The first thing you need to do is research the area thoroughly. Yes, it might seem like a lengthy chore but the extra effort is bound to pay off in the long run, and if you do it right you won’t have to waste a second of your day. Head to price comparison sites (such as CaravanQuoter.co.uk) for instant access to a range of policies that meet your criteria. From there on all you have to do is compare the options and choose accordingly.

The route to finding the best price doesn’t stop there. It’s important to consider exactly what you want from your policy, because with many having the ability to be tailored to your circumstances you could get the cover you need without spending over the odds. A particular point of contention will be the added extras—do you really need all of them? It might be worth getting rid of a few, if only for the time being, because you can always re-add them later should you change your mind.

Make sure to consider increasing your voluntary excess as well, because that can be one of the easiest and quickest ways to get a reduction in your premiums. The fact that insurers will have to pay out less in the event of a claim means they’re highly likely to offer a discount. Don’t forget to look out for other discounts too, such as no claims bonuses, new policy discounts and even discounts for arranging things online as you could find that you could save even more.

One final tip – haggle. Even if you’ve found a policy that meets your every requirement you should still call up your potential insurer to see whether they can lower their price. You never know unless you ask. If you pit a few companies against each other it could be even more successful—they’ll be competing for your business and will often be able to better their rates, so it pays to give it a go. If you make sure to remember these tips you’ll have no problem finding motorhome insurance on a budget, leaving you with a policy that meets your needs without blowing the bank.

There are plenty of bank holidays coming up (not to mention half term being just around the corner) which means now’s the time to get those tyre checks underway. It really is essential to be properly prepared for that first trip of the year. Checking the tyres could actually be the most crucial part of your pre-holiday checks. They’re the one part of the caravan that’s in contact with the road and as such, will be subject to much more wear and tear than the rest of the vehicle. It’s important to check the pressure of the tyres and make sure that the valves aren’t leaking, as well as checking that there aren’t any bald patches and that the tread depth is at least 1.6mm.

It’s vital that your tyres are in good condition and failing to take the necessary precautions could be incredibly dangerous. If you’re driving on tyres that aren’t up to scratch it’ll lead to increased fuel consumption, poor handling and braking and you’re much more likely to suffer a puncture or even a blow out when you’re on the road. That’s not to mention the reduced grip you’ll have if the tyre treads are wearing thin—checking the tyres should be at the top of the agenda, ensuring you can drive on the road safely and effectively.

There’s nothing to stop you from undertaking these checks yourself, and with a bit of time and know-how you’ll have given your vehicle the once over to ensure it’s ready for the road ahead. But, if you think you’ll need a bit of help then make sure to head to the professionals. A garage that deals in caravans will be more than able to check the tyres for you, and if you incorporate it as part of your annual caravan maintenance routine you can make sure that everything else is in proper working order too. Spending the necessary time checking the tyres can give you the peace of mind you need, so make sure to get those checks underway and you’ll be ready for spring and all those fabulous holidays ahead.

The Go Live Camper & Caravan satnav plots routes that are caravan and motorhome friendly, and it even has a huge range of vehicles pre-installed so it can calculate accurate arrival times and routes according to the height and weight of your specific model. As well as all that it’ll point out places of interest to add to the whole touring experience, and it comes pre-loaded with caravan sites and services covering all the 45 European maps that it features. It’s a fantastic device for motorhome owners and puts an end to unnecessary detours and nasty surprises along the way. It’s a great source of usable information when you’re on the holiday and it’s been developed as a direct result of caravan owners getting in touch to say how useful such a device would be.

There’s no exact word yet on the release date other than that it’s set to go on sale “soon” from the TomTom website, and if successful it’ll be rolled out in electronic stores across the UK. It’s expected to retail around £349.99, and although it sounds like a lot it could be the perfect gadget for motorhome owners. Satnavs are a vital purchase but with a motorhome-friendly version there’s no need to worry about being taken down unsuitable routes. Don’t forget to make sure it’s covered as part of your motorhome insurance policy so you needn’t panic about replacing it should the worst happen. It’s a fantastic bit of kit and it’s great to hear of a company actually taking on board customers’ suggestions, so make sure to be on the lookout for the TomTom Go Live Camper & Caravan—it could soon be coming to stores near you.

This all means that now’s the perfect time to check that your own caravan is as safe as possible from the elements. Ideally it will have been kept securely stored in a locked garage or even a designated storage facility, but it still makes sense to check. Make sure there aren’t any leaks where water could have seeped in and always check for signs of damp. You wouldn’t want to get your caravan out of winter storage only to find that you can’t use it. This is even more pressing if it’s been open to the elements. If it’s been stored on the driveway you’ll need to make doubly certain that no leaks have been apparent, as with the force of the storms we’ve had recently your caravan could easily have borne the brunt of it.

You should take the same kind of precautions if you’ve got a static caravan. It’s worth heading to the site well before you’re planning on holidaying there to give the place a good once-over. Again, check for signs of damp and making sure things like door and window seals are still in good condition. A lot of it comes down to a combination of effective caravan maintenance and proper storage. Hopefully if you’ve had a good routine in place you won’t have much to worry about. If you want to make the most of the weekends you might be considering braving the elements, just make sure to be prepared. Always engage in a thorough caravan maintenance routine, make sure to take the necessary precautions and always choose a site that isn’t in a recognised flood zone, and if you do you can keep the risk of flooding to a minimum.

People everywhere are shunning foreign holidays in favour of good old Blighty, and motorhomes can be a fantastic alternative to traditional hotels or holiday lets. You get the chance to travel anywhere you wish, exploring the best of the English countryside or heading to vibrant cities, and because you’re not confined to one area the possibilities are endless. Motorhomes can provide the perfect family break but they can be just as suitable for couples or outdoorsy types who want to get out there and explore, and because you’ve got an entirely self-contained unit you could save a fortune on usual holiday expenses.

Investing in a motorhome might be an expensive outlay to begin with, but when you consider the years of holiday enjoyment you’ll be getting it doesn’t seem quite so much. You’re free to get out on the road as often as you wish without being constrained by extortionate travel expenses or the hassle of booking everything, and although petrol prices are on the rise there’s a way to solve that too—convert your vehicle to run on vegetable oil instead.

If you’re not ready for the commitment of your very own motorhome, there’s always the option of hiring one. There are plenty of companies out there that offer motorhome rentals with more popping up all over the place, and as well as general motorhomes you’ll often be able to find some truly unique options. For example, some companies specialise in offering classic campervan rental with luxury VW campers being popular choices, letting you step back in time and enjoy an unforgettable experience.

No matter which option you choose, you can look forward to getting an inexpensive, enjoyable and truly memorable break. Once you’ve got motorhome insurance sorted (and you’ll need to make sure you’ve got adequate motorhome insurance whether you’re buying or renting your vehicle) there’s nothing else to do but get out there and enjoy yourself, so what are you waiting for? Make sure to consider a motorhome holiday and you’ll see why they’re so popular for yourself.

The figures released by Club Care, the Camping and Caravanning Club’s insurance provider, will certainly make you think. The study has shown that the average cost of a claim comes in at 16 times more than the cost of insuring your vehicle in the first place, so it certainly puts those premiums into perspective. Of those claims it’s been reported that 32% were made for damage repairs whilst 27% were “impact related claims”, but happily it seems that the majority of us adhere to safe caravan towing guidelines with only 8% of claims being related to road accidents.

This study starkly highlights the need for having adequate caravan insurance. It just goes to show how important it is to be prepared, because when you think of how expensive any claims can be you’ll soon see that it makes sense to have a decent level of cover and that failing to invest will invariably be a false economy. 16 times the cost of insurance is a huge amount and for many people it would be far too much of a financial burden to bear, and when you’re out on the road so much it’s important that you’re ready for any eventuality.

The figures look at the importance of security as well. 9% of all claims were related to caravan theft, with just 3% of all stolen vehicles being recovered and the majority of them being stolen between May and August. This shows how vital investing in the right caravan security devices can be—with a satellite tracker it’s highly likely that many of those vehicles could have been recovered—and it also shows how important it is to store your caravan somewhere safe. A whopping 57% of caravans were taken from outside people’s homes and driveways whilst 27% were stolen from non-approved sites, so you should never be complacent when it comes to caravan security.

These figures just prove how important insurance and security can be. It’s the combination of the two that ensures you’re ready for anything, so never underestimate their importance and you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re doing the right thing for your caravan as well as your finances.

European cover

First establish exactly how you intend to use your motor home. Do you only wish to tour within the UK or are you going to venture into Europe? If the latter is the case then you will need to ensure you have European cover. However, even if it is included in your policy check how many consecutive days’ protection is given for European touring per year. The length of time will differ between motorhome insurance providers so read the policy details carefully. Generally, European cover means that you are insured for accidents on the road and for break downs and repairs whilst touring Europe. Most policies will, when necessary, cover the costs of transporting you to your chosen destination and reimburse you for part or even all of the cost of hotel accommodation should the repairs prove lengthy.

What’s covered?

Another important feature to check is whether or not the policy pays out ‘new for old’. If it does this will mean that you will be entitled to replacement items at current prices in the event of a loss. Some policies will also replace your motorhome with a brand new one if it is stolen and not recovered or damaged beyond repair. Be aware that there are often limitations on new for old cover so it is essential that you consult your insurer rather than leave anything to chance.

By its very nature, touring in a motorhome entails taking a great deal of belongings with you wherever you go. Therefore it is essential that you check that all the contents of your motorhome insurance policy are properly covered. The cost of internal items such as clothing, bedding and electrical appliances as well as external equipment such as awnings, gas bottles and bicycles all add up and can prove expensive to replace if stolen or damaged. The majority of motorhome insurance policies will include contents insurance for these items but they will usually have a limit as to how much they are prepared to pay out per claim.

Reducing your premium

Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can help reduce the cost of motorhome insurance. For instance, the less vulnerable your motorhome is to thieves, the cheaper the premium should be. Installing devices such as a burglar alarm, steering wheel lock, wheel clamps and a tracking device will all keep the cost of the insurance down. You could also opt to pay a higher than standard policy excess. (This is the amount you agree to pay in the event of a claim while the insurer settles the rest.) Nearly all insurance providers will state a minimum amount of excess but you can volunteer to pay more in exchange for a reduced premium. Remember that you will have to be prepared to pay this sum each time you make a claim above this agreed amount though.

Never rush into taking out a motorhome insurance policy. Know exactly what you require and take the time to make full comparisons between quotes to ensure you get the best cover for the fairest price.

There are plenty of regular maintenance checks that you’ll be able to undertake yourself, and they’ll be even more important if your motorhome hasn’t been used in a while. Things like checking the tyres for signs of wear, checking that any gas and electrical appliances are working properly and regularly flushing through the water system all should be at the top of the list, and make sure to keep an eye out for any signs of damp too. As long as you regularly undertake such checks you’ll soon spot signs of damage and can easily rectify things accordingly. Door seals, for example, can easily be changed to help prevent damp, and of course make sure to thoroughly clean the vehicle on a regular basis to keep it fresh and sparkling. But, more in-depth checks will need to be undertaken by the professionals. Booking your vehicle in for an annual service will ensure that the electrical, braking and gas systems are all working as they should be, with such checks needing to be completed by registered and approved mechanics with experience in motorhome maintenance.

Making sure you keep on top of all necessary checks can ensure your vehicle remains in top condition for years to come, and it can help keep your finances in check too—regular maintenance will make sure that any issues are solved quickly and simply without the need for expensive repairs, and you can have added peace of mind that you’re driving a safe and wholly reliable vehicle. It’s this peace of mind that can make all the difference—you don’t want to have to worry about anything when you’re on the road, and regular motorhome maintenance will ensure you don’t have to. As long as you seek reputable mechanics and regularly undertake your own checks you can be confident that everything is under control, leaving you nothing to worry about but where to take your next break.

When taking out static caravan insurance, as with any other form of insurance, it is important to know precisely what you require and to compare a number of different quotes. This will ensure you get the best cover at the best possible price. For example, if you are considering renting out your static caravan, check to see if rental loss will be covered should the caravan be damaged. You could stand to lose a great deal of rental income unless you can make a claim for it on your insurance policy.

Check what’s covered

It is also vital to find out exactly what contents are covered within your caravan park home insurance quote. It may be that certain items such as jewellery, laptops, cameras and camcorders are excluded. If there is ‘new for old’ protection provided, then any items that are damaged or stolen will be replaced as new. However, there may be limits and exclusions, so check all these facts thoroughly before taking out any policy as they can vary considerably between companies.

Some static caravan insurance policies may allow you to insure for ‘agreed values’. If you have carried out major improvements to your static caravan then this could be beneficial as it may now be worth far more than a standard model. If you have opted for agreed values then your caravan will be valued and this will determine the approximate sum of money that you would receive in the event of a claim.

Another important point to check out is whether or not your static caravan insurance offers cover for storm damage such as lightning, falling trees or branches. Flooding of the site where your caravan is situated is another insurance considerations as is cover for winter frost damage to plumbing installations.

Reducing your premium

Fortunately, there are many ways that you can save money on your static caravan insurance. The safer your caravan is seen to be then the more savings you could make on the insurance premium. Fitting smoke alarms will help reduce the sum as will installing a burglar alarm as a deterrent to thieves. Another significant saving can be made by offering to pay a higher excess than the minimum amount your insurance company requests. (Excess is the amount of money you agree to pay towards the cost of any claim before the insurance provides the balance.) However, always remember that while this will reduce the cost of the premium, you must bear the cost of this lump sum yourself should you make a claim on the insurance.

The cheapest insurance is not necessarily going to give you the best cover, so be sure to read the small print when making comparisons.

The first thing you need to do is thoroughly check your vehicle to ensure everything is in working order. This is even more important if you’re getting it out of winter storage for the first time this year. A spring once-over should comprise a key part of any motorhome maintenance regime and needs to include the checking of gas and electrical supplies, battery levels, tyre pressure, oil level and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as that essential thorough clean. Flush through the water system to ensure proper sanitation and always check the vehicle for signs of dampness or damage of any kind, paying particular attention to door and window seals as well as gas or electrical hoses.

After that you need to make sure you’ve got plenty of supplies, food, clothes, toiletries and first aid kits all being essential. If you’re planning a year of holidaying enjoyment you’ll probably want to put things on board that can be kept there for the months ahead. By stocking up on plenty of non-perishable food items, clothes, linens and creature comforts, you won’t have so much to worry about at the start of each trip therefore helping you get out on the road as quickly as possible. You’ll want to make sure you’re ready for the campsite as well with things like fold-away chairs, awnings and BBQs being vital considerations, ensuring you can make the most of your break no matter where you end up.

One final point to remember is the importance of motorhome insurance cover. You shouldn’t even think about getting on the road unless you’re properly protected, and don’t be complacent either—if you haven’t used your vehicle in a while then double-check your policy details to make sure the renewal date hasn’t come and gone, and if you’re planning a trip to the continent always make sure you’ve got sufficient European motorhome insurance cover to suit. After that there’s nothing to stop you from getting out on the open road and enjoying the season ahead, and all it need take is a few careful preparations to ensure you’re ready for anything.