Caravanning remains a classic British pastime, and there are now over 555,000 touring caravans in the UK, according to UK trade body, the NCC. If you like to spend your holiday out on the road, see how touring caravan insurance works and what to look out for.
What is touring caravan insurance?
Touring caravan insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects a caravan that is towed by a vehicle. It will cover your caravan against loss or damage when it is being towed and when it is parked up outside your home or on a campsite or caravan site.
Why do you need touring caravan insurance?
While it’s not a legal requirement to get insurance for your touring caravan, it can provide cover in the event that your caravan is damaged, destroyed or stolen. Some caravans can cost up to £70,000, so it’s important to know you’ll be protected from expensive repairs or replacement costs.
Car insurance won’t typically protect your caravan when it is being towed. This means that if you have an accident and it was your fault, you will have to pay for any damage to your caravan out of your own pocket. If the accident wasn’t your fault, the other driver’s insurance may cover the damage, but this will depend on their policy. To ensure you won’t be left footing the bill, touring caravan insurance is well worth considering.
What does touring caravan insurance cover?
Touring caravan insurance can protect you from the following:
Third-party liability. If a member of the public gets injured or your caravan causes damage to their property after an accident.
Theft. If your caravan is detached and stolen from your home, campsite or caravan site.
Internal damage. In the event that your caravan is damaged inside, for example, due to a water leak.
External damage. If your caravan is damaged due to extreme weather, or if another car damages it while it’s parked up.
Contents cover. Covering your personal possessions inside your caravan.
Malicious damage. Such as damage caused by vandalism.
Accidental damage. Covering you for mishaps while towing or when your caravan is parked up.
Some policies offer cover on a new for old basis. This means that if your caravan is damaged beyond repair, you will receive a like-for-like new replacement. However, most policies will include an age limit, so if your caravan is old, you may not be able to get cover on this basis.
Market value cover is cheaper. But if your caravan is damaged beyond repair or written off, your insurer would only pay out an amount equivalent to its current value.
What isn’t included in touring caravan insurance?
When comparing touring caravan insurance policies, be sure to check for exclusions. For example, your policy might not cover:
Damage caused by general wear and tear.
Damage or loss of possessions caused by a lack of security, for example, if you have left doors and windows unlocked.
Damage to the caravan as a result of insect or vermin infestation.
Damage arising through using the caravan as a permanent residence or for business purposes.
Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops; these may be covered under your home contents insurance.
How much is touring caravan insurance?
The amount you pay for touring caravan insurance will depend on several factors, such as:
The level of cover you require, including whether you choose any optional extras.
The age, model and size of your caravan.
The security features you have in place, such as the type of locks fitted to windows and doors.
The policy excess – the higher this is, the lower your premium.
Personal circumstances such as your age and claims history will also be taken into account.
What optional extras can I get with touring caravan insurance?
Caravan insurance policies will vary in terms of what they offer as standard and what you might need to pay extra for. Optional extras you may come across include:
Breakdown cover. Providing roadside assistance should you break down. Note that if you already have breakdown cover for your car, this won’t necessarily stretch to caravans.
European cover. Extending cover if you take your caravan to Europe.
Friends and family cover. Extending cover to any family members or friends who may also want to use your caravan.
Legal assistance. Covering legal expenses if a claim is made against you.
Consider carefully whether you are likely to make use of these extras and how much they will add to the cost of your policy before deciding whether they are right for you.
Is touring caravan insurance the same as static caravan insurance?
No, touring caravan insurance and static caravan insurance are not the same. If you have a touring caravan, it’s important that you take out a specific touring caravan insurance policy. This will ensure you are covered both while you are towing your caravan and while it is parked up.
What’s the difference between a touring and a static caravan?
A touring caravan is one that can be towed by a car or other vehicle, whereas a static caravan is one that is fixed in place. Static caravans are often used as a residence which means static caravan insurance is more like a home insurance policy than a car insurance policy.
How can I get touring caravan insurance?
Applying for touring caravan insurance is similar to applying for car insurance. You will need to shop around and compare your options to find a policy that offers the right level of cover with an affordable premium. You’ll need to provide details about yourself, including your name, age and address. You’ll also need to provide details about the caravan, including its make and model, year of manufacture and where your caravan is stored.
Popular caravan insurance policies include the following:
Saga caravan insurance
Caravan Guard caravan insurance
Towergate caravan insurance
Lifesure caravan insurance
How can I lower my insurance premium?
There are several steps you can take to reduce the cost of your caravan insurance premium. These include:
Increase your excess. The excess is the amount you have to pay when making a claim. Many insurers will let you increase the size of your excess and, in return, will reduce the size of your insurance premium.
Build a no claim bonus. If you don’t make a claim on your policy for a certain period of time, you may receive a no claim bonus. This gives you a discount on the cost of your insurance.
Improve your security. By installing alarms, cameras or wheel locks on your caravan, you reduce the risk of theft, which means you’ll likely pay less for your insurance. You should also store your caravan in a secure location to prevent any damage or theft when it’s not in use.
Join a caravan club. Some insurers offer discounts to members of UK caravan clubs and associations.
Reduce your extras. Consider which optional extras you really need and get rid of any you don’t.
Can I take my caravan abroad?
If you want to take your caravan abroad to Europe, a few touring caravan insurance policies will include European cover as standard. But in most cases you will need to add it to your policy for an additional charge. There may be a cap on the number of days you can travel consecutively or in a year so be sure to check.
Bottom line
Unlike for cars and motorhomes, there is no legal requirement to take out insurance for your touring caravan. However, if you want to be fully covered in the event of a road accident or if your caravan was damaged while parked up, touring caravan insurance can provide all-important peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
No, it’s not a legal requirement to get insurance for a touring caravan. However, having insurance will cover you against theft, fire and accidental damage. If you’re involved in a car accident while towing your caravan, your existing car insurance should cover any damage or injury caused to the other party, but your own caravan will not be covered.
Yes, most touring caravan insurance policies will cover internal damage caused by water leaks.
If you have added a tow bar to your car, this will be considered a modification so you must inform your car insurer of the change.
Car insurance won’t usually cover your caravan but it will cover against third party towing risks. So if you’re involved in an accident and damage another car, your car insurance policy should cover the other vehicle’s damage but any damage to your caravan won’t be covered. To ensure your caravan is protected, you’ll need to take out separate touring caravan insurance.
If you got your car licence after 19 January 2013, you are permitted to tow trailers weighing no more than 750kg. Heavier trailers can be towed providing that the total weight of the vehicle and trailer is no more than 3,500kg. If you exceed these limits, your licence will need to be upgraded to include the B+E categories.
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997, you can drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. Or you can tow a trailer over 750kg MAM if the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is no more than 3,500kg. For anything heavier, you’ll need to take a category B+E driving test.
If you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, you can generally drive a vehicle and trailer combination of up to 8.25 tonnes MAM.
No, caravans do not require road tax.
Yes, but you are unlikely to be covered if anything happens to your caravan. You will need to get specialised cover if you intend to use your touring caravan for anything other than personal use.
Yes, but your caravan is only covered if your policy includes friends and family cover. If it doesn’t, you will need to pay extra to add it. Those borrowing the caravan will also need to be insured to drive.
If you decide to fix your caravan in one place, you’ll likely need to apply for a new insurance policy.
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Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time. See full bio
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