How To Buy A Caravan That’s Right For You

There’s never been a better time to purchase a caravan or motorhome, with ‘staycations’ becoming more and more popular in the UK. So, if you’re ready to hit the open road, here’s how to buy a caravan that’s right for you.

Think of the practicalities

You need to consider several factors when buying your first caravan. For instance, are you buying a caravan for family holidays or solo getaways? Will you be making short stays, or will you be spending a week or so in it?

All of these factors need to be taken into consideration when choosing a caravan, so that you find one which ticks all the boxes.

It’s also worth considering that your new caravan shouldn’t exceed 85% of your car’s weight, so taking your car size into account is important as well.

Take the necessary precautions

There are a couple of precautionary measures you need to take when purchasing a caravan.

Firstly, storing your caravan in a secure location. You need to protect your caravan from both severe weather and theft. Most people assume they can store their caravan on their driveway, but occasionally it’s not allowed. That’s why it’s worth checking with your local council, landlord or home deeds.

If you’re unsure of where to safely your caravan, we recommend searching for a site which is approved by the Caravan Storage Site Owner’s Association (CaSSOA).

The other precautionary measure, which is very important, is having the right insurance. Whilst specialist caravan insurance isn’t mandatory, we strongly advise you have this cover, to protect both your caravan and the contents within it.

Another reason to take out caravan insurance is to ensure you receive compensation if your caravan suffers damage. You’d be surprised by some of the incidents which can cause damage to your caravan - back in 2015, a caravan was blown across the dual carriage, into oncoming traffic because of the strong gusts of wind. Such incidents reiterate why insurance is essential for caravan owners.

In addition, caravan insurance comes in handy if you accidentally injure someone else or damage third party property.

A core element of caravan insurance is Public Liability, which protects you if a claim is made against you for injury to another person or third party property damage. This way, you don’t have to panic about potential legal costs if, say, you accidentally crash into a vehicle or building.

Be vigilant and do your research

If you’re buying from a dealer, it’s worth Googling the business to read reviews and comments from other customers. However, if you’re buying a second-hand caravan privately, it sounds obvious but, it’s important to take the time to inspect the caravan.

Check for dampness, dents and any marks that could leave your caravan vulnerable. You should also check the condition of the chassis, the hitch and suspension, as these can all be expensive repairs.

It is also worth registering your caravan with CRiS, which is the national register of UK caravans. This marking system can help you get your caravan back if it’s stolen, and is a good deterrent for thieves.

Specialist caravan insurance from Ripe Caravans

Once you've decided on which caravan to buy, you need to protect it with specialist caravan insurance. At Ripe Caravans, we cover touring caravans, static caravans, lodges, chalets and more. Our insurance is excellent value, jargon-free and easy to buy.

Find out more about how it can protect you by clicking on one of the links above, or get an instant online quote with us today.