Considerations when choosing your tourer cover

One silver lining during the pandemic of the last couple of years has been the determined shift towards holidays at home in this country has fuelled rocketing caravan sales. In a story on the 23rd of August 2021, the Express newspaper reported the boom in sales of caravans, motorhomes, and campervans as a result of the craze for staycations.

As caravan ownership has surged, the importance of adequate insurance – and choosing the policy most suitable for your particular needs and circumstances – has become an even greater priority.

Caravan insurance is a specialist product and not even the most seasoned caravanner is likely to be familiar with every twist and turn, innovation and development of this niche in the wider insurance market.

That is, instead, the job of us here at Cover4Caravans, and by drawing on our expertise and many years of experience, you may take confidence in obtaining the cover that offers optimum protection for your particular caravan, at a competitive price.

Here we discuss what you may need to consider when buying caravan insurance as well as providing some general tips and reminders relating to your tourer.

Considerations when choosing your touring caravan insurance cover

There are many products to choose from when you look for tourer caravan insurance. No single option is going to be the best since it all depends on your individual needs and requirements.

But what should you be looking for? It might help to think along the lines of at least some of the following:

  • make sure you have an appropriate amount of cover – this is called the sum insured;
  • don’t under or over-insure because otherwise you could end up out of pocket – in the case of underinsurance when you make a claim or, in the case of over-insurance, when you pay for your cover;
  • you may want to look for a policy that includes discounts – some companies may provide you with a discount for using security devices or for being a member of a caravan club, others, such as ourselves, may provide a discount if you store your caravan at a CaSSOA-approved site;
  • the way you buy your insurance is also a consideration – rather than going directly to an insurer, where you may have a limited amount of choice, you may want to use the services of a broker such as us here at Cover4Caravans, in order to look at a greater range of options, as well as get access to specialist advice;
  • always look for restrictions when it comes to awnings, cover for which is typically shown separately on your insurance schedule – some policies may only cover storm damage to awnings if you are present at the time, and as we explain in our Guide to awnings;
  • you may want to find out about new-for-old replacement when you make a claim – some providers may be able to provide this for tourer caravans that are three years old or less as long as you have been the sole owner but at Cover4Caravans, we will provide new-for-old cover for caravans up to five years of age and regardless of the number of previous owners;
  • where you use your tourer is also an important consideration – some providers may include continental cover as standard for a certain amount of days and at Cover4Caravans, for example, we provide this on our policies for between 240 and 280 days a year so that if you are planning to go abroad, this may be useful and even if you have no current plans, it can always be worthwhile having;
  • the price of the policy may affect your decision but remember to look for value for money rather than just the least expensive insurance you can find – always ensure that you find a policy that has the level of cover you need rather than cutting corners;
  • some policies may have various security measures that you need to take to protect your caravan from theft if you are to make a successful claim – this can include fitting a tracking device or a wheel clamp when you leave it unattended when attached to the towing vehicle, or a hitch lock and wheel clamps when it is not attached to the vehicle (the specific requirements will all be detailed in your policy documents – or ask your broker or insurer for clarification);
  • find out if your policy provides costs for alternative accommodation if you have an accident – this could be particularly useful if you are on the road with nowhere to stay; and
  • owner age limits are also important and can influence the policy you choose – some policies do not have any age limits, whereas some do, so make sure you know before buying.

Your caravan

It is your caravan, of course, that lies at the heart of any insurance. So, we help you to arrive at a realistic and accurate valuation for the specific make, model, and age of the one you own.

It needs to be protected from a range of risks – such as theft, fire, storm damage, impacts, and vandalism – some of which may result in its total loss. The total sum insured, therefore, needs to reflect its current market value and provide sufficiently for its replacement in the event of a total loss.

Your contents

Similar thought and care need to be given to the valuation of the contents of your caravan – with gear and equipment that is likely to have grown over the years and currently represents a substantial sum to insure against theft, loss, and damage.

Caravan security

Caravan security is improving all the time, and any new model you buy is likely to be considerably better protected than those of old.

But there may always be ways of further improving the security of your caravan – by upgrading locks on windows and doors, for example, or by installing deadlocks – to deter all but the most determined of thieves and intruders. The more you do, the better your chances of gaining valuable discounts on your caravan insurance premiums.

Public liability insurance

An element of caravan insurance frequently overlooked is the risk of some third party – a camper on a neighbouring pitch or a member of the public – from injuring themselves or having their property damaged and holding you responsible as the caravan owner.

Such claims – especially those involving personal injury – may be substantial, so the inclusion of public liability indemnity cover in your caravan insurance is well worth considering.

How to match a car and caravan

If you are buying a caravan – and especially if it is the first time you have done so – you are also likely to have questions about matching a car to a caravan. What car will you need to tow the particular caravan you have in mind?

It might help to start by considering four categories that you’ll need to think about when trying to match a caravan and car:

  • the law and what it has to say about the subject;
  • what’s technically possible and legally permissible;
  • what’s sensible and legally permissible; and
  • what you can afford.

Two further fundamental issues naturally follow on:

  • the fact that a caravan/car match is legal, and that the car concerned can technically tow the caravan doesn’t necessarily make the vehicle or caravan a sensible choice for a match; and
  • to choose a sensible match, you’ll need to think a little about how and where you plan to use your caravan.

Preparing the ground – practical considerations

In one sense, the answer to the question of matching is easy – buy a big and powerful car.

That, of course, assumes that you can afford such a thing and that you have neither a strong environmental conviction nor any restriction on what you have to spend on towing your caravan. Comparatively few caravan owners can say as much, of course, so if you’re looking for a sensible and cost-effective match, you’re going to need to engage in some planning and a little mathematics.

A key starting point is to think carefully about your likely usage. For example:

  • are you planning to use your caravan and car regularly or perhaps only 2-3 times per year for your annual holidays;
  • will you be primarily using it locally, point-to-point type trips at the start and end of a holiday or are you planning to take it on extended touring marathons around the UK and Europe;
  • how many people on average will you likely have in the vehicle when towing;
  • what sort of landscapes will you be using it in? Paved sites and flat roads are one thing, hauling a caravan up the Pyrenees or taking it off-road onto farm tracks is quite another.

These questions are important because they relate to the concept of “redundancy” in terms of your selected car for the match and the power it delivers. We’ve all seen small and no doubt economic-to-run cars, struggling desperately to get a caravan up a steep hill. It might be perfectly legal but it’s inconsiderate to other road users and potentially dangerous too.

The message here is to select an appropriate vehicle for your probable usage. If you’re regularly planning especially long journeys, travelling to mountainous areas with long steep inclines, or taking the caravan off-road, don’t opt for a minimum legal compliance vehicle. Perhaps opt for one that will offer you some significant surplus power and perhaps in some cases, a 4 x 4 capability.

The law

The car’s documentation will state the maximum towing weight of any vehicle (including your caravan) being towed.

The Vehicle Identification Number or VIN plate that you find under the bonnet of your car (or, sometimes on the side of the driver’s door) also specifies what’s called the Gross Train Weight (GTW). The GTW specifies the maximum weight that your car, together with any trailer you are towing, must not under any circumstances exceed – or you will be breaking the law.

The government’s official advice states that if your vehicle’s plate does not contain a GTW, it must not be used for towing at all. If you’re stopped by the police, it is the GTW and possibly the car’s maximum towing weight figures they’ll be interested in and will use to judge whether or not you’re in trouble.

How heavy is heavy?

However experienced you are, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to look at a potential car/caravan combo and say immediately, with any accuracy, how much it’ll weigh.

There are just too many variables such as how much luggage you have, how many passengers, the weight of the caravan’s water and gas tanks and so on. So, to be sure and to reduce your chances of ending up in a frank discussion with the police:

  • use the documented unladen weights of the car and caravan;
  • add to this some estimates for variables such as those mentioned above;
  • don’t forget your passengers (remember, 5 large people in a car can add over half a tonne to your laden weight).

What car is right? Power considerations

So far, everything sounds reasonably simple and straightforward – but things get a little more complicated in terms of what’s possible and what’s sensible.

This is where we introduce two new terms – the Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) of your caravan and your car’s “kerb weight” or Mass in Running Order (MIRO).

These are both usually specified in the caravan’s and car’s documentation. They essentially provide a stipulation of the maximum laden weight your caravan can be and still be safe and a figure for how much the car weighs without a significant load (one 75kilo driver is included).

Many of the main caravan associations recommend that the car should never try to tow a caravan if its MTPLM exceeds 85% of the car’s kerb weight or MIRO. That should be a powerful figure to use when thinking about what car to select.

Other legal considerations

A car’s tow bar (which must, in itself, be legally compliant) will have a maximum loading capacity figure. Your caravan will also have a “nose weight” figure which stipulates the maximum it can safely carry in terms of the weight passed onto the tow bar of the car.

This must not be exceeded but can sometimes be put at risk by poor caravan loading. Remember to keep heavy items stored in the caravan over the axles – not at the front of the trailer.

Other legal issues will typically apply to any car you’re considering, including the lights, number plates, rearview mirrors and so on. These too are helpfully documented on the government’s site.

Booking your site

It’s worth keeping in mind that the increased volume of people enjoying caravan holidays leads to the need to think a little about your forthcoming trip. That’s particularly true if you’re contemplating a peak season caravanning break.

So, a few reminders might be in order:

  • book your site and pitch as far in advance as possible – more holidaymakers staying at home and selecting caravan holidays means more competition for the best sites and locations;
  • try to avoid travelling on Friday nights, Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons/evenings – the roads can get remarkably busy if the weather’s nice or during school holiday breaks; and
  • increased demand might lead to some caravan owners thinking about lending their caravan to others or letting it out – while it might be a tempting thought, remember that it may affect the status of your touring caravan insurance and the type of cover you’ll need so, check the insurance issues in advance before lending or letting your caravan to someone else, even if they’re a close family member.

Summary

All signs point to the continued popularity of the caravan and, with it, the opportunity to seize every advantage of the staycation.

The trends established during 2020/2021 are likely to persist for the months and years ahead – with practical implications for those buying a caravan for the first time, owners looking to insure their tourer, and drivers asking what car is likely to be needed to tow their new caravan.

If we’ve helped to answer at least some of those questions, you might now be ready to hitch up and go!

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