At Peacock Insurance we know buying a static caravan is a huge financial responsibility, which makes protecting your investment very important, and when it comes to insuring your investment, it makes sense to arrange your insurance through a specialist broker.
Peacock Insurance understand the unique requirements of holiday home owners so we can arrange flexible cover options and excellent value for money, with leading insurers. Whether your static caravan is used solely by you and your family, or let out as holiday home on a commercial basis, we have the policy and cover to suit your needs.
As well as choosing a specialist broker like Peacock Insurance to arrange insurance for your holiday home, there is plenty you can do to protect your static caravan. Holiday Parks are often in areas that can be more susceptible to the elements like high-winds and flooding. As many people come and go at a holiday park, this gives a greater risk of theft and vandalism. Poor maintenance could reduce the lifespan of your holiday home. All of these possibilities make it important to be aware of what you can do to protect your investment in a static caravan.
Top tips to Protect Your Static Caravan
Tips to keep Your Static Caravan Secure
Choosing your holiday park
Check if your holiday park is a member of a ‘watch scheme’. Scheme members have seen reductions in theft and crime.
Find out how the site is managed. Is there on site security? Is there on site monitoring of alarms and CCTV?
At the end of the season are you required to empty your caravan? Whilst this may seem inconvenient it is an important factor in reducing crime on holiday sites.
Protect with an Alarm
Protecting your caravan with an alarm is a great deterrent for intruders. It will be heard all over the holiday park and in most cases intruders will run away.
Check your Locks
Make sure all doors and windows are locked before you leave and at night time. This may seem obvious but when in a rush to pack up and get home, it’s easy to forget a window.
If your static does not have double glazing consider fitting window locks.
Install a Motion Sensor Light
Installing a motion sensor light outside is a great deterrent to burglars. If your pitch is flooded with light, it is unlikely they will run the risk of being seen. These can be purchased at reasonably priced from DIY stores.
Safety Tips for Your Static Caravan
Ventilation
Make sure the caravan is well ventilated and ensure vents are not blocked to avoid a build-up of poisonous gases.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that is invisible, and you cannot taste or smell it. Always have an approved alarm in your static caravan.
Smoke Alarms
Always have a minimum of one smoke alarm and check and change batteries yearly.
Fire Extinguisher
It is recommended that you have one or more fire extinguishers in your caravan, preferably within reach of the kitchen.
Fire Blanket
Keep a fire blanket in the kitchen to extinguish any cooking fires.
Appliances
Ensure all appliances are off at night to minimise fire risk.
Gas Checks
Most holiday parks now recommend for your own safety that you have annual boiler & gas fire check carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
Gas Cylinders
Make sure your gas connection pipe is secure and the gas bottles are stored in a safe place.
Always keep flammable items away from the cylinders.
Maintenance Tips for your Static Caravan
Gutters & Roof
Keep the gutters and roof free of debris, a simple sweep can prevent roof damage. Use an extended brush for your safety.
Regularly check the gutters and the roof for breaks and holes. If water builds up it can rot the roof and cause damp inside the caravan.
Water
Holiday caravans are less insulated than standard homes and water can easily freeze, causing pipes to burst.
Turn off the water when you are not there and at the end of the season drain the water systems prior to leaving.
Chassis
Check the chassis regularly and use wax oil to keep free of rust. Chassis damage repair is expensive but preventable.
Consider skirting if the holiday park is near the sea.
Foundations
Check your homes foundations looking out for cracks and report any to the site owner.
Damp
Leave your curtains open when you are not in the caravan in the colder months, to air the caravan.
Panels
Regularly clean the outside of the caravan with a warm water and a detergent such as a car cleaner. Animal waste and tree sap can cause damage if left unchecked.