Caravan Insurance for a van stored in France

user1977

TheFixersometimes said:

What is meant by 'Not below Department 17'?

I presume they mean "not in a location further south than Département 17" i.e. Charente-Maritime.

Inasmum

Norman_Conquests said:

Inasmum said:

Thank you Percival22.  I’ve contacted them. 🤞🏼

Did you get any joy? We were told they couldn't insure caravans below Department 17.  We are based in the Landes region and are struggling.

Yes! Success! I’m thrilled thank you so much. Don’t know which department I’m stored in but near Tours. Honestly, thanks a million.

Inasmum

Try this company. They were a bit relaxed but able to quote using Allianz fr.
FR Assistance.
i can’t post a link as im too new here ☺️

TailorPA

Hello everyone,

We’re in a tricky situation and have tried numerous avenues to get caravan insurance sorted. We have a UK-registered touring caravan based in the South of France, similar to what others might have.

Has anyone in a similar position managed to get their caravan insured? We were with Towergate, now UK insurers are unable to help, and French companies won’t cover it unless it’s registered in France.

If getting insurance while it remains UK-registered isn’t possible, does anyone know the process for changing the registration and registering the caravan in France?

Any guidance would be hugely appreciated - I feel like I’m pulling my hair out over this! Can’t believe how difficult it’s been to get this sorted.

Thank you so much!  

SteUKUK

@TaylorPA my parents have so far failed to secure insurance. Their storage compound have been in conversation with their insurers and have been advised that as long as the caravan is insured whilst being towed then they can take it again this year. I am not convinced this is not something lost in translation, but at least they won’t have to tow it back home in a few weeks time! Naturally, it isn’t insured, but it’s 19 years old…so not much risk of anyone wanting to pinch it!

I believe the process to register is a none starter  for most due to needing a French address to register the vehicle at. 

Norman_Conquests

Just checked back to see if anyone had found away around this problem?

We don’t have a vehicle to tow a caravan and will have to leave ours here uninsured this year - that goes against the grain. 

SteUKUK

No joy here. Currently waiting back to hear if the storage will allow continued storage of the caravan without insurance. Currently they have said they will as long as it’s insured to tow. Seems a bit odd though. Would have thought it would need insurance for any damage to third parties resulting in something like a fire started in/by the caravan. But we shall see.

Lavender29

I have also heard that Towergate have cancelled people’s insurance for storage in France. This despite these insurance policies being taken out within the last two months. Many of those customers who are insured with them will already be on holiday in France and have now got the worry of what they do with their caravans when the insurance company they have been with have cancelled their insurance. Many will not even have a tow bar on their car or be confident in towing their van back to the UK plus now having to find somewhere to store it in the UK if they don’t have the space at their own property and all being looked into whilst they should be relaxing on holiday. 

What insurance company gives insurance to people knowing their caravan is in France and then cancels when they are on holiday and leaves them with immense problems and pressure rather than the relaxed holiday they went for. 

I notice Towergate has been rebranded under a new name; it seems their efforts have been focused on this rather than their customers.  What an underhand way to treat your customers too. However this does not help anyone who is away in France now and worrying about what they do with their caravan. 

Maybe there is a company that will take on storage for UK caravans left in France but it seems hard to find. Many are saying it’s Brexit but how come since Brexit in 2020 vans have still been insured? Nothing has altered if you leave your van down in France so why now?  

If there is an insurance company who is willing to take on this issue of insuring caravans permanently left in France I’m sure it would be a good business opportunity as surely the risk is far higher driving to and from the UK with a van than the short distances there are from storage facilities to a campsite. 

I hope someone comes up with a  positive solution soon for caravaners. 

Norman_Conquests

Lavender29 said:

I have also heard that Towergate have cancelled people’s insurance for storage in France. This despite these insurance policies being taken out within the last two months. Many of those customers who are insured with them will already be on holiday in France and have now got the worry of what they do with their caravans when the insurance company they have been with have cancelled their insurance. Many will not even have a tow bar on their car or be confident in towing their van back to the UK plus now having to find somewhere to store it in the UK if they don’t have the space at their own property and all being looked into whilst they should be relaxing on holiday. 

What insurance company gives insurance to people knowing their caravan is in France and then cancels when they are on holiday and leaves them with immense problems and pressure rather than the relaxed holiday they went for. 

I notice Towergate has been rebranded under a new name; it seems their efforts have been focused on this rather than their customers.  What an underhand way to treat your customers too. However this does not help anyone who is away in France now and worrying about what they do with their caravan. 

Maybe there is a company that will take on storage for UK caravans left in France but it seems hard to find. Many are saying it’s Brexit but how come since Brexit in 2020 vans have still been insured? Nothing has altered if you leave your van down in France so why now?  

If there is an insurance company who is willing to take on this issue of insuring caravans permanently left in France I’m sure it would be a good business opportunity as surely the risk is far higher driving to and from the UK with a van than the short distances there are from storage facilities to a campsite. 

I hope someone comes up with a  positive solution soon for caravaners. 

I fall into the bracket you describe above except my coverage expired on 16th August and have always renewed with Towergate over the phone. 

This year, they asked for my storage details in July and then informed me they couldn’t insure us unless the caravan spent 3 months in the UK. I later got an email stating it only had to be taken home for one week. In other words, they were happy for me to lie to them. I wonder if I would get paid out if anything happened to it - I very much doubt it. 

Taking the caravan home is not an option this year, my car is not big enough to tow a caravan. 

I am going to contact The Connexion newspaper for advice - I’m a subscriber to it. 

Lavender29

Taking the caravan home is not an option for many including us! It is just appalling the way Towergate has treated their customers. Many customers feel if they have a fully detailed reason for this they may understand it better but to completely ignore any questions many people have asked is poor practice by the company. The majority of people storing vans are people who look after their van and just wish to relax for their holiday supporting the French lifestyle for a few weeks a year but ensuring that an insurance is in place to cover them. It is a pity that Towergate can’t act in a professional way and support customers and give a detailed explanation or an alternative for this situation. I am extremely pleased I am not insured with them for anything else as would not trust them at all.