Please Help Me! Hit a stationery car whlst reverse

[NewbyCaravanner]

Please help. I am new to caravanning. Whilst we were taking it to the secure compound today, we accidentally hit a stationery car whilst we were reversing
Can anyone tell me what I need to do? Who do I claim from my car or caravan insurance? I have read through both documents and cannot make head nor tail of them
I just don't know what to do - Oh and to top it all it was a Jaguar!!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

You will probably find that your car insurance covers 3rd party risks whilst towing (backwards as well as forwards I guess :silly: ). But whoever you claim from you will loose part of your no claims bonus, if you have any.

 

[Thingy]

You may keep your NCD if it is protected or guarranteed. I guess you will claim for damage to your caravan off your own caravan insurance, but not sure whether damage to the Jag will come off your car or caravan insurance. My guess would be your car insurance as its the motive vehicle. My reasons for thinking this way is that it isnt a legal requirement to insure your caravan, only the towing vehicle provided that insurance will cover you to tow.

Matters not whether its a Jag or Rafferty's Motor Car, the excess and any loss of NCD will be the same.

 

[Raywood]

If the car you hit was damaged your car insurance policy covers this. Any damage to the caravan is covered by the caravan insurance.

 

[Len_Cuff]

Just going through something similar. Managed to clip a car leaving a car park and turned to quick. Back corner touched door handle and made a small dent. Contacted caravan insurer and they said the public liability section which states 'Your legal liability to a third party, for the damages and costs arising from the use of the insured caravan' doesn't apply if you are towing!! I think I'll be changing insurers! Now I just need to contact my car insurer to see if I'm covered. Can't see anything about in the policy documents so I might end up aving to pay for the damage

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Whilst towing, I believe that is mandatory for the car insurance to cover 3rd party claims, even if caused by the trailer. That is why the caravan insurers say they do not cover it.

 

[Len_Cuff]

Hoping that's the case Will contact them over the weekend.

 

[Len_Cuff]

Please help. I am new to caravanning. Whilst we were taking it to the secure compound today, we accidentally hit a stationery car whilst we were reversing
Can anyone tell me what I need to do? Who do I claim from my car or caravan insurance? I have read through both documents and cannot make head nor tail of them
I just don't know what to do - Oh and to top it all it was a Jaguar!!

What was the outcome of this one? In a similar situation !!

 

[ProfJohnL]

This answer has correctly been given twice before in this thread, so perhaps a third time will cement it in the questioners minds.

Lets set it out for you.

Provided you do have motor vehicle insurance, and the insurance provider has been informed and agreed the vehicle will be used for towing (covering modifications to the motor vehicle such as fitting of a tow bar) Then the vehicle insurance cover will automatically provide third party cover for the trailer whist being towed.

Even if you have fully comprehensive cover for your car, it breaks down into two types of cover. The first and legally essential part is :-
The Road Traffic Act requires all motorised vehicles used on the road, must have insurance to cover against third party claims. Whenever a vehicle tows a trailer, the trailer becomes effectively part of the 'vehicle' as far as the road traffic act is concerned, and as trailers cannot be insured as 'vehicles' on their own, it falls on the motor insurers to cover vehicles and trailers in tow.

The second part of a fully Comp is the additional cover you purchase for all the bits of personal loss you might encounter, such as the value of the vehicle and personal belongings etc. This usually excludes any attached trailer and their contents, but that might depend on the insurance package you buy.

If you wish to insure the value and the content of a caravan, then generally you have to purchase a separate policy.

Read the Terms and Conditions of the policies you have to establish what is covered, or consult your insurance provider.