Classic motorhome insurance considerations

If your motorised caravan is what could be described as a ‘classic’ then you may find that sometimes it is hard to find classic motorhome insurance. Some insurers may shy away from insuring older motorhomes. Others may insure your motor home, but may not appreciate what you feel is its true worth.
Looking online
So, if you are in the market for classic motorhome insurance, what do you need to think about?

• look online for specialist motor home insurance websites. Providers of insurance specifically for motorhomes may typically be more likely to provide insurance for classic motor homes rather than the mainstream insurance providers;
• following on the from the point above, benefits of buying from a specialist caravan insurance website may include:
• being able to access a number of quotes all from one place, so there is no need to keep switching websites and jotting down quotes along with the benefits as they are there right in front of you;
• potentially the savings you are often able to make due to the lack of overheads of online motor home insurance providers;
• once you’ve found a selection of classic motorhome insurance policies online, it’s important to compare both the price and the policy features and benefits if you want to get appropriate cover at a price that meets your budget;
• look at the cover and what it entails. For example, see if the cover includes an Agreed Valuation clause, which sets out an agreed value for the motorhome.

By taking all the above pointers on board, you could be on your way to getting appropriate and affordable classic motorhome insurance.

Caravan insurance in France – what is it?

If you are looking for caravan insurance in France then potentially you may either be looking for:

1. caravan cover for when travelling in France;
2. caravan breakdown cover in France; or
3. insurance for your static holiday home in France.

If you are looking for one of these specific types of caravan cover, then visiting one of the specialist caravan insurance websites available online may be a good place to start.

Caravan cover for when travelling in France
Note that if you have existing caravan insurance cover, then you may already have this type of cover. For example, some caravan insurance policies automatically have x amount of days worth of protection for when you ake your caravan or motorhome abroad, as per point 1 above. This type of cover may typically protect you financially in the event of accidents, damage and any third party liability issues.

Many policies typically offer public liability insurance. This part of the insurance is needed if a third party is injured or dies due to your actions. It also typically covers damage you may do to a third party’s property or vehicle with your motorhome or towed caravan. Some providers may offer more liability insurance than others, so do check the small print.

Caravan breakdown cover in France
For point 2, breakdown caravan insurance in France may be often bought as an add-on to your existing caravan insurance, or as a standalone policy. Sometimes you can buy different levels of cover, so you can tweak the policy to meet your needs.

Insurance for your static holiday home in France
For point 3, there are UK specialist providers of insurance for your static holiday home in France. This means that you can feel comfortable that, should you need to claim, you will deal with English speaking people. No matter how fluent you may be in a foreign language, when going through a claims process, you may want to do so in your Mother Tongue!

These are the main things that you may be seeking to cover when looking for caravan insurance in France.

Safeguard motorhome insurance

Your may be justifiably proud of your motorhome and be looking to protect it with safeguard motorhome insurance.

Peace of mind

Some of the features of motorhome insurance cover that you may feel are necessary for your peace of mind may typically include things like:

• breakdown cover;
• help with temporary accommodation costs if your motorhome needs to be taken away for repairs;
• new for old replacement if your motorhome is damaged beyond repair;
• continental cover - possibly with an English speaking helpline;
• generous mileage allowance;
• contents plus fixtures and fittings cover.

Insurance for motorhome comparison websites may help you identify which of these features are important to you and which providers can supply them at an attractive price.

Remember too, that some suppliers of insurance for motorhomes typically offer rewards in the form of premium discounts if you take the security of your motorhome seriously by installing features like tracking devices or security alarms.

Awnings

Your awning can increase the amount of living space offered by your mobile home quite dramatically. It is though space that is not really very robust – from either a structural or security point of view.

Awnings are very susceptible to storm or wind damage and so should not be left out when you are not around. They may also be very easy to break into, so you should not really use your awning as additional storage for belongings.

In fact, some motorhome insurance providers may have their own dos and don’ts when it comes to awnings and what you keep in them.

Safeguard motorhome insurance

Some insurance for motor home cover may typically provide cover for your motorhome as a recreational vehicle only, rather than as a vehicle used every day for commuting to and from work at peak times and in heavy commuter traffic.

If you want to use your motorhome as your primary mode of transport, then you may have to explicitly state this when you take out your motorhome insurance cover.

Choice

Before automatically renewing your safeguard motorhome insurance as with all insurance policies, you may want to satisfy yourself that your policy can provide the cover you need at a cost you’re happy with.

Do you need short-term caravan insurance?

As the name of the policy may suggest, short-term caravan insurance is taken out only for a short term. This is not to say that if you own a caravan you are able to take out this form of insurance for only a short period. As of course, this may be unwise as something may happen to your caravan after the insurance stops. This type of insurance is useful however if you were to say, borrow a caravan or if you were hiring one.

If you are lucky enough to be able to borrow a friend’s caravan, you need to have insurance for the caravan while it is in your possession to safeguard against the unknown. So how does short-term caravan insurance work? Here are some facts about this type of policy. Do note that policy features and benefits can vary among caravan insurance providers, so always read the small print to ensure that the caravan cover is suitable for your needs:

• when taking out a short term policy you are typically able to take it out for protection for anything from one day, typically up to a maximum of one month;
• short-term insurance for caravans may be limited by the insurance provider annually to stop individuals using it instead of a typical caravan insurance policy. For instance the provider may state a maximum number of days or the amount of times per year;
• usually in order to be eligible to take out caravan insurance over the short-term, the individual applying for the policy must be over a certain age and this varies among providers.

There are providers of short-term caravan insurance online, so if you are looking for suitable cover, these specialist caravan cover websites may well worth be taking a look at.

Thinking ahead about caravan travel insurance

Some forms of caravans are, by definition, mobile. Therefore if you insure them (and it may be very risky not to do so) they will have a form of caravan travel insurance.

The overall position though may be a little more complicated.

Travel definitions

Typically only touring caravans, motorhomes and trailer tents are considered to be mobile.

As part of your original caravan insurance for one of these types, you may have indicated your typical usage patterns at that time. Those patterns may have influenced your selection of policy or any advice you took relating to what caravan cover was required.

Therefore, if your travel usage changes, it might be prudent to check your caravan travel insurance carefully for things such as:

• if you’re going abroad, does your insurance cover offer protection outside of the UK with continental cover;
• if your insurance does provide cover for overseas driving, is this limited to EU countries (remembering that Switzerland and some countries in Eastern Europe are not in the European Union):
• if your cover is valid only for the UK, is this the UK mainland only or does it also cover islands and Northern Ireland/Eire;
• does your existing policy have an annual maximum mileage cap and if yes, will a long tour around overseas push you well past the limit;
• are any specific components of your insurance such as contents cover, only valid while the vehicle is in the UK?

There is no definitive answer to these as individual caravan insurance providers will have different conditions and clauses in their policies governing travel within and outside of the UK. It is a question of checking.

Need to change?

If you find that your current policy does not provide you with the cover you need, then typically a first point of call is your insurance provider who may be able to offer extra cover – probably for an additional payment.

It may though be necessary to shop around to see what options for (e.g) European cover are offered by alternative providers such as one of the caravan insurance specialists.

Caravan travel insurance is important because if your caravan can’t travel where you want it to and when you want it, then it’s not really fulfilling its primary role in life!

Caravan insurances

When your caravan insurance next comes up for renewal you may be interested in having a look at some of the online caravan insurances sites.

These specialist brokers can provide you with access to the policies of a number of caravan insurances suppliers and you can compare what they have to offer against your list of must-have and would-be-nice insurance features.

All you typically need to do is to key in a few basic details about your caravan, how you use it and where you keep it.

Things that matter

Your approach to the security and safety of your caravan may typically have a significant impact on your premium. Some insurance providers may offer discounts if you fit security alarms and tracking devices.

Other policies may require the use of wheel clamps and hitchlocks as a condition of cover.

Keeping your tourer or motorhome on your drive rather than on the public highway may help to prevent opportunistic theft or vandalism. If you have a static caravan on the other hand, using an approved secure storage site over the winter season may attract a premium discount.

In the same safety vein, if you locate your caravan on a site with no history of flooding you may find that your premiums would be lower than if your chosen site had flooded previously.

You may also find that you may benefit from a reduction in your premium if you are a member of a caravanning club. Some insurance providers view this as a sign of a responsible caravan owner and value the information exchange that such membership can bring.

Only what you need

If you are the owner of a touring caravan for example but only use it once a year in the UK, then you may not be very interested in a policy that offers unlimited European travel.

Similarly, when estimating the value of your caravan’s contents you should try to be as accurate as possible. Underestimating could mean that you would not be adequately covered if there was an accident of some sort while overestimating may typically mean that you could be paying too much in premiums.

Change can be good

So, there may be no need to rush to sign up for another year with your old caravan insurances provider. Things have been changing our there and you may be able to get more suitable cover at a competitive price!

Cheap static caravan insurance

If you have a static caravan, you might be considering cheap static caravan insurance. There is no substitute for looking at cover from a number of different providers, so here are some issues that you may like to consider in your search.

• The extent of your cover
What do you need cover for with a cheap static caravan insurance policy? Many standard policies will typically cover the costs of replacing a caravan or repairing it from risks like fire, storm, theft, and flooding. Some providers also arrange cover for vandalism and accidental damage. It may seem a little pessimistic to cover natural disasters that are unlikely, but while a flood or storm are unlikely, they could destroy your holiday home.

Static caravan parks are often arranged with gardens and small sheds in their immediate vicinity, and if you want these areas to be included in the cover, contact your provider to clarify this as not all polices will provide this caravan cover.

• The cost
When you are given quotes for cheap static caravan cover, check whether there are any discounts available. If your caravan is kept on a site that is well known as a safe and secure place, mention this to the insurer and a discount may be available. Further, if you have any no claims bonuses on any other insurance policies you have, it is always worth bringing them to the attention of the provider. Some offer discounts on this basis.

• The insurer’s requirements
Finally, your cheap static caravan insurance will typically only be valid if you comply with the insurer’s terms and conditions. The insurer may specify that certain security measures be installed including alarms and locks to reduce the risk of burglary. Regarding the timeframe of the policy, your caravan may only be covered in the wintertime if you drain down heating systems and take other steps to ensure that the structure is “winter proof”. The policy document will highlight your obligations, so make sure you are aware of these.

An introduction to carvan insurance

Carvan insurance comes in many forms: touring caravan insurance, static caravan policies and motorhome cover. But no matter which of these policies you are looking for, you may wish to consider the following questions when looking for insurance.

What might the policy cover?
With touring carvan insurance, a policy will typically cover the structure of the caravan itself. Insured risks commonly include fire, theft and damage from storms, although some insurers may include malicious damage and accidental damage.

For a static caravan, the issue may be a little more complicated depending on what you have outside. For instance, if you have a shed or a bin store, these outbuildings may not be covered.

The contents of your caravan can also be included in caravan insurance. Take care not to bring any items of significant value on holiday, as these could be excluded under a single items clause.

How much will it cost?

You will no doubt receive a wide range of quotes, but as always the devil is in the detail. Look at the excess on the caravan insurance policy. If it is high, bear in mind that you will not be able to make claims under that amount. Would this cause you problems if, for example, you needed to get your caravan repaired after a storm and the bill came to less than that figure?

Do not be afraid to sell yourself to an insurer. After all, if you have no claims bonuses and are a responsible member of a caravanning club, you are a careful caravan owner who should be attractive to insure.

What are the insurer’s requirements?

Insurers sometimes have terms and conditions attached to their policies. Common requirements you might find on carvan insurance include specific security provisions that need to be taken. For instance, wheel clamps and hitchlocks are usually considered the minimum level of anti-theft devices that caravan owners should install.

Towergate caravan insurance – choosing your policy

Owing your own caravan brings many joys, however, at the same time it may also be the cause of great deal of anxiety and worry. While you love your caravan, there is the worry that others may love it too, to the point where it is stolen. Your belongings may be stolen, your awning may become damaged or destroyed, or your touring caravan may be involved in an accident. Any of these may be at the back of your mind; thankfully, this is where insurance for your caravan comes into its own. When choosing Towergate caravan insurance or any other branded caravan insurance product, there are many considerations to bear in mind, and here are just some of them.

Security of your caravan
Boosting the security measures of your caravan, when looking for Towergate caravan insurance, may go towards avoiding theft of your caravan, or your belongings. Here are some of the ways you may wish to consider boosting security:

• fitting window and door locks that make a sound if the window or door is forced open or broken;
• installing a hitchlock and wheel clamp on your touring caravan. The caravan insurance provider may ask that you meet this requirement anyway before they insure your caravan. A hitchlock alone may be requested when the caravan is attached to a vehicle that is unattended. However both security devices may be needed when it is unhitched;
• parking your touring caravan at secure and well established caravan sites, as opposed to leaving your caravan in a lay-by or field.

What benefits are needed in a caravan insurance policy?
In order to find the most suitable Towergate caravan insurance policy or other caravan cover, you need to decide what benefits you need in the policy before you go looking for insurance. You may wish to consider whether you want the following in your insurance policy:

• if you have a touring caravan and you intend travelling around Europe then you need to look for a policy that provides continental cover. European insurance is typically given in the form of so many days’ coverage, with some providers offering more than others might;
• how much protection you need for your belongings may factor into the insurance policy and whether the insurance provider offers new for old or takes depreciation into account;
• whether or not your insurance policy includes the removal of your touring caravan if you are in an accident and it cannot be moved by you. If so, you need to know the extent of the cover.

These are just a few of the important factors you may wish to consider when you search for a Towergate caravan insurance policy or any other caravan cover.

What you need to know about caravan holiday home insurance

Caravan holiday home insurance is very different from insuring a touring caravan. There are different factors that need taking into account and different risks that come associated with a holiday home caravan. Here are some factors to consider:

• do you rent out your holiday home?
• do you have all year round cover in your insurance policy, if so what requirements do you as the caravan owner need to meet?
• what protection is included for your awning?
• if you have a patio with fencing and decking, are these included in your caravan holiday home insurance?
• if you are considering buying a caravan have you given some thought about where the caravan will be sited?

These are just a few of the questions you may wish to ask yourself before you look for insurance quotes for your caravan holiday home.

Renting out your caravan
If you intend to rent out your static holiday home then you may wish to check the level of public liability insurance in your policy. Ask yourself what you might do if a guest suffered injury or even death while they were staying in your caravan. If you have liability insurance, it typically pays out towards any legal costs that may arise.

You might also wish to consider whether the policy covers a loss of pre-booked rental fees, in the event that something happened to your caravan that was covered under your policy, rendering it uninhabitable.

Year round protection, awning and decking insurance

Check if you need to take measures such as draining the systems down in the caravan to be eligible for all year round static caravan insurance.

Your awnings may be protected against damage to due to inclement weather such as storms; however, this typically only applies while you are in the caravan. Usually any damage that occurs to an awning left up in your absence has to be covered by you.

Some insurance providers may extend your insurance to your patio, decking and fencing, whilst others may not; check in the terms and conditions or with the insurance provider.

Considerations before siting the caravan

When considering buying a caravan as a holiday home take the time to search for sites and compare what they have to offer. Look out sites that have excellent security, and check whether the site has been prone to flooding in the past. Both of these may affect your quotes for caravan holiday home insurance. It may pay do your homework well before considering and applying for the cover.