Picture the scene: you’ve just invested in the caravan of your dreams and you have your summer holiday planned! You don’t want anything to ruin your good time, so decide to invest in caravan breakdown cover for peace of mind.
We understand that this type of breakdown cover can be confusing – does the cover you have for your car include your caravan, or do you need to take out a new policy? If this is you, don’t worry! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about caravan breakdown cover.
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The different levels of breakdown cover for your caravan
Just like with other types of vehicle breakdown cover, you can get different levels of cover for your caravan.
| The type of cover level | What is included with this cover |
| Roadside assistance | With this type of cover, if your vehicle breaks down, your breakdown provider will send someone out to rescue both your caravan and your car. They will try to make any repairs by the roadside. |
| Local recovery | This level of breakdown cover means your car and your caravan will be towed to a nearby garage for repair if your vehicle’s issues cannot be fixed by the side of the road. |
| National recovery | This type of cover differs from local recovery, as your vehicle and caravan can be taken to any garage across the UK. |
| Onward travel | This breakdown policy will cover the costs of overnight accommodation or alternative travel if your repairs cannot be made the same day. |
| Home start (also known as home assistance) | With this level of cover, if you break down close to home – or even at home – you are insured and can get assistance. |
| European cover | If you are planning on travelling across Europe with your caravan, it is best to inform your provider of which countries you are visiting so you can be sure your cover includes it. For this type of cover, you can also get single trips or an annual policy. |
Tip: All breakdown providers offer different things in their caravan breakdown cover – including the recovery of your caravan! So, it is best to read over your policy documents so you know exactly what you are signing up to.
The cost of caravan breakdown cover
As we have just mentioned, each breakdown provider will likely include different things in their caravan cover policies. When you add that to the different types of cover available, the pricing can fluctuate.
Typically, roadside assistance is the most basic level of cover – meaning it is the cheapest. The more that is included in your breakdown cover policy, the higher the price.
There are certain factors that can impact the price of your caravan’s cover. This can include:
- The age of your caravan
- The make and model of your caravan
- Your policy length
To find the best deal for what you need from your caravan breakdown cover, we recommend using comparison websites, such as GoCompare or MoneySupermarket.
Do I need separate cover policies for my car and my caravan?
Some breakdown providers do include joint cover for both your car and your caravan. However, some providers have separate policies for caravan and vehicle breakdown cover.
Of course, this will cost more money but after investing in your caravan, you will want to make sure it is covered in case something were to happen on the road.
Are there any size and weight limits for my caravan breakdown cover?
More often than not, breakdown providers will have specific requirements regarding the caravans they will cover for breakdowns.
There are typically four conditions your caravan will need to meet:
- Maximum weight
- Maximum height
- Maximum width
- Maximum length
Each breakdown provider will have different upper limitations for these stipulations, so you should read over your policy documents to be sure your caravan meets the requirements before signing anything.
If you are confused by these measurements, you will likely be able to find them in the purchase paperwork for your caravan, or you could simply look up the make and model online.
Will caravan breakdown cover also cover trailers, campervans, and motorhomes?
It is possible to use caravan breakdown cover on trailers, campervans, and motorhomes. However, this is dependent on the breakdown provider.
As motorhomes and campervans have wheels, they may need to have the type of breakdown cover that is for vehicles. Therefore, we recommend reading up on your policy documents to be sure you’re not paying for cover that you cannot use!
Is it a legal requirement to have caravan breakdown cover?
Legally, you do not need to have caravan breakdown cover for static or touring caravans. However, as these tend to be high investments, it is usually a good idea to insure them in case something was to happen.
If you are unsure what to do, we recommend weighing up the pros and cons, plus researching how much repairs tend to be for caravans. Usually, the cost of the repairs is far more expensive than paying for breakdown cover. This can make it worth it in the long run, even if it is just for peace of mind.
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