What’s not covered by caravan insurance?

A specialist caravan insurance policy will cover your pride and joy for many different things, such as storm and accidental damage, theft, fire and flooding.

But there are some risks that will not be covered by your insurance provider. In this article we explain what’s not covered by caravan insurance.

Wear and tear

Over time, caravans can be damaged, simply from getting older. A caravan insurance policy will not cover damage that has been caused by wear and tear, such as corrosion, condensation and fading, as well as gradual damage from cleaning or renovation.

Owners need to make sure their caravan is kept in a good state of repair and in a sound and roadworthy condition.

It’s therefore recommended that you have your caravan serviced annually to check for things like damp, water ingress and an inspection of seams and seals, as well as things like the tyres, brakes and gas and electric systems. These annual checks will help to spot problems early before they turn into costly repairs.

Vermin and pets

Caravanning allows you to explore many locations across the UK and Europe, particularly remote countryside sites. And some caravan storage sites might be on or near farms or fields.

Unfortunately, this means the risk of being close to vermin, such as mice, squirrels, rats and shrews, particularly if you leave food or bedding in your ‘van during the colder months.

Damage caused by vermin, insects or even livestock would not covered by most caravan insurance policies, including our own, so be . See our video on how to protect against vermin in your caravan.

Lots of caravanners love to take their pets on holiday. However, some pets can cause damage to your caravan by scratching, chewing, or even fouling inside your caravan. Damage caused by pets would not be covered by our caravan insurance policy, so be sure they’re comfortable and relaxed inside your caravan, especially when leaving them alone for any length of time.

Deception

At some point we’ll all part with our caravan whether by selling it, scrapping it or passing it on to friends or family. It’s important to verify the payment of your caravan sale because if you’re deceived into parting with your caravan by someone falsely claiming to be a buyer you will not be covered for this loss.

If taking payment via a bank transfer don’t let your caravan out of your sight until funds have landed in your account. Or if the buyer is paying by cash, get them to meet you at a bank so staff can check notes for forgeries and correct amounts.

Not fitting security devices

Security devices on your caravan are not only vital to keep your caravan safe and secure, but some will also be a condition of your caravan insurance policy.

Our minimum security requirements are that your caravan is fitted with a hitchlock, and a wheel clamp (which covers at least one wheel nut) or axle wheel lock,  Note, this minimum requirement might change dependent on other factors – refer to your policy schedule for agreed security.

Depending on the value of your caravan and its storage location, we might also ask for more security to be able to offer you caravan insurance cover.

All security devices listed on your insurance policy schedule must be fitted or activated when your caravan is unattended and detached from your towing vehicle for your insurance cover to be valid. If you don’t comply with these security requirements and your caravan is stolen, then your claim could be declined.

Towing a caravan can sometimes mean a long and tiresome journey, so it’s important to take regularly stops and rests to make sure you’re towing your caravan safely and securely. If you do stop whilst towing and leave your outfit unattended obviously make sure you don’t leave your tow car key (or anything that replaces it) inside the vehicle – this again would invalidate any claim for theft of your caravan if thieves used the keys to drive away.

Tow car breakdown

Caravan Guard do not provide caravan breakdown cover but will provide recovery of the caravan if your tourer is damaged in a road accident and cannot be towed.

Any breakdown of the towing vehicle would be the responsibility of the tow vehicle’s breakdown provider to recover both the tow car and caravan.

Change of storage

Many people will decide to put their caravan into storage away from home either throughout the year in between trips or just during winter.

A high security caravan storage site can be a great way of making sure your caravan is safe and secure; however, it’s important to notify your insurance provider if you change your caravan’s storage location for your insurance cover to remain in force. Storage location address and security at that location are taken into account when assessing the insurance risk and calculating the premium. So a different storage location could mean you should be paying more for cover, or may not be offered cover at all.

We define a storage location as the address where your caravan is left overnight when not in use. If your home address is not your caravan’s permanent storage location you are covered for your caravan to be stored at home for two nights only for loading, cleaning, emptying or servicing. If you need more than two nights temporary storage at your home then you must contact us.

In some cases, we can also offer cover for dual storage locations, but these must be listed on your insurance policy schedule.

Winter weather precautions

Many caravanners will tuck up their caravans during the cold winter months, but it’s important to drain down your water, toilet and heating systems to prevent frost damage.

From November 1^st to March 15^th, we will not pay for damage caused by water freezing in pipes or tanks when the caravan is not in use and it hasn’t been drained down.

It’s a simple job to do and our handy video goes through the steps to take to drain your caravan here.

Letting others use your caravan

One of our caravan insurance policy benefits is the option to include family and friends cover so you can let them use your caravan.

But what’s not covered by our caravan insurance is hiring out your caravan for monetary reward.

Having the right licence

If your caravan is towed by anyone who doesn’t have a valid or suitable driving licence that could again render a claim for damage whilst being towed null and void.

High risk items

Caravan Guard’s caravan insurance policy provides cover for the caravanning equipment you use in and around your caravan, as specified in your equipment sums insured. These include items such as awnings, barbecues, portable heaters, cooking equipment etc, as well as personal possessions such as clothing and toiletries.

Our personal possessions cover excludes high risk items such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras, sports equipment and jewellery.

Caravan insurance policies will vary by company but choosing a specialist and extensive policy will make sure you’re pride and joy is protected from common risks, such as accidental damage, theft, fire, accidents on the road, storm damage, and flooding.

Also see our guide to when to update your caravan insurance to make sure you’re fully covered in the event of a claim.

For more information about Caravan Guard’s specialist caravan insurance policy which can be tailored to your specific needs click here or call us on 01422 396769.

For full details on cover terms and conditions check out our policy wording here.