Your holiday memories might last forever, but having the most appropriate and cost-effective caravan insurance means your adventures stay worry-free too. Let’s be honest—reviewing your caravan insurance probably isn’t the most exciting thing on your to-do list. Some owners just hit “renew” every year without giving it much thought. Sound familiar?

This guide is here to show you why a quick caravan insurance review can be a game-changer and how to make sure you’re getting the most suitable cover for your caravan.

Why bother with a review?

We get it, you’re busy, and thinking about touring caravan insurance isn’t exactly fun. But here’s the thing: the insurance world doesn’t stand still.

New policies, more attractive deals, and updated customer perks pop up all the time. By sticking with the same old policy year after year, you could be missing out.

Taking a little time to review your caravan insurance could:

• help you find a policy that suits you better;
• save you money;
• ensure your cover matches how you actually use your caravan these days.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it could make a big difference.

The cost of caravan insurance

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: cost. It’s tempting to just go for the cheapest caravan insurance option, but cheaper doesn’t always mean better. A bargain policy might leave you exposed when you really need it.

By reviewing your options, you can find that sweet spot between cost and cover. It’s worth it for the peace of mind knowing you’re protected if something goes wrong.

What to look out for in your tourer insurance review

Not all caravan insurance policies are created equal. Here’s what to dig into when comparing options …

·      Who’s towing and how far?

Some policies have rules about who can tow the caravan—like minimum age or experience. Others might limit how far you can tow each year. Make sure the policy fits your plans, especially if you’re heading off on epic road trips or sharing driving duties.

·      Where can you go?

Planning to explore Europe? Check your policy covers it. Some only include the UK or have tight restrictions on where you can park overnight. If your dream is to park up in a sunny French field, make sure your policy’s on board.

·      New-for-old replacement

This one’s a biggie. If your caravan gets damaged beyond repair, will the insurer replace it with a brand-new one? Policies vary—some cover new-for-old for five years if you’ve owned the caravan from new, others for only three years, and some even cover second-hand caravans. Know what you’re getting.

Winter storage

Some insurers require you to store your caravan in a garage or secure site over winter, while others – such as ourselves – offer discounts if you store your ‘van at a CaSSOA-approved security site. Tailor your policy to your storage setup, and you could save some cash.

Don’t skip the small print

Nobody loves reading insurance documents but trust us—it’s worth it. The small print tells you exactly what’s covered (and what’s not), so you won’t get any surprises when it’s time to make a claim. Look out for things like:

• towing distance limits;
• valuables cover;
• rules around storm or flood damage.

Knowing the details helps you avoid problems later. And don’t forget, you can always call us here at Cover4Caravans for clarification on anything relating to your caravan insurance cover.

Specialist policies for unique needs

Got a static caravan or a top-of-the-line tourer? You might need a specialist policy. These can include extra features like extended contents cover, liability insurance, or protection for fixed structures like decking. Don’t be shy—ask us for a tailored policy that fits your setup.

Keep your caravan insurance cover up to date

Life changes, and so does how you use your caravan. Maybe you’re taking more trips, exploring new countries, or have upgraded your tourer. Whatever’s changed, it’s worth revisiting your insurance to make sure it still suits your lifestyle. Set a reminder to check in every six months or after any big changes.

Why it’s worth it

Let’s face it—a caravan insurance review isn’t the most glamorous task. But it’s a practical step to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money. Whether it’s more attractive cover, a lower premium, or both, the effort pays off. And who doesn’t love saving a bit of cash while staying protected?

Need a hand?

At Cover4Caravans, we get that insurance can be a bit confusing. That’s why we can assist you in navigating the options and finding what we consider is the most cost-effective and appropriate policy for you – we are here to help.

Safe travels!

The nights are drawing in now, so maybe it’s time to settle back and start planning next season’s outings and adventures in your caravan.

To help set the scene, here are a few of the recent UK caravan news headlines to update you on the latest caravan news.

CAMC announces 2024 Certificated Location of the Year winners

The Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) recently announced the winners of its annual Certified Location awards, according to Practical Motorhome’s edition of the 25^th of October. The results were as follows:

Overall winner

• Brambles, Anglesey, North Wales;

North of England winner

• Drake House Farm, Ribble Valley, Lancashire;

South of England winner

• Goodleigh Hill, near Pershore, Worcestershire;

Best in Scotland and Northern Ireland

• Fairbank Park, Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire;

Best Newcomer

• The Courts, Little Baddow, Essex;

Sustainability award

• Birch Hill in Shropshire.

Major region implements 18-month parking ban for motorhomes and caravans

Local councils along the coast of North Yorkshire have taken steps to prohibit overnight parking in multiple areas around Scarborough and Cayton Bay, reported GB News on the 24^th of October.

The ban follows complaints from local residents who have complained bout the congestion and disruption caused by parked motorhomes and caravans.

The ban was introduced with effect from the 21^st of October and apply from eleven at night until 7 o’clock in the morning for an initial trial period of 6 months. The intention, however, is to keep any such ban in place for at least the next 18 months.

Owners of illegally parked motorhomes and caravans can expect to face stiff penalties.

Dometic launches new range of sustainable awnings at the NEC Show

Manufacturer Dometic has launched an all-new material for its range of 33 different types of both air and poled awnings for motorhomes and caravans announced Practical Caravan recently.

Called Weathershield Tour, the new fabric is a 300D ripstop polyester material. The rope-dye process used in its manufacture consumes 80% less water than conventional polyesters – so reducing the amount of energy consumed and making its manufacture more sustainable.

Not only is the process more sustainable but the ripstop material is woven into a fabric that makes for a far more durable caravan and motorhome awning.

Swift Group announces up to 175 job losses

The Swift caravan manufacturer based in Cottingham near Kingston upon Hull in East Yorkshire will have to let go up to 175 of its employees, according to a report by the BBC recently.

The job losses follow on the heels of what the company has described as a “difficult and challenging trading period” that has required a restructuring of a down-sized enterprise designed to safeguard the longer-term prospects of the company.

One of the UK’s largest manufacturers of caravans, motorhomes, and leisure homes, the Swift Group was founded more than 60 years ago in 1964. Until recently, it has employed some 1,300 individuals and boasts a current turnover exceeding £300 million. Its main factory is in Cottingham.

Buckinghamshire is a perfect place to visit if you love amazing landscapes and quaint villages.

It’s surprisingly accessible, with London to the southeast, Berkshire to the south, Hertfordshire to the east, Oxfordshire to the west, and Bedfordshire to the Northeast.

Here’s a small sample of just some of the places that will make any visit worthwhile.

Chiltern Open Air Museum

Here’s a chance to combine a visit to a museum while taking in the surroundings of rural Buckinghamshire in the bracing fresh air.

The Chiltern Open Air Museum occupies a 45-acre site set in idyllic countryside and the site of a working farm complete with Oxford Down sheep, chickens, cows, and Old English goats.

But the stars of the attraction are reconstructions of the homes, workplaces, and other buildings occupied by the ordinary inhabitants of Buckinghamshire throughout the ages. So, you can wander around everything from an Iron Age roundhouse to an earth cottage, a medieval barn to a tin chapel, a blacksmith’s forge to a vicarage, and a Victorian toll house to a “Dig for Victory” garden allotment.

Bletchley Park

Bletchley Park will occupy a special place in the heart of any history buff. It’s the once top-secret hideaway for the army of codebreakers numbering as many as 9,000 skilled operatives, who helped Britain to win the Second World War.

Situated near the town of Milton Keynes, Bletchley Park is fully open to the public and runs a series of exhibitions that map how codebreaking reached an industrial scale in the critical years between 1942 and 1945.

Why not make a day of it by stopping for a weekend coffee at Hut 4 Café or lunch at the Block C Coffee Shop?

Turville

Turville is just one of a whole list of attractive villages that give Buckinghamshire its characterful charm.

Set in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) defined by the Chiltern Hills, Turville makes an excellent starting point for any number of trails and footpaths through the county’s captivating countryside. When you’ve walked off any excess exercise, you can drop into one of Turville’s many pubs – the Frog Inn is a favourite – or more than 40 restaurants in and around the village.

If you’re then out for an evening stroll, you can admire the silhouette of Cobstone Windmill (that appeared in the film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”) or peer through the gates of Turville Heath, Lord Sainsbury’s estate and home.

Marlow

Marlow is probably one of the most iconic and best-known villages not only in the county of Buckinghamshire but along the whole course of the River Thames.

It’s a tranquil riverside spot with plenty to engage an inquiring spirit. For those with a taste for Victorian history, for instance, you might want to visit Hughenden Manor, once the home of England’s 19^th century Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

Stroll along the riverbank for some exercise or marvel at the Marlow Suspension Bridge, Marlow Lock, or the Royal Military College (the original institution that opened in 1799 as a precursor to today’s Sandhurst).

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

The young and young at heart are likely to have a soft spot for one of the world’s best-known storytellers, Roald Dahl.

He lived and wrote in the village of Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire for nigh on 36 years – and this small gem of a museum and story centre bears witness to his life and work. The museum and story centre is a charity established by Dahl’s widow.

There’s a faithful recreation of Dahl’s writing life – even including the interior of the hut in which he wrote, and which was originally built in his garden. It has been recreated by the museum exactly as it was left – including more than 300 artefacts personally associated with the author.

So, if you are looking for next break in your ‘van, why not visit Buckinghamshire? It’s a scenic destination with charming villages and plenty of attractions. With plenty of nature trails, historical sites, and dining options, Buckinghamshire offers a memorable experience for visitors.

With all that fresh air and (hopefully) sunshine, your caravanning holiday is likely to feature plenty of time outdoors – some of it more active than other times. Whether you are hiking, mountain biking, or simply walking to explore, you’ll feel the benefit of that exercise.

To keep yourself fully in trim, though, you might also want to maintain the physical fitness regime you do when at home – if only you had the exercise equipment that could be easily stowed in your touring caravan.

The good news is that several UK suppliers offer just that opportunity.

The keys to travel exercise equipment

The website Vagrants of the World suggests just five keys to finding suitably portable exercise equipment. It must be:

• lightweight;
• compact;
• easy to assemble and use;
• suitable for your level of fitness; and
• likely actually to be used.

So, let’s look at some of the portable kit that is available:

Resistance bands

• elastic resistance loops and bands always offer a handy way of limbering up before exercise – and they have the great advantage of being light, extremely compact and suitable for all levels of fitness and agility;

Dumbbells

• for any kind of weight training, you’re likely to need a dumbbell – but just think of the size and weight it might take up in your caravan;
• a space- and weight-saving solution is to buy a heavy-duty dry dumbbell bag that travels empty, but which you can fill with sand or water to give it that essential weight once you’ve arrived at your destination;

Yoga mats

• a yoga aficionado, but worried about the itchy feel of the grass or scared of getting ants in your pants? Then a roll-up yoga mat provides the perfect answer;
• you can buy super-thin yoga mats to take up even less of your precious storage space while still getting the comfort you need when practicing yoga;

Skipping

• a simple skipping rope is perhaps one of the most common pieces of kit taken on any holiday – especially if there are children in the family;
• you can choose either a traditional skipping rope or an ankle skip ball – this tethers the rope to an ankle while a rubber ball keeps it circling as you skip over it;

Running shoes

• you can run in them, of course, but also walk in them, stroll in them and even relax in them;
• choosing a comfortable and serviceable pair of running shoes is a highly personal matter of choice, but if you go for something fairly multi-purpose, they will take up no more space than any other type of holiday footwear;

Folding bikes

• more than just a piece of exercise equipment, a folding bike can actually take you places too – the usual problem is finding the space to stow one inside your caravan;
• luckily, there are plenty of lightweight folding bikes to choose from, that can be neatly stored away when not in use.

Ankle and wrist weights

• these add resistance to upper and lower body exercises, enhancing your workout without needing larger equipment;

Mini stepper

• some steppers are designed to be compact and portable, letting you do cardio without taking up much space in your caravan.

You already know that caravanning is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and stay healthy – these days, there is plenty of portable exercise equipment to take with you and continue whatever fitness regime you have become accustomed to at home.

Your caravan may be a home away from home – and not just during the traditionally balmy spring and summer months. It might just as easily be an away from home base from which to see in the New Year quietly with a loved one or host a party with a difference for your friends.

All you need do is check that your caravan insurance is fully up to date, decide where you want to go, make your booking online and pitch up for the New Year holiday – so here are a few suggestions.

1.Adults only

You’ve spent Christmas with the children and family, why not use the New Year break for a complete change of scene by taking your touring caravan to an adults-only site?

The company Tranquil Parks highlights a wide range of sites for exclusive use by adults at many locations around the UK – with most of them open the year round, including New Year.

Chew Valley Caravan Park, near Bath, for example, offers plenty of all-weather pitches for touring caravans – all with 16-amp electric hook-up and fully serviced pitches with TV points, water and drainage points too. It is also dog-friendly.

This tranquil, adults-only caravan park is positioned just 800 yards from a picturesque fishing lake, and the surrounding countryside offers a paradise for birdwatchers and walkers alike.

Each pitch is equipped with an electric hook-up, while the park’s premium, heated toilet and shower facilities are refurbished every year for added comfort. A well-equipped utility room offers laundry and ironing facilities, including service washes.

Perfectly located near the historic city of Bath, famous for its spa and shopping experiences, the park provides easy access to Bristol, Wells, and Weston-Super-Mare. It’s an ideal base for exploring the Mendip Hills and discovering Somerset’s many attractions.

2.Tavistock, Devon

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s site at Tavistock in Devon offers stunning views of Dartmoor National Park, making it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

The spacious campsite accommodates up to 75 units and provides modern amenities, including individual shower rooms, disabled facilities, and laundry services.

Visitors can enjoy scenic walks and cycling routes, with National Cycle Route 274 just 200 yards away. Tavistock, a nearby ancient market town, boasts world heritage status and is known for its charming cafes, shops, and historical architecture. Nearby attractions include Lydford Gorge and the picturesque village of Sheepstor, where War Horse was filmed.

3. Common Woods, Hertfordshire

Commons Wood Club Campsite is nestled against beautiful woodlands and offers easy access to nearby parks.

Located just 30 minutes from central London by train, it’s an ideal base for visiting the city’s exhibitions at venues like Olympia or Kew Gardens.

The campsite provides plenty of family-friendly activities, with Stanborough Park just two miles away, offering boating, fishing, and birdwatching at Reed Marsh Reserve.

The site is close to Welwyn Garden City, known for its rich history and planning, including the famous Roman Bath preserved under the A1 motorway.

4. Carnon Downs, Truro, Cornwall

Situated just three miles south of Truro, the Carnon Downs Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite spans 20 acres of meticulously landscaped grounds, offering spacious pitches bordered by hedges and shrubs.

The nearby village of Carnon Downs offers a quaint mini-market, garden centre, and fruit farm. Truro, known for its stunning cathedral, lively weekly Farmers Market, shopping opportunities, and cultural landmarks, is easily reachable.

Loe Beach is a short distance away, offering an ideal spot for water sports, while Falmouth, with its scenic harbour, maritime museum, and sandy beaches, is also just a brief drive from the site.

For dining, there are three cosy inns within walking distance. The campsite provides the perfect base for exploring Cornwall, with picturesque walks along the River Fal and charming hamlets like Penpol and Devoran nearby.

5. Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club Site, Scotland

If you’ve never celebrated Hogmanay, you’ve probably never properly celebrated New Year – at least that’s the claim of the Scots.

So why not join them in their capital at this special time of the year and book your pitch at the Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club site right on its doorstep?

The campsite itself is large (146 pitches) but set in 12 quiet and peaceful acres – unlike the centre of Edinburgh, of course, where you’ll hardly hear yourself speak above the tumult of revelries.

The Edinburgh Club Campsite is the perfect location for a holiday, set along the Firth of Forth and offering easy access to the vibrant city of Edinburgh.

The campsite is ideal for exploring the city’s modern and historic attractions, such as Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, and Holyrood Palace, the King’s official Scottish residence.

You can also stroll through Princes Street Gardens, visit the Scottish Parliament Building, or enjoy the city’s famous festivals. The campsite is close to the waterfront, where campers can enjoy walks along Cramond promenade, or venture to Portobello for its pubs, restaurants, and shops. The site also places you near golf courses, Edinburgh Zoo, and plenty of entertainment venues.