Every year thousands of UK citizens set out to explore with their caravans in tow. If you are also planning to explore the UK or Europe, you must be excited about travelling in your caravan. However, before you pack your suitcases, load up the caravan and plan an itinerary, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure that your caravan is safe. The insurance for your caravan is one such important consideration.
Getting your caravan insured is not a legal requirement, but it may turn out to be costly in certain circumstances. This article offers useful advice on your insurance options for getting your caravan covered.
Why is Caravan insurance important
For many caravan owners, getting it insured may not be a priority, but not having one can result in a significant loss. Every year, there are reports of thousands of caravans being stolen. Moreover, there is also the risk of accidental damage, which can occur even if the caravan is parked on the driveway.
One of the most common incidents of damage occurring to a caravan is when it is being towed. One can easily miscalculate the dimensions while towing the caravan and end up hitting the curb or gate posts. Similarly, damage can also occur as a result of erratic weather or high winds.
Therefore, while getting caravan insurance may not be the most exciting part of the camper’s life, it is essential. To spend all that money on a motorised vehicle and getting in an accident or getting it stolen only to find out that the damage is not covered; can be a distressing situation.
That said, here is a quick guide to all the options you have in terms of caravan insurance.
Will my car insurance provide cover for my caravan?
Caravan insurance offers financial cover if something happens to your caravan. Many forms of car insurance also provide coverage for third-party incidents while the car is towing a caravan. However, it will not cover any damage caused to the caravan.
You may check your car insurance policy, but most likely, you will find that caravans are excluded from the policy.
What are my caravan insurance options?
Before we outline caravan insurance options, it is important to note that while a policy can help recompense for damages in instances of theft or accidents, it comes with certain conditions. For instance, your caravan policy may require you to use wheel clamps or hitch locks which can help prevent someone from connecting a tow bar to your caravan. In the absence of adherence to such a condition, your insurance company will not pay for the loss if your caravan gets stolen.
There are three main types of caravan insurance.
Touring Caravan Insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage for caravans that are towed behind a vehicle. Touring caravans offer a great and more convenient alternate to camping. Families and travellers of different age groups are increasingly becoming fond of using this type of caravan for their holidays.
Whether you want to use your caravan for local excursions or travel around the UK or other countries, touring caravan insurance can help protect your caravan from various risks, including accidental damage, weather-inflicted damage, or theft.
Insurance companies provide touring caravan insurance with various features. For instance, one feature of the policy is new-for-old cover. It implies that caravans that are 10 to 12 years old will be replaced in the instance of damage, loss, or theft. They will be replaced with a new caravan of equivalent value, so you must insure your caravan for its current-day value buying price or an equivalent model.
Another aspect of this coverage is the EU cover. The policy provides cover to take your touring camper to regions of the European Union, which is included as a standard feature of the policy.
Another feature is a public liability cover up to a certain amount according to the policy. It offers protection against claims made due to an accident you may be involved in while towing or moving your caravan. This form of cover does not include the vehicle used to tow the caravan.
Finally, we have the caravan breakdown cover, which is optional. This form of cover is applicable under certain dimensions and weight conditions.
Static Caravan Insurance
Next, we have static caravan insurance. Static caravans are usually permanent structures, also termed mobile homes. These are usually stationed on purpose-built sites. You can opt for Static insurance if your caravan is in a fixed location. These could include stationing your caravan in places like holiday parks, resorts, etc.
If you move your static caravan to a new location, you must first check that the movers offer goods in transit insurance so that your caravan is protected in the instance of an accident, any damage, or theft.
Static insurance provides various forms of coverage. For instance, it offers cover for weather damage, i.e., the damage caused due to adverse weather conditions. The policy may also offer cover for accidental damage caused by the holiday renters or paying guests staying in the caravan.
Moreover, your static caravan insurance may also provide public liability cover to protect against claims from anyone ending with damaged property or injury while in or around your caravan. Similarly, your contents and belongings can also be provided coverage against accidental damage, floods or storms, theft, or malicious destruction. Certain static insurance policies come with conditional coverage; for instance, in certain areas, damage due to flood, etc., is not included in the policy.
Folding caravan insurance
Some insurance companies offer caravan insurance for stored contents as a separate policy. The folding caravan insurance offers cover for contents stored in the trailer tents or the folding caravans. Since these are more vulnerable than the traditional caravan, insuring these can be a little complex.
How much does the caravan insurance cost?
The cost of caravan insurance depends on various factors; the main determinant is the type of caravan insurance you are opting for. Other factors that can impact the premium payment include the caravan’s make and mode, the security of the caravan (whether it comes with a tracker or other security features), the worth of the contents, where you live, and the location of the caravan when it is not in use among others.
Do I need travel insurance for van life?
When you consider insurance for your caravan, campervan, or motorhome, you need to consider getting a cover for the vehicle and the cover for your holiday. Whether you have a touring caravan or static, getting travel insurance is a good idea, even if you plan to stay in the UK.
If your caravan is towed behind your car and you have touring insurance, you will be covered in the instance of an accident. Also, if you plan to travel through Europe, you must get a European towing or breakdown cover. In the absence of such a policy, you will have a hard time getting your caravan back to the UK if there is an issue.
It is also important to note that if you own a motorhome or a caravan, it classifies differently from a caravan as it is a vehicle and accommodation. So, if you have a van or motorhome that drives, you need motorhome insurance. Insurance companies offer policies that combine motorhome insurance with holiday insurance, but you can also opt for them separately.
You can get insurance for a single trip if you have a static caravan or plan to travel once a year. There is also an annual multi-trip cover if you plan to travel multiple times. In most instances, a multi-trip policy lasts 31 days if you travel abroad. Similarly, if you are travelling with family, you can also take out family travel insurance.
