In this guide, we’ll take a detailed look at static caravan insurance, explaining clearly everything there is to know before you buy a static caravan insurance policy. We’ll also answer some common questions from people who are shopping for insurance for static caravans.
At a glance: Static caravan insurance covers your caravan against risks like theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage. It may also include liability protection. To buy it, compare quotes from multiple insurers, focusing on coverage details rather than just price.
It’s a good idea to use specialist providers who understand the unique needs of static caravan owners. Check for exclusions and consider any additional cover options to tailor the policy to your requirements. Always read the policy documents carefully before purchasing.
Please Note:
The team here at Holiday Park Expert are not accredited insurance sellers – so this article is not intended as financial advice – just an overview of what static caravan insurance is and some helpful knowledge. When you buy a holiday home on a caravan park, you’ll be dealing with someone who is accredited to sell insurance, so they’ll be able to answer specific questions and offer advice that’s specific to you.
What’s the Average Static Caravan Insurance Cost?
The average cost of static caravan insurance for a caravan on a holiday park in the UK is around £150 to £300 per year. The specific cost can vary based on several factors such as the value of the caravan, its location, and the level of cover required.
Of course, these are just averages. A little like buying car insurance, there will be some variables to consider – such as the value of your caravan, the type of policy you opt for, whether or not you sublet the holiday home, the level of public liability cover you need, and more.
The good news is, there aren’t as many variables as car insurance (no one we know’s been caught speeding in a static caravan!) – so the average cost of cover is mostly based around these factors – you’re unlikely to get quotes that are many times more than this.
What is Public Liability Insurance and Why Do I Need it?
Public liability cover is needed because members of the public will come into contact with your caravan, owing to the open nature of caravan parks. Whether you’re subletting or not, a park will almost certainly require you to have this because of the very rare instance that someone could hurt themselves as a result of your caravan.
Public liability cover is something that’s usually only needed for businesses that operate around the public – for example, if you’re a shop, a tradesperson, or any other kind of business that comes into contact with members of the public, this type of cover means you’re protected against claims that might come from injured members of the public.
There are two main reasons you’ll be required to have this kind of cover as part of your static caravan insurance policy. The first is simply because people will be near your caravan – so, as an example, if your window blew open and injured someone walking past, they might claim against your insurance policy, even though they’re not your guest.
The second reason comes down to subletting your static – either through the park or privately. If someone is injured when using your caravan – say slipping on a wet surface or trapping their fingers in a door – then it would be your policy that pays out if the made a successful personal injury claim.
In all honesty, these types of claims against an individual’s static caravan insurance are very rare – but parks like to make sure this insurance is in place so that everyone is covered should there be an injury.
Where Should I Buy Static Caravan Insurance?
You’ve got lots of options when it comes to buying static caravan cover. Typically, parks will have a relationship with a provider – and many will include insurance cover in the package price you pay for your static. Other providers of static caravan policies include CaravanWise, Leisure Days, NACO, InsureMY, and TowerGate.
Like car insurance, touring caravan insurance, and even home insurance – you’ve got a lot of providers to choose from if you’re shopping for the best static caravan insurance cover.
If you decide to shop around, it’s a good idea to put a couple of hours aside and explore all your options fully. Each static caravan insurance quote will be a little different – offering different levels of cover, different prices, and so on.
Here’s a quick run-down on some of the most well-known insurers out there:
- CaravanWise: Specialises in bespoke insurance for static caravans, offering flexible policies with coverage for accidental damage, theft, storm damage, and public liability.
- Leisure Days: Provides comprehensive static caravan insurance with benefits like new-for-old cover, accidental damage, storm damage, and a dedicated claims team for efficient service.
- NACO: The National Association of Caravan Owners offers tailored insurance for static caravans, emphasizing competitive rates, extensive coverage, and expert support for its members.
- InsureMY: Offers personalized static caravan insurance policies with features such as new-for-old cover, accidental damage, theft protection, and a 24/7 claims helpline.
- TowerGate: Provides specialized insurance for static caravans with options for new-for-old cover, public liability, loss of rent, and emergency accommodation, ensuring robust protection.
What’s New for Old Cover?
New for old cover is a type of insurance that means your old caravan will be replaced with a new, similar model, if your current caravan is damaged beyond the point of an economical repair being practical. If you think of it in terms of car insurance, it’s like getting a new car if your older one is written off.
As you can see, many people consider new for old cover to be quite desireable. Static caravans aren’t immune to damage – and the most significant damage often comes from the weather. If your caravan is badly damaged in, for example, a storm, and it’s not cost-effective to repair it, a new for old policy would mean a gleaming new model is going to be waiting for you at the end of the claims process.
The alternative to new for old cover is usually referred to as ‘market value cover’. With this type of static caravan policy, you’d get the current market value of your caravan if it were damaged beyond repair. Since caravans depreciate like cars, this will often be significantly less than the price you paid for your holiday home.
As you can probably imagine, new for old cover tends to be a touch more costly than market value cover – so it’s usually a case of weighing up the short-term cost against the benefits you might feel if something significant were to happen to your holiday home.
Can the Park I’m Buying On Help with My Caravan Insurance?
Yep – 9 times out of 10, the park you’re buying on will have a relationship with an insurance company and they’ll sign you up to their standard policy as part of the package you get when you buy your caravan.
This makes things super simple – not least because you don’t necessarily want to be shopping around before you give the thumbs up to your salesperson about the beautiful static caravan and plot you’ve just seen!
That said, you might find the park policy isn’t quite right for you – whether that’s the cost, the level of cover, or some other fine detail. Don’t panic though – you’ll be expected to renew your caravan insurance each year – so you’ll have the opportunity to look at other providers moving forward if you decide to.
Caravan Insurance FAQs
Do I need static caravan insurance?
If you’re on a holiday park, then yes, you do. It will be part of the park rules (and possibly the finance arrangement) that you sign up to when you buy your static caravan. Primarily, it’s there to protect you against any damage to your caravan – whether accidents, floods, wind, etc. It’s also there to protect the people in and around your caravan, in the unlikely even that someone is injured.
Do I need static caravan insurance on private land?
It depends. If you own your caravan outright and it’s on private land, there’s no requirement that you have insurance. However, if you’ve got a finance arrangement on your caravan, chances are the finance provider will insist you have insurance – your caravan is their property until it’s paid for, so it protects them financially.
Even if you don’t need caravan insurance, it’s a good idea to explore it. Caravans are costly to replace and costly to repair – so while an insurance policy might be an bit of an outlay upfront, it will likely repay itself many times over if your caravan is damaged.
Does static caravan insurance cover alternative accommodation if my caravan is damaged?
This depends – but it’s worth asking about if you’re privately subletting your caravan or using it as your first residence.
If you’re living in a static caravan, it would be extremely inconvenient if there was a problem that made your home impossible to live it. Therefore, it’s important to talk to providers about alternative accommodation when you shop around. In some cases, they’ll cover hotel accomodation nearby if damage takes your caravan out of action.
Likewise, it’s useful to explore this alternative accomodation question if you’re subletting your caravan privately. If your caravan is damaged, you might end up with renters who have no where to go – leaving you exposed to paying out refunds and having your caravan unavailable for some time. Again, talk to providers about this – and choose the policy that’s best suited to your needs.
Are personal possessions protected against theft with static caravan insurance?
Usually, yes – your personal possessions will be covered by your caravan insurance policy, up to a certain value.
Again though, this is something to be aware of when you shop around or talk to your park about the cover they can offer. Today, it’s not uncommon for phones, laptops, bikes, and other items to quickly tot-up to thousands of pounds – so your possessions are often worth more than people think.
Thefts on caravan parks are thankfully rare – usually because parks have some level of security, whether that’s patrols, CCTV, or caravan alarm systems. However, it’s not impossible that someone could take something, so it’s a good idea to look at cover if you’re worried.
Static Caravan Insurance Policies: A Summary
If you’re planning on owning – or your already own – a static caravan on a holiday park or a residential park, you’ll need an insurance policy to cover for things like damage, fire, theft, accidents, and – most of the time – public liability cover.
There are lots of variables when it comes to static caravan insurance – so it’s important to understand these and make sure you’re getting the right level of cover for you. Those variables can include new-for-old cover vs market value cover, the cost of personal possessions covered, alternative accomodation arrangements, and more.
Your park representative will be able to talk you through what’s offered by the park – but it’s always a good idea to get some online comparisions, make a couple of calls to get quotes, and generally be aware of the differences between policies – so you can find one that’s perfect for your needs.
At a Glance:
- Static caravan insurance covers risks like theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage, including liability protection.
- Compare quotes from multiple insurers, focusing on coverage details rather than just price.
- Specialist providers understand the unique needs of static caravan owners; check for exclusions and additional cover options.
- The average cost ranges from £150 to £300 per year, depending on various factors.
