subject: Caravan Insurance - Are You Adequately Insured? [print this page] Many people in the UK who go out and purchase a caravan don't for a minute stop to consider whether or not they're even permitted to tow a caravan on their existing license, and it's only when they get stopped by the police that they discover they've just broken the law.
If you passed your driving test prior to 1997 then you're automatically entitled to tow a caravan, but if you sat your test after 1997, you may not be allowed to tow a caravan. This will however depend on what type of vehicle you'll be using, and also the weight of the caravan. As such, it pays to verify this before you head out onto the roads, because if you're involved in an accident, your insurance company isn't going to settle any claims if it can be proven you were towing your caravan illegally.
Once you know you are entitled to tow your caravan, you'll doubt want to insure it as well. The great news is, most insurance companies offer what's known as a comprehensive group policy. Basically, this sort of policy covers your vehicle and your caravan, thus meaning it's not necessary for you to take out two individual policies. Interestingly enough, the demand for caravan insurance is higher than it's ever been, but of course this is hardly surprising given the amount of money many people pay for their caravan.
If you're insuring a touring caravan, you'll obviously want to know you're fully covered against things such as a collision. You'll also want to know that your insurance company will replace your caravan should you be unfortunate enough to have it stolen. Most people who own caravans nowadays furnish them to the same standards as their home, so of course you'll need to make sure all the contents are also covered in your policy.
Accidents and Weather Damage:
Irrespective of whether you own a touring caravan or whether you own a static caravan, both can be severely damaged by the weather, and as such, you'll need insurance which recognises this. Many static caravans have been damaged because of nearby trees being uprooted in strong winds, and because this type of damage is usually extensive, repairs are not always possible. Once again, your insurance policy needs to cover all eventualities.
Caravan Theft:
Many people who own static caravans believe their caravan is in no danger of being stolen. Admittedly, a touring caravan is more like to be stolen than a static van, but that still doesn't mean static caravans never go missing. The number of caravans, static and touring, that go missing in the UK each year has been increasing year on year.
For this reason, caravan owners need to take whatever steps are necessary in or to minimise the chances of this happening to them. This increase in thefts has also resulted in insurances charging more for caravan insurance, but at the same time, most providers are willing to offer substantial discounts to those who have gone the extra mile to deter thieves. Wheel clamps, hitch locks, alarms, tracking devices, and security lighting are all things which the insurance companies look for when you apply for cover. The more difficult it is to steel your caravan, the less you'll pay for cover.
If you only use you caravan once or twice a year, you should also consider limited mileage cover as this in itself can save you quite a bit of money. There are many things you can do in order to keep the cost of cover down, but to be perfectly honest, it all starts by doing some research beforehand. If you're willing to invest a few hours of your time to do research, you'll almost certainly find affordable caravan insurance cover.
by: Tom Jones
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