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Caravan insurance - Why you need it
Towergate Bakers and caravan insurance
In order that a caravan experience can be properly enjoyed
without unwarranted levels of anxiety, dependable caravan insurance
should be sought. Towergate Bakers has over 30 years experience of
providing dedicated caravan insurance. During that time, Towergate
Bakers has gained a real understanding of caravan parks and
caravans, evolving its touring caravan
insurance and static caravan insurance
to accurately address the risks faced by modern caravan owners.
Caravan security and theft
Despite improvements in security over the years, caravans cannot
usually be as robustly protected as houses; about 1600 caravans are
stolen each year and the police have around 10,000 unsolved thefts
on their books. This therefore makes caravan insurance a must have
for all caravan owners.
Caravan theft is a big problem in the UK, with a surprising
number of thieves using specialist equipment to break into
caravans, or even remove them completely if they are unattended. It
is vital that you take out caravan insurance so that you never have
to face financial burden at the same time as being a victim of
caravan theft.
Caravan contents
Remember that you will be transporting and storing the
possessions of all the people using the caravan. It’s easy to
underestimate the cumulative value of these goods, but they can
actually amount to a significant loss, in the event that they are
stolen, damaged or vandalised. Contents insurance forms part of a
standard caravan insurance policy and should be regarded as a
minimum purchase when taking out insurance for your caravan.
Towing a caravan
While towing, caravans are often covered by your motor policy.
However, once your caravan is unhitched, this may not be the case.
These are some typical issues faced by drivers towing a
caravan:
- Handbrake failure on a hill is an obvious danger
- Driver disorientation: reduced visibility, longer braking
distances, vastly slower acceleration, heavy steering, etc
- As some cars cannot tow caravans at all, the driver may need to
adapt to a larger new vehicle with a bigger engine
Be sure to check that your motor policy covers you when you
are towing your caravan. If not, you may need to take the cover out
separately with a caravan insurance policy.
Caravanning abroad
If you run into difficulties while towing abroad, it can be
doubly bewildering because of the language barrier and the
difference in roadside assistance and salvage procedures. Your
motor policy may not include ample provision for the recovery and
safe return or replacement of your caravan. If this is the case, a
specialist caravan insurance policy should be purchased. That is
why it is worthwhile looking for caravan insurance that provides a
telephone helpline that can be accessed in English.
Caravan replacement
Often, it is only when you are using, or had been planning to
use your caravan that an insurance claim arises. Following a claim,
if the caravan is no longer safe or suitable for use, your holiday
plans could be jeopardised. It would be sensible to take advantage
of caravan insurance that offers cover for the cost of a
replacement caravan, or even a hotel, so that your holiday plans
are preserved, even if your caravan is not.
Caravans and bad weather
Stormy weather and flood water can devastate caravans. High
winds blow debris that can damage the outside of the caravan. Flood
water can permeate and contaminate, even if your caravan’s seals
and seems are well maintained. The cost of flood damage should be
met by your caravan insurance as standard. With stormy weather
often comes lightning, which has been known to start fires at
caravan sites.
Indeed, there have been numerous reports of fires in caravans
and on caravan sites. The threat of and potentially, the damage
caused by a fire, is exacerbated in a caravan environment because
of factors including:
- The use of gas from cylinders for cooking
- Inside caravans, the proximity of cooking appliances to soft
furnishings and bedding
- Outside caravans, the tendency for caravans to be parked near
to one another. Despite health and safety regulations covering safe
distances between caravans, risks from burning debris or
wind-manipulated fire still exist
In the event of a fire evacuate your caravan immediately, but in
the meantime remember to insure your caravan for fire and bad
weather risks.