Cheap caravan insurance – does it really exist?

All of us want to get as much bang for our buck as we can and will look for the cheapest deal possible. However, if you are looking for cheap caravan insurance, it does make sense to ensure you know exactly what the caravan cover entails before you buy. A good deal on your caravan insurance should not be compromised by unsuitable cover.

So, how do you know that the cheap caravan insurance you are considering is also offering you the most suitable cover? The exact nature of your caravan insurance and the cover it provides will depend upon a number of factors, not the least of which is the type of caravan you have.

Static caravans

Static caravans typically stay put in one location but they may also contain more items of equipment and home comforts than a typical tourer. This fact makes them a little more vulnerable to certain types of risks though perhaps less for others.

Examples of risks that may be more common are burglary, theft and vandalism. This may arise because your caravan may be empty for long periods of time and the additional home comforts and equipment may make it more attractive to thieves.

It is for this reason that you may need specialist static caravan cover and why insurers may insist that your caravan is:

• parked on a supervised and specialised site that has full services connected;
• fitted with a number of security devices including immobilisers, locks and alarms.

Although typically the caravan insurance will cover your static holiday home even if the site has closed for the winter, you may be obliged to ensure that your water and heating systems have all been fully drained down while it is unoccupied during this time.

Motorhomes

This form of caravan may be very prone to mobile theft – ie. being driven off quickly.

As it is used extensively for touring, it is in traffic more frequently and therefore vehicle-to-vehicle collisions may be more likely. This means that classic third party and fully comprehensive cover may also be both advisable and in part, a legal requirement.

Your cheap caravan insurance may typically need to cover such risks. In some cases the motorhome insurance provider may once again either insist upon certain conditions being adopted or offer financial incentives through lower premiums for things including:

• the fitting of tracking devices;
• the use of immobilisers (other than the engine);
• restricting young drivers or the number of insured drivers;
• reducing the number of times you take your caravan out of the country (or asking that you get continental cover for your caravan).

It is also worth noting that caravan insurance for motorhomes typically may not cover the use of the motorhome for commuting purposes.

Touring (towed) caravans

This sort of caravan is also vulnerable to vehicle collisions and road traffic accidents.

Given that many people like parking their caravans in quiet rural locations, they may also be liable to vandalism and theft of contents.

Your cheap caravan insurance policy will need to cope with all these risks plus others.

Some touring insurance policies will insist upon the use of a hitchlock and wheel clamp when the caravan is actually unhitched. The policy may contain restrictions relating to the ages and numbers of approved drivers on the policy.

In the case of all caravan types, it may be worthwhile paying special attention to accessories such as that favoured sun-awning. If you’re away from the caravan and your awning is stolen or damaged, it may not be covered unless it had been taken down or stowed away.

Getting it right

Your caravan is important to you and so should be your caravan insurance. While cheap caravan insurance may seem like a good idea at the time, do make sure that you understand fully what the cover entails. If you don’t and something goes wrong, it could cost you a lot more in the long run.