What is caravan breakdown insurance?

Key takeaways

• Caravan breakdown cover can help if your car, caravan or trailer breaks down while you’re travelling

• Not every breakdown policy covers both your tow car and caravan, so check the policy details before you buy

• You may need extra cover for larger caravans, horse trailers, European trips or onward travel

What is caravan breakdown cover?

Caravan breakdown cover gives you roadside help if your car, caravan or trailer breaks down during a journey. Check carefully before buying, as some policies cover the tow car but not the caravan or trailer - while others may have rules on caravan size, weight, age or journey length.

How does caravan breakdown cover work?

It usually works in a similar way to standard breakdown cover - if you break down, you call your breakdown provider and they send help to your location. Caravan breakdown cover should also come with extra support for towing a caravan or trailer, such as:

• Specialist recovery vehicles or equipment: If extra equipment is required to recover your caravan, for example due to snow, flood or mud, you won't be charged extra

• Dual-recovery cover: If you break down on your way to or during a stay at a pre-booked destination like a campsite, you'll be taken there and back home after your holiday

• Double drop-off: If your caravan needs to be taken to a different destination to you and the towing vehicle, they'll arrange this too

• No size or weight restrictions: Your caravan will be recovered regardless of its size or weight

A mechanic may try to fix the problem at the roadside, but if that is not possible, your provider may tow your car and caravan to a garage or another safe location, depending on your policy.

What does caravan breakdown insurance cover

As with a standard breakdown policy, you can expect caravan breakdown cover to include:

• Roadside assistance: Help if you break down away from home

• Vehicle and caravan recovery: Towing your car and caravan if repairs cannot be made at the roadside

• Onward travel: Help with alternative transport or accommodation

• Home start: Help if your car will not start at home

• European cover: Support if you break down while travelling abroad

Are there any caravan size restrictions? 

Possibly - many insurers set limits on the weight and dimensions of caravans and trailers they’re willing to cover, so if your caravan is on the larger side or heavier than average, finding suitable cover might be trickier. 

Fortunately, some specialist insurers and caravan clubs offer policies designed specifically for bigger touring setups, without the usual size restrictions. 

Do I need caravan breakdown insurance? 

You do not legally need caravan breakdown cover, but it can be useful if you tow a caravan or trailer as a standard breakdown policy may not recover your caravan if your car breaks down. That could leave you needing to arrange specialist recovery yourself, especially if you are far from home or towing a larger caravan.

Caravan breakdown cover may be worth considering if you:

• Regularly tow a touring caravan

• Take long trips in the UK

• Travel to Europe with your caravan

• Tow a trailer, horsebox or livestock trailer

• Want cover for onward travel or overnight stays

You may also want separate caravan insurance if you want financial protection for theft, damage, fire, flood or accidents involving your caravan. Caravan insurance is not the same as breakdown cover. 

Does standard breakdown cover include my caravan?

Not always - some breakdown policies only cover the vehicle, not the caravan or trailer attached to it, while others may only cover your caravan or trailer if it's up to a certain size or weight. Before you buy, check whether the policy includes:

• Your tow car

• Your caravan or trailer

• Recovery for both together

• Limits on caravan length, width or weight

• Cover for punctures, wheel issues or towing-related problems

• Onward travel if your caravan cannot be moved

This is especially important if you have a large touring caravan, an older tow car or a specialist trailer.

What’s the difference between personal cover and vehicle cover? 

Personal cover protects you as a driver or passenger, while vehicle cover protects a specific vehicle.

• With personal breakdown cover, you are covered in different vehicles, whether you are driving or travelling as a passenger

• With vehicle breakdown cover, one named vehicle is covered, no matter who is driving it

If you tow a caravan, check how each type of policy treats the caravan or trailer. A personal policy may still have rules about what can be recovered, while a vehicle policy may only apply to the tow car.

Do I need European breakdown cover for when we go on holiday? 

If you're planning to take your caravan abroad, making sure you have European breakdown cover is a good idea. It’s specifically designed for trips lasting between 31 and 90 days, though cover can vary depending on the country. You should notify your insurer about your travel plans to ensure you’re properly protected. 

You can choose European breakdown cover for a single trip or multiple holidays, depending on your needs.

Can I get breakdown cover for a horse trailer?

Yes, you may be able to get specialist breakdown cover for a horse trailer or livestock trailer. Standard breakdown cover may not include recovery for horse trailers, so you should check this before travelling - specialist policies may include:

• Roadside help for your tow vehicle

• Trailer recovery

• Transport for your horse

• Help getting to an event, yard or safe location

• Cover for horseboxes or livestock trailers

If you own or transport horses, you may also want to look into horse insurance, which alongside cover for vet bills, mortality and loss of use, can include horse trailer cover (although it is often purchases as an optional extra).

Will caravan breakdown insurance cover my leisure batteries if they aren’t working? 

Not always. While some caravan breakdown providers may offer help with leisure battery problems, it is not guaranteed. (A leisure battery powers 12V appliances in a caravan or motorhome.)

If this cover is important to you, check whether your breakdown policy includes help with battery failure, replacement batteries or charging problems. 

How do I find the best deal on caravan breakdown insurance?

Comparing breakdown cover quotes can help you find the best policy for your needs at the best price. Here’s how it’s done: 

• Use MoneySuperMarket to quickly and easily compare quotes. You can tailor your quote to your needs and include any optional extras you think might be useful. 

• Read customer reviews of providers on sites such as Google or TrustPilot. 

• Check if the policy has a call-out limit (e.g. a maximum number of times you can use it per year). 

• If you have an older caravan, check it is covered by the policy. Some policies have a maximum age for vehicles.