|
Caravan Insurance - Caravan and Motorhome Awnings Need Proper Cover
Caravan and Motorhome owners need to ask themselves now - "is my awning
fully covered for storm damage under my caravan insurance policy?" The
caravan awning is the most vulnerable piece of equipment when the wind
gets up but some caravan insurance policies provide limited cover for
what could become a more common occurrence. Here are some steps that can
be taken to reduce the possibility of damage.
As climate change makes our British weather ever more unpredictable,
storm damage is almost certainly going to be on the increase. For
caravanners their awning is the most vulnerable piece of equipment when
the wind gets up.
So what should caravanners do to reduce the possibility of their
valuable awning being damaged or in the worst case completely ruined.
There are four things that every Caravan, Folding Camper or Motorhome
owner should do before they set off to the site with their awning.
1. Change the awning pegs for some bigger ones that have better grip and
take along a rubber mallet to make sure they are hammered home well.
2. Buy storm straps, the flat webbing type and read the instructions on
how to set these up correctly.
3. Check the weather forecast before setting off and each evening before
retiring to bed. If it looks like the wind will get up check your pegs
and fit the storm straps. If the forecast suggests that a storm is
rolling in consider taking the awning down while it is still light.
Especially on dry hard ground as you may not have it pegged down
adequately. You don't want to be trying to take down the awning in the
dark with the wind howling.
4. Check your Caravan Insurance (http://www.caravanwise.co.uk/)
policy or Motorhome insurance (http://www.caravanwise.co.uk/motor/)
actually covers the awning for storm damage and if there are any
exclusions in the small print that could catch you out. If the worse
comes to the worse and you have to claim for a ruined awning you want to
have the reassurance that your claim will be dealt with promptly and
fairly.
The most common Caravan Insurance claim for awnings is for storm damage
but some caravan policies specifically exclude any form of storm damage
to awnings and others have restrictive small print which says something
like "Awnings are only covered for storm damage if the caravan is also
damaged at the same time". Very often the only damage will be a ripped
awning cover and bent or broken poles, the caravan is often undamaged.
Phil Holden, MD of Caravanwise
http://www.caravanwise.co.uk the Caravan Insurance specialist says
"There's really only been two types of claim for awnings, in over 10
year experience as a specialist in caravan insurance. They are either
stolen along with the caravan or they are ripped by high winds and the
second of those situations accounts for the majority of awning claims
that we see.
The caravan insurance claim form seem to tell the same story time and
time again. Typically it goes like this.
"The wind got up in the night and the wife and I thought we should try
and take the awning down to save it being blown away. We got it half way
down and there was an almighty gust of wind and the wind pulled it out
of our hands and ripped it to shreds".
We have had them end up in the tops of trees in tatters and often it is
just the cover that is ripped, perhaps with some of the poles being
bent. It is very rare for the caravan to be damaged at the same time."
Some policies would not cover this type of claim but the touring Caravan
Insurance policy from Caravanwise provides full coverage.
A decent awning can easily cost over £1000 and will cost around £20 to
insure on a caravan insurance policy but that £20 could be a waste of
money if you find that it isn't covered for storm damage after it is
ripped in high winds.
http://www.caravanwise.co.uk
The UK-Sites database of information
about caravans, camping and motorhomes provides tips, tricks and hints
to do with all aspects of caravan equipment and accessories, camping
equipment and accessories and looking after your motorhome. If you wish
to have your tips and advice included into this database please complete
the form. Suppliers of equipment and services are invited to submit
articles to be included on these pages.
Please Note : uk-sites.com does not
own any caravan site, park or campsite and have made all reasonable
endeavours to ensure that the information on this website regarding
campsites, caravan sites and caravan parks is accurate. The information
displayed on the pages of this directory are protected by copyright
- copying part or all of this data is strictly forbidden without our
prior consent. By entering this site you agree that neither uk-sites.com
nor any other person involved in the creation or provision of this site
shall be liable for any direct or indirect injury, costs or damage arising
from the use of any information contained herein. We promise to update
any incorrect information with priority as soon as we are made aware.
|
