Insurance , who pays for crash damage ??

[Fatboy]

1 if i was towing and someone ran in to me and damaged my car and caravan...who helps me claim is it my caravan insurance or my car insurance.
2. if i damage my caravan while towing who do i go to my caravan insurance or my car insurance.
3. if some one runs into the back of my caravan do i go to my car insurance or my caravaninsurance.

Ive posted these questtions because i have never known the answer, i now im wrong because i dont have any insurance on my caravan at moment, I know that a caravan insurance will cover me for theft or damage to the caravan but when you look in to getting insurance for a caravan they never actually mention damage while on the move. I rfeally want to get the caravan insured but as i said i really dont understand who will cover damge while towing or crashes while towing........please help me !

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Fatboy,

With questions such as yours, your first port of call should be the policy documentation supplied when you took out the policy out, and if that does not provide clarity, then contact your insurer or broker, as there may be details which could differ from what follows.

Now your questions in order.

!. As a general approach your car insurance, even if it is fully comprehensive will only cover any trailer for third party risks whilst it is hitched, so if it is a moving vehicle incident, then your car insurance should act on your behalf, but depending on the exact circumstances you may need to claim separately for any damage to the caravan and its contents.

2. If you damage the caravan when towing, then because it is only third party covered by your car insurance then I'm afraid no one will cover the damage to your caravan.

3. If someone collides with the rear of your caravan, who you claim through will depend on whether the caravan was hitched to the car, and where the incident takes place. If it is hitched and on in an area where the public have free access then it would be most likely the car insurance as it is a vehicular collision. But if the caravan was sited and unhitched, then your caravan insurance would be your mentor.

There is no legal requirement for you to have caravan insurance, but in the event of any claim being made against you relating to the caravan, then you would be personally liable to meet any claim held against you, and we are not talking about the cost of repairs, but things like injury compensation claims which codl run into tens of thousands £.

 

[Tukums]

Hi Fatboy, some examples:
Two years ago, while I was taking my caravan back to the storage compound, I took a turn too short and clipped another caravan parked up with my caravan. The damage was minor, a small chunk taken out of the front corner of the other caravan and my caravan wheel spat was damaged. Contacted my car insurance company and the other owner, it was all sorted and paid for by my cars third party liability to the other owner. Damage to my caravan was only £60.00; I have a £100 access so paid for it myself, if more the caravan insurance would have paid.
At Easter this year while traveling, debris came up off the road and hit my caravan front window and cracked it (Sprite large window), replacement window paid for by caravan insurance, in this case the cost was £911.99 and I paid the £100 access.
Twelve years ago I was involved in a RTA, car written off, car insurance paid out and also the third party liabilities. Caravan insurance paid for repairs to caravan, well I had an option, write off or repair.
It does pay to have good caravan insurance and as already said, understand the policy details; market value or new for old.

 

[Raywood]

When it comes to damage to your property your car insurance covers the car and the caravan insurance the caravan in all of your queries. The only time the car insurance ciovers the caravan is for any third party laims you recieve while towing in which case the motor policy has to apply as it is a requirement of the Road Traffic Act. The third party cover on the caravan policy only applies when it is not hitched up.
Parksy is wrong on the point 3 about your caravan being hit by a third party. The car insurance will still only cover the car and the caravan insurance the caravan.
If you have any doubts I have recently retired from the insurance industry after over 45 years in claims

 

[JonnyG]

interesting this, for instance if you go to a go compare type site, they will state you actually need caravan insurance!!!!!!!! Which is wrong. you do not need seperate caravan insurance, if you are in doubt then best ask one of the big caravan clubs like the c&c&c.
So from that piont of view that you dont actually need seperate caravan insurance although its best to have it as you then have total cover for own fault and theft cases.
Which raises the question that if you didnt have caravan insurance and you were hit by a third person how would you claim for the caravan? err that would be with your car insurance they are legally obliged, although assuming you have the third parties insurance details you could actually do it yourself and strangely dealing with the third parties insurance yourself actually gets results quicker. or maybe thats just me and my wonderfull persona at work.............

 

[Parksy]

When it comes to damage to your property your car insurance covers the car and the caravan insurance the caravan in all of your queries. The only time the car insurance ciovers the caravan is for any third party laims you recieve while towing in which case the motor policy has to apply as it is a requirement of the Road Traffic Act. The third party cover on the caravan policy only applies when it is not hitched up.
Parksy iws rong on the point 3 about your caravan being hit by a third party. The car insurance will still only cover the car and the caravan insurance the caravan.
If you have any doubts I have recently retired from the insurance industry after over 45 years in claims

I think that you'll find that you are wrong about me having posted anything of the sort!

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Prof
"
3. If someone collides with the rear of your caravan, who you claim through will depend on whether the caravan was hitched to the car, and where the incident takes place. If it is hitched and on in an area where the public have free access then it would be most likely the car insurance as it is a vehicular collision. But if the caravan was sited and unhitched, then your caravan insurance would be your mentor."

A Judge told me many years ago he wasn't interested whether someone was Insured. In his Court the person who caused the damage was personally liable and that was that. If the culpable party was insured then lucky for him, his Insurers would settle the claim.
In the scenario quoted whether the caravan is hitched or not makes no difference to which party is legally liable. In all instances above it will always be the third party motorist who is legally liable and thus , assuming he / she is insured, his car Insurers will have to pay the claim.
Even if the caravan was insured by its owner those Insurers would obviously deal with the caravan claim and then under the rules of subrogation seek recompence from the third party motorist. If it wasn't insured the caravan owner would have to persue a claim directly against the TP motorist who in turn can choose to deal with the claim himself or if he has any sense let his motor insurer handle it on his behalf.

 

[Raywood]

Hi Prof
"
3. If someone collides with the rear of your caravan, who you claim through will depend on whether the caravan was hitched to the car, and where the incident takes place. If it is hitched and on in an area where the public have free access then it would be most likely the car insurance as it is a vehicular collision. But if the caravan was sited and unhitched, then your caravan insurance would be your mentor."

A Judge told me many years ago he wasn't interested whether someone was Insured. In his Court the person who caused the damage was personally liable and that was that. If the culpable party was insured then lucky for him, his Insurers would settle the claim.
In the scenario quoted whether the caravan is hitched or not makes no difference to which party is legally liable. In all instances above it will always be the third party motorist who is legally liable and thus , assuming he / she is insured, his car Insurers will have to pay the claim.
Even if the caravan was insured by its owner those Insurers would obviously deal with the caravan claim and then under the rules of subrogation seek recompence from the third party motorist. If it wasn't insured the caravan owner would have to persue a claim directly against the TP motorist who in turn can choose to deal with the claim himself or if he has any sense let his motor insurer handle it on his behalf.

The judges position is correct but to pursue someone through the courts takes time and may cost money. It is far easier to use your insurer and they will then chase up recovery of their losses.
If the car and caravan are both damaged by someone else the two insurers would pursue the other party for their losses but you need to pursue the uninsured losses. If you have cover for this I would take the option but if not it depends on the extent of your losses and you may need a solicitor for this.
The other insurer may contact you and offer to arrange everything for you as they have realised this is a way to prevent some of the leeches who inflate claims getting involved. Whether you take up the offer is up to you.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello All
I concure about who is liable assuming the guilt is sustainable, but the OP was asking who should they use to pursue the claim, so it is relevant whether the caravan was hitched and on the public road or not. And that would indicate which insurer (assuming insurance is in place) to use.
It seems logical to me that if the caravan was unhitched (i.e. not part of the road vehicle) and the OP has no caravan insurance, then he would need to make a private claim, but if he has caravan insurance then assuming the risk is part of their cover he should be able to caim through his insurance.
If the caravan was hicthed and formed part of a road vehicle then it is an RTI and should be pursued through the car insurance.
Whilst that is a logical interpretation, whether the Insurance industry is logical ( and I have some seroius doubts about that ) the best route may be somewhat different.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi John
Can you help me with one of your points which I think is wrong.
You said:-
If the caravan was hicthed and formed part of a road vehicle then it is an RTI and should be pursued through the car insurance.

Dealing with the OP where clearly a TP is at fault I assume you mean persue the claim for caravan damage against the TP and/or his Insurers..

The OP's own motor Insurers will not be interested in the caravan because they don't insure it.
However if the OP 's caravan whilst hitched caused TP bodily injury or TP property damage then , yes the OP's motor insurers will deal with all such claims arising against the OP.

You may recall from last year I and a number of other forum members discovered we were allegedly uninsured for RTA risks when towing. Both Saga and Aviva retracted their previous eroneous statements..
I moverd to the Caravan Club motor insurance scheme who gave me better cover far cheaper.
So it's worth just saying again, everyone should check with their motor insurer that towing is covered.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Dusty,

I could well be wrong, so perhaps it is best to refer the OP to his insurer for clarification.

 

[digory]

My AA car insurance only covers third party claims when the caravan is attached to the towcar. so in the event of the caravan parting company from the towcar and causing damage leading to third party claims, presumably caravan "all risks" cover is needed.

 

[ProfJohnL]

As ever, you need to chcek the terms and conditins of your policy, as each policy can be unique to a particular insurer.

 

[Dustydog]

My AA car insurance only covers third party claims when the caravan is attached to the towcar. so in the event of the caravan parting company from the towcar and causing damage leading to third party claims, presumably caravan "all risks" cover is needed.

No.
See the Road Traffic Act latest revision 2011 and its predecessors.
It is a Statutory requirement to have Third Party Bodily Injury and Third Party Property Damage Insurance which includes all passengers in the vehicle .
The basic minimum cover is known as
Act Only Insurance where the "Insurered" opts to self insure all their third party risks having deposited a significant sum of money with the Attorney general.
The armed forces and similar use this system.,
Next and the most basic available is of course Third Party only covering all your Statutory obligations .

Then comes Third party , Fire and Theft which incudes fire and theft damage to the insured vehicle

and utimately Fully comprehensive which covers all the above plus accidental damage to the insured vehicle. It never has and to the best of my knowledge will never insure the caravan for own damage.
Importantly however it will cover any Third Party Liabilities arising out of the use of the towing vehicle and caravan. If the caravan becomes detatched whilst towing and causes Third Propery Injury or Damage the Motor Insurer must deal with the claim. This is becaus ethe detaching of teh caravan arises directly out of the use of a motor vehicle on a road which is subject to the Statutory Requirements.
All the above points are directly related to Statute Law ie The RTA.

Whilst NOT compulsory you do need to consider nsurance cover for the caravan itself in regard to own damage and Third Party Liabilities that may arise whilst in storage , on site etc.
Last year it was well documented that both Saga and Aviva had to withdraw some wrongful advice and agree beyond doubt their motor policies always have and always will cover the statutory third party liabilities whilst towing a caravan.
NB Some Insurers may restrict the caravans length. That's odd because where else other than a motor insurer can you insure your Statutory obligations??

 

[Raywood]

I think you will find that the policy is comprehensive in so far as the car is concerned when towing but covers only third party damage caused by the caravan when it is hitched not damage to the caravan itself. If you have any doubts ring the AA and ask them.
To cover damage to your caravan and third party risks when your caravan is not hitched you need a caravan policy available through specialist brokers or either of the clubs if you are a member.

 

[smiley]

interesting this, for instance if you go to a go compare type site, they will state you actually need caravan insurance!!!!!!!! Which is wrong. you do not need seperate caravan insurance, if you are in doubt then best ask one of the big caravan clubs like the c&c&c.
So from that piont of view that you dont actually need seperate caravan insurance although its best to have it as you then have total cover for own fault and theft cases.
Which raises the question that if you didnt have caravan insurance and you were hit by a third person how would you claim for the caravan? err that would be with your car insurance they are legally obliged, although assuming you have the third parties insurance details you could actually do it yourself and strangely dealing with the third parties insurance yourself actually gets results quicker. or maybe thats just me and my wonderfull persona at work.............

I think I agree with you there, If I was towing and someone hit me it doesn't matter about car or caravan insurance. You claim of their car insurance (liability being theirs) I've just done a direct claim for someone hitting me... Except for the garage being useless in trying to do reapairs my cars now off to another garage still with with other person insurance paying..

But not expert if you hit some with you van. I know you don't insure caravan it comes under car insurance whilst towing..

 

[SandraH]

Of course, one solution might be to insure your car and caravan with the same company - I do and it potentially saves some of these issues as one company can deal with everything. I'm with Lifesure and have never had any problems. Just a thought...

 

[Dustydog]

Of course, one solution might be to insure your car and caravan with the same company - I do and it potentially saves some of these issues as one company can deal with everything. I'm with Lifesure and have never had any problems. Just a thought...

Well in part perhaps. But don't forget Lifesure are an intermediary not an insurer. It's highly unlikely the same insurer / underwriter covers both your vehicles.