Travel insurance for caravans and campervans
Key takeaways
If you are driving with a caravan or campervan, it is illegal to not have motoring insurance
You can get specific caravan insurance which protects it from damage and theft
Travel insurance protects you and your belongings while you’re on your caravan holiday
Do I need travel insurance for a caravan or campervan holiday?
Travel insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your caravan or campervan trip. Travel insurance can financially protect you if your holiday is unexpectedly cancelled, you have a medical emergency while travelling, or your belongings are lost or stolen. It often useful protection for UK staycations as well as holidays abroad.
Alongside travel insurance, there are a couple of other types of insurance you should consider if you’re going on a caravan or campervan holiday:
Motoring insurance
If you are driving with your caravan or campervan, it is illegal in the UK and many other countries to not have either motorhome insurance (for a campervan with its own motor) or car insurance (for a caravan towed by a car).
In the UK driving without insurance can be punished by £1,000 fine and penalty points on your licence.
Caravan insurance
Caravan insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying any costs if something goes wrong with your caravan while it is being driven or parked. Caravan insurance can financially protect you if your caravan is damaged, burgled or injures someone else or their property. Your car insurance will probably not cover these things.
What types of insurance can I get for caravan and campervan holidays?
Insurance for your caravan or campervan:
Motorhome insurance - for campervans with their own motor
Static caravan insurance - caravans that stay in one place, such as holiday parks
Touring caravan insurance - caravans towed by your vehicle
With caravan insurance, you will be asked to choose between:
New-for-old cover - insures the caravan for the value of a brand-new replacement model
Market value cover - means it’s insured for its own current market value
Insurance for you:
Single trip travel insurance
Provides cover for one trip. Trip length will be capped, usually at about 31 days. This is often the cheapest policy option.
Annual or multi-trip travel insurance
Covers multiple trips within a set time frame. Cover will be capped at a certain number of days per trip (usually 31). Getting this type of travel insurance can save you time and money if you go away more than once a year, including to UK destinations.
Pre-existing medical conditions travel insurance
Often much more expensive than standard travel insurance, but you must declare pre-existing medical conditions in order to be covered for them.
Over 70s travel insurance
Standard travel insurance often puts an upper age limit on who it will cover. This can vary between insurers, but specialist cover is also available to people age 70+.
Family travel insurance
Usually covers up to two adults and multiple children under the age of 18.
Compare quotes from different insurers to find the best price for the type of cover you want. Don't want more tasks on your to-do list? MoneySuperMarket can do the work for you, saving you time and money.
What add-ons are there for caravan and campervan holidays insurance?
Gadget insurance
Gadget cover means any expensive equipment you take on a trip, such as your phone or laptop, is fully protected. Standard insurance policies often impose limits to how much money you can claim back for lost or damaged items.
Awning cover
Standard caravan policies may not cover awnings. This add on protects awnings from damage and loss due to theft, fire and bad weather.
Breakdown cover and roadside assistance
You can upgrade your motoring insurance cover to include more comprehensive help if you break down. For example, it can pay for your food and accommodation where you’re stranded.
You can also get specific European breakdown cover if you’re taking your campervan or caravan to the continent.
