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2024 Caravan Cover claims update

We hope you never have to claim on your Caravan Cover or caravan insurance. But if you do suffer accidental damage or a fire, or if you have your caravan stolen, here's an overview of what we've learned from our most recent claims.

Owning a caravan gives you the freedom to experience exciting adventures. However, like many other valuable assets, caravans are susceptible to accidental damage and attractive to thieves. Our Caravan Cover plays a crucial role in safeguarding your investment and provides financial protection should an unforeseen incident occur.

Accidental damage

In 2023 we paid out on 95% of all claims - a rate that we are proud to have continued in 2024. Of these, accidental damage claims rose from 51% of the total number of claims in 2023, to 58% in 2024. In both years, these largely came about as a result of people manoeuvring and unfortunately hitting posts, walls, other property or cars.

Since the pandemic, we’ve seen an overall increase in repair costs, due to the effects of inflation on parts and labour. The effects of Brexit on the availability of replacement vans and parts have largely settled, and manufacturers have solved most supply chain issues.

To help reduce the likelihood of having to make an accidental damage claim, use these helpful measures:

  • Make sure your caravan has a regular maintenance service to ensure that its tyres, brakes and other essential parts are in good working order.
  • Adhere to the recommended weight limits and towing capabilities, which helps prevent strain on your caravan and reduces the risk of accidents.
  • If you're new to touring or have purchased a new outfit that you're not used to, practising how to manoeuvre in an empty car park or quiet road, preferably with someone to teach you, will help you improve your technique. You can learn new or refresh your skills with the Club’s caravan-specific training courses. When you've completed a course, you're entitled to a discount on your Caravan Cover, as well as on your Car Insurance with the Club (discounts can be applied when you take out our Caravan Cover or Car Insurance or at your next renewal).
  • Many members recommend using a caravan mover - a motorised device that you control via a handset which helps you align your caravan correctly and get it in and out of a tight storage space, or onto a pitch. In many cases, a mover is a simpler and better solution than attempting precise manoeuvring with a towcar; however, there will be times when manoeuvring with the car is necessary, which is why we recommend our towing courses - even for the experienced tourer!

A decrease in theft claims

We saw a decrease in theft claims in 2024 compared to 2023, and also a decrease in the average theft claim cost, which fell from around £20,000 in 2023 to £15,000 in 2024. This was largely due to a tendency for older models to be stolen in 2024 (these obviously having a lower value than newer models). 

Like accidental damage, there are always measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of having to make a caravan theft claim:

  • Make it harder to steal - use good quality security products, such as an accredited hitch lock, and a wheel lock or clamp. Ideally, fit an alarm and tracker to your outfit too. The more deterrents the better! 
  • Use secure storage - our claims data shows that a large proportion of stolen vans were taken while stored on farms and farmland. Club storage or other storage sites accredited by CaSSOA (especially their ‘Gold’ or ‘Platinum’ sites) are usually the most secure. Remember that availability near to you could be limited. Check what security the site you choose has (e.g. barriers, CCTV and on-site personnel for instance) and be sure to check the features listed for that site are working too. 
  • Home storage - if you keep your caravan at home, try to keep it out of sight of the main road and difficult to access; for example keep it in a back garden behind a locked gate, as thieves tend to target what they can see. In addition to the security devices already mentioned, if possible use a security post and consider installing automatic security lights and CCTV on the outside of your home. A cover may also help disguise the caravan’s attractiveness too.
  • Stay vigilant - make sure security devices are fitted properly even if you are only making a short stop en route, for example at motorway services. Many thefts are opportunistic, so don’t give thieves the chance, and watch out for any suspicious behaviour.
  • Help with recovery - report any theft to the police and your insurance claims team as soon as possible. Ensure alarms and tracking subscriptions are active and that your registration details are kept separate to your outfit. The first 24 hours after a theft are often key.

This blog post was updated in March 2025.