How much does caravan insurance cost in Australia?
Caravan insurance costs: the quick version
There isn't one standard price for caravan insurance. Here are the main things to know:
The value of your caravan matters
A higher-value caravan will usually cost more to insure than a basic or older van.
How and where you use it matters too
Touring, storage, off-road travel and how often you use the caravan can all affect the quote.
Your cover choices can change the price
The insured value, excess, contents and optional cover you choose can all make a difference.
Compare quotes on the same basis
A cheaper quote isn't necessarily a better deal if the insured value, excess or cover is different.
There isn't one Australian price that tells you what caravan insurance should cost.
A basic caravan used for a few trips each year can have very different insurance needs from a high-value off-road caravan that's regularly travelling around Australia.
The best way to work out what you could pay is to compare quotes using the details of your own caravan and how you use it.
What affects the cost of caravan insurance?
Insurers can look at several things when working out your price.
1. What your caravan is worth
The value of the caravan is an obvious one.
A caravan worth $20,000 presents a different potential cost to an insurer from one worth $100,000.
How the caravan is insured also matters. Depending on the insurer, you might be offered agreed value or market value cover.
Make sure you understand which one you're comparing.
2. The type of caravan
The make, model, age and type of caravan can all affect a quote.
This could include:
- touring caravans
- pop-tops
- off-road caravans
- camper trailers
- fifth wheelers
- other caravan or trailer types accepted by the insurer
Motorhomes are different because they're motor vehicles rather than towable caravans and normally need their own type of insurance.
3. Where you keep it
Insurers may ask where the caravan is normally stored when you're not travelling.
For example, it could be kept:
- in a locked garage
- behind a gate
- under a carport
- on a driveway
- on the street
- at a caravan storage facility
Where you live and store the caravan can also affect risks such as theft and severe weather.
4. How you use it
An insurer may want to know how the caravan is used.
A caravan taken away a few weekends a year is different from one that's regularly travelling long distances.
It's also worth telling the insurer if you:
- travel off-road
- use the caravan for long periods
- keep it permanently onsite
- live in it for extended periods
- hire it out
- use it for business
Don't assume every policy treats these uses the same way.
5. Modifications and accessories
Caravans can have thousands of dollars worth of extras added after purchase.
This might include:
- solar
- batteries
- upgraded suspension
- awnings
- annexes
- air conditioning
- external storage
- other modifications
Tell the insurer about important modifications and check whether they're included in the value of the caravan or need to be listed separately.
6. The contents you want covered
The value inside a caravan can add up quickly.
Clothing, appliances, camping equipment, electronics and other belongings may be treated differently from permanent fixtures and accessories.
Check how much contents cover is included and whether there are limits for individual items.
7. Your excess
The excess is the amount you may need to pay if you make a claim.
A higher excess can sometimes reduce the premium, but it also means paying more yourself if something happens.
Don't choose an excess purely because it makes the quote cheaper. Make sure it's an amount you'd be comfortable paying.
8. Your claims history
Your previous claims history can affect what you're quoted.
Give accurate information when getting quotes so you're comparing options on the right basis.
Can you make caravan insurance cheaper?
There can be ways to reduce the price without simply cutting important cover.
It can be worth:
- comparing more than one insurer
- checking your insured value
- reviewing your excess
- making sure old accessories are removed from the policy
- checking whether secure storage affects the quote
- reviewing optional cover you don't use
- reviewing the policy every year rather than automatically renewing
The aim shouldn't just be to find the lowest number.
It should be to find a competitive price for cover that suits how you actually use your caravan.
What information should you have ready?
Before getting quotes, it helps to know:
- the make and model
- year of manufacture
- what the caravan is worth
- where it's normally stored
- how you use it
- important accessories or modifications
- the contents you want covered
- your claims history
- whether you plan to travel off-road
You may not need every detail straight away, but getting the basics right makes comparison easier.
Don't compare caravan insurance on price alone
Two policies at similar prices can be quite different.
Check things such as:
- agreed or market value
- excess
- accidental damage
- theft
- storm and flood cover
- contents
- towing after an insured incident
- temporary accommodation
- off-road use
- exclusions
- limits
The cheapest policy isn't much use if it doesn't cover the way you actually travel.
Frequently asked questions
Is expensive caravan insurance always better?
No. Price is only one part of the comparison. Check the insured value, excess, limits, exclusions and cover included before deciding.
Does off-road use make caravan insurance more expensive?
It can affect the quote or which insurers will cover you. Insurers take different approaches to off-road caravans and where they can be used.
Can secure caravan storage reduce the cost?
It may affect the quote with some insurers. Tell insurers accurately where the caravan is normally kept rather than assuming one type of storage will always receive a discount.
Does caravan insurance cover contents?
Some policies include contents cover or let you select it separately. Limits and definitions vary, so check what's treated as contents and how much is covered.
Should I compare caravan insurance every year?
It's worth reviewing it. Your premium, caravan value, policy terms and personal circumstances can change, so don't assume last year's policy is automatically still the best fit.