Travel insurance for caravans and campervans
Key takeaways
Travel insurance can cover you for things like medical emergencies, cancellation and lost belongings during a caravan or campervan holiday
If you're towing a caravan, your car needs the right motor insurance, but this may not cover damage to the caravan itself
Towing changes how your car handles and stops, so be sure to look at any weight limits, tyres, loading and breakdown cover before you travel
Do I need travel insurance for a caravan or campervan holiday?
Travel insurance isn't a legal requirement, but it can protect you against unexpected costs during your holiday. such as:
Emergency medical treatment abroad
Cancellation or cutting your trip short
Lost, stolen or damaged belongings
Travel delays or disruption
Personal liability
Travel insurance doesn't replace the motor insurance you need to drive your caror campervan. It also does not usually insure the caravan itself against risks such as theft or accidental damage.
What insurance do I need for a caravan holiday?
You may need several types of cover because each protects against different risks:
Cover | What is it for? | What should I look for? |
|---|---|---|
Travel insurance | Covers you and your trip for risks such as medical emergencies and cancellation | Check your destination, trip length, belongings limits and exclusions |
Car insurance | Covers your tow car and the motor liability required for driving | Your policy may not cover damage to your caravan itself |
Touring caravan insurance | Can cover your caravan against risks such as theft, fire and accidental damage | Look at whether towing damage, contents and equipment are included |
Can provide roadside help and recovery if your car or caravan breaks down | Not every policy recovers both your tow car and caravan |
Separate caravan insurance isn't generally required by law in the UK. However, your motor insurance may only provide third-party protection while you're towing and might not pay for damage to your own caravan.
What does touring caravan insurance cover?
Touring caravan insurance can protect the caravan itself against insured risks while you're using, towing or storing it. Depending on your provider and policy, cover can include:
Theft or attempted theft
Accidental damage
Fire, storm or flood damage
Caravan contents and equipment
Awnings
Third-party liability
Recovery costs
Alternative accommodation if the caravan cannot be used
Cover varies between insurers, so look for cover limits and towing conditions before buying. With MoneySuperMarket you'll be able to compare both market-value and new-for-old caravan policies.
Market value cover pays based on what your caravan was worth at the time of the loss
New-for-old cover can pay towards replacing it with an equivalent new caravan if it is stolen or damaged beyond repair
Do I need caravan breakdown cover?
Caravan breakdown cover isn't legally required, but it can be useful because standard breakdown insurance may only cover your tow car. It can include:
Roadside assistance
Recovery of both your car and caravan
Help with caravan punctures or wheel problems
Onward travel
Overnight accommodation
European recovery
Make sure you check any limits on the caravan's length, width, weight or age before buying - this is particularly important for larger touring caravans.
If you're travelling abroad, also look at whether European breakdown cover applies for the full length of your trip and in every country you're visiting.
What insurance do I need for a campervan or motorhome?
A campervan or motorhome needs its own motor insurance because it is driven rather than towed. Motorhome insurance can cover the vehicle itself and your liability while driving, while travel insurance provides separate protection for you and your holiday.
Depending on your trip, you may also want to look for:
European motor cover if travelling abroad
Personal belongings limits
Awning or camping equipment cover
What should I check before taking my caravan abroad?
Check your driving, insurance and breakdown requirements before leaving the UK because rules can differ between countries.
Before travelling:
Make sure your car insurance covers every country on your route
Tell your caravan insurer you're travelling abroad if required
Check how many days of overseas caravan cover you have
Confirm that your breakdown policy covers your caravan abroad
Get familiar with local towing speed and equipment rules
Understand whether you need an International Driving Permit
Take the vehicle and caravan documents required for your destination
Check whether your route has any size, weight or access restrictions
Frequently asked questions
Does my car insurance cover my caravan while I'm towing?
Not necessarily. Your car insurance might provide the third-party liability required while you're towing, but this does not mean damage to your own caravan will be covered.
Separate touring caravan insurance can provide protection against risks such as accidental damage, theft, fire and storm damage.
Is caravan insurance legally required?
No, separate caravan insurance isn't generally a legal requirement in the UK. However, your tow car must have the right motor insurance, while a lender, caravan park or storage provider might also require you to have particular cover.
Without separate caravan insurance, you could have to pay for damage to or theft of your own caravan yourself if it isn't covered elsewhere.
What should I do if my caravan starts snaking?
Ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed gently. Don't brake harshly or make sudden steering movements, as these can make the caravan less stable. Snaking can be a sign that you're travelling too fast or that the trailer has been loaded incorrectly.
Once it's safe to stop, check the caravan's loading and look for any obvious problems before continuing.
Does breakdown cover recover my caravan as well as my car?
Not always. Some breakdown policies cover only the tow vehicle, while others can recover both the car and caravan.
Limits can also apply to the caravan's length, width, weight or age, so check this before buying, particularly if you're taking a larger caravan or travelling in Europe.
Can I tow a caravan with my driving licence?
Most UK car licence holders can tow a caravan, but the weight you're allowed to tow depends on your licence entitlement and the vehicle.
Drivers who passed their car test from 1 January 1997 can generally tow a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500kg under category BE entitlement - but different rules can apply to heavier combinations.
You must also stay within your car manufacturer's towing and gross train weight limits.
Does caravan insurance cover a tyre blowout while towing?
It depends on the policy and what damage is caused - your insurance may not pay simply to replace a tyre that fails because of wear and tear or deterioration. However, resulting accidental damage to the caravan may be covered under some policies.
What happens if my caravan is damaged in an accident?
Make sure everyone is safe first and contact emergency services if necessary.
Report the incident to your car and caravan insurers as required and follow their instructions, and be sure to take photographs of the damage and scene where it's safe to do so, and exchange details with anyone else involved.
Whether damage to your caravan is covered will depend on your caravan policy and the circumstances of the accident.
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