By law, your car policy must include at least third party whilst any trailer (inc a caravan) is attached i.e. being towed.
Damage to the trailer/caravan itself is usually covered by an optional separate policy on the unit, which would also pick up third party cover whilst it was detached.
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
The simple answer is no as touring caravan insurance is not compulsory but merely an option to cover your specific requirements although it is advised to insure it especially if the caravan is on finance. However, if you do intend towing a trailer of any description then it is compulsory to inform your car insurance that you have a towbar fitted and that you will have a caravan attached to the insured vehicle.
Thank you, we have told our insurance company but I was talking to a friend last night who are thinking about getting into caravaning and he asked if they needed insurance by law and I was not sure.
"However, if you do intend towing a trailer of any description then it is compulsory to inform your car insurance that you have a towbar fitted and that you will have a caravan attached to the insured vehicle."
You sure about that
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Probably worth a phone call as a towbar might be classed as a modification although Saga don't regard it as so. It took them a few mins to establish this when I phoned them tho. Many insurance call centre workers don't seem to know if towbar fitting is a modification or not. I find it hard to believe it actually is if it states on your ins t&c's that you are covered for towing caravan/trailer.
No a towbar isn't actually classed as a modification but because it's a permanent fitment to the vehicle then the vehicle insurance company is supposed to be informed. You can of course refrain from doing so but if a claim is ever made via your car insurance they could refuse to pay out due to of a lack of this information so it's not worth the risk for the sake of one phone call. If you have a towbar fitted professionally you have a valid receipt which is proof that the towbar and electrics should be safe plus you should be covered for expenses if a third party shunts into the rear end and proved to be their fault. If your insurance are made aware of this then you can claim for a towbar inspection and replacement towbar fitted if need be but if you fail to let them know then the full cost will be at the hands of the policy holder.
Actually any change to the car to make it different to how it was when it left the factory is a modification. Fitting the tow bar is a modification and your policy of insurance usually has a clause stating that you must tell your insurers of any modification.
When you do they are generally quite uninterested and the call-centre may very well say "we don't need to know that". However, when you have an accident with the van attached just see then if they mention that you haven't mentioned the modification. Better to let them know (in writing) so that they have no reason to avoid their liability in the case of an accident. For the sake of a second class stamp just do it.
The OP's friends shouldn't really be asking if insurance is compulsory but whether it's sensible. If it gets stolen, it sensible. If it gets damaged whilst not attached to the car, its sensible. If it hits someone whilst running away whilst you are trying to move it, its
sensible.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by BULLY1 on 03/11/2012
Thank you, we have told our insurance company but I was talking to a friend last night who are thinking about getting into caravaning and he asked if they needed insurance by law and I was not sure.
Your friend if they buy a caravan needs to consider the possibility of an accident while the caravan is detached from the car. For example it catches fire and destroys the caravan next to it. They will be held liable. If, for example, someone trips over a guy rope and sues?
Then of course we have caravan theft etc!
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Topic: insurance
