A guide to when to update your motorhome insurance

A comprehensive motorhome insurance policy is essential for any motorhome owner and will also give you that extra peace of mind that your pride and joy will be protected when touring, on a campsite, at home, or in storage.

It’s also vital that if you make any changes to things such as your storage, home address, security, or you add new equipment or make any modifications to your motorhome that you let your insurance company know so your insurance remains valid and you’re fully covered in the event of a claim.

Also, remember when you’re renewing your motorhome insurance policy, particularly online, that you always check the details to make sure they’re still accurate, including the current value of your motorhome.

Here we remind motorhome owners when they need to update their motorhome insurance policy…

Change of address

If you store your motorhome at your home, your postcode and any storage security features will influence the price of your motorhome insurance premium.

So, if you move home your insurer will need to be informed as your new address might be classed as a lower or higher risk area, or the security at your new home address might be different. For example, you might have had locked gates at your old home but not at your new home. Your insurer will also need to know your new address so they can contact you when it’s time to renew your insurance cover!

Change of storage site location

If you store your motorhome away from home, for example at a secure storage site, it’s vitally important to let your insurance company know if you change this storage location, as they’ll want to make sure they can still provide cover for the new location. Moving your motorhome to a storage location that’s not listed on your policy, could void your motorhome cover.

Key features to look out for are when choosing a storage site are: permanently locked access control gates, high perimeter fencing, and monitored CCTV.

We’d also want to know if there’s a change to the security at your motorhome storage site, such as if your secure storage site no longer has 24 hour CCTV.

But obviously, you don’t have to let us know where you’re going each time you go on holiday, as long as you’re staying in the motorhome you’re covered!

Security and safety devices

Like many motorhome insurers, here at Caravan Guard we offer discounts for a variety of security devices, such as Thatcham Category 1 approved alarms, approved motorhome trackers and tyre safety devices. So, if you decide to add one of these to beef up your security and tyre safety, contact your insurer as you might get a discount on your premium. Some high value motorhomes will need a certain level of security as a minimum to be covered under our policy.

If an existing security device stops working or gets damaged, make sure you replace it straight away or let your insurer know as it could affect your premium and, in some cases, it could invalidate your insurance cover if it’s not fitted. When you take out your motorhome insurance policy, your declared security devices are listed on your policy schedule, so it’s important to tell your insurer if these change, or more importantly, are removed as they will need to check that they can continue to provide cover.

Tracking device subscription

Check your tracking device subscription has not expired. If you don’t intend to renew your subscription you’ll need to tell your insurer as you’ll no longer qualify for the motorhome insurance premium discount and in some cases, high value motorhomes might not be covered, particularly where a tracking device is an insurance requirement.

New equipment fitted

If you’ve taken the plunge to invest in some new equipment fixed onto your motorhome, such as a fixed canopy, solar panel, towbar or reversing camera, then inform your insurer so they can increase your sums insured value and to make sure the new kit is fully covered in the event of any damage or if they’re stolen.

Caravan Guard policyholders receive cover for up to £5,000 of portable non-fixed equipment and personal possessions, such as free-standing awnings, barbecues, generators, gas bottles and clothes.

Modifications

Similarly, if you make any modifications to your motorhome, like engine remapping, chipping, or adding alloy wheels, then you must tell your insurance provider. At Caravan Guard we’re quite flexible when it comes to motorhome modifications although some might be unacceptable.

There could be a slight increase in your premium to reflect the added value of the modification to your vehicle but if your motorhome is damaged or stolen, and a particular modification is not listed, you might not be covered in the event of a claim.

Change of motorhome

You might decide to buy a newer or older motorhome part way through your policy term. If you do, then contact your insurance provider so your sums insured and the value of the motorhome is accurate and up-to-date, as well as making sure you have the right level of security fitted. At Caravan Guard, as long as you tell us about the change in advance we’ll make sure both the old and new motorhomes are covered on the day of the swap over.

Plus, with the current increased demand for new and used motorhomes, check the current value of your motorhome as we have seen increases over the last 12 months. Increasing your sum insured might lead to a slightly higher premium or the need to fit extra security but it means you will be adequately insured and not at any financial loss in the event of a claim.

Going abroad

With Caravan Guard motorhome insurance you can choose whether or not to include European insurance and breakdown cover. This optional cover gives you the freedom to take trips abroad for up to nine months within the policy year. But if you specifically chose not to add this cover when you bought your policy and then later decide to travel abroad you’ll need to call and add European cover to your policy so you’re fully insured should you have an accident in Europe.

If you’re unsure what cover you have, please refer to your motorhome insurance policy schedule.

Driving or criminal convictions and motor claims

If you’re unfortunate enough to have had a driving conviction or a motor claim during your policy term then let us know so we can update your policy record. Similarly, it’s important to let us know if you receive a criminal conviction.

Always check your policy documents

Your insurance policy is a 12-month contract and here at Caravan Guard, we do offer a 14-day money-back refund from the start date, to give you time to check all the policy details are correct. If you want to make any changes after this time then a small administration fee will apply. While this is standard for most insurance companies, at Caravan Guard we try to make sure our fees are some of the lowest in the market.

We also urge our customers to read their documentation carefully so you can understand exactly what your policy provides and what you are covered for. Not advising your insurance provider of changes could invalidate your policy and any future claims,  so it’s always worth making a call to make sure everything is logged, no matter how small the change.