Rachael Miller from moneysupermarket.com has offered this advice to everyone who owns or is thinking of buying a caravan. It is timely advice coming at the beginning of the summer holiday season. No one wants to think about the worst happening to them, but with proper insurance the blow can be softened.
If you are looking to buy a caravan or
already have one then it is vital to ensure that you have the right insurance
in place. The type of caravan insurance
that you need depends on the type of caravan that you have and what you will be
using it for. Here are the three main types of insurance caravan owners should
be familiar with:-
Static
Caravan Insurance
While you do not need to have insurance
for static caravans, it is a good idea as it gives you financial protection if
your holiday home is damaged. Standard static caravan policies usually provide
cover for damage arising from a number of different circumstances such as fire,
storm, lightning, flood, theft and falling trees. However, some policies may
not cover you for damage caused by the elements, so always read the small print
before you sign along the dotted line.
Cover is generally on a 'new for old'
basis. In the event that your caravan cannot be repaired, market value is paid.
Public-liability insurance is also usually included. This provides you with
cover if a third party suffer damage or injury as a result of your use of your
caravan. It is also possible to purchase additional cover for your contents and
personal belongings.
Touring-Caravan
Insurance
It’s highly recommended that you take
out insurance on your touring caravan to make sure you’re covered in case the
worst happens. It’s not essential that you do, but it will put your mind at
rest. Your caravan should be covered under your car insurance policy when
you’re towing it on the road, but your insurer must be informed as soon as you
buy a caravan in case a claim needs to be made, or the premium is affected.
Touring-caravan insurance usually covers
the cost of repairs or replacement, up to the market value, if your caravan if
it is damaged or stolen. The better policies will give new for old cover for the
caravan itself and all equipment and contents of the caravan. European insurance cover is generally
provided, although you should check the policy details as there can be limits
on the length of time you can be away or the level of cover that you will be provided
with while abroad.
Check carefully that both your personal
possessions and the caravan equipment is covered. Not all policies will cover clothes, crockery
etc, and some do not cover expensive specialist items such as awnings. Specialists will offer a policy covering the
theft of or from the caravan and damage to the caravan.
Don’t forget to check with your
breakdown cover as it may or may not include the caravan if the car breaks
down. The very best, usually
specialists, will include ‘double journey’ cover taking the car for repair and
the caravan on to your holiday destination and back home if the car is not
fixed in time.
Motorhome
Insurance
If you have a motorhome then you must have
third-party liability insurance to meet the minimum legal requirement, although
a fully compressive policy is best to insure against theft or any damage to
your motorhome.
Windscreen, personal-accident and
personal-belongings cover are commonly included under motorhome policies.
European insurance cover is generally provided, although you should check the
policy details as there may be limitations. You may also be able to extend your
motorhome insurance policy to include legal-expenses cover, key cover and
breakdown cover.
When it comes to the inside of your
motor home, make sure your insurer makes it clear whether they insure your
contents. Most home insurance policies will not cover equipment that is
exclusively used in the motor home, so by going for a policy from a specialist
in motorhome insurance, this should cover all ‘extras’, like your motorhome’s
contents.
Other
Considerations
·
While your caravan insurance
will provide cover for damage and theft arising out of your use of the caravan,
it will not meet any costs that you incur if you need to cut short or cancel
your holiday. It could, therefore, be advisable to consider taking out European
or UK travel
insurance. This would provide you with financial protection if, for
example, you were made redundant and could no longer afford to go away or if a
close family member was taken ill.
·
If you are travelling to the EU
then travel insurance will also provide cover if you require medical assistance
or are taken ill while away. Although a European Health Insurance Card (the
replacement for the E111 card) will provide you with the same level of cover as
the locals in state-run hospitals, this could be a significantly lower level
than that provided by a travel insurance policy.
·
Make sure your contents are
covered. Most caravan insurance policies will cover your things, however if you
bring something expensive in from the house, including electronic technology
like tablet computers, e-readers and laptops, these may not be covered.
Specialist insurance companies may include these items if you declare them when
first taking out the policy. This will mean that you’ll have to give an
accurate value of personal property carried in the caravan.
·
Always read the small print
before you commit to a policy. Some insurance companies will sell policies to
caravan owners which will only cover them for the spring/summer months, which
isn’t suitable for everyone as there is still a chance your caravan could be
stolen or be damaged while static in the winter months. Make sure you’re
covered all year round.
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