Insurance for Caravans and Motorhomes

Protect your investment

A touring caravan or motorhome can represent a significant financial outlay for most caravanners. brand new tourers cost anything from $5,000 - $20,000. It is also a sad fact that every year several hundred caravans are stolen - often from outside the family home.

Obviously there are many security devices on the market, some more effective (and expensive) than others, but at the end of the day, it is essential to have good insurance cover for your prized holiday home.

Minimum cover

Obviously, you need to be covered for replacement or reimbursement if your caravan is stolen, destroyed or damaged beyond repair. This should also include all accessories you have so expensively acquired over the years.

You will also need to be covered for accidental damage, or all kinds of fire, storm, flood, theft and malicious damage.

Most insurers offer recompense for hotel accomodation if your caravan is rendered uninhabitable during a holiday away from home.

It is a wise precaution to include third party liability cover.

Another essential is to have cover for the caravan's contents while you are on holiday. When the van is in storage, no valuables should ever be left inside.

Insurance Checklist

Never be tempted to leave home without it - insurance is peace of mind.
Shop around - there are huge differences in cost and cover out there.
Read and understand what's on offer: do the security requirements suit you? Is the Continental cover what you want? Can other family members use the van? And so on.
How much excess will you accept?
What type of cover suits you best: new for old, agreed value or market value? This guide may help you decide.
If you don't understand it, ask - or choose one clothed in plain English.

And, once you have made your choice:

Check the schedule - is it exactly what you said? If not, get it corrected.
Review your sum insured every year -don't pay premiums for a value that will not be paid out if a claim arises.
Keep details and receipts of all improvements made to your tourer. They could be vital evidence about its value.
Notify your insurer about any changes to your address, storage arrangements, or security devices. This may save a claim from being ruled out -and might even get you a discount.

Caravan Magazine December 1999