later you’ll also want a taste of the Scottish capital – and where better to pitch your caravan than the Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club site, just a short ride away from the city centre;

• choose from one of 146 touring pitches.

Sykes acquires leading UK caravan holiday company 

Business Cheshire magazine on the 10^th of June reported that Sykes Holiday Cottages has acquired the static caravan rental company UKcaravans4hire, which owns and runs some 6,000 holiday homes across the UK.

Sykes is currently on the wave of expansion having recently also acquired Forest Holidays – one of the main companies offering the rental of eco-friendly cabins in the UK.

You are probably aware that the best way to safeguard your tourer is with caravan insurance – but what exactly does touring caravan insurance cover?

You might be surprised by quite how many owners who are new to the joys of caravanning – as well as a few seasoned old hands – are more than a little hazy about what risks tourer insurance does and does not cover.

Buying any form of insurance, including tourer caravan insurance, can sometimes be fraught with more than a little uncertainty. The terminology may be confusing and, in the way of some insurers, sometimes things are described in unnecessarily complex terms.

On top of that, insurance products change, along with the type of caravan you are using over the years, the nature of the outings you make in it, and the risks that need the protection of appropriate insurance.

That is why it is important not only to regularly review your cover to make sure you have the most appropriate touring caravan insurance available but also to notify your insurer of any changes to your caravan (such as where it is stored) as soon as possible.

Do I have to have touring caravan insurance?

When you are towing a caravan, the law does not require that you have separate touring caravan insurance.

The vehicle you are driving, of course, is subject to the legal requirement for a minimum of third-party insurance – and that cover typically extends to the caravan you are towing too. (Note that we say “typically” – it is imperative that you check with your motor insurance provider as to what cover your caravan has, if any, under your car insurance policy).

But even if you have top of the range, fully comprehensive motor insurance, you are likely to find that it provides protection against third-party risks only for your caravan – leaving the trailer completely vulnerable to fire, theft, or accidental damage.

That is why separate, specialist touring caravan insurance is such a prudent safeguard.

What touring caravan insurance covers

Getting a quote for and buying caravan insurance can be easy. Furthermore, the basic principles of tourer caravan insurance are typically very straightforward:

• cover is typically provided against fire, theft, and accidental damage to your caravan whether it is parked on your driveway at home, stored elsewhere, being towed, or pitched anywhere along the route of any holiday or outing;

• financial protection may also be extended to the contents of your caravan (some policies may impose exclusions for items such as high-value jewellery, electrical gadgets and equipment, or the like);

• cover extends to those times when your caravan is still hitched to the towing vehicle and when it is unhitched – but your insurer is likely to insist that you use a hitch-lock if the caravan and wheel clamps when it is unattended and still connected to the towing vehicle and wheel-clamps alone when it is unhitched;

• your tourer insurance cover reflects the make, model, age, and value of the caravan and some policies may offer replacement as new settlements in the event of a total loss of a ‘van that is less than two years old – at Cover4Caravans, we provide new for old cover for both statics and tourers up to 5 years old, regardless of the number of owners;

• some policies may also provide third-party liability cover – that exists in case you are sued by someone, who believes they have suffered a personal injury (or property damage) through some kind of contact with your caravan.

But remember that cover varies from one insurer to another

Along with common elements of cover, things may vary depending upon the offer that the touring insurance provider is making. It’s therefore important to take the time to read carefully your initial quotation and the policy documentation before you decide to buy the cover.

That is to ensure that you understand the caravan cover being offered, plus any conditions, exclusions, and obligations so as to be clear it is a good match for your needs and circumstances.

It’s also typically advisable to compare the cover provided by different touring caravan insurance policies because some may offer protection that is more suitable for your particular caravan and how you use it.

Reassurance from your specialist broker

If you end up with inappropriate or inadequate cover the resulting costs may prove to be steep indeed. So, you might be reassured by the expertise and experience offered by an independent broker such as ourselves here at Cover4Caravans.

Citizens’ Advice recommends the use of a broker if you are looking for advice about insurance or want a specialist policy – such as touring caravan insurance.

As independent brokers, we put your interests first and foremost by offering a choice of tourer insurance. To make sure that your insurance provides appropriate safeguards against those risks that it needs to cover, it must be tailored to meet your particular needs, requirements, and circumstances.

Renewing your touring caravan insurance

If you already have caravan insurance, you are almost certain to receive a renewal notice each year.

Indeed, some people see buying insurance as such a hassle that they simply renew it every year with the same provider and don’t even bother to see if they could get a more attractive deal elsewhere! That shouldn’t be the case!

As we mentioned previously, policies, prices, and the cover offered change all the time – what is an appropriate policy for you now may not be the most suitable policy for you this time next year.

Working entirely on your behalf, we can get you quotes from any number of specialist tourer insurance providers so that you have them all in one place, where you can also buy your caravan insurance online or over the telephone. If you prefer or need any further help or advice, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01702 606301.

How do policies differ?

There are often significant differences in the levels of protection offered by different insurers and their respective policies. That is why it is important you understand what your cover does and doesn’t entail. We will be happy to help clarify if you have any questions.

Are any discounts offered on touring caravan insurance?

Responsible and careful caravan owners are more than likely to be members of a recognised caravan club – such as the Caravan and Motorhome Club or the Camping and Caravanning Club to name but two – receiving regular tips and suggestions on enhancing security and maintaining your caravan in tiptop condition, for example.

Here at Cover4Caravans, we recognise the potential value and benefits of your belonging to a recognised touring club and grant an attractive discount on the premiums you pay for your insurance.

More specifically, our policies also recognise that caravans are at perhaps their most vulnerable when they are not in regular use and effectively put into storage for, say, the winter months. A further discount on your premiums, therefore, is also available if you agree to store your caravan at one of the high-security sites recognised and registered with the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA).

How much does tourer insurance cost?

Inevitably, price is a subject for serious consideration, but it may be advisable to pause a little before presuming that advertisements for cheap caravan cover will necessarily offer a suitable or appropriate solution for you.

Cheap caravan cover may not offer the same match to your requirements as another, perhaps marginally more expensive policy. If it does then fine but if it doesn’t, keep in mind that if you need to claim, you won’t be bothered at all about how cheap or expensive your policy was – you’ll only want to know the cover provided and the settlement reached with your insurer.

The bottom line may be that what proves to be cheap caravan insurance for someone else may not be suitable for you or prove to be cheap in the event you need to make a claim – so keeping the price in perspective may be advisable.

In summary

Tourer caravan insurance need not be complicated, but you may have to allocate a few minutes to sitting and reading the detail if you want to avoid missing out on a cost-effective and suitable solution.

Alternatively, please get in touch, either on the telephone or via email, and one of our professional (and friendly!) team will be able to help you find suitable, cost-effective cover for your touring caravan.

The Lake District is home to Britain’s largest national park, its biggest lake, and its highest mountain. Whether you’re moved by those superlatives to get out there and test your strength and stamina walking the fells. Or, simply admiring the stunning scenery from the comfort of your caravan or motorhome, the Lake District has places to visit in abundance.

Where to stay

The official website for the national park issues a reminder that you can only legally pitch your touring caravan or park your motorhome on official campsites – so-called “wild” or “fly” camping is definitely not on.

There are plenty of sites from which to choose and, with your overnight stays safely booked, let’s look at some of the places to visit:

1. Grasmere

• if you want the very essence of the Lake District summed up in poetry, you’ll go no further than the words of William Wordsworth – and the place those words were written, his home at Dove Cottage in the village of Grasmere;

• step inside his small home and you’ll be stepping back in time – to the early part of the 19^th century to be precise – and find the interior of Dove Cottage pretty much just as he lived it with his sister Dorothy;

• even the Garden Orchard outside the cottage has been carefully restored to reflect once again that little piece of England that Wordsworth himself described as “the loveliest spot man hath ever found”;

2. Windermere

• for many people, the centre of the Lake District – the Lake District itself – is England’s largest inland expanse of open water, Lake Windermere;

• historically, Windermere has been the most popular and well-visited part of the Lake District and around its shores, you will find everything from leisurely ambles to the sound of the gently lapping water along the banks to hikes to the very top of the fells where you’ll feel that you’re on England’s very own roof of the world;

• there are many small towns to visit along Windermere’s shoreline, including the village of Windermere itself, Lakeside at the southern end of the lake, Waterhead at its northern tip, and Ambleside, which is the bustling centre for many of the Lake District’s outdoor activities;

3. Keswick and Derwentwater

• Keswick is one of the jewels in the crown of the Lake District with its charming Market Square in the centre of the town, the manicured gardens of Hope Park, and is just a short 15-minute walk from Derwentwater;

• Derwentwater is one of the Lake District’s most picturesque stretches of water and. It is entirely within even the least energetic person’s reach to walk all or part of the 10-mile well-marked flat and easy paths that circle the lake and lead you through the ancient woodlands along its shoreline;

4. Tarn Hows

• if all that walking has given you an appetite, where better to lay out your picnic blanket than in sight of the majestic views at one of Lakeland’s classic spots, Tarn Hows;

• the site overlooks Coniston Water (where you can also board the lake’s Steam Yacht Gondola) and is maintained by the National Trust, with an easy-going, circular short walk that has been made accessible even to those with mobility issues, thanks to the Trust’s “Tramper” all-terrain mobility scooter;

5. Wray Castle

• for some people, no visit to any place of interest in the UK will be complete without a tour of the local castle;

• fitting that role is the Lake District’s Wray Castle – though a closer inspection will reveal that it’s a neo-Gothic Victorian construction near Ambleside on Lake Windermere – in fact, you can take a Lake Cruise from Ambleside and the Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre to Wray Castle.

Summary

In this very brief synopsis, we’ve just dipped our toes into all that the Lake District has to offer. There’s only one way to discover one of England’s most iconic national parks and that’s to visit it yourself – and compile your own list of favourite places to visit.

There are some things that your insurer must know – and if those circumstances change, you are obliged to inform your insurance provider.

These are called “material facts” and they are at the heart of any insurance contract. As the Association of British Insurers (ABI) explains the material facts determine whether or not your insurer will provide the cover you request and the terms on which any policy is issued.

If you fail to inform your insurance provider of any material facts – or changes to them – a claim might be dismissed, or you could even have the insurance cancelled.

Here are some commonplace examples of changes to material facts that might impact your caravan insurance.

You have made substantial changes to the caravan

Many owners like to customise or enhance their vehicles. However successful those changes, it’s imperative that you discuss them with your tourer insurance provider – paying particular attention to certain material facts such as:

• the vehicle’s value – if you have installed new equipment, for instance, this might have increased the caravan’s overall value and you will need to make sure that any new valuation is reflected in the cover provided by your insurer;
• structural changes – it is especially important to notify your insurer of any changes that might have altered the caravan manufacturer’s original specification or those that will have changed your insurer’s assessment of the risks involved in providing cover for your caravan.

When deciding what changes amount to changes in material facts, you need to consider their extent and significance. Only significant changes need to be considered and reported. Simply changing the curtains in your caravan, for example, wouldn’t count!

On balance, though, it’s always best to consult your insurance provider if you are in any doubt as to whether changes you’re making to your caravan are likely to be seen as “significant” in insurance terms.

You are changing the way you use your caravan

A simple – and fairly frequent example – of such a change arises when your policy does not provide automatic continental holiday driving cover and yet you are planning to go abroad in your caravan. Clearly, in such situations, you would need additional cover and an amendment to the policy’s current terms and conditions to provide the cover you now need.

The need to inform your insurance provider might also arise in circumstances where you were close to or had already exceeded the maximum number of permissible days outside of the UK as specified in your policy.

It is also imperative that you discuss with your insurance provider in advance, any situation where you are planning to let someone use your caravan to generate rental income.

Where you store your caravan

When you took out your initial policy, you may have declared to your insurance provider just where you store the caravan when it is not in use. Should that change, for whatever reason, you must notify your insurer. The location is a material fact that may change the nature and level of risks to which your caravan is exposed when it is in temporary storage.

An example might be where you had originally stored your caravan in your garage but have now decided to move it to your driveway as its normal place of parking, due to the fact you wish to use your garage for other purposes.

If you need to make a claim

It’s no doubt stating the obvious to say that you’ll need to contact your insurance provider to make a claim. But it’s worth stressing the merits of checking the wording of your policy documents now, since some insurers require you to notify them within a maximum period of time after the event that gave rise to your claim took place. If you fail to do so and lodge your claim after the prescribed period has elapsed, you might find that your claim is unsuccessful.

Where you are changing anything relating to your personal circumstances

This is typically a routine matter and includes such changes as a new job or profession, change of address, or change of name (if you have married, for example).

Changes to qualifications for driving a vehicle used to tow your caravan

This may or may not be an issue but it will be worth checking with your insurer if, for example, you or another insured driver were diagnosed with a medical condition that might affect your driving, parking or use of your caravan.

You pitch up and intend to leave your ‘van unattended overnight

Our touring caravan insurance policyholders to be aware of the “not in use” clause that is within the majority of touring caravan insurance policies.

Most tourer owners are unaware of this clause, which, in some cases, could see an insurance claim rejected if the caravan was “abandoned” at the time of the claim. For example, if you take your tourer on holiday and then leave it unattended where it is pitched for a few days – perhaps, due to violent illness meaning you go into hospital or, when simply pitching up then going off somewhere else – you could find in the event of a claim that you are not covered.

This is because your insurance premiums are calculated on the caravan being stored at a storage site / at home or, being lived in while pitched up somewhere. Touring caravan sites are less secure and more easily accessed – so are at more risk of being stolen, damaged or broken in to.

If you leave your caravan at a pitch even for a few days and go off elsewhere, it is essential to speak to your insurer and let them know. At least that way, they are aware of the circumstances and can advise if there is an additional premium to pay – giving you peace of mind that you are covered.

So, if your holiday or break is cut short due to an unforeseen or unplanned circumstance that requires you to leave your caravan at a pitch, at least you will know if your tourer is covered or not. It is as simple as giving your insurer a call.

Summary

The obligation to inform your insurance provider about changes to material facts is not an especially onerous responsibility and is largely a matter of common sense.

But it is important to take the requirement seriously because failing to disclose material changes and then subsequently making a claim might jeopardise your chances of any such claim succeeding.

Do you have more questions? Please call us on 01702 606301 – we’d love to help!

For many owners, their touring caravan is almost like part of the family. It’s indispensable in helping to get out and about and making the

The touring caravan is practically a part of the family for many an owner. Your ‘van provides a practical and vital lifeline by offering you ever-ready means of escaping the humdrum routine of everyday life and getting out and about in the great outdoors.

That’s why most owners look to protect their caravan with appropriate touring caravan insurance. However, we recognise that insurance isn’t a subject everybody naturally takes to. As a result, sometimes it’s nice to have a little assistance in finding a suitable solution to your touring caravan insurance needs.

This is an area where we at Cover4Caravans can help you.

Just what is touring caravan insurance?

When you own a caravan, you’ll typically get several potential risks into the bargain. They will fall into one of the following categories:

• an encounter with someone with criminal intent – that might include an unwelcome intrusion as a burglar makes off with precious items from your caravan or even the theft of the entire trailer itself;
• damage caused by forces of nature beyond your control – the so-called acts of God, such as storms, floods and so on;
• damage or loss arising from an accident of your own making; or
• compensation-seeking claims from third parties who have suffered injury or property damage due to some kind of contact with your caravan.

A consequence of any one of these types of events or circumstances can often leave you facing exceptionally substantial and unwelcome bills. Touring caravan insurance offers you financial protection and indemnity against such losses.

Choosing the appropriate policy

When choosing your touring caravan insurance company, you could well be overwhelmed – there are lots of them, and there are considerable differences in the products each has to offer. For some idea of the wide range of insurers in the market, take a look at the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) website.

Some caravan owners might choose between competing insurance products on price alone – opting for the cheapest on offer. But that could be short-sighted.

It’s a simple fact of life that if you have to call upon your insurance cover for help, the last thing you will be thinking about under those circumstances is how much it originally cost. Instead, you’ll be 100% focused on just what your policy covers and whether or not you will be able to get your claim approved.

Therefore, it seems logical that you are better off concentrating on just what the insurance policy has to offer – and the cover it provides – rather than the headline price.

Interpreting caravan insurance policies

It isn’t so much a question of one policy being good and another bad. It’s more about matching your exact circumstances and requirements to a suitable policy.

To illustrate, consider what might happen should your caravan be stolen.

Policies might differ significantly in how they will respond – whether that is:

• new-for-old caravan replacement for vehicles that are no more than two years old and which have had a single owner since new;
• new-for-old replacement for caravans up to five years old, but again, only if you have been the sole owner since new;
• offering only market valuation compensation; or
• the gold standard solution that we offer by way of new-for-old replacement of caravans up to five years old, irrespective of how many previous owners there might have been.

That is just one example of many such considerations that might apply when reviewing the policies offered by touring caravan insurance companies.

Do you feel comfortable reviewing different insurance policies?

In our experience, not everyone has the time or inclination to conduct an in-depth review of several competing policies. As a result, selections can sometimes be rushed, and that might be something that you’ll regret at your leisure in the event of a claim.

There is an alternative – and that is to allow us to do that job entirely on your behalf by assisting you in selecting suitable cover for your particular needs and circumstances and balancing pricing against the appropriateness of the cover provided.

Why not contact us to find out more?

most of that precious leisure time.

That’s why many wish to protect their caravan through appropriate touring caravan insurance. However, insurance isn’t a subject that everybody naturally takes to and as a result, sometimes it’s nice to have a little assistance in finding a suitable solution to your touring caravan insurance needs.

This is an area where we at Cover4Caravans can assist.

Just what is touring caravan insurance?

When you own a caravan, you’ll typically face a number of potential risks. Broadly speaking, they will fall into one of the following categories:

• someone doing something illegal to it – that might include unpleasant things such as burglary or the theft of the entire caravan;
• damage caused by forces of nature beyond your control, such as storms, floods and so on;
• being involved in an accident of your own making;
• compensation-seeking claims from third parties that have suffered injury as a result of your caravan or experienced damage to their property for similar reasons.

The upshot of all these types of circumstances might be that you will be left facing some very substantial bills. There are touring caravan insurance companies who offer special policies providing cover for these sorts of eventualities.

Choosing an appropriate policy

Although there are large numbers of touring caravan insurance companies, their products may be very different.

Some caravan owners might be inclined to simply choose between them based on the advertised cheapest price. In our opinion, that’s typically a mistake.

It’s a simple fact of life that in the event you have to call upon your insurance cover for help, the last thing you will be thinking about under those circumstances is how much it originally cost. Instead, you’ll be 100% focused on just what your policy covers and whether or not you will be able to get your claim approved.

Therefore it seems logical that’s what you should concentrate on when initially selecting your policy rather than the headline price.

Interpreting caravan insurance policies

It isn’t a question of one policy being good and another one bad. It’s more about matching your exact circumstances and requirements to a suitable policy.

To give an illustration, consider what might happen should your caravan be stolen.

Policies might differ significantly in how they will respond, including:

• new-for-old caravan replacement for vehicles that are no more than two years old and which have had a single owner since new;
• new-for-old replacement for caravans up to five years old but again, only if you have been the sole owner since new;
• offering only market valuation compensation;
• as we provide, new-for-old replacement for caravans up to five years old, irrespective of how many previous owners they may have had.

That is just one example of many such considerations that might apply when you are reviewing the policies offered by touring caravan insurance companies.

Do you feel comfortable reviewing different insurance policies?

In our experience, not everyone has the time or inclination to conduct an in-depth review of a number of competing policies. As a result, selections can sometimes be rushed and that might be something that you’ll regret at your leisure in the event of a claim.

There is an alternative – and that is to allow us to assist you in selecting cover that is suitable for your situation and which balances pricing against the appropriateness of the cover provided.

Why not contact us to find out more?