We’ve checked out E&L caravan insurance, which says it will offer up to 35% off its touring and static caravan insurance policies if you buy online. Our review and analysis give you the lowdown.
Whether you have a static or a touring caravan, you’ll want to ensure it is properly protected. E&L can cover both, there’s a range of cover levels to suit different budgets. Here’s what else we think you should know about this insurer.
Caravan Guard caravan insurance
- Up to 25% off no claims discount
- Rated 5-star for cover by research firm Defaqto
- Range of cover includes static and touring caravan insurance
- Extended European cover - up to 240 days
Who is E&L?
E&L, or The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company, provides a range of personal and specialist financial products such as caravan, boat, bicycle, pet, horse and wedding insurance, amongst others.
Its caravan insurance caters to both touring and static caravans.
E&L, which has been going for more than 70 years, is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited.
What types of caravan insurance are available?
- Touring caravan insurance. This is relevant for anyone towing a caravan on the roads for leisure. This is not a legal requirement but worth considering to keep a caravan protected whilst being towed. E&L offers four different types of touring caravan insurance to suit a range of budgets.
- Static caravan insurance. This type of insurance is best suited to a caravan that is permanently fixed in one place. Although this is not a legal requirement, most holiday parks will require a basic level of protection in the form of caravan liability insurance. E&L offers one type of static caravan insurance policy.
What levels of caravan insurance does E&L offer?
For static caravan insurance, there’s only one level but for touring caravans, there are four levels:
- Vanguard 1. This is the most basic cover option and protects against fire and theft, public liability cover up to £1 million, personal accident cover up to £7,500, new for old cover up to 1 year, family cover and 120 days of European cover. It doesn’t include storm or flood damage or accidental damage.
- Vanguard 2. A mid-level policy that includes accidental damage, 180 days of European cover and public liability cover up to £1.25 million.
- Vanguard 3. An increased mid-level option that provides 220 days of European cover, public liability cover up to £1.75 million and protection against fire and theft, storm and flood and accidental damage.
- Vanguard 4. This is the highest level of cover offering protection against fire and theft, storm and flood and accidental damage and increased cover including 240 days of European cover and public liability cover up to £2 million.
What is covered under my E&L caravan policy?
| Cover benefits | Vanguard 2 | Vanguard 3 | Vanguard 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire and Theft | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Storm and flood | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accidental Damage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| New for old | 2 year | 3 year | 5 year |
| European use | 180 days | 220 days | 240 days |
| Personal accident cover | £12,500 | £17,500 | £22,500 |
| Accommodation/replacement hire | £800 | £1,250 | £1,750 |
| Recovery and delivery costs | £650 | £850 | £1,050 |
| Driver cover | £400 | £600 | £800 |
| Public liability cover | £1.25m | £1.75m | £2m |
| Family cover | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
- Accidental loss or damage
- New for old up to five years
- Alternative accommodation up to £500
- Removal and delivery up to £750
- Key and lock cover up to £150
- Freezer food up to £100
- Personal accident cover up to £15,000
- Public liability cover up to £2 million
Those choosing to pay every four weeks via E&L’s Lunar Monthly policy are likely to see increased premiums compared to making one, full payment or paying each calendar month. However, there are increased cover limits to certain benefits, including personal accident cover and public liability cover.
Check your policy details carefully to ensure you have the right cover for your needs.
Optional extras
E&L doesn’t offer any optional extras to bolt onto a caravan policy.
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General exclusions
E&L has some general exclusions that apply:
- When your caravan is being used for a purpose not included under your policy
- Mechanical or electrical breakdown
- Depreciation of your caravan
- General wear and tear
- Manufacturing defects
- Rust, corrosion or any gradual deterioration
How to save on your caravan insurance policy with E&L?
- Increase security. Fit security alarms and immobilisers to deter thieves. Fitting a security camera or tracking device may also be a good idea.
- Increase the excess. Agreeing to pay a bigger voluntary excess could make your overall premium cheaper. But remember that your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than your excess. So be careful about making it too high, as it could leave you out of pocket if damage occurs.
- Increase safety. Installing devices such as electronic anti-snaking devices, axle wheel locks to the caravan chassis or tyre pressure monitoring systems to caravan tyres, could result in additional discounts.
- Join a club. Savings could be made by becoming a member of the Caravan Club.
- Buy online. You could save up to 35% on your premium by choosing to pay for your E&L caravan insurance online.
- Multi-policy discount. If you already have two or more other policies with E&L, you could be entitled to a multi-policy discount.
What is my excess?
Your insurance excess is the amount of money you have to pay towards a claim. Your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than this amount.
A voluntary excess is normally an amount set by you when taking out a policy. You’ll have the option of adding or increasing a voluntary excess, which could in turn reduce your premium.
Meanwhile, a compulsory excess amount might vary depending on the age and standard of your caravan or your driving experience.
E&L has an excess of £129 on all policies.
You’ll find details about any compulsory or voluntary excesses in your policy document.
What is the claims process for E&L?
You can make a claim by visiting the help and information section of the E&L website. Once there, you will need to complete and submit an initial short form, which will then generate a link to the actual claims form.
You will then need to print this out, complete it and either fax it to 03300 241 971 or post it back to E&L at the following address:
Equine & Livestock Insurance Company Ltd
PO Box 100
Great Ouseburn
York
YO26 9SS
If you have difficulties finding the suitable claim form relating to your claim online, you may call 03300 243 438 for further assistance. This line is open Mondays – Fridays 8am-7pm and Saturdays 9am – 12pm.
You’ll need to have your insurance policy details as well as all facts about any incident to hand.
It’s important that you let your insurer know about an incident as soon as possible, even if it’s not your fault. A delay in reporting an incident or failure to report it could result in a rejected claim later on.