What do I need to know to get insurance for static caravans?

If you have just bought a static caravan then you may have paid quite a lot of money for it. Making sure the insurance for static caravans that you get gives you the level of cover needed to protect your investment may understandably be right up there on your priority list.

So using a caravan insurance specialist to help you access the most suitable static home insurance for you may make very good sense.

There are also points to note before you choose your caravan cover that could help you get suitable insurance at a realistic price.

Find a good location

One risk for a static caravan is damage through flooding and this is why you may find that there are static caravan insurance discounts to be had if you can locate it on a site away from water. So while that sea or lakeside view may be breathtaking, you may pay for it through higher premiums especially if the site has a history of flooding.

Other important factors when choosing a location for your static caravan relate to the security of the site itself both in and out of season and include:

• does it have someone in attendance 24/7?
• is it CaSSOA approved?

Do you want to include contents?

It may seem surprising but when looking for insurance for static caravans, many people tend to underestimate the value of the contents of their static home. For some it may only be when they have to replace stolen items that they realise just how quickly all those small inexpensive things can add up.

While some caravan insurers may exclude items like portable computers or telephones from cover, typically clothes, luggage, audio visual equipment as well as bedding, crockery and cutlery can all be covered by static holiday home insurance.

Awning cover

Your caravan awning is an important part of your equipment. Some policies insure awnings separately in their own right on the policy schedule and may not cover storm damage if this happens when the owner is not present (unless the awning has been stowed).

Discounts for responsible owners

When looking for insurance for static caravans, you may find that some insurers look favourably on owners who are members of a static caravan club. They believe that club members are more likely to pass on tips and adopt good practices, which in turn may mean that they are less likely to need to claim on their policy.

Installing a burglar alarm may sometimes result in static caravan insurance premium discounts.

How will the caravan be used?

One other factor, which you may need to consider when insuring your static caravan is how it is going to be used. Questions you may be asked include:

• is it for family use only?
• are you going to let it out?
• are you going to use it for business?

Not all insurers can provide insurance for static caravans which are used as permanent homes, so it makes sense that you check that your insurer has all of the important details on how you are going to use your static home.