When it comes to safeguarding your caravan or static home, comparing insurance policies isn’t just about finding the lowest price – it’s about securing the most appropriate level of cover to give you peace of mind.

At Cover4Caravans, we empower you to compare caravan insurance online, ensuring you get what we consider is the most cost-effective and appropriate insurance quote tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re shopping around for tourer caravan insurance or static caravan insurance, here’s everything you need to know.

Price isn’t everything

While the advertised price of a caravan insurance policy might catch your eye, it doesn’t always reflect the full value of the protection offered. A cheaper caravan insurance policy might offer limited cover, leaving you vulnerable in key areas. That’s why it’s crucial to look beyond the sticker price and evaluate:

• what the insurance cover entails including what elements of protection come as standard and what don’t – this may vary among caravan insurance providers;
• what optional extras are available;
• the exclusions – certain items or circumstances that are excluded from the cover. Part of this will also be the qualifying conditions. These usually relate to restrictions on where your caravan can or cannot be parked when it’s not in use or when you store it. And, for static homes, what you need to do when it is unoccupied for an extended period (e.g. over the winter);
• the insurance policy excess;
• whether any discounts are available.

What does caravan insurance cover?

There are usually standard features provided in any caravan insurance policy. As these can vary widely from one insurance provider to another, it’s essential to compare insurance. Our policies at Cover4Caravans, for example, typically include:

• protection against storm damage;
• theft of the caravan;
• third party liability;
• contents insurance cover if required;
• free Continental cover up to 240 days per annum for tourers;
• plus, much more!

New for old replacement

When you compare insurance or get a quote for your caravan, check what the new for old replacement terms are. There is often a maximum age of the caravan qualifying for such replacement, and these vary among providers. In the event of loss, we will replace your tourer up to five years old and your static home up to 10 years old, regardless of the number of previous owners. (Not all policies provide this).

Optional extras

While standard policy features provide the backbone of your insurance, you may have the option to tailor the coverage further to meet your needs and requirements.

These extras might include:

• insurance cover for your awning (please read our blog: Awning insurance: need to know);
• the provision of alternative accommodation if your caravan is stolen, lost or damaged while you’re touring in it;
• the ability to protect your no claims discount; etc.

Terms, conditions and exclusions

You may expect to find these in any policy. It’s advisable to read them carefully as part of your caravan insurance comparison.

Some of these exclusions and conditions may be more demanding than others and have a significant effect on whether you’re able to make a successful claim.

Please feel free to ‘phone us on 01702 606301 if you are unsure of any aspect of your insurance for caravan cover.

Discounts

Here at Cover4Caravans, we offer attractive discounts (up to 20%) on your caravan insurance premiums if you arrange secure storage at a site registered with the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA).

There are around 450 locations nationwide and each is rated according to a scale of different levels of security.

Accurate valuation: ensuring you get the most appropriate sum insured

A precise valuation of your caravan is crucial for determining the appropriate level of cover. An accurate assessment ensures that, in the event of a loss or damage, you receive adequate compensation. Consider these factors when valuing your caravan:

• get an up-to-date appraisal of your caravan’s worth;
• if you’ve made significant improvements, such as installing a new kitchen in your static caravan, update your sum insured accordingly;
• ensure the policy covers the cost of a brand-new replacement if eligible.

Final thoughts

Comparing caravan insurance is a crucial step in protecting your valuable asset. By understanding what each policy offers – and beyond just the price – you can make an informed decision that suits both your budget and your cover needs.

At Cover4Caravans, our aim is to simplify this process, offering free, no-obligation quotes and expert advice to help you navigate the complexities of caravan insurance.

Ready to start comparing? Visit our website to get your free caravan insurance quotes online or call us on 01702 606301 to discuss your options with one of our team. Protect your caravan, secure your journey, and travel with confidence knowing you’re covered by suitable caravan insurance.

This is an important reminder to our customers that if you change storage location for your touring caravan, you MUST inform us immediately.

Failure to do so may invalidate your insurance policy.

Why is it so that important I advise you if I change where I store my caravan?

If you’re storing your touring caravan in a different location than originally declared on your touring insurance policy, you must inform your us for several reasons:

• Risk assessment – The location where your caravan is stored affects the level of risk. Some areas may have higher theft rates, flood risks, or other hazards that insurers need to consider.
• Policy validity – Failing to update your storage details could mean your policy is invalid in the event of a claim. If the caravan is stolen or damaged while stored in an undeclared location, your insurer may refuse to pay out.
• Security requirements – Some policies include specific security conditions depending on where the caravan is stored. This may include CASSOA-approved storage sites, locked gates, wheel clamps, or alarms. If you move your caravan, the new storage location may not meet these requirements.
• Premium adjustments – The cost of your insurance may change based on the new storage location. Some storage sites are considered lower risk, potentially reducing your premium, while others may lead to an increase.

To avoid issues, always inform your insurer before relocating your caravan to a new storage site. This ensures that your tourer insurance remains valid and provides the cover you need.

Where can I store my van?

It is imperative that we have the correct information relating to where your touring caravan is stored to ensure that it is kept at a secure, insurer-approved location. We approve various locations including but not limited to: CaSSOA Storage Sites, home driveways, dedicated caravan storage sites etc.

Leaving your touring caravan in unsecure places such as communal parking areas, pub car parks, a friend’s field etc. leaves it vulnerable to theft and damage. In fact, because of the high risk of loss or damage, typically no caravan insurance provider will agree to insure a touring caravan that is stored at an unsecure and unofficial location such as these.

Don’t delay, contact us!

If you have recently moved your touring caravan to a new storage location and have not informed us, please call us today on 01702 606301.

As always, if you have any concerns or questions relating to any aspect of your cover, a simple ‘phone call is all it takes.

Further reading: Guide to Caravan Storage and Security.

Videos: Caravan Security and Insurance Video and Caravan Storage and Insurance.

France is a fantastic destination for a touring caravan holiday. Open roads, the relative absence of heavy traffic, wide-open spaces, history, and cuisine, it’s all there!  In this blog, we look at the need-to-know information when driving in France – and we’ll also suggest some travel ideas about where to visit on your next trip to the country.

Just how foreign is it?

Listen to the language, taste the food, and experience some of the local customs and it is likely to hit you pretty early on that France is, indeed, a foreign country – that is all part of the adventure and excitement, after all.

Inevitably, there have been some changes following Britain’s decision formally to leave the EU. But it might come as something of a relief to discover that the rules of the road and the law relating to driving whilst towing a caravan remain broadly the same as at home in the UK – though, of course, you are driving on the other side of the road!

It is imperative that you stick to any local laws and regulations when you travel – falling foul of the law could also invalidate both your motor insurance and the tourer insurance that safeguards your caravan.

What kit will you need?

When driving in France, there are certain things you need to carry on board to be legally compliant. These include:

Warning triangles

• these must be erected in the road behind your vehicle if it has broken down and is on the hard shoulder;
• note that even if it is off the road and on the hard shoulder, you must still erect your warning triangle behind it to indicate to other approaching drivers that a potential hazard is ahead;
• if visibility approaching your stopped vehicle is good, the triangle must be approximately 30 metres behind it and visible to approaching vehicles though not blocking the carriageway, but if visibility is obstructed by a bend, you must place your warning triangle on the other side of the bend so that drivers know there may be an obstacle as they round the corner;

Fluorescent jackets

• ideally there must be a high visibility (fluorescent) vest or jacket for each member of the vehicle;
• if your vehicle breaks down and is partly or fully off the road, passengers must exit the vehicle and stand a safe distance away from it whilst keeping well back from the road;
• all occupants of the vehicle must don their fluorescent vests;

Evidence of insurance

• you will need to carry with you evidence of at least third party insurance for the vehicle you are driving;
• driving licences issued in the UK, the EU and EEA countries are accepted. International driving permits are required in some countries, but, currently, not in France;

Spare bulbs

• you are not legally obliged to carry a spare set of bulbs for your vehicle, points out Auto Bulbs Direct (ABD), but you can be fined if you are driving with a bulb that has failed or is otherwise defective;
• the safest course of action, therefore, is to ensure you have a spare set;

Breathalyser kits

• after years of toing and froing about whether to enforce legislation about drivers carrying a breathalyser kit in their vehicles, the French authorities have finally decided that none is now necessary – though you may wish to carry one just in case;
• beware, however, that the alcohol limit for drivers in France is lower than that in the UK.

Your driving documents

By law in France, all drivers must carry their driving licence and what is effectively their registration document, with them at all times;

Random stops and checks of vehicles and paperwork are perhaps rather more commonplace in France than in the United Kingdom – so be sure you will be able to produce when requested:

• your vehicle’s registration document;
• its MOT certificate;
• the certificate of insurance;
• your driving licence – and, if you have only an old-style paper licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP), too;
• if the vehicle or caravan is not yours, a letter from the owner authorising you to take it abroad within specified dates;
• plus, you’ll need your passport (which should have at least six months left on it);

National identifier plate

• beware that “GB” plates are no longer valid – the correct national identifier is now “UK” for any vehicle registered in the United Kingdom;
• the new national identifier can be incorporated into the vehicle’s registration plate – together with the Union Flag, if you like – but the former designation of “GB” with the gold stars of the Council of Europe is no longer valid. Any of these older designations need to be removed or covered and replaced by the letters “UK”.

Also useful to perhaps have are:

• Camping Card International – If you’re planning to go camping, carrying a Camping Card International is a smart move. It not only serves as extra proof of your identity but also provides third-party liability insurance and offers discounts at a wide range of campsites.
• Clean Air Stickers – When travelling to certain cities, you’re required to display a Crit’Air sticker on your car. It costs from £3.60 (at the time of writing), and drivers without the sticker may face penalties.

Bonus travel tips for your tour de France!

Never knowingly short-changing you with helpful tips and advice, here are some of our bonus travel tips for making the most of any “tour de France”:

Toilet paper

• on French motorways, stopping-off picnic and rest stops (called Aires) are far more commonplace and typically more picturesque than their UK equivalents;
• those that are formal service stations with food and other facilities will have excellent and well-maintained toilet facilities;
• those that are simply picnic spots will have reasonable toilets and water facilities but might be unlikely to have toilet paper;

A Europe-valid bank or credit card

• the tolls at some exits from motorways in France may be entirely unmanned and automatic;
• before being able to leave the motorway, you will need to pay your fees and if you don’t have a card in automatic situations, then this going to cause difficulties, delays, and embarrassment;
• check with your card provider, prior to departure, that you have adequate credit and that your card is valid for use in Europe;

Check for access with overnight stops

• it’s not unusual to see some caravan owners trying to get their vehicle and caravan into totally inadequate hotel car parks when treating themselves to an overnight stay en-route in France;
• remember, if you are using a hotel and not your tourer for en-route accommodation, check with your hotel in advance to make sure that it has caravan access – even some hotels specifically designed for motorway travellers may well be unsuitable;
• also, let your tourer caravan insurer know that you won’t be staying in your caravan overnight, to ensure that full cover remains in place.

Tour de France – destination ideas

The French Riviera, the Loire Valley, Mont Blanc, Paris … there are so many places to choose from when you take a trip to France – so where will you go? Here are just a few ideas to whet your appetite for any tour de France!

Unknown France

France is a vast and beautiful country but some parts of it are rather better known than others.

If you are going on holiday to France at peak times, you may be interested in a caravan tourer route where you may be less likely to find other British caravanners:

Avranches to Ducey

• if you disembark at one of the north-western French ports, why not take a drive towards the town of Avranches;
• this is very close to Mont St Michel and occupies a hilltop – it has a great ruined castle to explore, some nice old buildings, a pleasant public garden and something called The Scriptorial, which is an incredible museum housing ancient Normandy documents going back over 1000 years;
• head from there to the small village of Ducey – a nice place for lunch and you can also explore the small but charming local chateau;

Ducey to Mayenne

• a relatively short drive will take you to the very pretty town of Mayenne;
• this has a lovely chateau and museum on cliffs overlooking the river and you can hire a boat to explore stretches of the river through the town and into the countryside;

Mayenne to Laval

• Laval is the departmental capital of La Mayenne in France;
• it is a very pleasant town which offers an old quarter to explore with winding streets and ancient buildings;
• it, too, has a chateau overlooking the river, some nice eating places and if you need some retail therapy, some reasonably good and chic shopping;

Laval to Angers

• Angers is a very impressive town on the side of another major river and has some truly lovely streets, buildings, and a very impressive castle;
• in the medieval period, this town was once arguably as important if not more so than Paris and this shows today in some of its layout;

Angers to Chinon

• this route makes for a very pleasant drive through parts of the Loire Valley and the town of Chinon and surrounding villages.

Northern France

If you are touring north-western France in your caravan, there are still other less well-known places, including the following:

1. Bagnoles sur l’Orne. This is a small spa and lakeside town amongst some very pretty cliffs and hills in the Orne department of Normandy. It has a very genteel feeling to it, some great walking and climbing opportunities, the casino where you can try your luck, and you can even hire a pedalo on the local lake;
2. Chateau-Gontier. Sitting in another southern part of the La Mayenne department, this is a very pretty town with some impressive buildings overlooking the river. The surrounding countryside is also very attractive in a gentle way and while you are in the area you can visit the very large animal sanctuary and the local abandoned Roman town of Jublains;
3. Redon. This is a very appealing town in eastern Brittany with some lovely old ecclesiastical architecture in the centre. Even more attractive is the fact that it is at the junction point of a large canal and river system meaning that it is a popular stopping off point for river cruisers and longboats;
4. Jallouville and south to Avranches. Some of the beaches on the western Cotentin peninsular of Normandy are stunningly beautiful and often completely isolated. If you like quiet beaches and small towns, this area may be for you – though it is worth noting that the tide can go out a very long way here and the sea, at such times, may be almost invisible! Some care must be taken before walking across the sands when the tide is out due to quicksand and should be avoided by pedestrians and vehicles alike – unless accompanied by a local professional expert;
5. Nantes. This is one of the largest cities in France and may not perhaps immediately have occurred to you as being a natural holiday touring spot. But it is a fascinating city with a wealth of attractions and an incredibly important chateau at the centre. Of course, roads in the centre may not be ideal for the caravan but if you are parked up somewhere in the area, the city centre is well worth a visit;
6. Villedieu-Les-Poêles. This is a small town nestling in the Normandy countryside of France, but it is also famous as a centre of copper kitchen utensil production. It is a very pretty town in its own right but the multitude of shops selling copper items makes it even more so. While you are there, remember to visit the bell foundry in the centre of town, where they continue to make bells for churches around the world and all the bells for the ships of the French Navy.

We hope you find this blog both full of useful information and good for travel ideas in France. Bon voyage!

Further reading: Guide to caravanning in France.

Please note that this information is based on our current understanding of the laws in the UK and the country you are travelling to. Laws can change, so please always check well before travelling with the relevant authorities to make sure you are legal. We cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this article.

Since the curbs on foreign travel and the surge in “staycations” during the pandemic, touring caravans have featured in a steady stream of UK news stories.

The underlying message has highlighted not only the caravan’s growing popularity but also a range of innovative developments within the industry itself. Here we discuss what’s in store for caravanners in 2025 …

Innovative caravan designs

A recent news story helped to unveil the possible shape of things to come – from the iconic Italian motor designer Pininfarina no less.

The concept caravan has an expandable core body and is variously described as a “home trailer” for towing, a static “home unit”, or a “drivable home”.

Although it currently goes by the somewhat inelegant name of the AI Transformer Home Trailer (or AI-THt), Pininfarina’s offering is a stylish and luxurious-home-from home, with interior dimensions of up to around 400 square feet.

With all the home comforts of a living room, office, bedroom (with fitted wardrobe), and appliances and water heaters powered by solar panels installed on the roof, this futuristic caravan cleverly combines comfort, innovative design, and integrated advanced technology to give us a glimpse of things to come in the caravanning world.

Celebs enjoying caravan holidays

An upsurge in the popularity of caravan holidays is no idle boast! The Sun newspaper featured five well-known British celebrities who have enjoyed caravan-based holidays recently. From Premier League footballers to television personalities, these include:

• Stacey Solomon – X Factor contestant and TV personality Stacey Solomon and her husband, Joe Swash, treated their young family to an action-packed break at Kent Coast Haven holiday park near Rochester;

• Harry Maguire – the ace footballer and long-time face of Premier League Manchester United also swapped the glamour of the pitch for a caravan holiday at Presthaven Sands in North Wales;

• Carol Vorderman – even the glamorous Carol Vorderman likes the comfort of her well-equipped motorhome to explore the country’s highways and byways;

• Helen Baxendale – you might still recognise this actress from her brief appearance as Emily in the American hit comedy Friends, but nowadays she’s given up the hotels near to film sets and exchanged them for relaxing caravan holidays; and

• Lorraine Kelley – among these famous names, Lorraine probably has the longest pedigree as a caravan enthusiast. It’s been 10 years and counting since the TV presenter was voted the best-loved caravan companion.

Economic considerations

Indulging a passion for caravan holidays doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg – as a story in the Irish Sun recently makes crystal clear.

Hayley Rubery and her partner spent the princely sum of £500 on the purchase of a clearly well-used and somewhat mouldy second-hand caravan – and transformed it into a more-than-comfortable and affordable holiday home.

Careful buys from budget stores such as Matalan, Poundland, and B&M kept the cost of refurbishing the trailer to the very minimum and they can now enjoy the comfort, mobility, and cost-effectiveness of their holiday home on wheels.

A very positive industry outlook

What kind of outlook can we expect for the caravan industry in the year ahead?

Out and About Live cites the views of one Shrewsbury-based industry insider who predicts an especially buoyant and active 2025, putting this down to an increased demand across the country for staycations and a quest for escapism.

What’s in store for the caravanning industry?

Whatever the combination of reasons driving the current upsurge in popularity, these brief stories illustrate the contribution made by advances in technology and design, shifts in consumer preferences for holidays in this country, and opportunities for flexible breaks away from home at affordable prices.

These winter months are often the cruellest of times – a glimpse of the sun, you’re rearing to go, then the skies ominously cloud over again. Thank heavens for our regular review of the latest UK caravan news to lighten your day.

While winter’s been sleeping, therefore, let’s look at some of the news on the caravanning front and events you can look forward to in the season ahead.

The UK’s longest-running caravan festival to feature top music acts, kids’ clubs, and a dog show

Members of the caravanning fraternity tend to like nothing better than a good festival. One of the oldest and longest-running of these returns to Cheshire towards the end of May.

Now in its 90th year, the Caravan And Motorhome Club’s ClubFest will be held against the sumptuous backdrop of Bolesworth Castle from the 23^rd to the 27^th of that month.

Not only is ClubFest one of the best-loved events on the caravanner’s calendar, but this year there’s even more action planned – so there should be something for everyone whatever their age during the 5-day festival. These include show-stopping musical acts – the Lightning Seeds and Boyzlife, together with a roll-call of tribute acts such as Go Your Own Way and Oasish.

The Kids’ Club will tap into the boundless energy of children as they clamour for face painting and art sessions or try their hand at balloon modelling or science experiments.

For the grown-ups there is archery and axe-throwing. When you’re in need of some quiet relaxation, there will be yoga classes around the lake.

UK Government said to be planning electric car loan subsidies to push sales

Have you noticed that the initial enthusiasm for electric vehicles (EVs) seems to be on the wane somewhat?

In an attempt to revive consumer excitement and help to meet net-zero targets, the government is discussing ways in which it can subsidise the purchase of EVs by subsidising or guaranteeing loans, according to the Guardian newspaper recently.

The prospect of interest-free or low-interest loans would be welcomed by EV motor manufacturers – and, of course, the customers who are in the market for such cars.

National forest walking festival returns

Your caravan is your home in the great outdoors. What better way to enjoy that freedom than a walk through one of England’s great forests?

The popular National Forest walking festival celebrates its 16^th year throughout the 10 days from the 16^th to the 26^th of May, Out and About Live has announced.

The National Forest covers 200 square miles across the Midland counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire, linking the ancient woodlands of Needwood and Charnwood – restoring a living breathing green landscape to what was once heavily industrialised and scarred by coal mining.

The walks are by no means gruelling – more than 20 of them are less than 3 miles and perfectly suited even for those with limited mobility or families with young children.

Motorhomes and seatbelt laws

How well do you know what the law says about wearing seatbelts in your motorhome? For the safety of you and your passengers – not to mention the risk of prosecution or penalties – it’s as well to make sure you’re familiar with the rules, urged a story in the Caravan Times on the 23^rd of January.

Any motorhome manufactured after 2006 – the majority, therefore – has the same seatbelt rules as your car. In other words, the driver and those in seats designated for passengers must always wear a 3-point seatbelt. Passengers in other seats in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt with at least 2 fixed points.

For motorhomes built after the 1^st of October 1988 but before 2006, the 3-point seatbelt rules apply only to forward-facing passengers while others are advised to use at least a 2-point seatbelt.

It is only in older motorhomes that you’re likely to find side-facing seats and it is generally inadvisable to travel while seated in them.

Any child (below the age of 12 or less than 4ft 4in in height) must travel in a seat with a 3-point seatbelt.