Check that your home away from home is covered

There are currently more than one million people who regularly take caravan holidays in the UK, but some may not be adequately covered, according to Confused.com - the UK's leading insurance price comparison site.

With Brits still tightening their purse strings, many will be planning to holiday in the UK this summer rather than spending money on expensive holidays to exotic destinations abroad. As a result, holidays in the UK, and in particular caravanning, has enjoyed a real resurgence.

While most caravans will be covered by standard car insurance policies, caravans will only be covered on a third-party basis while being towed. It is therefore important to check with your insurer that the caravan has fully comprehensive cover before setting off.

In addition, it is important to check that personal belongings kept in the caravan are covered for loss, damage or theft. Some items will be covered under household insurance policies, but others will need to be covered under a separate caravan policy. It is also important to remember that personal items should always be kept safe and locked away, as items stolen because they have not been secured properly will automatically invalidate the insurance policy.

Simon Lamble, product director at Confused.com comments: "Caravanning holidays are an excellent option for people wanting a relatively hassle-free holiday with plenty of choice and flexibility. However, even laid-back holiday choices require some basic checks before setting off. Caravanners are advised to check with their insurers that they will be covered for any trips, especially if they will be spending a lot of time in a designated holiday camp.

"While most caravans are covered under car insurance policies, this only applies while the caravan is attached to the vehicle, so separate cover is often advisable. As with all holidays, it is a good idea to check if valuables, such as mp3 players, cameras and jewellery, are covered under home insurance policies or if it is worth taking out separate cover in order to protect such items."