When choosing your insurance for your caravan, you may feel a little confused by all the terms and conditions etc. Following is a brief summary of some of the major components of touring caravan insurance, which should help you make an informed decision about your cover.
We also have a Glossary section that may prove useful too.
Of course, if you prefer to speak to someone, then one of our dedicated team will be very happy to help you. Please call us on 01702 606301.
Contents
What does tourer insurance cover?
A classic touring caravan insurance policy may typically provide you with:
- cover for damage incurred to the caravan itself;
- cover for costs arising as a result of legal action against you under the auspices of third party liability (e.g. claims from someone that was injured as a result of your caravan);
- cover for the caravan contents in situations such as burglary or natural disaster.
Individual policies may also provide other elements of cover, such as awning protection etc. (Our Awning insurance: need to know blog explains this in more detail). Many owners also look for features such as new-for-old cover, protected no-claims bonuses, and emergency accommodation cover, so it’s worth comparing policies carefully to ensure they meet your specific touring habits.
Terms, conditions and exclusions
It’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of your touring caravan insurance policy to understand the extent of cover and any exclusions.
In touring caravan insurance, an exclusion is a specific situation, event, type of damage, or circumstance that your policy may typically not cover.
Insurers list exclusions so that caravan owners understand the limits of their protection and what falls outside the insurer’s liability.
Put simply: an exclusion tells you when the insurer will not pay out on a claim.
Common examples of exclusions in touring caravan insurance include:
- wear and tear or gradual deterioration;
- damage caused by poor maintenance, damp, rot, or vermin;
- using the caravan in ways not allowed under the policy, such as a permanent residence;
- unauthorised drivers towing the caravan;
- thefts where security requirements weren’t met, e.g., no hitchlock or wheel clamp when required;
- storm or flood damage if the caravan was sited somewhere deemed unsafe, depending on the policy wording.
Exclusions vary between insurers, so it’s always important to review the policy schedule and terms to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered. If you are unsure whether a particular scenario is covered – for example, accidental damage while manoeuvring, or damage caused during storage – your insurer or broker can clarify before you travel.
Do you need optional add-ons?
Additionally, consider whether you need any optional add-ons or if there are specific conditions you need to meet to maintain cover. Always disclose accurate information about your caravan and its usage to ensure that your policy is valid and covers your specific needs.
Touring caravan insurance policy terms and conditions
All insurance policies will typically contain a number of terms and conditions.
In the case of touring caravan insurance, these may include things such as:
- the requirement that you use hitchlocks and wheel clamps in certain situations;
- requirements relating to where the caravan must be parked when it is not in use – some policies may extend that to include statements about the nature of any caravan parks it is used on (e.g. specifying that they are official caravan parks and/or licensed and supervised etc);
- some policies may have conditions relating to the minimum age of towing drivers.
It is always a very good idea to read the conditions carefully or check with your insurance provider. Meeting these conditions helps ensure your cover remains valid and can also help prevent disputes in the event of a claim.
Choosing a touring caravan insurance policy
There are many factors that may influence your decision about which touring caravan policy to purchase.
Although price will understandably be high up on most people’s priority list, it may be advisable to think initially rather more closely about the cover the policy is providing, than its price.
It is a truism of caravan insurance that, in the event of a disaster and subsequent claim, the policyholder no longer will have any interest in the price of the policy but only in the protection and cover that it provides.
That is why thinking about things in advance is always a good idea. For example:
- some policies may provide a degree of continental cover as standard;
- other policies may provide similar cover but severely restrict the number of miles that may be travelled outside of the UK in a given year;
- yet others may have few or no mileage restrictions but may severely restrict the total number of days you can use your caravan outside of the UK in a 12 month period.
The continental cover that may be most appropriate to you will depend, of course, on your plans in the year or years ahead; however, some policies may offer you cover that is closer to your requirements in that area than others.
Finding appropriate touring caravan insurance may take a little effort but it may prove to be extremely worthwhile. Alternatively, you can always get in touch, and we will be more than happy to help you find the caravan cover that we believe is most cost-effective and appropriate for your needs.
Further reading: Touring caravan insurance tips: Getting your cover.