Static caravan insurance

There are currently more than 360,000 static caravans in the UK. If you’re one of the many British families with a caravan holiday home, you may want to consider getting static caravan insurance. Use our guide to see if you need static caravan cover and what to look out for when comparing insurance policies.

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What is static caravan insurance?

Static caravan insurance offers financial reassurance that your caravan will be protected if it’s damaged or destroyed. This kind of cover is targeted at caravans that are located in a fixed place, such as a caravan site or holiday park. The features and cover will be similar to touring caravan insurance, but with some important differences. For example, static caravans aren’t designed to be driven from place to place, so won’t need to be covered for road accidents.

What’s the difference between a static caravan and a touring caravan?

Static caravan insurance covers structures that are permanently fixed in place and cannot be towed. Static caravans are generally sturdier and heavier than touring caravans and are often installed permanently at camping sites, caravan parks or holiday parks.

It’s important to get the right kind of cover. If you have a touring caravan or another type of towed caravan, you’ll need to get touring caravan insurance. This is because taking it on the road may put it at more risk of being damaged.

What does static caravan insurance cover?

Static caravan insurance will typically include, as standard:

• Damage to or destruction of your static caravan as a result of fire, bad weather or other accidents
• Damage or loss as a result of crime

Depending on the policy, it may also cover the following. If any of these are important to you, make sure the insurance covers them before you buy:

• Cover for the caravan’s contents
• Residential cover, if you plan to live in the static caravan
• Public liability, if someone gets hurt while using your caravan
• Damage caused by renters if you let your caravan out

What doesn’t static caravan insurance cover?

The following will typically not be covered by your static caravan insurance:

• Normal wear and tear
• Vermin and insect damage
• Use of your caravan for trading
• Damage due to inadequate security

Does static caravan insurance offer “new-for-old” replacement?

If your static caravan is destroyed or damaged beyond repair, your policy will cover the cost of a replacement caravan. But check the wording carefully to see what type of replacement you’ll get.

• New-for-old cover will pay out for an equivalent, brand-new static caravan. This assumes the full “new” value of the caravan was accurately reflected in your insurance policy.
• Market-value cover will pay out the current market value of your caravan, based on what was stated in your policy.

Does the site my caravan is on make a difference?

Many static caravan owners keep their holiday homes on managed sites. There are 2 main types: holiday caravan sites, which may not be open all year round, or residential sites, which are open all year round and designed for people that live in their caravans. It should be straightforward to get insurance to cover static caravans located on either of these. Make sure you let the insurer know if you plan to live in your caravan. The cover you’ll need will be slightly different than if you plan to use it for holidays.

Most caravan parks will require static caravans located on their site to be covered by at least basic insurance.

If your caravan is on a site that’s registered with the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA), you might get a discount on your insurance policy.

You may also be able to site your caravan on private land, but be aware that you might need planning permission to do so. And some insurers are less willing to cover caravans that aren’t kept on a managed site.

Can I get cover for an older static caravan?

Yes, most insurers are happy to insure older static caravans. However, if your caravan is over a certain age – 15 years with some providers, for example – you may not be able to get new-for-old cover. Instead, you may only be able to get cover for the current market value of your caravan.

What optional extras can I get with static caravan insurance?

Depending on the policy, some of the features below may be included as standard. Others you’ll need to pay extra for.

• Contents cover: To cover damage or theft of your belongings, including freezer contents. This is similar to what you’d get with home contents insurance.
• Home emergency cover: To deal with problems with the electrics, heating or water supply, for example.
• Legal expenses cover: Pays legal costs for disputes or legal problems related to your caravan, such as problems related to the purchase, or property disputes.
• Cover for friends and family: If you want to let people you know use your caravan while you’re not staying there.
• Cover to rent out your static caravan: This will protect against things like accidental damage by guests or loss of rent if it’s an important source of income.
• Key cover: To pay for a locksmith and new caravan keys if yours go AWOL or are stolen.

How much does static caravan insurance cost?

Static caravan insurance costs about £300 on average each year, according to industry experts. However, the cost of your insurance will depend on the value of your caravan and any belongings that are covered, the level of cover and any optional extras.

What do I need to get a quote?

To get a quote, you’ll need to supply some or all of the following details:

• Your personal information
• The make, model, size and age of caravan
• The caravan’s value (either new or current, depending on whether you’re buying new-for-old or market-value cover)
• How you’ll use the caravan – holiday home or residential, plus whether you’ll lend or rent it to others
• Where you’ll keep the caravan, including details of the caravan site if applicable
• Security information
• Value of personal belongings kept in the caravan
• How it’s tethered/anchored

How can I cut the cost of static caravan insurance?

• Increase your excess. You can reduce the size of your premiums by opting to pay a higher voluntary excess in the event you need to make an insurance claim.
• Build your no claims bonus. Insurers will often reward discounts to customers who don’t make a claim after a certain period of time. This is called a no claims bonus and can help reduce the cost of insurance dramatically.
• Get the right level of cover. If you have no intention of renting out your caravan, for example, don’t pay extra for a policy that includes this. But don’t skimp on cover you do need, as it could prove costly in the long run. Check the details of what is and isn’t covered before you hit the buy button.
• Don’t double up on cover. If you have personal possessions cover as part of your regular home insurance, this may mean the personal belongings you keep in your caravan are already insured.
• Check for discounts. If you’re part of a caravan club or keep your caravan at a site that is registered with CaSSOA, you may be eligible for discounted insurance.

Bottom line

New static caravans don’t come cheap and the priciest can set you back the best part of £100,000. Used caravans can cost up to £50,000 or even more. Even if you don’t spend quite this much, your static caravan is likely to be one of the most expensive things you own – and that’s before you take the contents into account. Without insurance, you’ll face the full cost of repairs or replacement if the worst happens. If you don’t want to take this risk, use the tips in our guide to get the right insurance at the right price.

Frequently asked questions

• Will the contents of my caravan be covered?

  Yes, you can choose to cover the items in your caravan, but this may only be available as an optional extra. Make sure you check what is covered under a certain policy before you agree to it. Before you pay extra, check whether your possessions are already covered under your main home insurance. Some home contents insurance policies may already offer cover for the items you have in your static caravan, either as standard or as part of a personal possessions add-on.

• Can I get insurance if I live permanently in my caravan?

  Yes, provided that the caravan is based in a location that the policy covers – such as a caravan park. Not every provider offers cover for residence. Check the terms and make sure you’re clear about your intention to live in the caravan when you apply for static caravan insurance.

• Can I get insurance for a static caravan I keep in my garden?

  If you keep your static caravan on the land around your main home, in the garden or on a driveway, for example, check whether the insurance policy will cover this. Some insurers only offer insurance if you keep your caravan on a licensed caravan site.

• Will my friends and family be insured to use the caravan?

  Potentially. If you want to lend your caravan to friends or family to use while you’re not there, check the small print or ask your insurance provider if this is covered. Some providers may require you to tell them if you’re lending the caravan out as a condition of cover. Others may exclude or charge extra for this cover. Bear in mind, too, that if this is possible, it may only cover lending your caravan free of charge. If you want to rent out your caravan for a fee, this may require a different level of cover.

• What are my rights as a static caravan owner?

  There’s no specific legislation that regulates the static caravan industry. This means that your rights as a static caravan owner will be largely dictated by the contract you sign with the holiday park where you keep your caravan. Read the small print carefully, getting the contract reviewed by a lawyer if possible. Choosing a caravan park that’s regulated by an industry body, such as the National Caravan Council (NCC) or British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA), can boost the protection available. The NCC has a consumer code of practice and a set of minimum standards that its members must follow.

• Do static caravans hold their value?

  Static caravans depreciate in a similar way to cars. Like cars, new caravans depreciate the fastest.

• Do static caravans have a vehicle identification number (VIN)?

  Almost certainly, unless they’re pretty old. Since 1992, all caravans produced in the UK have had VINs. A caravan’s VIN, also known as the chassis number, is a unique identification number stamped on the chassis and sometimes etched on the caravan windows. It’s a way of tracking the registered owner if a caravan is stolen – though admittedly this risk is lower with static caravans than with touring caravans.

Written by

Ceri Stanaway

Writer

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Ceri Stanaway is a researcher, writer and editor with more than 15 years’ experience, including a long stint at independent publisher Which?. She’s helped people find the best products and services, and avoid the pitfalls, across topics ranging from broadband to insurance. Outside of work, you can often find her sampling the fares in local cafes. See full bio