Caravan Insurance

Caravan insurance offers you financial protection against loss or damage to your caravan. Whether you’ve got a touring caravan, or own a static caravan or park home, we can protect your investment from a wide range of eventualities.

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Whilst caravan insurance is not a legal requirement it is important to note that your car insurance may only offer a basic level of third-party liability for your trailer tent or touring caravan. If you own a static caravan many holiday parks will ask that you have at least a basic level of caravan liability insurance if you want to keep your caravan there.

It is important to protect yourself from the risks that can come with owning a caravan, such as theft, accidental damage, storm damage, and fire. Having this cover will give you peace of mind and could save you a great deal of stress and money should anything happen.

Caravan insurance can cover against accidental damage to your caravan, whether you have a static caravan, touring caravan or trailer tent, and can even protect you against damage when towing your touring caravan or trailer tent.

You can also extend your accidental damage cover for touring caravans to cover you for mishaps while you’re on site, such as damaged awnings.

Your caravan insurance policy will also protect you from theft, fire damage and third-party liability so you can relax and enjoy your holiday.

Insurance companies will assess a wide range of factors when calculating insurance premiums. There aren’t a set rules that all insurers follow that will determine your premium, as all risks are assessed differently. As a general rule of thumb, the following factors will usually have the most influence in the cost of your insurance:

• The valuation of your caravan and associated items
• How you use the caravan
• The type of cover selected
• Total no claims discount

Market value is the value of the caravan taking into account its type, age, wear and tear, and general condition in the open market at the time of the loss. Claims are settled on a cash settlement basis and based on the current market value of the items insured.

Caravans typically lose value over time, so when choosing market value cover, it is important to consider what the value of the caravan is today in its current condition, not if you were to purchase a new model.

New for old covers you for a brand-new like for like replacement of your caravan. New for old requires you to insure for the value of a new caravan of a similar or same make and model. Insured total loss claims are settled on a replacement basis and based on the equivalent new replacement cost of the items you choose to insure.

As newly manufactured caravans typically increase in value over time in line with inflation, the price you purchased your caravan for, may not be the current new value. It is important to ensure you are insuring for the full and true replacement cost the latest version of your caravan’s model, or closest equivalent model at today’s prices.

Checking your caravan site/storage locations security measures.

Locations that are more secure will often lead to a reduced premium. It is also important to ensure that all security measures, such as gates or barriers, perimeter fencing or CCTV, declared on your policy are in place to avoid potentially invalidate your policy.

Getting an up-to-date valuation for your caravan.

The cost to purchase new and second-hand caravans can change each year. What you paid for your caravan, or the first valuation you provided when insuring your caravan, may not be the correct current value to insure for. Whether your cover is market value or new for old will determine what value you need to check. The cost for caravans can go up as well as down, so having the most up to date value will ensure you are insured for the correct amount and means you’re less likely to be overpaying, or underinsured.

Increasing your excess.

Having a higher excess on your policy can reduce your premium. The excess on your policy is the amount you are required to pay towards a claim before the insurer covers the remaining cost. It is important to consider this before opting to increase your excess, as this will impact any valid claim you make.

Ensuring your insured for the correct usage.

How you use your caravan each year can change. If for example you no longer hire your caravan, ensuring this is updated in your policy can potentially reduce the premium.

Speaking to your insurance provider.

Sometimes, the best way to reduce the cost of your policy is to speak to your insurer. At Towergate, we have over 40 years of experience in the caravan insurance market.

Our experts are on hand to ensure your policy is tailored to your needs, so you have peace of mind that you have the most suitable policy for your needs based on cover, benefits and price.

Yes, providing the location meets our minimum security requirements, we can insure caravans that are permanently sited, kept on a seasonal pitch, or kept in storage. The number of caravans, physical security features such as gates and fences will be factors to look at when considering where to holiday or store your caravan. There is no limitation to the amount of time touring caravan can be kept at one of these locations – we offer cover for touring caravans permanently sited and for towing all year round.

We’ve seen all sorts of makes, models, designs and modifications over the years. In most cases, you’ll find your caravan make within the drop down menu when you get a touring caravan quote, but if isn’t there then give us a quick call on 01242 538 431 and we can confirm whether we can provide cover.

Whilst caravan insurance isn’t a legal requirement, there are many benefits to having your caravan insured.

• Complying with site requirements
• Financial protection
• Emergency support
• Peace of mind

There are though risks associated to not insuring your caravan:

• Financial loss
• Legal liability
• Limited access to sites and parks

Read more in our full article on why you need caravan insurance.

Our caravan insurance policies cover a variety of different risks. Therefore, it's difficult to give an average cost. One way which can help to reduce your caravan's premium however is to ensure that it has adequate security measures in place.

This is dependent on a number of factors related to the type of caravan you own, where you store and take your caravan, and what you want to be covered by your policy. If you are unsure what type of cover you need for either your touring caravan, static caravan or trailer tent, call our team of expert advisers and we can talk you through the details so you can make an informed decision.

Generally, you do not need a specific driving licence type to be able to tow a caravan or a trailer, however there a number of factors that can determine whether you can or not. When you obtained your licence, your age and how long you’ve held it for. The weight of your vehicle and the weight of what you’re towing, can all be factors that determine what you can legally tow.

Typically speaking, the heavier the item you are towing, the more likely there is a specific requirement to have a certain type of driving licence. Younger drivers or drivers with less experience may also have restrictions on their licence in what they can tow. If you are unsure of limits that may apply to you, you should always check with the DVLA before towing.

If you passed your driving test after 1st January 1997 on a standard driving license, if your trailer is less than 750kg you can tow with a vehicle that is within the maximum authorized mass (MAM) of 3,500kg, if your trailer is over 750kg the combined trailer and vehicle MAM must be no more than 3,500kg. If in doubt, visit this helpful government site on towing.

This will depend on what cover you have selected. Home contents insurance typically only cover items kept within the home, so contents cover on your home insurance is unlikely to cover contents in your caravan. You would need to ensure you have cover for your contents on your caravan policy. If you are unsure, speak to your insurer to check what is covered.

Caravan insurance and motorhome insurance are two different types of insurance. It is a legal requirement to insure a motorhome, whereas caravans do not need to legally be insured. We have bespoke products for static caravans, touring caravans and motorhomes.

The full list of exclusions will be laid out in your policy documents. Two examples of common exclusions are:

• Touring caravan - electronic equipment is generally not covered in our touring caravan and trailer tent policies; however, these devices are often covered under your home insurance so it's worth checking with your provider.
• Static caravan - loss or damage while the structure is unoccupied, unless there is forcible and violent entry into or exit from the structure

Flood

Yes, both static and touring caravan insurance policies typically cover your caravan for flood and storm damage. However, the location of your caravan park or storage location may determine whether there are any additional terms applied to your policy, such as a higher excess, if the insurance provider deems it to be in a high risk area.

Dampness

Whether you are covered for damp will depend on how it has occurred. Loss or damage caused by, or arising from, wear and tear and is normally excluded from cover. If the damp has caused damage due to a build up over time, this would not be covered. - i.e. the policy will not cover claims due to a gradually operating cause.

Yes, we can cover your static caravan or leisure home if you live in it 12 months of the year and is your main residence.

We can only cover touring caravans for personal holiday use.

Yes, this cover is available. If you are taking your touring caravan to Europe, you can extend your insurance policy to cover you. You will need to ensure that the relevant option has been selected on your policy.

Our touring caravan policy has no limits to the duration of trips, or number of trips to Europe.

When selecting European cover, you will covered in the following locations:

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eire (Republic of Ireland), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal (excluding Azores), Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City.

If you intend to leave your caravan abroad, you should always check with your insurer if there are any additional requirements or limitations to cover.

Please see the page for your specific vehicle above to find more details:

• Touring caravan
• Static caravan
• Trailer tent
• Motorhome
• Park home
• Mobile home
• Holiday lodge

There are a variety of different events that could occur, that are covered on our touring caravan policy. Some of those include, but are not limited to:

• Fire, explosion, lightning and earthquake
• Storm and flood
• Malicious acts and/or vandalism
• Theft or attempted theft
• Accidental damage whilst towing
• Emergency removal
• Loss of use due to an insured event up to £2,000

Your insurance policy wording will outline a full summary of what is included in cover, as well as any key exclusions.

It is crucial to look after your caravan’s gas fittings to ensure they run smoothly and safely. Watch our video.

Worn, cracked or balding tyres can lead to increased fuel consumption, poor handling and braking, and even a highly dangerous blow-out when towing.

There are several things you can do to check your tyres to make sure they are in a fit condition for the holidays ahead.

Checking the pressure is an essential step before any long trip, and this should be done when the tyres are cold. Furthermore, you should ensure that the valves are not leaking and the valve cap is properly fitted before setting off.

If you are about to set off on your first trip of the year, then it is crucial to check for any winter damage, especially if you have not used winter wheels to relieve the pressure on the tyres. Check for any bald patches, and make sure the tread depth is at least 1.6mm across the full tread width - this is the minimum Summer legal requirement throughout Europe. You should ensure that the valves are not leaking and the valve cap is properly fitted before setting off.

On the other hand, if you have taken your tourer out for a winter trip, then it's important to check for any salt damage to the tyres that may have been caused by towing when the roads were gritted.

Towergate caravan insurance expert Oliver Babbage has the following advice: "We get a small number of blow-out claims every year and those claims can only be the result of tyre defects of some shape or form. This could be due to the wrong pressure, worn tyres, excessive load or speeding, and they could potentially be quite nasty."

"In the main we get claims relating to damage to caravans, when bits of flailing tyre can put a hole in the caravan just above the wheel arch. Although, sometimes the owner cannot keep the vehicle under control and there are inevitable consequences."

"The owners just need to maintain the tyres on the caravan in the same way that they do for their car. Some people do allow their caravan tyres to endure a longer life than perhaps they should. With caravan tyres, it's important to make sure that they're in good condition, not perished and at the right pressure."

If you would prefer to spread the cost of your policy you have the option of setting up a Direct Debit to pay your premium in equal monthly instalments through our preferred provider, Premium Credit Limited (PCL).

To find out more about PCL and direct debit payments, select Direct Debit.

To understand more about how PCL work together with Towergate, please read our Regulatory Information.

Static Caravans

Excess Protection: Provides cover for the excess that you would have to pay following the successful claim on an insurance policy you have taken out. The types of insurance policy we cover depends on the level chosen.

Key protection: This policy provides you with £1,500 worth of insurance cover in the event that any of your keys are either lost, stolen or damaged. The key benefits within this product:

Cover for locksmith charges, new locks and keys, car hire and onward transport costs.

• Vehicle hire for up to three days if you are stranded or your car is unusable as a result of lost, stolen or damaged keys.
• 24 hour, 365 days a year emergency helpline.
• £100 per day for a maximum of three days for onward transportation if you are stranded due to the loss or theft of your insured keys. There is no excess payable.
• You can make a claim on this policy without affecting your ‘no claims bonus’ on your leisure home insurance policy.

Legal protection: Static Caravan - Legal protection designed to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, if you have to take legal action or face legal action in the following areas:

• Leisure home disputes e.g. a dispute with your site owner
• Employment disputes
• Personal injury claims
• Consumer contract disputes
• Tax protection
• Identity theft assistance
  The key benefits within this product are:
• £50,000 limit
• No excess
• You can even claim back your policy excess on a claim where you're at fault or the other party involved cannot be identified.
  Homecare Emergency: This cover provides 24/7 assistance in the event of certain emergencies, which impact the safety and security of your leisure home, potentially rendering it uninhabitable.

The covered emergencies are:

• Failure of your main source of heating (e.g. your boiler)
• Failure of your electric or gas supply
• Failure of your internal plumbing and drainage
• Roof damage
• Infestation of pests
• Failure of the external windows, doors and locks
• Lost or broken keys
• Touring Caravans

Key protection: This policy provides you with £1,500 worth of insurance cover in the event that any of your keys are either lost, stolen or damaged. The key benefits within this product:

• Cover for locksmith charges, new locks and keys, car hire and onward transport costs.
• Vehicle hire for up to three days if you are stranded or your car is unusable as a result of lost, stolen or damaged keys.
  24 hour, 365 days a year emergency helpline.
• £100 per day for a maximum of three days for onward transportation if you are stranded due to the loss or theft of your insured keys.
• There is no excess payable.
• You can make a claim on this policy without affecting your ‘no claims bonus’ on your leisure home insurance policy.

Legal protection: Touring Caravan legal protection is here to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, if you are involved in a motor accident, face prosecution for a motoring offence, require assistance in a contract dispute regarding the insured caravan or need legal advice.

The key benefits within this product:

• Legal costs and expenses up to £100,000.
• Replacement caravan hire.
• Contract disputes with insured caravan.
• Motor prosecution defence.