Getting your caravan insured is one thing - but how can you make sure you'll have a trouble-free claim if you suffer from a fire, accident or theft? Read our top tips to find out how.
1.Be completely honest
This is the number one problem - if an insurance company finds something that isn't as it should be they'll reject a claim straight away. If you change anything on your caravan or replace an insured attachment then make sure you tell your insurance company.
2. Keep good records
Keep receipts and other paperwork for items that you buy. This helps to prove you really did own the items you're claiming for and how much they cost you.
3. Take photos
Keep an up-to-date photographic record of your caravan and insured extras, and update it if you change or replace anything. Again this helps you to prove you did own the items covered.
Digital cameras make this very easy but make sure you download the pictures to a computer and preferably burn them to a CD or DVD for safe keeping.
4. Check cover limits
Apart from the value of the caravan itself, most policies will have upper limits for the total value of all your possessions in the caravan. There will also be a separate maximum limit for individual items. So, for example, if you choose £5000 to cover your possessions and there is a single item limit of £250, then a smartphone, for example, worth £450, will not be covered even if the total of all your possessions comes to less than the £5000 overall limit.
For touring caravans, if you do have items that cost more than the single item limit, you may be able to get them covered under your household or travel insurance policies.
5. Make sure your policy covers you properly
You might get a cheaper premium if you lower the value of your caravan and extras. But it won't help you if you DO suffer from fire or theft and you can't claim enough cash to replace your belongings.
6. Act quickly
When it comes to making a claim, don't waste any time. You'll get your money faster, but also the longer you leave it the more likely you are to forget vital details. There are time limits on making claims too.
7. Do it in writing
You likely to have to fill in a claim form in writing, but make sure you jot down the details of any phone calls you have with your insurer too. Note the time and date as well as what was said on both sides.
8. Contact the police
In cases of theft or malicious damage you must contact the police and make sure the crime is recorded, even if they don't appear to follow it up. An insurance company will usually want to see a record of the crime report.
9. Keep your cool
If your claim is disputed by the insurance company, make sure you don't lose your rag with them. If you are too argumentative or swear on the phone, most call centre staff are advised to hang up, and you'll lose any goodwill with them. Try to calmly restate your case and if you aren't getting anywhere, ask to speak to a supervisor.
10. Try and stay lucky
The best way to have a smooth claim is to not have one at all. Of course this may be out of your hands, particularly with fire and malicious damage, but taking care and following safety instructions will cut the risk of accident and fire.
