Caravan Insurance

Your caravan is the most precious asset after your home and car that you need to protect from theft and accidental damage with good quality insurance. Most of the common claims from caravan insurance are theft of contents from caravan site; theft of caravan from holiday site or from storage; damage from the weather, such as storm or flood; and minor accidents, like the driver forgets that the caravan is attached and hits a tree, or attempts to drive under a low bridge or into a garage.

As accidents are not in our control, the main focus is on security care and trying to prevent theft. In general, for all caravan insurance policies, the insurers require a minimum level of caravan security, such as fitting a wheel clamp or hitch lock onto your caravan whenever it is detached from the towing vehicle or left unattended. You could also get a further discount if using high quality security devices.

Caravan Security Advice

New or nearly new caravans are particularly attractive to thieves, so the more secure the better for your caravan. Generally, caravan insurance policies require you to use either a hitch lock or a wheel clamp, and, in fact, most caravan owners use both. Most UK insurance companies give a caravan insurance discount, if your caravan has an electric alarm system or some type of tracking kit fitted.

As you are required to fit at least one of these security devices you should select a good one. You can find information about the products that have been tested from leading caravan magazines.

Obviously there are a number of security devices on the market that can be used to prevent theft, but they cannot provide a guarantee that your caravan will not be stolen, they just act as a deterrent that only can slow down a thief.

When You Need To Claim

In case of an accident or an emergency situation that you need some help, it’s important to choose a top quality insurer that offers a specialist caravan insurance policy and operates a 24 hour helpline with fast access to approved repairers and recovery services.

Comparing Benefits

To consider a good policy that would cover damage to the caravan or any equipment and/or contents, you should find out the following:

• Full year coverage for loss or damage to the caravan including the fixtures, fittings including awnings, furnishings and utensils even while touring and storage;
• How long is the limit for European touring? (This can usaully be extended by payment of an additional premium). The cover in Europe and other countries specified in the policy booklet should be the same as in the UK;
• The limit of third party liability for each accident;
• The limit of fatal accident benefit for you and your spouse;
• Check how much they pay per day and how long for temporary accommodation if the caravan becomes uninhabitable as a result of insured loss or damage;
• The cost of moving your caravan to the nearest repairer or to your home, which should include the cost of returning from abroad as well, if your caravan is damaged by accident, theft, fire or flood and unable to be towed;
• Standard policy excess (the amount that you have to pay on all claims);
• The caravan age limit to new-for-old cover;
• Cover for use by family and friends in the UK is included subject to an additional excess.

What About Discount Rates For Your Caravan Insurance?

Caravan insurance discounts depend on your age and experience, no claims bonus, electronic security devices used, whether your caravan can be tracked if it’s stolen and membership of a caravan club.

Many insurers offer a discount for members of caravan club on their insurance premiums as they are likely to be more knowledgeable and aware of dangers than the average caravan owners.

Some Exclusions And Limits

Mechanical or electrical breakdown is excluded in caravan insurance policies, so it is important to arrange breakdown cover which provides a service for both your car and caravan.