Caravan insurance: all you need to know

What you need to know about caravan insurance

While you'll undoubtedly be familiar with insurance policies for your home, car, pets and various other items, caravan insurance can seem a little daunting. The most important aspect to bear in mind regarding caravan insurance is that there are specialist companies that have specific policies for touring caravans.

Do you need insurance?

Yes you do! You need cover for the caravan itself, in the event of theft or accidental damage.

And you need cover for its contents – awning, gas bottles, barbecue, outdoor furniture, security devices, television; all these are expensive items, so need to be covered by your policy.

What does caravan insurance cover?

Caravan insurance covers the caravan against theft and accidental damage. Even experienced towers can encounter low-hanging branches, rocks obscured in roadside undergrowth on narrow lanes and, of course, it’s quite possible, even for those who are proficient at reversing a caravan, to have a close encounter with an obstruction such as an electricity post on a campsite pitch.

Caravan insurance also covers you in the event of a road accident. Again, we need to reference towing experience here; experienced caravan towers know they have to lessen speed on downhill gradients, for example, and allow plenty of width on corners to avoid clipping a kerb with the caravan wheels. But accidents do happen.

And, even though experienced towers know the hazards of towing in high winds, there are occasions when that is unavoidable. For example, you can’t delay your return from holiday to work to wait for high winds to subside! And high winds may develop when you are on a journey. You keep the speed down, of course – but gusts can happen and accidents, as a result, can happen. So you need insurance!

Storm damage is another topic that’s covered. Giant hailstones can damage caravan roofs. Fencing panels can break free in high winds and collide with a caravan. And, should an awning collapse, or partially collapse, in high winds, its poles can wreak havoc with caravan side panels.

And just in case you are wondering, caravan insurance isn’t all about towing and touring. If you have your caravan sited in one place on a seasonal, or year-round basis, it still needs to be insured – against theft and also against storm damage, in particular. Site owners will want to see a copy of your insurance policy; most have a rule that all caravans on the site must be insured.

Types of caravan insurance

The two basic types of cover are what is termed ‘market value’ cover and ‘new for old’ cover. Market value cover means that the caravan is insured for its current retail value.

New for old cover means that the caravan is insured for its full replacement cost with a new caravan. Insurance companies offer this cover only for caravans up to a specified age, commonly 15 years old.

After that, you go for market value cover. Because caravan prices rise annually (like everything else!), it’s essential to review your caravan’s value at the time you renew your policy, to make sure you are covered for the correct amount.

How much does insurance cost and what factors influence the cost?

Quotes depend not just on the value of the caravan, but where it is stored when not in use. Caravan storage facilities that have the maximum CaSSOA (Caravan Storage Site Owners' Association) security rating, for example, will most likely earn you a discount on your premium. Just like with house and car insurance, the region where you live, if you store your caravan at home, has a bearing on the cost of insurance.

The cost of a policy is also influenced by how many security devices you have. Wheelclamps and hitchlocks are mandatory for most policies. Caravan alarm systems can reduce premiums, as can keeping your caravan behind a locked gate if you store it at home. Tracking devices earn a discount with many insurers, as does Al-Ko’s ATC stability control system that detects the early signs of a snaking motion and automatically applies the caravan brakes to keep the caravan straight, before the snaking motion becomes serious.

It may seem obvious, but CCTV systems, both at home and at storage sites, earn discounts, too.

There are many factors that influence the cost of a policy, so our advice is to gather some quotes from different caravan insurance specialist companies to explore and compare policies.

One example of this is that some companies offer cover for ‘loss of use’ (if you caravan is being repaired or you are waiting for a replacement caravan); if you think this might be important to you, look for a policy that offers this. If you are planning on towing abroad, look for a policy that covers you for this. And some policies cover you for lost keys.

Tips on getting good caravan insurance

Get quotes from several caravan insurance specialist companies and study them in fine detail. Don’t go for the cheapest; it may not be the best policy for you.

Look what’s covered and what isn’t covered. For example, some policies give you £100 or more per day for emergency accommodation if your caravan is uninhabitable, for 10-15 days (depending on the policy); others don’t.

FAQ

Does car insurance cover a caravan while it’s being towed?

Most comprehensive car policies do cover the caravan while it is being towed; most require you to inform them that you tow a caravan. That’s just the legal bit.

Most car policies cover you for third party risks, for example if your caravan collides with another vehicle in the event of an accident. But damage to the caravan needs to be covered by a caravan insurance policy.

Does the age of my caravan matter?

Some companies insure caravans only up to 15 years old; others considerably more; 30 years old is common.

Do insurance policies cover you if the only caravan tower becomes ill?

Yes, some do. It is quite common for there to be only one person in a family/couple who tows the caravan, and insurance companies recognise this; a mere sprained ankle can render a driver unable to drive. Some policies will get your caravan home for you if this should happen during a holiday.

What are the names of some of the touring caravan specialist insurance providers?

Among the best known, in no particular order, are Caravan Guard, Ripe, Intasure, Shield Total Insurance, Adria Flux, Safeguard, Towergate and Coast.