Once the leaves start to turn brown and winter moves in, some of us may be a little more inclined to stop thinking about anything other than storing our caravan for the winter. Certainly touring caravan insurance cover might not be something that pops up at the top of our priority list!

Yet maybe the traditional ‘quiet months’ of the caravanning world are an ideal time to start to think about a quick reality check in terms of that touring caravan insurance cover. That way you won’t have to waste good potential ‘on the road’ time when next season arrives!

Things to think about

There’s no sure-fire checklist to adopt but here are a few ideas that may be worth mulling over:

• are you still using the caravan as originally outlined;
• have you added high-value items to the contents or fixtures/fittings;
• have you changed where you keep or store your caravan;
• have you added or removed any significant security features such as trackers or alarms etc;
• do you still (would you wish to) take the caravan out of the UK;
• have you joined (or left) an owner’s association;
• etc?

Hopefully it is obviously the case that if you change your caravan then you would need to notify your insurers, however, that requirement may also apply if you make any significant changes to it or the way you use it.

Subtle change

For example, if you originally took out your cover on the basis that the caravan was garaged when not in use, then if you’ve since demolished you garage and keep the caravan on the public road, you may need to tell your touring caravan insurance cover provider.

Another example might have been that you originally estimated the annual mileage and have never changed it since. If, however, you have since retired and are now doing much higher mileage, then that is something you typically need to discuss in advance with your insurers.

The problem is that big changes are obvious – for example changing your caravan.

However, you have a contract with your insurer that is based upon certain understandings that relate from what you told them about it and how you use it.

If you significantly change those understandings, you may need to re-state the new versions to your insurers in order to maintain your cover.

This need not only relate to things that may increase your premiums. You may have now stopped taking your tourer outside of the UK but still be paying for a policy that includes significant continental cover.

So, before drifting off into winter’s fug, have a quick examination of your touring caravan insurance cover and see if everything is still as it should be!

Touring caravans can give you a fantastic degree of freedom to get around and enjoy your leisure time by exploring the open roads and the great outdoors. You may be even better positioned to enjoy that if you know that you have good touring caravan insurance cover in place to protect you against the unforeseen.

Touring caravan insurance cover typically needs to provide you with a range of protection including:

• collision damage and related road accidents;
• theft of contents when unattended;
• damage due to natural causes while parked etc.

There are though, certain things that you may be able to do that will possibly reduce your costs for such cover.

These may include:

• the fitting of approved hitchlocks and wheel clamps (this may be compulsory in the case of some policies);
• parking your caravan only in approved and secure locations;
• fitting alarms and additional security locks;
• the fitting of a tracking device.

It’s worth remembering also that all caravan insurance UK policies will have their own particular policy terms and conditions, so it is worth reading these carefully so that you fully understand what the caravan cover entails.

For example, if you have an awning fitted to your touring caravan your insurer may require that it is folded and stowed away when you are not in the caravan otherwise your cover against things such as storm damage may be invalidated.

You may also find that certain types of personal possessions, such as cash and credit cards, may not be covered if they’re left in the caravan while it is parked and unattended.

Finding good caravan insurance is essential. Contacting a company that specialises in caravans and caravan insurance will allow you to speak to people that understand not just insurance but also the very specific nature of caravans and their risks. This type of insurance may prove to be critically important to you so dealing with people that are specialists in the field rather than insurance generalists may be a very smart idea.

Whether you are already the proud owner of a touring caravan or are considering purchasing one, getting some advice on the insurance options may be time well spent. Further information on touring caravan insurance cover can be found through the websites and telephone contact facilities of the specialist providers, such as ourselves.