You’ve spent years saving for the caravan, fitted it out exactly how you like it, and planned the big lap of Australia. Then a mate tells you their van was stolen from a storage yard, or hail wrecked their roof hatch in Dubbo, and their insurance didn’t cover half of what they expected. Suddenly you’re wondering how protected yours really is. Here’s what’s worth checking before it’s your turn.
Start With the Right Cover
A caravan isn’t a car, and it isn’t a house either. It’s a bit of both, which is exactly why generic policies can leave gaps. Your car insurance may cover the van while it’s attached and moving, but not while it’s parked at a campsite, sitting in storage, or full of your gear.
When you explore RV insurance options, check these points in the policy wording, not just the summary:
- Agreed value vs market value. Agreed value means you know exactly what you’ll get if the van is written off.
- Contents cover. Bikes, solar panels, fridges, laptops and fishing gear can add up to thousands.
- Annexes and awnings. These are often listed separately, and storm damage to them is common.
- Storage. Are you covered when the van is parked at home or in a storage facility for months?
- Emergency costs. Some policies help with accommodation or getting home if the van can’t be used mid-trip.
- Modifications. Off-road suspension, extra water tanks or a new solar setup should be declared.
It pays to explore RV insurance options every year or two rather than just auto-renewing. Your van’s value, setup and travel plans all change, and your cover should keep up.
Keep the Van in Good Shape
Insurance helps when things go wrong. Maintenance stops them going wrong in the first place, and some insurers may ask about it if you make a claim.
A simple maintenance routine
- Before every trip: Check tyre pressures (including spares), lights, brakes and the coupling.
- Every few months: Look for water leaks around windows, hatches and seals. Small leaks become big repairs.
- Once a year: Have the wheel bearings and brakes serviced, and get your gas system checked by a licensed gasfitter.
- Every few years: Replace tyres based on age, not just tread. Caravan tyres can look fine but perish from the inside after sitting in the sun.
And weigh your loaded van at a public weighbridge at least once. Many vans are heavier than their owners realise, and being over the legal limit can cause safety problems on the road.
Make Your Van Harder to Steal
Caravans are an easy target when they’re parked in driveways or storage yards. A few simple steps make a big difference:
- Fit a hitch lock and a wheel clamp whenever the van isn’t attached
- Consider a GPS tracker hidden somewhere inside the van
- Engrave or mark expensive gear with your licence number
- Take dated photos of the van and its contents, inside and out
If you’ve customised your setup, those photos matter even more. Just look at how much work goes into a custom high-top camper van; proving what you’ve added is much easier with pictures and receipts.
A Quick Example
Picture a retired couple from Geelong halfway through a trip up the east coast. A storm near Rockhampton tore their awning and sent water through a cracked roof hatch, soaking the mattress and a laptop. Because they’d chosen a policy that covered the awning and contents, and had photos of everything from before they left, the claim was straightforward. They were back on the road within a week, rather than heading home early.
You’re in Good Company
Caravanning keeps growing in Australia, with retirees now sharing the road with working families and remote workers, as this story on the rise of wi-fi nomads shows. More vans on the road means more reasons to get your protection right.
Do a 30-Minute Policy Check
Before your next trip, set aside half an hour. Pull out your policy, check the six points listed above, and photograph your van and gear. If anything’s missing or unclear, call your insurer and ask directly. It’s a small job that could save you a lot of money and stress down the track.
