To compare caravan insurance may require a certain degree of experience and knowledge of the marketplace. If you are confident that you know what to compare when looking at caravan insurance cover, then you won’t need to read this!

However, if you don’t know what you are actually comparing or the type of cover you need, then it may be a bit of a fruitless exercise.

Similarly, you may think it easy. Look at a list of prices, pick the cheapest – job done! What could be simpler? However, we don’t see it that way – and if you, then you may need to give us a call so that we can help!

A professional insurance provider such as ourselves has a duty to try and ensure that their client has insurance that is suitable for their needs. To be sure that’s the case it can require looking at a range of characteristics of a potential policy – and certainly not just its price.

The caravan cover

The factors that need to be examined will vary depending upon the type of caravan the policy applies to. However, a sample of general points may be:

• does the policy’s cover match the client’s potential use (eg. continental cover, replacement of contents etc) – in other words, not trying to fit your needs to what a policy provides but the other way around;
• how much flexibility is available in terms of discounts for things such as additional security measures;
• what cover is available for contents (e.g. market value or new-for-old);
• and so on.

It’s only by looking at these things in some detail that one can start to be able to realistically assess the merits of one policy versus another – in other words to compare caravan insurance.

That’s partly also why the concept of cheap caravan insurance may be so hard to define.

Of course in absolute terms, what’s cheap for any one individual may not be cheap for another, but it’s also more than that.

For most people, apart from their home, their caravan is probably one of the most expensive possessions they’ll ever own. Given its value and the potential cost of replacing or radically repairing it, the cost of caravan insurance may pale into insignificance.

That’s why cheapness may sometimes be a deeply misleading concept where caravan cover insurance is concerned.

Our service focuses on finding the appropriate and cost-effective cover for our clients based upon our experience and our understanding of their needs.

So, if you think you may need assistance when you compare caravan insurance then please do not hesitate to contact us. We will only be too pleased to help you find suitable cover that meets your needs as well as your budget.

If you compare caravan insurance offers between providers, you’ll typically have a greater choice and hopefully be able to find a suitable policy for your needs.

It’s as simple as that!

Your caravan type

Obviously, you’ll have a specific type of caravan that typically falls into a category of one of the following:

• statics (caravans permanently located on a single site and used for holidays or lettings etc);
• tourers (typically a towed mobile caravan);
• trailer tents (a trailer that contains some form of integral erectable tent);
• motorhomes (where the accommodation is an integral part of the vehicle).

However, within these categories there are typically many subtleties and variations by individual caravan insurance provider.

That’s why it may be useful or even important to compare caravan insurance before making a purchase or renewal decision.

The variations

The things to look out for when you’re trying to compare caravan insurance will vary considerably depending upon your caravan type.

However, typically it’s a good idea to look at things such as:

• what do the polices offer with respect to contents cover – new for old or market value protection;
• what excess does the policy carry (that’s the amount you may have to pay towards the costs of any claims);
• what special conditions are applied (e.g. some motorhome policies won’t cover drivers younger than 25);
• what exclusions are being listed – such as not covering external fixtures and fittings of the caravan etc;
• what sort of service is available – does the provider appear to be a customer-service orientated organisation;
• what sort of expertise is offered – is the provider a specialist in caravan insurance or a general insurance company that offers caravan cover.

All these points may prove very important to you if you have a problem and need to make a claim.

The business of money

Of course, price isn’t exactly a trivial consideration either.

There’s no doubt that many of us are attracted immediately to the lowest headline figure – but there may be dangers in that if you blindly go ahead and buy without first checking that the caravan cover gives you what you need. .

Saving a few pounds on the caravan insurance premium may not be such a good idea if it results in a policy that’s less suitable for your particular circumstances and caravan usage.

It’s typically advisable to keep a healthy balance between the desire to pay less and the need for good cover. The good news is that competitively-priced insurance for caravans is available that can offer suitable protection.

Being analytical

So, if you’re looking for any form of caravan insurance in the UK or just approaching your annual renewal, being analytical and selective may be advisable.

To compare caravan insurance quotes may take little effort if you use a service such as ours and you may be grateful you did so in the future.

If you are used to shopping around to get a good deal, you may consider applying the same tactic to your touring or static caravan cover. If you want to compare caravan insurance, you may wish to consider what is available under the following headings to make sure that you are getting insurance that suits your needs.

The price
Looking at the price may not be as simple as lining up quotes and picking the lowest. Instead, you may wish to consider also which policy offers you value for money.
Factors you may take into account may include:

• whether any security discounts are available. Some insurers offer club discounts (for example, if you are a member of the Caravan Club), or take into account extra security measures you may have had fitted. For a touring caravan, you may find that hitchlocks and wheel clamps are expected in any event. If you have fitted anything over and above that, mention it to your provider;
• whether discounts are available for caravans stored on particular sites. If your caravan is stored on a site that is known to be well maintained and security patrolled, you may find that providers may offer a discount; and
• the geographical limits of the policy. Will your cover follow you around the world, if that is where you are going? If you intend to go outside of Europe, you may wish to check that this is included when you compare caravan insurance.

The cover
Another aspect when you compare caravan insurance is the cover that is available. How do the providers’ lists of insured risks compare? Providers may vary, but the risks often covered may typically include:

• storm;
• flood;
• fire;
• malicious damage (do note that not all providers will offer this cover, but we do!);
• theft or attempted theft; and
• earthquake.

Whilst you may not be holidaying in a place that is well known for earthquakes, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Contents
If you added up the value of everything in your suitcase and your caravan, you may be surprised at how much it is all worth. Not only is the value important, but the hassle of replacing everything if it were stolen or damaged could really take the edge off your holiday!

Contents insurance may be offered as part of your caravan cover. If you take valuable things with you on your travels, you may wish to revise this practice or check the details of the policy. Some providers have maximum limits for single items, so you may wish to arrange alternative cover for them.

Your conclusion
Finally, when you compare caravan insurance you may wish to use the level of service provided to influence your final decision. How long does each provider give you to make a claim? Have the staff been helpful with any questions you have had so far? At Cover4caravans we pride ourselves on providing a first class service from the moment you visit our website or give us a call, right through the quotation process, and throughout the life of your policy. And should you ever need to make a claim, we will help make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

When you have phoned around or collected a few quotes on the internet, your next task may be to compare caravan insurance policies. Whether your caravan is a touring, static caravan or a motorhome, there are some questions that may be useful to ask about the cover available.

How much is it?
The price of caravan cover insurance may be the first thing that jumps out at you when you are collecting quotes. But the first price that is quoted to you may not be the most competitive rate available from that particular provider. When you compare caravan insurance offers you may wish to enquire whether discounts are available for:

• caravan club membership. Why not take advantage of your club membership and see whether the organisation you have joined has negotiated a discount for its members;
• security measures. Some insurers may insist that you fit a wheel clamp and hitchlock as the bare minimum, but you may be entitled to a discount if you have more advanced and more effective forms of locks or alarms in place;
• no claims discount.

What cover will you get for your money?

The list of risks covered by a caravan insurance policy may seem long and frightening, and both you and your insurer hope that none of them will affect you. However, it may be worth reviewing the list of insured perils when you compare caravan insurance quotes, to get an idea of how the different insurers measure up.

A typical policy may cover:

• fire;
• flood;
• earthquake;
• storm;
• malicious damage;
• accidental damage; and
• theft.

Policies may cover both the contents and the structure of the caravan, although you may wish to check the exclusions and limitations that apply. For instance, claims for a single item under the contents cover may be limited to a particular amount, which may be worth bearing in mind if you are considering taking pricy items with you on holiday.

Other terms and conditions that may be worth reading carefully include what the insurer expects of you. For example, if you have a static caravan, winter cover may only be available if you drain the heating system, to reduce the risk of damage caused by water in the pipes.

Similarly, when you compare caravan insurance quotes you may wish to look at the finer details like the excess different providers put on claims. An excess is effectively the lowest claim an insurer will consider. If your caravan suffers damage that costs less than that amount to repair, the cost will have to come from your own funds.

What can we do for you?

If you are looking for insurance caravan comparisons and want to speak to someone rather than compare caravan cover online, our staff can help you compare caravan insurance policies. With our friendly and efficient service, our UK based team can discuss your caravan cover options, finding you specialist cover that gives you the protection you need and at a price that won’t upset your bank manager!

It’s not always easy is it? Trying to compare caravan insurance can sometimes be tricky and it’s possible to find yourself floundering in a sea of confusing terminology, conditions and exclusions etc.

Here are a few thoughts that may help.

Comparing apples with apples

You can’t compare an apple to a pear.

So the first thing that may be useful is to avoid getting hypnotised by the headline price in advertisements.

That’s because caravans come in many different types, shapes and sizes.

Caravan insurance providers typically divide up their products to cater for different types of caravan and situations. To really compare caravan insurance you need to be clear what type of caravan you have and what the insurance provider offers for that particular market.

Generally, your caravan will come under one of several categories from an insurance viewpoint:

• a static – typically permanently located on a site and occupied by you for a few weeks or months per year during the holiday seasons;
• a mobile or tourer – usually moved around frequently when attached to your motor vehicle and sometimes unhitched in caravan parks;
• a motorhome – an all-in-one vehicle that contains your accommodation;
• a park home – a dwelling that is permanently located on a site and occupied by you as your home for most or all of the year;
• trailer tents – a tent that is stored within a towed trailer.

So if you’re trying to compare caravan insurance, when looking at a headline price in an advertisement, it’s advisable to make sure that it applies to your sort of caravan.

Why the differences?

Each of the above types will have a certain risk profile that is different to the others.

Perhaps the most obvious example is the tourer – clearly you are far more likely to be at risk of a road traffic accident in the case of a tourer than if you have a static caravan.

The differences within these categories will, of course, influence the premium you pay for your insurance.

To compare caravan insurance – exclusions and conditions

Any caravan cover insurance will inevitably contain a list of things it will not cover as well as stating conditions that you’ll need to comply with to avoid invalidating your insurance.

These will vary by insurance provider and a close comparison may help you decide which insurance is possibly suitable for you.

Potential things to look for include:

• is contents cover provided on a new-for-old or market value basis?
• what discounts are offered for things such as membership of caravan clubs, parking on approved and secure sites, fitting security devices etc ? (Note that some of these may be obligatory and a condition of cover in some cases);
• does the cover include awnings and other external fitments – even if conditions apply?

All these things are as important as those big-headline prices in the advertisements.

Specialisation

It may also be worth trying to take into account whether or not a generalist provider or a specialist in caravan insurance UK is supplying the insurance.

A specialist may have the experience that allows them to identify your requirements and provide the most appropriate recommendation for your particular situation.

So, it is possible to compare caravan insurance if you take it systematically. You may save yourself some money as a result!