Static Caravan Insurance

What is a Static Caravan?

Static caravans are prefabricated in factories and delivered ready to site. They are often referred to as ‘homes away from home’, typically found on permanent or temporary sites, oftentimes in a desirable location.

They’re also often called ‘leisure homes’ offering great opportunities for those looking to get away. Leisure homes are also favourable for buyers seeking out a property alternative, different to traditional brick and mortar homes.

When insurers talk about leisure homes, they’re talking about not only static caravans, but also leisure lodges. Leisure lodges are a little bit wider than static caravans and have a higher specification of furnishing to them usually, with a typical sum insured of around £240,000. Leisure homes is the term used within the industry as it refers to how this style of property is usually for holiday use or letting, as opposed to a residence.

What’s the difference between a Touring Caravan and a Static Caravan?

The biggest and most obvious difference between a touring caravan and a static caravan is the fact that touring caravans are designed to ‘tour’, thus being mobile and towable, whereas static caravans are ‘static’, without wheels and are not moved once delivered to a site via the factory.

As static caravans or leisure lodges are rarely transported, they’re typically heavier and more luxuriously designed, especially inside, in comparison to touring caravans. Ultimately, since these leisure homes stay in one place, they’re often more spacious than touring caravans, come better equipped with a wider range of facilities, and function better all year round.

Do I need static caravan insurance?

Whilst it’s not a legal requirement to insure a static caravan or leisure lodge, most sites will insist that caravan owners must hold a policy which includes Public Liability cover of at least £5 million pounds. This cover is included as part of a comprehensive static caravan policy as standard at no extra cost.

Nevertheless, even if you’re not asked to show proof of insurance, you still need to consider how potentially not getting static caravan insurance could leave a major financial asset going unprotected and uncovered.

What does Howden’s Static Caravan Insurance cover?

Your static caravan insurance policy will protect your asset in the event of an accident or incident involving your property. You could expect this cover to protect you against:

• Both internal and external accidental damage
• Flooding, fires, explosion or weather damage (e.g., storms, snow, lighting, earthquakes)
• Theft
• Accidental damage (both internal and external damage)
• Public liability and third-party liability

Your static caravan cover will always include the structure of your caravan. There will be options to include contents within the static caravan, your decking and veranda, hot tubs, sheds, or outbuildings within the plot your property is on. If you have, or later add, a hot tub, woodburning stove or a sauna then you’ll need to mention this to your insurer to ensure that they’re happy to provide you with a quotation, or continue your cover.

How much does Static Caravan Insurance cost?

Each insurer is different, and they each offer a particular price for their caravan policy, making the job of predicting how much you can expect to pay that little bit harder! Additionally, there are several factors which can influence the price you are quoted, which are:

• The value of the static caravan – the more it’s worth, the more you should expect to pay
• How large the static caravan is
• How old the static caravan is
• Where the static caravan is located

If you get in touch with us, we can connect our sources to find the perfect static caravan insurance cover for your leisure home, that’s not only right for you, but is also affordable.

How to cut cost on your static caravan insurance

Most insurers will provide you with a premium payable for your static caravan insurance based upon the information you provide them with.

But there are some ways you could potentially reduce your premium. You could:

• Agree to increase your policy excess by having a voluntary excess, which will be payable in the event of an insured claim and added to the insurer's compulsory excess, to equal your total contribution payable, in the event of a claim under your policy.
• Reduce your cover from New for Old cover to Market Value Cover.
• Pay for your policy in one interest-free lump sum, rather than in monthly instalments.
• Avoid unnecessary add-ons and policy upgrades you don’t need.

Getting a Static Caravan quote with an insurance broker

So that we can help you find get a hold of the best static caravan insurance quotes, we’ll need you to provide us with the following information:

• Your personal details
• The make, model and the year the caravan was made
• Your caravan insurance claims history
• Your caravan site address
• The price you need to insure your caravan for on a New for Old or a Market Value basis

If you wish to include any cover for your caravan contents, you’ll also need to provide the costs needed to replace these contents, either brand new or on a market value basis, depending on whether you’re insuring the structure of your static caravan on a New for Old or a Market Value basis.

Who Howden work with

The great relationships we have with a wide range of trusted static caravan insurance providers allows us to provide a service which supports each and every one of our leisure home clients.

The years of experience our team have working in the insurance industry, in addition to being enthusiasts themselves, has meant that Howden continues to be rated highly by our clients.

Claims

We’re here to assist you when it matters most.

Whatever’s happened to you or your van, we’re here to help. It’s part of our service to make sure that your claim is dealt with as quickly as possible and without any hassle.

MAKE A CLAIM

What is New for Old static caravan insurance?

New for Old insurance cover replaces your static caravan with a brand new same or equivalent make/model as your existing caravan. To qualify for New for Old cover your caravan sum insured on your insurance policy must equal the same price that a brand-new version or equivalent version of your caravan costs now to replace through your caravan site.

In the event of an insured claim where your caravan is classed as beyond economical to repair, your insurer will either source you a brand-new caravan, or in some cases make a cash settlement for this amount to you.

If you’re unsure about where to find this cost from, you can contact your caravan site owner or sales office who should be able to help.

Does static caravan insurance cover contents?

Comprehensive static caravan insurance policies will give you the option to include contents cover for your leisure home.

If you’re using your caravan as a holiday home, then this cover will let you insure any of the contents of your caravan that don’t come with it at point of manufacture. Anything that you have added to the inside of your caravan such as bedding, crockery, TV’s, pictures, ornaments etc. is usually covered within the contents section.

Does the site my static caravan is on make a difference?

An insurer will ask for details about where your static caravan is sited before being able to produce a quote, because its location will make a difference.

Can I insure my static caravan for holiday rentals?

Yes, you’re usually able to let your static caravan out for commercial gain (exchange of money for the hire period from the person hiring your caravan). Your leisure home insurer will require you to let them know if you’re letting your caravan out to the public before you do this. They will then confirm that this use is acceptable to them under the insurance policy they provide you with.

Can I insure my static caravan as my permanent residence?

Yes, if you buy a residential static caravan insurance policy then you can be covered if you decide to live in your static caravan.

If you use your static caravan or leisure lodge as your main residence rather than your holiday home, you’ll need to make sure that your policy is suitable for residential use. In this case, we offer cover for the static caravan or lodge under a park home policy, as these are especially written for those looking to use their property as a main residence.

Since COVID-19, we’re seeing more and more static caravan and leisure lodge owners live in their property as their main home and only residence.

I live in a static caravan but not on a residential site, which policy do I need to quote on?

The policy you’ll need will differ depending on your insurer and their terms. In this situation, we’d aim to source you a quote for a park home policy which would cover you for living on a non-residential site. A park home policy is ideal as they’re designed to cover those who live in leisure homes and park homes as their main residence.

Insurers policies are not always this straightforward though, so speaking to an insurance broker who specialises in static caravan and leisure home policies will give you access to expertise and an experienced professional able to provide a bespoke service for you.

Can I get cover for when I hire out my static caravan?

Some insurers will give you the option to include cover for wilful and malicious damage caused by hirers. The additional premium for this cover can be surprisingly small. If you’re letting your caravan out to the public, it would be worth investing in this cover to protect your asset as hirers will often treat your property in a different way than they would if it belonged to them.

If you’re unsure whether to take out this optional cover, obtain a quote with and without it. Not every insurer will offer this cover as an option. 

Am I covered if my static caravan is unoccupied?

Residential caravan policies will always have a maximum period of days where you’re able to leave your caravan unoccupied. This period will range from insurer to insurer. If you’re leaving your caravan unoccupied for more than the period of cover in your policy booklet, then your insurer may need to be notified. The unoccupancy terms, which apply under your policy if you leave your caravan unoccupied, will be within your policy booklet. You should check the full terms before you leave your caravan unoccupied.

You may need to contact an insurance broker to shop around a panel of insurers for you to provide you this cover to meet your needs.

Can I insure my static caravan to cover flooding?

Flood cover will be either included or excluded under your caravan insurance policy depending on the post code of your caravan site and the insurer's underwriting rules. As an insurance broker we’ll be able to look around and advise you of your options with regards to flood cover being available for your caravan.

Do you need planning permission for a static caravan?

You’ll almost certainly be expected to need planning permission if you intend on living permanently in your static caravan on land that is your own.