A sure fire way of reducing your caravan insurance premium is to increase your caravan security. A more secure caravan is generally a cheaper caravan to insure.
As caravan theft is an increasing problem in England it is vital that your caravan is as secure as it can realistically be.
Each caravan insurance company offers different discounts dependent on the security product you have fitted so it’s well worth asking in advance to find out whether it is worth fitting an extra caravan security device to your caravan.
There are two industry standard names that you should watch out for, as anything marked with these names will, more often than not, attract a high level of discount.
Thatcham is a group, formed by leading insurers that test and rate various security products including caravan security products. Thatcham give each product a rating which is officially recognised by caravan insurers and can therefore attract significant discounts.
Sold Secure provides a seal of approval for caravan security locks and locking devices. Having a Sold Secure approved device can attract further discounts for your caravan insurance.
Caravan insurance often requires a wheel clamp to be used as the minimum level of security for you caravan and we recommend using a caravan wheel clamp whenever your caravan is left un-attended. As with any caravan security product, we recommend looking for something approved by either Thatcham or Sold Secure.
Caravan wheel clamps can be fitted in seconds and are extremely difficult to remove without the correct key – providing not only a good level of security for your caravan but also a highly visible deterrent to potential caravan thieves.
Caravan hitch locks help prevent your caravan being simply coupled up and towed away by caravan thieves.
Caravan hitch locks can be a great way of preventing and deterring opportunist thieves as they stop caravans from being quickly hooked up and towed away.
Caravan insurance companies often insist on a caravan hitch lock being the least level of caravan security in order to offer an insurance policy. Most caravan insurance companies will insist on a hitch lock being fitted whenever the caravan is stationary.
A highly effective, but relatively cheap way, of improving the security of your caravan whilst it is stationary is through the use of anchor points (ideally fixed into the ground with concrete) high quality chains and solid padlocks.
These additional levels of security make thieves less likely to target your caravan over others parked nearby. These security measures may not attract discounts from all caravan insurance companies but the extra security will certainly give you a greater peace of mind.
Insurance approved alarm systems can attract a healthy discount from caravan insurers, as well as giving you the caravan owner added peace of mind.
Caravan alarms come in various shapes and sizes but all share one characteristic – an ear piercing 120dB alarm sound – guaranteed to disrupt and caravan thieves as well as alerting anyone within the vicinity. Most good caravan alarms come with stickers that can be placed inside your caravan windows to provide a visible deterrent to any wannabe caravan thieves.
Caravan alarms come in varying models with various specifications. A few key features to look out for, especially if you are looking for discount caravan insurance are:
Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors
These small sensors monitor inside your caravan for any movement. You’ll have seen these fitted as part of the alarm systems fitted in residential properties, usually in the corner of the room near the ceiling.
Panic alarm facility
Having a panic alarm facility, where you can sound the caravan alarm at the touch of a button, may not attract a caravan insurance discount but will certainly give you a greater peace of mind should anyone break into your caravan.
Remote sensors protecting caravan awnings
Caravan awnings are all too often overlooked when it comes to caravan security. Many caravan awnings are used as an extension of the caravan itself where people store valuable possessions including their TV and personal belongings.
Securing this aspect of the caravan with a good quality caravan alarm may attract discounts from certain insurers and will certainly make thieves think twice before breaking into your caravan awning.
Cars and motorhomes have been fitted with what is known as a Vehicle Identification Number (or VIN number) for many years now. In recent years this has started to become more prominent on caravans.
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN number) is a unique 17 digit number that is stamped into the chassis of a caravan which is not only illegal but also extremely difficult to remove and cover up.
Ensuring your caravan has a caravan VIN number will make sure it can be uniquely identified in the chance of a theft and gives you a much great chance of getting your caravan returned.
Installing a caravan security post could reduce your caravan insurance premium by up to 5% with some caravan insurers. Concreting a caravan post securely into the ground gives your caravan outstanding protection against any wannabe caravan thieves.
Electronic caravan tagging works by placing a small electronic tag device somewhere within or on your caravan. This electronic caravan tag contains a unique electronic code which is only associated with your vehicle. In the event of a theft police can use specialist equipment to scan a caravan for these tags and return it to its rightful owner.
Not only is electronic caravan tagging a powerful deterrent from caravan theft, but it is an incredibly powerful way of increasing the chances of recovering your stolen caravan.
All caravans manufacture in the UK since autumn 1998 are electronically tagged by the caravan manufacturer.
Fitting a caravan tracker to your caravan will increase your caravan security.
A caravan tracker is a unique device that allows your caravan to be located to within 3 metres of its location in the event of it being stolen. This is done by the caravan tracker emitting a GPS signal to a series of satellites, which then pass this signal onto a specialist caravan tracking centre who are then able to liaise with the Police to locate and recover your caravan, motorhome or campervan.
Locks and alarms can often be bypassed by caravan thieves and can be removed in seconds. Caravan trackers are extremely effective deterrents and can be hugely victorious in leading to a fast recovery of your stolen caravan.
This is why caravan insurance companies will offer discounts of up to 30% per year off your caravan insurance policy.
The Phantom Target is one of the leading devices in this field. With low battery usage and the ability to work throughout Europe, the Phantom Target will get you high discounts on your caravan insurance policy.
RAC provide a similar system call the Trackstar. The RAC Trackstar uses similar technology to the Phantom Target, which informs a control station if your caravan, motorhome or campervan is. This information is then passed to the police to for the recovery of your caravan.
Sold Secure Approved is a scheme for getting security products approved by Sold Secure which will allow them to carry the Sold Secure Quality Mark. Sold Secure is a scheme run by the Master Locksmiths’ Association in conjunction with the Police.
It is the Mission of Sold Secure to test and provide professional and accurate advice regarding effective security products to commercial customers, the insurance industry, the Home Office, the Police and the public.
A full list of Sold Secure Approved products for securing your caravan can be found at the Sold Secure website. Using a Sold Secure approved caravan security product can attract a discount on your caravan insurance.