How can caravan insurance differ from car cover?

A traditional means of UK Holidaying, the caravan is an iconic image associated with the classic British summer-time vacation.

Caravans have always been popular with holidaymakers as they provide cheap and readily available accommodation if you're on a budget. They can be easily moved to whichever destination you choose, offering the owner freedom to visit the sights of these great shores in comfort.

It seems that many caravan owners, however, fail to purchase the right insurance for their vehicle when transporting it around the country.

There are a number of reasons why caravans can attract different levels of premiums than more conventional vehicles.

For a start, they can sometimes be used for many more years than cars or motorbikes. A caravan can stay with an owner for many years, either sitting on a driveway or kept in storage, but years of use and the effects of weather can damage a caravan and make it potentially unsafe on the roads.

Older caravans will often be more expensive to insure, but by regularly maintaining their condition and having them serviced, you will see your premium fall sharply.

Caravans are often an expensive purchase, meaning those who own them may have a more standard vehicle for their day-to-day needs.

For this reason, they can be used rarely, so keeping an eye on the actual value of a caravan many years after it has been purchased can be key, because then an individual can select the right amount of cover.

Some drivers may choose to take their caravans on European jaunts, meaning their policy will have to adjusted accordingly - this can involve purchasing a more comprehensive cover scheme to account for damages abroad. This can also cover theft of contents.

It also needs to be considered that, by their nature, caravans are used for far more than being on the road. Once a destination has been reached, there are a number of incidents which could occur, including fires, floods and general "domestic" accidents.

It can also be important to decide how many people need to be included on the policy as some caravans might be used by family and friends, meaning they may all need insurance to tow one behind their car.