Whenever you are arranging touring caravan insurance, your principal goals are likely to include securing the cover and protection you need but at as competitive a price as possible. You are unlikely to be looking for the cheapest cover, but the caravan insurance cover that offers what you consider is the best value for money.

With that objective in mind, let’s take a closer look at:

• under-insurance and caravan insurance;
• some of the ways you might reduce your caravan premiums;
• whether cheap always means the best; and
• how an independent insurance broker can not only help you find suitable caravan insurance cover but insurance that also represents good value for money.

What do I need to think about when getting caravan insurance cover?

While this blog is around reducing the cost of your caravan insurance premiums, it is important that you do get the correct sum insured for your ‘van. It is likely to be your pride and joy, of course, and you have been lavishing on it the love and care that your caravan deserves. You might even have made some improvements to your ‘van, such as installing a new kitchen area, for example.

That increase in value needs to be reflected in the total sum for which your caravan is insured – failure to update the sum insured could mean that in the event of a claim, any settlement is insufficient to make the necessary repairs or to replace your losses.

Additionally, the market value of caravans can rise due to demand or inflation, meaning replacement costs may be higher than anticipated. If your policy is based on outdated valuations, it might not fully cover repairs or replacements in the event of damage, theft, or total loss.

To avoid underinsurance, regularly review your policy and update it to reflect any upgrades or changes in value. Now, on to the main event …

Reducing your caravan insurance premiums

The following are some of the ways you might want to consider for reducing the cost of your caravan insurance premiums:

Excess

• an excess is the first part of any successful claim that you are liable for. Your insurance provider will set a compulsory excess;
• but you may be able to save money on the cost of insurance premiums – by accepting a higher, voluntary excess in addition to the compulsory amount;
• remember, though, that in the event of any claim, you will typically need to pay not only the cost of any compulsory excess but any voluntary excess you have also agreed to accept;

Caravan storage discounts

Where do you intend to store your caravan when the days grow shorter, and the next winter closes in? It’s worth giving it some thought now:

• you could potentially save money on the cost of your insurance premiums if you exchange the relative insecurity of parking up in your driveway for one of the purpose-designed, secure storage sites registered with the Caravan Storage Site Owners Association (CaSSOA);
• there are some 450 or so registered sites around the country, and each one has been independently assessed and ranked according to the level of security offered to your caravan whilst it is in storage;
• this enhanced degree of security may be recognised by insurers – including ourselves here at Cover4Caravans – who offer discounts from 5%-20% on the cost of your tourer cover if you store your ‘van at a CaSSOA-approved site;
• watch our Caravan and Storage video here for more information;

Security

• storage is not the only time when your caravan needs to be kept safe and secure;
• as with any general insurance contract, you have a responsibility for taking every reasonable precaution for mitigating the risk of loss or damage – a principle founded on the concept of your caring for the insured property as though there was no insurance protecting it;
• nevertheless, you may decide to go over and above these basic standards to enhance the security measures you have taken – fitting intruder alarms and deadbolts on doors and windows, for instance;
• you may find that the closer attention you pay to security measures such as these, the more likely is your insurer prepared to offer a competitive rate for your premiums.

Many things may change from one year to the next. It is important when arranging or renewing your caravan insurance, therefore, that you take these changes on board in order to make sure you still have the most appropriate cover.

When cheap caravan insurance is not always the best caravan insurance

A cheap caravan insurance policy may not always be the best.

If you are looking to reduce your caravan insurance premiums, there might seem a compelling argument for making the simplest and most straight forward move – by choosing the policy offering the cheapest premiums.

Before going into the ins and outs of cheap touring caravan insurance, though, it’s important to remember one golden rule – whatever you consider to be the best and cheapest caravan insurance may not be so for someone else – it is a personal thing, and no one size fits all. What might suit you the best may not meet the needs and requirements of another caravan owner.

The caravan insurance you need is almost always the cover that is particular to your individual requirements and circumstances. So, it may be quite different to the cover needed by your neighbour, for example – irrespective of the price you pay.

Finding insurance that is suitable for your own needs and circumstances, therefore, is more likely to be a question of what you consider is good value for money, offering the protection your caravan needs, rather than its absolute price.

Keep that in mind while you search for touring caravan insurance that is both competitively priced and represents good value for money – so, shop around.

Shopping around for caravan insurance

Whenever you are looking for good value for money for any kind of product or service, you are likely to start shopping around – starting by comparing prices between one supplier and another. Once again, however, when shopping around like this, it is important to keep in mind exactly what cover you need and take this firmly into account when comparing caravan insurance prices.

One of the most common difficulties may be that some touring caravan insurance policies include as standard elements of cover which you do not really need and exclude others that you do – there may be a gap between what you want and what seems to be available on the insurance market.

Consult an expert

Working out the cover you need and then matching your individual requirements to the products available might prove considerably more difficult than it seems. Even deciding on the appropriate level, scope and nature of the touring caravan insurance which might be suitable for you may be difficult. Subsequently trawling through the many insurers which seem to offer something approaching your needs becomes more difficult still.

There is a simple solution to this conundrum – and that is to consult an expert caravan insurance broker, like ourselves here at Cover4Caravans.

Why using a caravan insurance broker may save you money

Here are just some of the advantages and benefits you may enjoy by consulting a caravan insurance broker – you might want to read them against the declared aims of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) on the ways brokers help consumers and businesses:

Get a wider choice of policies

• a broker typically will be able to provide more choice when you are looking for a policy – a broker usually has a range of different options, and he or she could help you to choose between them;
• having more choice means some policies are likely to be less expensive than others, so this is a possible way to reduce your costs;
• while at first glance a comparison website may seem to be a good idea, the downsides are that not all caravan insurers are listed on these sites (so you may not get the full picture of what is available);
• plus, when you initially enter your product requirements, the results may show a ballpark figure and if you then decide to go with one provider, you may need to re-key in the details in order to get a “proper” quote and also find that the price differs;

Specialist cover may be available

• because brokers tend to specialise in certain types of insurance cover, typically they have long-established relationships with the various insurers, meaning they can match you to the most appropriate policy;
• they can also access deals that may not be available on comparison websites;
• a broker can often find cover that is more suitable according to your specific needs, and this may help you to get the protection your caravan needs for a lower price;

Go beyond the premium

• a broker may be able to alert you to other ways you could save money – for example, if a policy is tempting because it is less expensive, a broker may point out how it could end up costing you more in the event of a claim, perhaps because it does not cover something essential to your needs;
• alternatively, a broker may be able to recommend a policy that provides discounts for certain circumstances – if you store your caravan at a previously mentioned CaSSOA-approved site, for example;

Simplify the process

• buying from a broker is typically made easy;
• at Cover4Caravans, for example, we aim to make it as simple as possible, whether you buy online or over the phone – and if you don’t know what you want or need, simply give us a call and we will talk you through your options;

Get expert advice

• brokers are experts in the insurance products they arrange, and they are there to provide advice and answer questions;
• if you have any questions about any aspect of insurance, they will be able to help you so that you can make a more informed decision;

Enjoy peace of mind

• by going through a specialist rather than buying insurance alone, you may be able to enjoy more peace of mind because you know that you have cover that protects you in precisely the way you expected to be protected;
• a broker can ensure that the policy covers all your needs so you are less likely to find any nasty surprises should you need to make a claim.

Find your insurance today

A broker may be a suitable option for all of the above reasons. However, you should go with what seems the most appropriate option for you.

Whichever way you buy your insurance, make sure you are properly covered – you can then enjoy spending time in your caravan knowing you are fully protected.

Further reading:

Top tips to save on your insurance renewal

Tips on carrying out a tourer caravan insurance review

One caravan insurance policy might seem pretty much like any other, so you may wonder why you need to bother comparing static caravan insurance. After all, given the amount of money that you probably spent on your static caravan, you’re likely to simply buy the best static caravan insurance policy.

But that, of course, begs the question of just what is the best static caravan insurance policy? And the uncomfortable realisation that there may be no such thing as the one best policy.

What represents the best static caravan insurance for you may be totally different from what someone else may consider to be the best for them. While you may consider yourself to be a fairly typical caravan owner, just a quick look round any site may confirm very quickly just how different people, and their caravans, can be.

The long and the short of it is that some static home insurance policies may be more suitable for you than others.

What do you need to know when comparing static caravan insurance quotes?

Sorting out the suitable from the unsuitable involves comparing static caravan insurance quotes. So, what do you need to know?

First, keep firmly in the back of your mind that having a static caravan is, for many people, a dream as well as a substantial investment. That investment and dream could both be at risk unless you have appropriate static caravan insurance.

In one sense, buying this type of cover is easy. Buying cover that’s also suitable, however, may involve several considerations.

So, here are some top tips on making your choice of suitable static home insurance:

• don’t get confused about insurance types! Static and touring caravan insurance are two quite different genres of policy and they’re not interchangeable;
• the same applies to static and park home cover. A static caravan is one you occupy for typically several weeks each year when on holiday or for other recreational purposes. It is not a caravan-type dwelling where you live permanently, which would typically be called and insured as a ‘park home’;
• if you plan to let others use your caravan for holiday purposes and are charging for that, your use of your static is no longer defined as ‘personal recreation’. There is a significant legal and insurance difference between letting someone use your caravan as a favour (to a family member, for example) and letting it out for holiday purposes and income generation. In order to keep continuity of cover and protect your interests, please discuss any such plans with your insurance provider before you begin to let your static caravan;
• some policies may require you to empty your static of major furnishing items during the closed season. Be clear if that’s the case with a policy you’re considering and whether or not you could comply;
• you may find more extensive advice and options if you discuss your overall position with an experienced and specialist provider of static caravan insurance – such as ourselves – rather than a generalist insurance provider;
• look carefully at the ‘new for old’ replacement provisions. Some policies might offer that irrespective of whether or not you purchased the caravan from new, but some may not do so if there have been previous owners before you;
• it’s always a good idea to have an adequate sum insured for liability insurance cover. If somebody’s injured by your static and they believe it to be due to your negligence, then they may sue. If they win, the award of compensation against you could be substantial;
• read any exclusions carefully as well as associated conditions. For example, some policies may require that your site is supervised 24x7x365. That’s fine if your site is so supervised but if that supervision ends when the site shuts in winter, you may find you’re in breach of your policy’s conditions and that might put your static caravan cover at risk;
• it’s worth checking for discounts for the use of security equipment too. Some policies may stipulate certain mandatory security requirements such as the use of alarms, while others, but not all, may offer discounts if you use additional security upgrades.

Aspects of static caravan insurance to which you might want to pay particular attention

Some aspects of static caravan insurance warrant closer and more careful attention:

Valuation

• whenever you are arranging insurance, the value of the insured item is an important consideration – and static caravan insurance is no different;
• the total sum insured represents the maximum amount the insurer pays out in the event of a total loss (if the caravan is consumed by fire, for example);
• when deciding that total sum, therefore, you might want to consider the cost of replacing your caravan;
• depending on the policy you choose, this might be its current market value or replacement as new – the latter is available from Cover4Caravans for static homes up to 10 years old (regardless of the number of previous owners);

Risk of flooding

• during many British winters, flooding – from swollen rivers or rising tides – may cause widespread damage and caravan parks are likely to be especially vulnerable;
• for that reason, our static caravan insurance policies here at Cover4Caravans reflect the postcode of the park on which it is pitched, so that discounts may be made if yours is in a flood-free area;
• you can check on the vulnerability of your particular caravan park by searching the Environment Agency’s map of threats of flooding from rivers and the sea;

Public liability insurance

• we have already mentioned the importance of public liability insurance – and the owners and managers of the park or resort accommodating your caravan are almost certain to have asked for proof that you have suitable insurance cover;
• that cover is designed to ensure that fair and adequate compensation is received by visitors to the park, your neighbours there, or other members of the public who have suffered an injury or had their property damaged through some negligence on your part as the owner of the static caravan;
• public liability claims such as this may assume substantial proportions and it is usual, therefore, for cover to be provided against claims up to £5million;

Out of season precautions

• many parks for static caravans close down for at least part of the winter season – and this might be a time when yours is especially vulnerable to break-ins, theft or damage caused by electrical or gas faults or the escape of water;
• when arranging your static caravan insurance cover, therefore, you might want to establish what additional security measures your insurer demands during this closed season – and whether, for example, your premiums are discounted at all if the site has taken particular security measures, such as CCTV or manned patrols of the site;
• you may also be expected to take certain common-sense precautions when leaving your caravan empty and unoccupied for any length of time – including the disconnection of all electrical and gas services and draining down the water from heating, kitchen, and bathroom systems. Your obligations under your cover will be explained within your policy documents – or you can always call us for help and clarification.

Beware the policies offered by your static caravan park

When the management of the park on which your static caravan is berthed invites you to sign the lease agreement on your plot, they are almost certain to offer you static caravan insurance. Indeed, you might need to resist any pressure against a hard-sell of such a policy.

Remember that, in most cases, you are not obliged to take your site owner’s own insurance. You are free to shop around for your static caravan cover. The site owner may ask for proof that you have arranged your own static home insurance and may charge a nominal fee to see the paperwork. Even with that fee included in your calculations, however, shopping around for the cover could still save you money.

If you compare static caravan insurance and select a policy that you feel offers you the most suitable static caravan insurance, then you may still end up with a more cost-attractive solution than buying from the site owner – even taking their fee into account.

Why is it important to compare static caravan insurance?

Instead of going for the easy option of accepting the site management’s offer of static caravan insurance, you decide to shop around and make your own comparisons to select suitable cover:

Is a comparison going to require a lot of my time?

• that all depends on how you tackle the exercise, of course;
• if you intend to look up lots of individual insurers and obtain many individual quotes, then you are likely to need a substantial amount of time if you are going to do justice to reviewing them in detail;
• an alternative might be to get an online comparison from a specialist provider of static caravan insurance cover, like us at Cover4Caravans. It’s quick, easy and free to use our service. Or give us a call and we can do this on your behalf;

Cheap vs. value for money

• if you are asking yourself where you can find the cheapest static caravan insurance, you might want to think again and ask whether you are asking the right question;
• whenever you are buying insurance – or any other product for that matter – the most important question that should be asked is whether the product offers good value for money while delivering everything you want from it at a competitive price;
• always bear in mind that the cheapest option is not always going to offer the most appropriate protection;
• cheap static caravan insurance may be your goal, but value for money – in terms of the cover you need, at a competitive rate – is more likely to secure the more appropriate deal;
• and remember, what your site neighbour or friend thinks is cheap static home insurance does not necessarily mean it will be the cheapest – or most suitable – caravan insurance for you;

Can I reduce the cost of my existing static caravan insurance policy?

• if the price of the premiums is an issue, you might want to consider ways of reducing the cost of your insurance;
• just how you do that may depend upon what your policy allows you to do and how flexible your provider is – it is something perhaps best progressed by looking at the detail of the policy or having a discussion with whoever you purchased it from;
• you may, for example, be able to obtain a discount in return for taking a higher voluntary excess on the policy;

Can my postcode make a difference to the price I pay?

• it may do – in the sense of the postcode of your chosen site;
• you’ll typically find that there are some static caravan sites which are considered to be more or less risky than others;
• for example, a well-known risk for static caravans from an insurance point of view is flooding. If you position your caravan on a site with a history of flooding, then you might typically see higher static caravan insurance quotes than if your location has no history of flooding problems.

What does static caravan insurance cover?

As with any insurance, the protection for your static holiday caravan is only as good as the risks and perils covered by your insurance policy. Although the details, of course, are likely to vary from one insurer to another, the following are typical headings for the cover offered:

The caravan

• the single most important element of cover is likely to be the protection of the caravan itself against such potentially catastrophic risks as fire, flooding, storm damage, impacts and vandalism;
• a cause for particular concern – given the damage such incidents may cause – is the risk of flooding and whether your policy extends cover in such an eventuality;
• has we have already noted, holiday caravan parks in some parts of the country may be more vulnerable to flooding than others, so it may pay to check whether your caravan is in such an area – if it is, you may find it more difficult to secure insurance or find that you need to pay more for it;

The contents

• just as you might want to protect the contents of your main place of residence, static caravan insurance may also extend to the contents – which may have mounted steadily in value as you make use of your holiday home;
• the total sum insured for the contents is an important aspect in ensuring that you are not underinsured (when the settlement of a claim may be insufficient to cover the costs of replacement);

Public liability

• we have already commented upon the importance of public liability insurance – and noted that the policies arranged by us here at Cover4Caravans offer £5million of indemnity as standard;

Playing your part

• a key part of any insurance contract is the insured’s responsibility for ensuring that all reasonable steps are taken to mitigate the risk of damage or loss – and static caravan insurance is no exception;
• in this case, it is likely to involve specific precautions to be taken during those months of the year when the holiday park is closed, and your caravan stands empty;
• such precautions may include the removal of items of particular value, confirmation of the holiday park’s security arrangements during the closed season, disconnection of gas and electricity supplies, and the draining down of all the water systems.

Finally

In the final analysis, your caravan insurance cover may one day be the only thing that stands between you and some very severe costs if your static home is damaged. It, therefore, makes sense to be as certain as you can be that you have insurance that is a good match for your circumstances.

Unless you have a particular inside knowledge of the intricacies of the insurance market, you might find that expertise and experience of a specialist broker in static caravan insurance, such as ourselves at Cover4Caravans, may help to find the appropriate match you are looking for.

Indeed, the government-sponsored Money Advice Service suggests that a broker may help you to find better cover at the most favourable price. The advantages of using an independent insurance broker are also described by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), which lists good reasons for doing so.

These include the free advice you may be given, the identification of those risks you might not have spotted yourself, the help you may need in making a claim, and the access to competitively priced policies which are often available exclusively through a broker – satisfying your search for cheap static caravan insurance which also represents excellent value for money.

Finding static caravan insurance is typically just a click or two away when you visit us here at Cover4Caravans and ask for your online quote. You can also contact us here on 01702 606301 – we’d be delighted to help!

Britain can take justifiable pride in its network of National Parks. They continue to provide a choice of destinations where visitors can enjoy the truly unique and distinctive quality of natural England.

The original National Park was created in the Peak District and long provided the pattern for the many more that would follow. It’s little surprise that the rugged moorland, craggy peaks, and tranquil villages of the Peak District became the focus for such special attention.

A visit to the Peak District – set in the wider county of Derbyshire itself – repays that special attention still today. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why.

The Great Outdoors

The stunning landscapes and breathtaking view throughout the Peak District capture the reasons why it became the first National Park and why it remains so firmly in the hearts of many visitors today.

The moorlands, rolling hills, and limestone dales offer the perfect backdrop to every kind of outdoor activity – whether that’s biking or hiking, rock climbing or underground caving, or the more sedate pursuits of photography or simply relaxing to take it all in.

For the truly adventurous, the 268-mile (431km) Pennine Way starts in the Peak District village of Edale before wending its way along the backbone of England all the way into Scotland.

Buxton

Buxton lies on the edge of the National Park in the Borough of High Peak of Derbyshire and is the highest market town in England. Buxton is a fine example of one of the country’s most iconic spa towns and manages to combine the best of both town and countryside.

The Georgian spa has been recently renovated so that the magnificent Pump Room and Crescent can take you back to the town’s glory days.

You can even taste an authentic – and free drop – of health-giving Buxton water from St Ann’s Well opposite the Crescent.

Further reading: Buxton: Things to do and see

Bakewell

The small market town of Bakewell is often known as the capital of the Peak District.

It’s situated on the banks of the River Wye in the county’s White Peaks district of the National Park and is perhaps best known for giving its name to the well-loved Bakewell tart. But it’s not just the puff pastry and almond confection to set your taste buds alive – Bakewell is also home to many artisan bakers, brewers, and cheese makers.

Bakewell is a town where you can relax. Tucked away amidst beautiful countryside, you’ll find an impressive selection of cosy tearooms, an old-style weekly market, a five-arched bridge dating back to the Roman era, sturdy stone-built buildings, alms houses, a museum and an array of riverside charms.

Read our Topley Head Farm CL, nr Bakewell, Derbyshire site review.

Chatsworth House

In the heart of the Peak District National Park lies the majestic splendour of Chatsworth House – home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. You’ll pay to enter the Grade I listed house, but the 105 acres of gardens and 1,800 acres of woodland and parkland are free to enjoy the whole year round.

Chatsworth is one of England’s finest stately homes and there are various special events staged throughout the year. What is more, the estate also boasts inns and cottages, shops, and restaurants where you can make yourself feel properly at home – even if only for a night or two.

We also mention Chatsworth in our Autumnal break ideas blog.

Caves and Caverns

Once you’ve sampled some of the above-ground splendours of the Peak District and Derbyshire, it might be time to head down under.

This is a region renowned for its caves and caverns – whether naturally occurring or the legacy of past mining activities. Not only do these offer a unique subterranean atmosphere but they come with some ripe names and descriptions.

The spectacular natural phenomenon that is the Peak Cavern, for instance, is also known as the “devil’s ar&e”. Other adventures include taking the cable car to the Heights of Abraham above Buxton and exploring the underground wonders of Poole’s Cavern.

Meanwhile Neanderthal men are believed to have taken shelter at Creswell Crags. Or you might want to take an amazing underground boat journey through Speedwell Cavern at Castleton.

Chesterfield

If you’re still pining for the bright lights and a spot of retail therapy, a trip to the Derbyshire town of Chesterfield might fit the bill.

The ancient market town will gently ease you back into the hustle and bustle of more urban life with its shops, restaurants, and bars. There are independent shops and cafes lining the old thoroughfare of the Shambles, while the Pavements and Vicar Lane offer the modern take on shopping centres.

While you’re wandering around Chesterfield, the iconic 228ft crooked and twisted spire of the church of Saint Mary and All Saints is always in view and seems to dominate the skyline wherever you are in the town.

Caravan insurance offers valuable protection for any investment you’ve made in a touring caravan or a static caravan kept as your beloved holiday home. The insurance is specifically designed not just to protect the caravan itself but also its contents, your personal belongings within it, and the various liabilities with which you may be faced as its owner.

Here at Cover4Caravans, we’re constantly aware of your need to manage – and, at times, rein in – the costs of your caravanning. For that reason, we’ve already listed 15 ways in which you might save money on those costs.

Now let’s go a step further and examine ways that you might save money on probably the most important of your caravanning overhead costs – the cost of caravan insurance.

Safeguarding your pride and joy

The family caravan – touring or static – is often the pride and joy of its members. It’s a prized possession that gives you many exciting holidays throughout the year and one which deserves the adequate and effective protection of suitable insurance.

Away from the hustle, bustle, and all-around excitement of the long days of summer caravanning, this time of year might be just the time to review how much you are paying for your caravan insurance – and whether there are ways you might be cutting that cost.

At Cover4Caravans, we are – and always have been – firmly committed to providing our customers with suitable and what we consider to be attractive and cost-competitive insurance deals. But there may be still further decisions you can take to keep down the cost of your caravan’s insurance.

Saving money on the cover you need

However highly you rate the importance of your touring insurance or static caravan’s insurance – and quite rightly too – that doesn’t mean you have to overlook opportunities for saving money on its cost.

Whenever you seek any kind of insurance quote or decide to buy a policy, it’s never a question of just going for the cheapest deal on offer. Instead, you look for the cover you actually need – the cover that meets your particular needs and circumstances.

This is just as true when looking for caravan insurance whether your van is continually used for holidays or in storage – bearing in mind that your needs and circumstances may change from one year to the next.

Nine times out of ten, therefore, you’ll be looking for cover that represents good value for money and includes features and benefits you need, rather than just an apparently bargain-basement deal or an offer that looks too good to be true – which it just might be.

Shopping around

Shopping around for that good value for money can prove a daunting task these days. So many insurance providers offer such a wide range of products and different policy terms, conditions, and benefits.

Advice might be given by friends, relatives, or fellow caravanners. What is likely to count more than any other, though, is expert, professional advice about securing insurance cover that represents good value for money.

Using a specialist insurance broker

However familiar you might be with all the ins and outs of the insurance market, it can prove a complicated and quite involved matter to decide the insurance cover you need for your particular make, model, and age of towing or static caravan and the use to which it is put.

To complicate things still further, a host of different insurance providers are all desperately competing for your business and offering a broad range of products to do so.

An experienced insurance broker – such as ourselves here at Cover4Caravans – may be in the best position to make the closest match between your particular, individual needs and the most suitable product.

With expertise and experience gained over a number of years, we not only recognise your particular, individual requirements but also have connections to present to you the particular insurance policies matching your requirements – at a competitive market price.

Additional money-saving tips

We’ll help you with all the money-saving tips we’ve discussed so far – but there are still more ways you can save on the cost of your touring or static caravan insurance premiums:

Security and safe storage for your caravans

• insurance is about the management of risk – in the case of your caravan, the risk of  loss, theft, or damage to the trailer and its contents or the risk of any liabilities you incur as the owner;
• the more you are able to mitigate those risks, the fewer are there for the insurer to cover, and so the insurance premiums may be charged at a lower rate;
• security measures and devices include locks on the doors and windows together with immobilising features such as hitchlocks and wheel clamps (which may be required by your insurer in any case) and motion-detecting intruder alarms to reduce any chances of theft;
• some security measures may be for your own personal safety, too – fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are just two such devices that spring immediately to mind;
• the winter time, or other periods when it is not in regular use, your touring caravan may become especially vulnerable to risks of loss or damage, particularly from theft and vandalism – if your caravan is left for long periods of time in the driveway of your home or even left some way away, in the corner of a farmer’s field, for instance;
• given these vulnerabilities, some insurance providers – including us here at Cover4Caravans – offer attractive discounts on your premiums if you choose to store your trailer at a site registered by the Caravan Storage Site Owners Association (CaSSOA):
• CaSSOA storage sites all meet established standards of security for the safe storage of touring caravans out of season and the sites are graded according to the particular level of security maintained;
• all modern caravans are automatically registered under the Central Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) which gives a similar peace of mind to the logbook issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for your car;

Review the cover levels for both your caravan and its contents

• underinsurance of your caravan and its contents are relatively common errors that you might live to regret;
• underinsurance results from underestimating the value of your ‘van and its contents so that, in the event of any loss, the insurance settlement remains insufficient for the repairs or replacements necessary.

By taking on board some of these tips and suggestions you may be able to secure suitable protection for the pride and joy of your family’s holiday life, whilst enjoying the benefits of money saved on the cost of insurance.

A further note on saving money on your static caravan insurance

Your search for a comfortable yet affordable holiday home might have led you to one of the most popular solutions, a static caravan. This is a home that can be moved, of course, but rarely leaves its designated pitch on a purpose-designed holiday park or resort. So, a static caravan is generally a more apt description than, say, a mobile home.

The annual rent you pay to the park owners for keeping your static caravan on its chosen pitch is likely to be a major source of expenditure. But there are other ongoing running costs and chief among these is static caravan insurance for your holiday home.

In addition to the many money-saving measures you might take for caravan insurance in general, there are a few steps that might be especially relevant to your static caravan:

• a case in point is public liability insurance, for instance, designed to indemnify you against claims from members of the public who are injured or have their property damaged in some way connected with your static caravan;
• the owners or management of the park on which your static caravan is berthed are almost certain to offer to arrange insurance for your trailer – in most cases, you are not obliged to take their cover but may find more comprehensive protection at a more competitive price, by shopping around;
• you might still need to satisfy the park owners that you have adequate public liability insurance cover;
• if you intend to earn extra cash by letting out your holiday home from time to time, remember that your insurers will regard this as a “material fact” relating to your insurance contract – therefore, you must declare any such use to your insurers;
• if you want to save money on your caravan insurance premiums, it is worth demonstrating to any insurer that you are taking every reasonable precaution to ensure the security and safety of your holiday home – even when it is unoccupied – and have invested in mitigating against any loss or damage;
• this extends to some of the more obvious measures such as the locks used for securing doors and windows and the installation of smoke detectors and fire alarms;
• but it might also extend to the levels of security maintained at your chosen holiday park during the closed season or when your holiday home is left unoccupied – when 24-hour monitoring and onsite patrols by the site’s management may be taken into account by your insurance provider;
• remember, too, that if you intend to let your holiday home for any period, you also assume the responsibility for tenants’ safety – with respect to gas appliances, the risk of fire, and any danger from carbon monoxide fumes;
• the Camping and Caravanning Club has published advice on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and, however temporary it might be, your role as a landlord also requires you to conduct an annual gas safety inspection carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

In summary, whether you own a static caravan or a touring caravan, securing good value caravan insurance as well as saving money on your insurance premiums, therefore, might be a combination of drawing on the expertise of an established broker regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) such as ourselves here at Cover4Caravans – as well as using the tips suggested above.

Finally, remember that if you have questions or concerns about your caravan insurance; you need a reminder of your policy features, benefits or excess; or you would rather get a quote from a person rather than getting an online caravan insurance quote, then please do ‘phone us on 01702 606301. We’d love to hear from you and would be delighted to help.

Your holiday may be over, but your photographs can bring those cherished moments back to life, reminding you of the places you’ve visited and the adventures you’ve enjoyed. So, what’s the secret to taking great photos during your caravan adventures? Here are some tips to elevate your photography game.

The camera

In today’s world of advanced technology, you don’t need an expensive DSLR camera (this stands for digital single-lens reflex camera and is a type of digital camera that uses a fixed sensor, interchangeable lenses, and a reflex design to capture images). Modern smartphones are equipped with excellent cameras capable of producing professional-looking shots as well as having added features such as filters etc.

• Smartphone photography: Most smartphones come with built-in editing tools and features such as portrait mode, which can create stunning depth-of-field effects. Take advantage of these tools to enhance your images.
• Know your gear: Whether you’re using a smartphone or a DSLR, understanding your device is essential. Spend time experimenting with different settings and features before your trip. For example, learn how to adjust focus, exposure, and lighting for the best results.

Simplicity is key

The saying “less is more” couldn’t be truer when it comes to photography. Clean, uncluttered compositions often make the most visually striking images.

• One subject, one story: Focus on a single subject to create a strong, clear narrative in your shot. Whether it’s a picturesque sunset or your caravan parked in a scenic spot, simplicity adds impact.
• Avoid overcrowding: Minimise background distractions to let your subject take centre stage.

Framing matters

Great photography isn’t just about what’s in your shot but how it’s arranged. Proper framing can turn an average picture into an extraordinary one.

• Mind the edges: Avoid cutting off important parts of your subject, like a person’s head, arm, or legs.
• The rule of thirds: Place your subject slightly off-centre to create a dynamic and visually appealing composition. Many cameras and smartphones have a grid overlay to help with this.
• Include foreground interest: For landscape shots, add an object like a tree, rock, or bench in the foreground to create depth and interest.

Depth and perspective

When capturing landscapes, use depth to draw the viewer into your photo. This helps bring a sense of scale and dimension to the image.

Leading lines: Use natural lines in the scene, such as roads, rivers, or fences, to guide the viewer’s eye through the frame.

Master depth of field: For those using cameras with manual settings, experiment with aperture (f-stop) to control how much of the scene is in focus. A lower f-stop (e.g., f/2.8) creates a blurred background, while a higher one (e.g., f/16) keeps everything sharp.

Lighting – the secret ingredient

Lighting is everything in photography and learning how to work with natural light can transform your photos.

• Golden hours: The best times to shoot are early morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and warm. Harsh midday sunlight can create unflattering shadows and washed-out colours.
• Backlighting: Shooting into the light can produce beautiful silhouettes and dramatic effects. Don’t be afraid to experiment with this technique.
• Diffuse light: Overcast days might not seem ideal, but soft, diffused light can be perfect for capturing details and avoiding harsh shadows.

Be ready for the moment

Sometimes the best shots happen in an instant, so it’s crucial to stay prepared.

• Always have your camera handy: Whether it’s your smartphone in your pocket or a DSLR hanging from your shoulder, keep your equipment within reach. You never know when a magical moment will appear.
• Candid shots: Action shots or unplanned moments often capture the spirit of your trip better than posed pictures. Be spontaneous!

Experiment and have fun

Remember, not every shot has to be perfect! Photography is as much about enjoying the process as it is about the final result. Don’t hesitate to try new angles, experiment with filters, or take the same shot from different perspectives. Sometimes, your most unexpected photo becomes the favourite.

Preserve and share your memories

When you’ve captured your best images, don’t let them stay hidden on your device. Create a scrapbook, print your favourite shots, or share them on social media. Your photographs are not just memories for you – they’re stories you can share with friends and family.

With these tips, your caravan adventures can live on forever in beautifully captured photographs. Happy snapping!