Hi there, very new to all this but just had a thought - as in do we have to inform our motor insurance company that we a. have had a towbar fitted and b. intend to pull a caravan? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Lisa.
Do I have to let my insurance company know I intend to tow a caravan?
- Thread starter soldlisa04
- Start date
Yes you certainly should tell them, preferably by letter ( keep a copy ) and ask them to confirm any alterations to the contents or terms of the policy in writing, that way they can't wriggle out of anything if at any time you need to make a claim.
Steve W
Steve W
- Sep 4, 2011
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Also make sure towbar is on policy as if you look at web site quotes you will see it is listed as a modification.
But don't be happy about paying over the odds for having a towbar, most companies in my experience will just make a note and make no charge. But one supposedly 4x4 specialist company quoted me a reasonable premium, only to hike it by about 20% because I told them I actually towed with my car. Fortunately I was within the cooling off period so just cancelled.
We have both vehicles & the caravan with the same insurance company...........
In June 2009 a week before we were due to go away, i had parked my truck up & gone into the doctors .........
When i returned a car had run down a adjacent hill ( driver got out & forgot to put the handbrake on ) & into the driver side front door & damaged the door pillar & rear door........( it required a new side & both doors )
The accident happened at about 16.30 & by just after 6pm my truck had been collected & taken to the garage ..........
The accident happened on a Thursday afternoon & by Saturday morning the insurance company had provided us with a like for like vehicle with a new towbar fitted so we could tow the van & go on holiday.....
So you do get what you pay for.
As said tell them that you have a towbar fitted & check what will be covered.
In June 2009 a week before we were due to go away, i had parked my truck up & gone into the doctors .........
When i returned a car had run down a adjacent hill ( driver got out & forgot to put the handbrake on ) & into the driver side front door & damaged the door pillar & rear door........( it required a new side & both doors )
The accident happened at about 16.30 & by just after 6pm my truck had been collected & taken to the garage ..........
The accident happened on a Thursday afternoon & by Saturday morning the insurance company had provided us with a like for like vehicle with a new towbar fitted so we could tow the van & go on holiday.....
So you do get what you pay for.
As said tell them that you have a towbar fitted & check what will be covered.
As said by many others, many Insurance company's regard tow bars as a modification.Most do not charge any extra for it. However if you do not tell them of ANY modifications to the standard vehicle, new alloy wheels,colour change, even new audio equipment.you are in default of their terms & conditions,& they could refuse to pay out in the event of a claim
Just seen your post, been up at the show.
Yes definitely (not sure that's spelt right) even if the towbar is factory fitted. I got quotes from the meerkat and mentioned in passing that I would be towing. They said "no problem" as long as your caravan is less that 21 foot in length. Be careful !!!
Yes definitely (not sure that's spelt right) even if the towbar is factory fitted. I got quotes from the meerkat and mentioned in passing that I would be towing. They said "no problem" as long as your caravan is less that 21 foot in length. Be careful !!!
Thanks for all your comments, much appreciated. Husband will be calling them tonight, but we are now a bit worried as our caravan is just over 24 feet long? Will this mean they won't insure us?????????
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Lisa,
Only your insurance company can tell you if they will insure you to tow a 24ft (7.32M) long caravan. Any limitations should be written in their policy terms and conditions, if in doubt actually ask the company for clarification
Now I may be reading the posts wrongly, but I sence you may be relatively new to towing, and that has set some warning bells ringing. With such a large caravan it is likely to be a failrly heavy one, which in turn suggests you may have a heavy tow vehicle. Do check that the driver is licensed to drive such a big outfit:-
If the driver does not have cat BE or B+E on there entitlement they are only allowed to tow an outfit that has a combined MAM of 3500kg. The MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass).
Only your insurance company can tell you if they will insure you to tow a 24ft (7.32M) long caravan. Any limitations should be written in their policy terms and conditions, if in doubt actually ask the company for clarification
Now I may be reading the posts wrongly, but I sence you may be relatively new to towing, and that has set some warning bells ringing. With such a large caravan it is likely to be a failrly heavy one, which in turn suggests you may have a heavy tow vehicle. Do check that the driver is licensed to drive such a big outfit:-
If the driver does not have cat BE or B+E on there entitlement they are only allowed to tow an outfit that has a combined MAM of 3500kg. The MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass).
- Jun 20, 2005
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Hi Lisa
This subject cropped a few months ago. See this http://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/insurance-security-and-storage/aviva-and-saga-car-insurance?page=1
Additionally SAGA wrote an open letter in the mag confirming they do cover caravans for RTA risks.
The lesson is simple. It's all about Disclosure.
You must tell your Insurer a tow bar is fitted.
You must tell them you tow a caravan, best to name the model.
This subject cropped a few months ago. See this http://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/insurance-security-and-storage/aviva-and-saga-car-insurance?page=1
Additionally SAGA wrote an open letter in the mag confirming they do cover caravans for RTA risks.
The lesson is simple. It's all about Disclosure.
You must tell your Insurer a tow bar is fitted.
You must tell them you tow a caravan, best to name the model.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post. We have a 2.2 diesel mondeo 155 bhp so although there is no problem whatsoever with weight pulling the caravan, it does say that the kerb weight is over slightly - but our caravan dealer assured us as long as we load the caravan correctly and don't overload it (i.e. put awning on back seat or in boot of car) then all should be well. Also sought advice from a.n. other dealer who said although it was at top end of weight range, as long as loaded correctly, would be OK. However, before we go to the expense of having a towbar fitted to current Mondeo - we may have two options, those being buy next door neighbours Kia Sorento off of them as they may be looking to for smaller car as now have the motorhome or take out a small loan and buy bigger tow car and then sell the Mondeo!
Rather depends on what the insurers tell the OH tonight - but we do have until end Jan to pick up the caravan so it's not too urgent a problem. Fingers crossed the bank will be cooperative next week!
BTW does anyone know if taking the Camping and Caravanning Club one day manouevring (sorry spelling wrong) course lowers your insurance or at least makes them feel more at ease?
Rather depends on what the insurers tell the OH tonight - but we do have until end Jan to pick up the caravan so it's not too urgent a problem. Fingers crossed the bank will be cooperative next week!
BTW does anyone know if taking the Camping and Caravanning Club one day manouevring (sorry spelling wrong) course lowers your insurance or at least makes them feel more at ease?
Just phoned my insurance company to check my policy and although I informed them about the tow bar in 2006 when I puchased the car they had not put on my details for some reason.
They have now done so they would send me a new certificate and that there was no addition to the premium to pay, but the caravan was only covered third party, that is OK because I have seperate cover for the van.
They have now done so they would send me a new certificate and that there was no addition to the premium to pay, but the caravan was only covered third party, that is OK because I have seperate cover for the van.
- Sep 4, 2011
- 316
- 122
- 18,735
- Sep 4, 2011
- 316
- 122
- 18,735
- Jun 20, 2005
- 19,218
- 4,743
- 50,935
Hi Lisa
I don't know about the C&CC but The Caravan Club run towing courses over two days. SWMBO went on one a long time ago and now tows with confidence. The written package was excellent too. Even an old dog like me learnt a few new tricks.
The car, Sorento, is also insured via the CC and was cheaper than anyone else!
I don't know about the C&CC but The Caravan Club run towing courses over two days. SWMBO went on one a long time ago and now tows with confidence. The written package was excellent too. Even an old dog like me learnt a few new tricks.
The car, Sorento, is also insured via the CC and was cheaper than anyone else!
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hello David L,
As far as I know no car insurance policy will give more than third party cover to any trailer. after all the car policy will only cover the caravan whilst it is hitched (or in teh general process of being towed) by the the car.
If they did offer comprehensive cover the premiums would rocket.
It is usuall to take out seperate comprehensive cover just for the caravan to cover contents and any third party claims against you whilst it is on site or in storage.etc.
As far as I know no car insurance policy will give more than third party cover to any trailer. after all the car policy will only cover the caravan whilst it is hitched (or in teh general process of being towed) by the the car.
If they did offer comprehensive cover the premiums would rocket.
It is usuall to take out seperate comprehensive cover just for the caravan to cover contents and any third party claims against you whilst it is on site or in storage.etc.
Hello all - update: spoke to the insurance company last night, didn't seem at all worried, didn't even ask the make/model of caravan and just said to let them know when towbar fitted! So far the cheapest quote for the caravan is with the CC Club - so will probably insure using them and I know that at some point I will have to undergo some sort of course as it's not fair to expect the OH to do all the towing even if he is qualified to drive a submarine! Still waiting to see if we can buy the Sorento which would solve a lot of problems least of all not having to pay for a towbar to be fitted! Thanks for all the advice - watch this space.
Well well well, you learn something new every day,never crossed my mind to inform the various insurance companys that I have delt with in the past, that for part of the year I tow a trailer.
My latest Insurer has added the magic words to my policy tow ball fitted at no extra cost, never asked me what length of van ,mine being 23'6".
Thanks again Royston
My latest Insurer has added the magic words to my policy tow ball fitted at no extra cost, never asked me what length of van ,mine being 23'6".
Thanks again Royston
soldlisa04 said:
Don't know about the Camping & Caravan Club courses but I went on the Caravan Club's one day caravan manoeuvring course which gives me a discount every year on my caravan insurance ( with Caravan Club). Can't remember offhand what percentage discount it is but as I was insured with them any way it's a bit of a bonus. Also a very informative day, I had been towing a caravan for over twenty years before I went on the course but still found it very worth while.
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