Hitting the roads of Western Australia in your caravan? Here's how to get protected.
From the limestone formations of The Pinnacles to the lush wineries of Swan Valley, Western Australia harbours some stunning experiences. If you’re looking to explore these by caravan it’s important to consider the possibility of a motor breakdown, natural disaster or vandalism.
A suitable insurance policy is a must-have before hitting the road. Below we’ve detailed what to consider when seeking out caravan insurance in WA.
How do other brands compare?
| Emergency expenses | Temporary accommodation | Contents | Annex cover | Discounts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $150/day for 30 days (on-site) or 14 days (on-road) | $1,000 |
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 Youi |
$1,000 | $1,000 | $750 |
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 NRMA |
$1,000 | $100/day up to $4,000 (on-site) or 7 days (on-road) | $1,000 |
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 QBE |
$500 | $1,000 |
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 GIO |
$1,000 | $150/day for 30 days (on-site) or 14 days (on-road) | $1,000 |
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 CGU |
$1,000 | $100/day for 5 days |
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 CIL |
$500 | $100/day for 20 days (on-site) or 5 days (on-road) | $1,000 |
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Why do I need caravan insurance?
Investing in the right insurance policy means curbing the impact of certain problems before they strike. While we don’t count on motor breakdown, theft or natural disasters to occur, they’re more common than we think.
Most insurers provide CTPs that cover both your car and any vehicle that it tows. Although this is convenient, we sometimes need more specific insurance coverage.
What types of caravan can I get covered?
Insurers usually offer coverage based on the type of caravan you own, such as:
- Caravans. Includes on-site, camper and touring caravans.
- Trailers. Includes car, box and boat trailers.
- Horse floats.
What should I consider when purchasing caravan insurance in WA?
There’s plenty of options to consider when seeking out caravan insurance. Below are some of the most common:
- Collision or crash. Are you and any third parties covered if there’s an incident?
- Natural disasters. In the event of flooding, storms or fire will your policy support any necessary repairs?
- Emergency accommodation or repairs. The beauty of WA is matched by its isolation - if you breakdown will your policy provide ground assistance or emergency accommodation?
- Contents. Does your caravan double as a business item or hold sentimental valuables? Insuring the contents of your caravan in the event of theft or vandalism could be relevant.
- Caravan replacement. If your caravan is written-off does your policy offer new-for-old replacement?
What kind of caravan insurance is offered in WA?
The most general insurance policies offer a unique mode of coverage and flexibility in policy additions. Below is a table outlining each type and what’s offered:
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third party fire and theft | Third party property damage only |
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| Fire |
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| Theft |
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| Earthquake |
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| Emergency accommodation, transport and repairs |
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| Towing costs |
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| Caravan park fees |
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| Counselling services |
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| Legal liability |
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| Solar panels and TV antennas |
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| Contents |
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| Traveller bonus |
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| Collision or crash |
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| Food spoilage |
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| Accidental damage |
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| Intentional damage |
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What optional extras are there?
- Animal death/injury. If you transport equines or travel with a family pet your policy should insure against the instance of an animal death or injury.
- Locks and keys. In the event of loss or theft this inclusion offers support in finding a locksmith or the installation of new security.
- Burnout of motor. Provides a new motor if your current one fails you.
- Lay-up cover. If your caravan isn’t in use all-year round you can opt for a 6-month period of lay-up, allowing you a reduced premium.
- On-site coverage. If your caravan is kept on-site in a caravan park most insurers offer a policy tailored to this.
What does caravan insurance cost?
The cost of insurance varies according to your type of caravan, requirements and general usage. Two of the general categories of usage are:
- Touring caravan insurance. WA compulsory third-party insurance (CTP) crosses over to protect some towed vehicles. Touring caravans, such as a campervan, horse-float or box-trailer, require insurance like a CTP car insurance policy. The model and year of your caravan plus additional modifications will also affect your insurance costs.
- On-site caravan insurance. If your caravan is predominantly stationary your insurance will operate like home and contents insurance. The cost will be influenced by what you choose to insure as well as your claims history.
What things can affect your caravan insurance premium?
Insurance companies determine your premium by assessing the likelihood of a claim being made. Factors that affect premiums include:
- Whether your caravan is an extension of your business or if it’s used solely for leisure.
- The safety of your caravan if it’s stored in a garage or fitted with a security system.
- The suburb your caravan is kept
- The rate of depreciation for caravans. Some insurers stand firm at 5% per year.
Are there any exclusions and additional costs in WA?
It’s important to be aware of actions that may revoke your policy. Insurers in WA will not provide insurance in the following instances:
- If you encounter an accident and the towing car is unregistered or if your caravan was being used for hire or reward (unless this is outlined in your policy).
- You’ve consumed more than the legal limit of drugs and/or alcohol during the course of an incident.
- A breakage that does not extend through the entire thickness of a damaged item such as scratches or chips.
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