Caravan Insurance

You can typically purchase insurance to provide cover for your caravan or camper trailer while it is travelling on the road, when it is on-site at a caravan park, and/or when it is not being used for a certain period of time.

There are typically different levels of cover available under a caravan insurance policy, which are generally grouped into two areas:

• Comprehensive – policies that cover damage or loss of the caravan and property inside it, as well as any damage to other people’s property
• Third party – policies that only cover damage to other people or someone else’s property where the policyholder is at fault. You and your property are typically not covered if you are at fault.

Depending on how you use your caravan and the type of caravan you own will determine the cover you need.

Touring caravan insurance
Touring or tourer caravan insurance covers caravans towed by a vehicle. This type of insurance generally covers accidents, theft, contents, third party and public liability.

Camper trailer insurance
Camper trailers and folding caravans tend to be less secure and prone to weather damage. This type of insurance provides a similar cover as caravan insurance, but it doesn’t protect from weather damage and contents due to lack of security.

Motorhome insurance
Motorhomes are considered as different to caravans as they have engines. They are not covered by caravan insurance, and instead require motorhome insurance.

Few vehicles on our roads need insurance more than caravans or camper trailers for a range of reasons: they are large and vulnerable to damage, they are often driven into unfamiliar places and they usually spend a lot of their life outdoors in all sorts of weather.

If your caravan is damaged in an accident where you’re at fault, having caravan insurance helps to pay for repairs – or can replace it altogether if your caravan is written off.

If your caravan is stolen, caravan insurance can pay you the agreed or market value, so you can buy another caravan.

Jane and Max decided to take a month-long caravan trip from Newcastle to the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, and whilst driving into Noosa Heads National Park, an accident occurred. Fortunately, Jane and Max escaped without injury, however, the same could not be said for their 4WD, and caravan.

Jane and Max contacted their insurance broker who took some details and arranged for their car and caravan to be towed and assessed. Because their policy also contained accommodation, they helped arrange temporary accommodation in a nearby motel while their claim was assessed.

An assessor contacted them the next day, letting them know that their caravan could be repaired and that her insurance would cover the cost. They also helped arrange the repair of their 4WD which was covered under their motor vehicle insurance policy. While she was waiting for her car to be repaired, they also had access to a rental car – with the cost also covered by the motor vehicle insurance policy.

Finally, after the repairs were completed, they were able to complete their trip.

Each policy is different, but generally your caravan won’t be covered for:

• Deterioration, depreciation, rust, corrosion, mould, or wear and tear of the caravan
• Damage from vermin
• Faulty design, or mechanical or structural failure in the caravan
• Fusion of electric motors
• Failure to secure your caravan, or leaving it in an unsafe position
• Pre-existing damage from before you took out your policy
• Water escaping from a shower recess or shower base
• Scorching or melting where there was no flame (check details with your insurer).

There are other exclusions which our insurance brokers can outline for you. A deductible/excess may apply.

Our brokers can help you compare the best caravan insurance and tailor a caravan insurance quote to ensure you are adequately covered.