Camping Tips

Owning a caravan gives you the freedom to travel and stay in numerous places across the country on your own terms. But buying your own caravan can be a big investment and it’s well-advised to protect it with insurance. Depending on the caravan insurance policy, it may provide cover for a variety of different situations ranging from accidents on the road or damage sustained while parked at home. Below we take a look at some of the options when it comes to insurance for your caravan and what to look for.

Types of Caravan Insurance

Caravan insurance is a stand-alone financial product that is typically used to provide cover for your caravan while it is travelling on the road, when it is on-site at a caravan park, and when it is not being used for a certain period of time. Some insurers also offer cover for a trailer, camper trailer or horse float under a caravan insurance policy.

The two main types of caravan insurance policies are comprehensive and third party. The first option covers damage or loss of the caravan and property inside it, as well as to other people’s property. Third party policies only cover damage to other people or someone else’s property where you are at fault. Either policy can also cover other incidents as an add-on expense depending on the insurer.

What Can Caravan Insurance Cover?

As mentioned, coverage will vary depending on the policy and level of cover you choose, but in general, it may provide some financial protection for loss or damage to your caravan caused by or arising from:

• Accidental damage
• Theft or attempted theft
• Fire
• Storm and flood
• Earthquake
• Vandalism or a malicious act by a third party
• Emergency repairs, accommodation, and transport.
• Food spoilage
• Storage
• Towing
• Contents up to a certain amount.

It typically won’t cover wear and tear, vermin, faulty design, pre-existing damage or any damage sustained by intentional misuse.

Tips When Looking for Caravan Insurance

Spend a decent amount of time shopping around widely for different insurance policies. Read the small print to compare features and don’t be afraid to tell an agent you’re shopping around. Ensure you get appropriate insurance for how you plan to use your caravan. The appropriate level of coverage will differ depending on whether you are covering a touring (or travelling), on-site or off-road caravan.

Before you take out caravan insurance, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of each policy thoroughly so you understand the terms and conditions involved, including benefits and exclusions, and any excesses that apply.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Caravan Insurance

Cheaper rarely means better when it comes to insurance. The cost of your caravan insurance will depend on a range of factors, including:

• Level of cover and extras: Comprehensive cover will usually carry a higher premium. If you choose to take out any optional extras, this will also add to your premium.
• Excess: The excess is the amount you agree to pay out-of-pocket when making a claim. If you choose a higher excess, this will tend to lower your premium.
• Sum insured: Agreed value is a fixed sum insured that you and your insurer choose for your caravan, whereas market value is based on the amount your caravan is worth at the time of the claim. Agreed value policies tend to carry a higher premium.

If you are buying caravan insurance from the same provider you use for other insurance policies, such as your car insurance, it could be worth checking to see if you are entitled to a multi-policy discount.

One of the biggest benefits of travelling the country in a caravan or motorhome is the ability to take our beloved pets with us. However, there are some restrictions on where you’ll be able to take your pet, so it’s worth taking the time to do some research and planning. Here are some tips on what to look for as well as other ways to prepare so everyone in the family can have an enjoyable trip on the road.

Look for Pet-Friendly Parks

Apart from ensuring that you have your pets microchip details updated, taking their paperwork along with you, and making sure your pet is up to date with their vaccinations, you should also spend some time researching pet-friendly caravan parks along the route you’re planning. Once you’ve found some pet-friendly parks in the locations you want to stay, it’s a good idea to get in touch with them to discuss their specific pet policies as these can vary from park to park. For example, some places won’t let pets inside cabins, so you need to be sure you’re comfortable leaving them outside if need be.

Once you find suitable places to stay overnight, be sure to do the right thing and follow their rules. Irresponsible dog owners who don’t pick up after them or fail to control them can cause pet-friendly parks to reconsider their policy, which is detrimental to those of us who love to travel with our pets.

Other Things to Look for Along the Route

When planning your holiday route, you should also make a list of vets in each major town you’ll be passing through in case of an emergency. Research some common issues that you might face in certain areas such as heat exhaustion or tick paralysis and their symptoms. Bring a printed medical record for your furry friend along with you just in case.

Other things you want to look out for are pet-friendly beaches and parks. It’s important to remember that many national parks, hiking trails and other local attractions are not pet friendly. Look up some local kennels or pet sitting services in the areas you plan to travel where you may not be able to take your furry friend along for the adventure.

Take Regular Breaks

Once travelling, regular breaks are just as important to your pet as they are for human travellers. Small dogs tend to need more breaks when travelling than larger dogs, although it depends on their temperament and age, of course. Stop at least every two to three hours to let your pup stretch their legs, have a bathroom break and a drink of water, and get refreshed for the next leg of the trip. When travelling, you should always ensure your pet is restrained inside the car using either a cargo barrier behind the back seat, a travel crate, or a seat belt harness. If you are planning a long trip, it is worthwhile taking them on shorter journeys beforehand to see how they handle it, and if you need to take any extra blankets, toys or other accessories you hadn’t considered.

With so many beautiful sights to see and enjoy in Western Australia, it would be a shame to stay in the one place after retirement. That’s why so many ‘Grey Nomads’ take to the road in their own caravans and camper trailers after they decide to leave the 9-5 life behind.

With international travel suspended for the foreseeable future, it’s not a bad idea to travel domestically and take on an open-road adventure for the time being. If you’re ready to explore Australia’s treasures on four wheels, we’ve got some great tips for you.

Taking your caravan off road is all about planning and being prepared for what’s to come. Whether you’re heading up the coast or driving through bushland, it always pays to be one step ahead. Follow these tips from the team at PMX Campers to ensure you get from point A to B safely and with plenty of memories in tow.

If you’re thinking about a weekend getaway with the family (and caravan in tow), then it’s a good idea to brush up on some safety basics to ensure that things go off without a hitch. Whether you’re headed to the beach or exploring the bush, be sure to check out these top tips from the experts at PMX campers.

The last few months have been crazy. But if there is one big positive to come out of all of this, it’s that more Australian’s are going to be seeing plenty more of the great outdoors right here in Australia.

If you’ve been looking to gear up for your first big adventure back with the family, then you’ve come to the right place. This article is going to help you understand the differences between caravans and camper trailers, and how to make the right choice for you.

Exploring different camper options can be confusing. Being spoilt for choice can also leave you spending hours researching different types of trailers and tents. If you’ve narrowed down your options between a camper trailer and roof tent, you are probably wondering, which one is better? Well, the answer truly depends on what you will be using it for.