How much does static caravan insurance cost?

As one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of static caravans, we love to talk to people about finding their dream holiday home. Of course, much of these conversations are around specifications and fancy features (“will there be a jacuzzi?” etc.), but we are also asked a lot about insurance. And, in particular, how much it costs.

Your static caravan needs insurance just like any other valuable possessions you own. So, in this article, we’ll explore the subject in some depth — beginning with the figures.

How much is insurance for a static caravan?

The average annual insurance premium for a static caravan in 2020 is around £300, with a £160 excess. That’s excellent value when you consider that a typical static caravan costs in the region of £45,000.

Compare this with the cost of insuring a touring caravan, for example, and the difference is rather revealing.

The average insurance premium for a static caravan is around double that of a touring caravan, yet its value is likely to be five times higher. “Static” is the key word here. Touring caravans spend a lot of time being towed from place to place, and it’s on the UK’s motorways that accidental damage is most likely to occur.

Do I need static caravan insurance?

A holiday home that sits on a permanent pitch in a park is much less vulnerable than one that hits the road regularly. But a “mobile home” that never moves is still prone to damage by the elements, vandalism, and old age. Check out our winter guide to static caravans to see what could happen during the chilly months if precautions aren’t taken.

So, even though a static caravan is not legally obliged to have any kind of insurance, most caravan parks insist on some sort of protection.

What should your static caravan policy cover?

As with all insurance, static caravan cover differs from policy to policy. So, it’s essential to check the small print — and be suspicious of a cheap deal. A policy that prevents you from claiming when something goes wrong is a classic false economy.

Here some of the details you need to look out for when reviewing policies:

• Draining down and preparing for winter.

• Your policy is likely to insist that you “drain down” (emptying all water from tanks and pipes) before leaving your static caravan vacant over the winter. It may even stipulate a date by which this needs to be completed. Some policies also insist that a professional does your “winterisation”, so taking the DIY approach would compromise your cover.

• Exclusions

• Policies have different rules about what is and isn’t included when the unit is unoccupied. Typical exclusions include vermin and flood damage, so always check the detail carefully before agreeing to a policy,

• Public liability cover

• This is vitally important. Imagine you invite a neighbour over for coffee, and they slip on your decking, breaking a leg. The public or legal liability component covers you in the event of a claim following such an incident. Remember, too, that claims of this type can lead to massive damages and costs. That’s why insurance companies recommend cover worth £2 million or more.

• Anchorage

• Your policy may have conditions about how securely the caravan is held in place, in case of storms and gales.

What types of static caravan insurance are available?

Until recently, specialist policies for static caravans were few and far between. Nowadays, there are lots more. The upside is that it’s a much more competitive market, helping to keep premiums low for customers. The downside is that it can be confusing and time-consuming finding the right policy.

To narrow things down, search for the following two policies:

• Park home and lodge insurance.

• These products are likely to follow the wording of a household insurance policy, which means they are most suitable for a static caravan being used as a permanent residence.

• Holiday home insurance.

• This type of policy is better suited to people who use a static caravan as a second home. Don’t be concerned, however. You can still get cover for damage or losses that occur in your absence.

There are also two types of holiday home insurance:

• ‘New for old’ means you can claim for the cost of replacing your static caravan with a new equivalent.

• ‘Market value’ enables you to claim back the current value of your static caravan, allowing for depreciation due to its age and condition. In short, you can claim less cash, so the premium is typically lower.

Find your perfect holiday home

Now that we’ve covered the nuts and bolts of static caravan insurance, it’s time for the fun part. If you’ve got a favourite place on the coast or in the countryside, why not find the perfect holiday park nearby?

That’s the first step towards purchasing a beautiful new static caravan holiday home from Willerby. Begin your journey right now with our find a park search engine.

NB

Look for specialist static caravan insurance which takes care of the specific risks faced on a holiday park.
Chris Nettleton, Director at Leisuredays insurance, said common holiday home insurance claims were accidental damage, escape of water and storm damage, with costs often running into thousands of pounds.
“A specialist holiday home insurance policy will cover your treasured Willerby against risks such as flood, storm, weather damage, fire, break-ins, vermin and accidental damage, giving you that peace of mind that it can be replaced or repaired should disaster strike,” said Chris. “It will also protect those valuable extras, such as your contents, decking, fencing, storage shed and steps.”
To get a great value quote for your Willerby holiday home visit www.leisuredays.co.uk.