As the Easter holiday season approached, once again the news seemed to be full of airline strikes, rail disruptions and worries about the costs of overseas holidays. The weakness of sterling against many other currencies plus various economic uncertainties, have all hardly helped generate a positive mindset in the run-up to Spring.

Yet the caravanning community seems to be going against these trends and delivering good news, reports Caravanning News*. Caravanners seem to be already planning to enjoy themselves through 2010!

Caravanning as a holiday type offers many attractions in terms of certainties. You’re pretty much independent and it’s only if you’re planning to go overseas that you need to rely on another party (the ferry company).

That’s maybe why caravanning seems to be booming and the Caravan Club are already saying that they’re seeing a dynamic level of 2010 bookings*.

It’s also good news for large sections of the rural and tourist economy in the UK. If people holiday anywhere in the UK then it’s good news for UK tourism – but caravanners in particular often take their spending directly into the heart of the rural communities generating much-needed income for them.

Last year the figures indicate that caravanners in the UK generated around £400m in spending on their holidays, excluding what they paid out in site fees**. The hope is that the figure in 2010 may be higher and people in the countryside are preparing to give caravanners a particularly warm welcome.

Of course, it’s a great time of year for thinking about caravans and getting them ready for the season ahead. Cleaning and checking all the bits-n-pieces is always exciting – even the annual review of things such as your caravan insurance cover.

This is also perhaps why the campaign to move to Daylight Saving Time*** is also getting a boost as people start wishing they had more daylight hours available in the evenings to get their caravans ready and more importantly, to use them.

So, as the last of the snow and the very hard winter of 2009/10 hopefully drift off into history and the stuff of legend, we can anticipate a great year ahead for those taking caravanning holidays.

*http://www.caravanningnews.net/?p=803

** http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/about-us/press-centre/press-releases/2010/feb/the-figures

*** http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/29/lighter-later-climate-change-campaign

Caravan insurance cover means that one of your favourite assets – your holiday home – is typically covered from the risks of damage or destruction caused by storms, fire, floods and theft. The exact range of risks varies from provider to provider. However, getting a good deal on your caravan cover means more than just finding a policy that meets these basic requirements. Good quality caravan cover must be appropriate, affordable and user friendly.

A policy that meets your needs
Whether you have a static or a touring caravan, a policy that meets your needs is worth its weight in gold. For example, if you have a touring caravan that you like to take outside of the UK on a regular basis, make sure that the cover allows this with continental cover. If you think you might exceed the level of foreign travel permitted by your caravan insurance cover, mention this to your insurer. If you do not and subsequently attempt to make a claim when you are overseas, the policy may not pay out.

On the other hand if you have a static caravan, you might leave it empty in the winter time, preferring to use it only during the summer. Would you insurer withdraw cover for these cold winter months? Some insurers may keep the caravan on risk, but subject to certain terms and conditions such as you draining down the heating systems etc.

A policy that fits your budget
When it comes to caravan insurance cover, the most competitively priced policy might not necessarily be the most suitable deal for you. So never just accept the first quote you are given – shop around or let us do it on your behalf.

Insurers often offer discounts to careful caravanners with no claims bonuses and to those with extra security devices on their vans. Likewise, caravanning clubs use their bargaining power to secure valuable discounts for their members, so if you have joined such an organisation be sure to exploit the fact.

Aside from discounts, there are other issues to take into account. You may for example wish to compare the excesses on the various policies you are considering. A high excess generally means a lower premium, but this is subject to the problem that you will not be able to make a claim under the policy unless it is for a substantial sum. A low excess on the other hand typically has the opposite effect – pushing the price up by making it easier to claim.

A policy that treats customers well
Insurers and customers alike are united in the hope that you do not have to make a claim. But if you do, would the claims handlers of the insurance company be available at a time that was convenient to suit you? Is your caravan insurance cover provider well experienced in the travel and leisure industry, and do they understand your concerns? The answers to these questions are important when you make your decision.