The ultimate guide to caravan insurance
Whether you’re a new or experienced caravan owner, you know all too well what a substantial investment a caravan is. Caravan life is both exciting and highly-rewarding, but as well as being expensive to buy in the first place, the cost of running and maintaining a caravan can quickly add up, too.
Among these costs is caravan insurance—a layer of protection you should consider to ensure you, your family, and your friends can enjoy happy holidays long into the future.
You’ll find all the information you need on caravan insurance on this page, whatever stage of the caravan journey you’re at. So, even if you’re not quite there yet, and you’re still weighing up whether buying a caravan is the right choice for you, this page will arm you with the knowledge you need to make a more informed decision.
Can't wait to find out how much your caravan insurance could cost?
Table of contents
- What is caravan insurance?
- What does caravan insurance cover?
- How much does caravan insurance cost?
- Why is caravan insurance important?
- Static caravan insurance
- What is static caravan insurance?
- What does static caravan insurance cover?
- Touring caravan insurance
- What is touring caravan insurance?
- What does touring caravan insurance cover?
- Lodge, cabin and chalet insurance
- What is lodge, cabin and chalet insurance?
- What does lodge, cabin and chalet insurance cover?
What is caravan insurance?
Caravan insurance is a form of financial protection that acts as a safeguard for you and your caravan against the various risks associated with caravan ownership.
Whatever type of caravan you have, life as an owner is very rewarding. Be it going back to your beloved holiday park year after year to spend time in your static or taking your touring caravan on the road to explore different locations across the UK and abroad, caravan life presents a plethora of opportunities for those lucky enough to own one. But of course, it’s not without its fair share of risk.
As a responsible caravan owner, you should be aware of and make provisions for various risks. For example, issues like theft and damage are both common risks associated with caravan ownership, and could leave you severely out of pocket without the right protection in place.
However, caravan insurance is specifically designed to protect against these risks and more. Although not a legal requirement like car insurance, many caravan owners choose to protect themselves and their caravans with specialist caravan insurance. This gives them peace of mind that they would be covered should the worst happen.
Why should I consider caravan insurance?
There are several reasons why you may consider caravan insurance as a caravan owner. Firstly, ask yourself, “Could you afford to replace your caravan or defend yourself against a hefty third-party claim without financial help?”
If the answer to that is no, you may want to consider caravan insurance.
The freedom of owning a caravan is a major attraction for buyers and would-be buyers. However, with such freedom also comes an element of risk—and, of course, things can and do go wrong from time to time.
One of the most obvious risks—caravan theft—is on the rise. In fact, our research shows that more than 1,600 caravans have been reported stolen in the UK over the last three years, with a steady increase of reported cases year on year. However, the actual number of caravans stolen annually is expected to be much higher than this, as it’s believed many caravan theft cases go unreported.
Caravans, their accessories, and the equipment and contents kept inside them are often prime targets for thieves. However, caravan insurance can step in to protect you should you become a victim of theft.
Another risk caravans are susceptible to is damage, be it accidental or malicious. Given their often-high price point, caravans can be expensive to repair or replace.
As a responsible caravan owner, you should also consider your impact on other caravan users and members of the general public, too. For example, your caravan could cause damage to somebody else’s property or personal possessions, which again could result in you having to fork out for repairs or to settle a third-party claim.
Although caravan insurance is not required by law in the UK, these reasons explain why many caravan owners choose to protect themselves and why you may wish to consider doing the same. Get a quote today to see how much your protection could cost, or read more about what caravan insurance through Ripe covers in our Insurance Booklets for statics and tourers.
What are the most common caravan insurance claims?
Accidental damage is by far the most common caravan insurance claim made by Ripe policyholders. Whatever type of caravan you own, there are various instances in which accidental damage can occur. For example, bad weather, careless behaviour, or issues with towing can all lead to your caravan being accidentally damaged and you needing to make a claim as a result.
Theft is another cause for many caravan insurance claims. In fact, it’s the second most common caravan-related claim made by Ripe policyholders, behind accidental damage. Caravans are often left unattended for large periods of time, particularly during the winter months, which sadly makes them prime targets for both opportunistic and planned theft.
Problems like theft or damage can happen at any time. So, it’s perhaps unsurprising that some of the most common caravan insurance claims come as a result of one of these two issues.
Our research shows that more than 1,600 caravans have been reported stolen in the UK in the last three years, but it’s not just the caravans themselves that are potentially vulnerable to theft. Your caravan accessories, such as awnings, are also a common target. Their often-high price point makes them attractive to thieves who intend to resell them for profit.
Many caravan owners keep valuable items and other possessions in their properties, too, which, of course, can provide a further incentive to thieves looking to pounce.
When you take out a caravan insurance policy, you do so in the hope that you’ll never need to make a claim, as your worst caravan fears hopefully won’t ever come to fruition. However, keeping your caravan safe and in tip-top condition at all times can be a difficult task, and the reality is that you’ll likely encounter at least one problem—even if it’s a small one—at some point during your time as a caravanner.
What does caravan insurance cover?
Caravan insurance is designed to protect you against the risks associated with owning a caravan. But the risks you face as a caravan owner will depend on your individual circumstances, such as what type of caravan you have, and how often and where you use it.
That’s why when taking out a caravan insurance policy through Ripe, you’re given the freedom and flexibility to pick and choose what you want to cover.
Caravan insurance typically covers the following as standard:
This is usually theft of the caravan itself but can extend to theft of items kept inside the caravan, depending on the terms of your policy.
Again, this is usually damage to the caravan (both accidental and malicious) but can also extend to damage to contents depending on the policy.
Accidental damage tends to result from adverse weather or unexpected events like fires.
This can help to cover the cost of any claims made against you for issues like injury to another person or third-party property damage.
Depending on what type of caravan you have and how you use it, Ripe allows you to build a bespoke caravan insurance policy tailored to your specific needs.
How much Public Liability cover should I consider?
Although caravan owners are not required by law to have Public Liability insurance, it’s something owners may want to consider to protect themselves against third-party claims for issues like injury or damage.
Some caravan sites and holiday parks may also require you to have a certain level of Public Liability cover in place before allowing you on-site. The last thing you’d want is to arrive for a family holiday and realise you can’t access your destination, so always check this beforehand.
If you choose to take out a caravan insurance policy through Ripe, you’ll get £2m worth of Public Liability cover included with that as standard. However, should you feel you require more than this, you can choose to increase the cover amount to either £3m or £5m for an increased premium.
What is ‘new for old’ cover?
‘New for old’ is a form of insurance that works on a ‘like-for-like’ replacement basis. It means that should you ever need to make a claim for loss, theft, or damage, you may be able to replace your lost, damaged, or stolen item with a brand-new one of the equivalent value.
If your caravan is either damaged beyond repair or stolen, new for old cover means you’ll be reimbursed for the amount it would cost to replace it with a new, equivalent model (provided such a model is available in the UK).
Should you choose to take out a caravan insurance policy through Ripe, your caravan will be covered on a new for old basis if it’s less than 10 years old (for statics, lodges, cabins, and chalets). For touring caravans, cover extends to those up to 15 years old (provided they were purchased brand new).
If your caravan is older than this when you make a claim, you could expect to be covered based on its current market value.
How much does caravan insurance cost?
The cost of caravan insurance can vary depending on the type of caravan you wish to insure, the age of the caravan, its monetary value, and what security measures you have in place.
The quickest way to check how much your caravan insurance could cost through Ripe is to get a free online quote. When you do so, we’ll ask a few questions about you and your caravan to get a better understanding of your requirements and use this to provide a breakdown of the costs involved.
You can also customise your policy through Ripe by only adding the specific cover you need, giving you a personalised policy and peace of mind for a great price.
Why is caravan insurance important?
“Just as home and car insurance are important, caravan insurance should also be considered. Given the value of your caravan and the risks of potential damage or accidents occurring, having the right insurance will ensure that you have financial protection.”
Charlotte Hughes, Product Development Manager at Ripe.
Although it is not a legal requirement, caravan insurance is important for a number of reasons.
Throughout this guide, we go into the complexities of caravan insurance and what it covers. However, above all, caravan insurance is important because it provides financial protection and peace of mind that you’d be covered should the worst happen. This means you wouldn’t lose out on the substantial investment you’ve made in buying your caravan.
Caravan insurance can come to your rescue in various scenarios, such as if you’re unfortunate to have your caravan stolen or if it gets badly damaged in bad weather or a fire. It can also help you should your caravan be damaged maliciously.
Having caravan insurance can demonstrate that you are a careful and responsible caravan owner, as it shows that you have considered the potential risks involved with caravan life. But for all the consideration that goes into things that can go wrong for you and your caravan, it’s important not to forget that your caravan and associated activities can also potentially put other people in harm’s way.
Let’s say your caravan causes another person to have an accident while you’re towing, or damages somebody else’s property. This could cost thousands in repairs. Caravan insurance can help you here, too—not to mention it can also sometimes be an entry requirement for some caravan holiday parks.
Static caravan insurance
A static caravan is a type of holiday home that is permanently housed on a holiday park. It remains there all year round, regardless of whether it’s in use or not. Static caravans are usually built in factories before being transported as single units to your chosen holiday park.
As the name would suggest, static caravans are not designed to be moved around. Therefore, they can benefit from more permanent fittings and facilities than a caravan designed with the road and travel in mind.
The excitement of owning a static caravan is a major attraction to buyers, but housing your caravan on a holiday site miles away from home can, of course, carry risks.
You’ll find all the information you need on static caravan insurance in this section.