What you need to know
- To get cover for an onsite caravan, start by finding a regular caravan insurance policy.
- Let the insurer know you will not be driving your caravan around.
- Make sure you get extra contents cover for any valuables inside.
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An onsite caravan stays in one place, rather than travelling around. This means that if your caravan is staying in a caravan park or in your backyard, then your insurance needs will be very different than if your caravan is constantly on the road.
In some ways, insurance for an onsite caravan is similar to home insurance in terms of what you’ll need to be covered for.
Some companies will offer cover tailored to onsite caravans. Others may just offer a generic caravan insurance policy where you’ll have to let them know that it’s not moving.
In either case, onsite caravan insurance should usually include cover for the following:
Moving caravan insurance treats the caravan like a combo of a car and home, so it covers for the sorts of things you’ll be seeing on the open road as well as the hazards of a stationary environment. A moving caravan will need liability cover in case it injures someone, lay-up cover (see below) if it’s going into storage and roadside assistance in case it breaks down.
Onsite caravan insurance (also known as static caravan insurance) looks at the caravan as more of a home than a car. This means you may need increased contents insurance to safeguard pricey stuff and landlord insurance if you rent it out. If you do move it, you will need to notify your insurer or risk voiding your insurance.
Caravans shouldn't be confused with motorhomes, which have an engine and can be driven without being towed. You can also compare motorhome cover with us.
It’s worth looking at some of the extras offered by different companies. Generally speaking, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:
The excess you’ll need to pay depends on the level of cover you’ve selected. If you’ve opted for higher premiums, your excess will be lower than if you’ve opted for less expensive premiums. It depends on whether you feel more comfortable with higher ongoing expenses or the possibility of a big lump sum.
Insurance companies usually offer a couple of ways to make a claim. You can usually contact them by phone or through their website. You might need to send through supporting evidence to validate your claim. This can include receipts, warranty info, valuations and appraisals. Companies will generally want this info so they can make sure you aren’t subject to any of the exclusions mentioned earlier.
The response of the insurance company will depend on a few factors, but a real biggie is whether you had a conversation with them first. If you didn’t, then read no further because that just voided your cover.
Most caravan insurance policies should have liability cover for this possibility. If you’re not sure, check with the insurer whether liability cover is included or an optional extra. Liability cover will generally protect you from payout costs if you damage someone else’s property or accidentally injure your neighbour.
If the damage is the result of an insurer-covered event, most policies provide support for temporary accommodation. The amount and time frame vary and depend on whether your caravan is onsite or on-road as well as on what the policy's limits are.
Your policy will usually cover you for appliances that come as part of the caravan, such as stove tops or fridge motors. To be sure, you will need to find out if your policy includes motor burnout insurance. Extra appliances in the kitchen or bathroom are not generally covered. You may want to consider additional fixtures and fittings cover for any gadgets you add into the mix.
Insurance companies will usually cover you for the cost of food spoilage up to a certain amount (e.g. $500 worth) if the spoilage is the result of an incident you’re insured for.
Picture: Shutterstock
Gary Hunter is a writer at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, health, travel, home and pet insurance for over three years, has pored over hundreds of product disclosure statements and written more than 500 insurance articles. Gary holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and is passionate about helping Aussies understand their policies so that they can get better value for their money.
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