Caravan Insurance NZ
Caravan insurance in New Zealand is a crucial consideration for any caravan owner, offering peace of mind as you explore the stunning landscapes of the country. Whether you’re parked by a tranquil lake or journeying through rugged terrains, understanding how to ensure your caravan is properly insured is essential.

Understanding Caravan Insurance
Caravan insurance is a standalone policy designed to protect you financially in the event of damages, theft, or if your caravan causes property damage or injury to third parties. It’s important to note that while your car insurance may cover damages to your car, it typically does not cover damages to your caravan if it’s towed during an accident. Therefore, securing a separate caravan insurance policy is crucial.
Getting Insured: The Process
Securing insurance for your caravan involves several steps before you are covered.
Collect Your Details
Start by gathering important information about your caravan, such as its make, age, approximate value, and how you plan to use it. This data is crucial as it affects the policy cost and coverage.
Contact Insurance Providers
Since online quotes are generally not available due to the variations in caravan models and associated risks, you should contact major insurers directly. Companies like AMI, AA Insurance, Tower, State, and Covi offer tailored caravan insurance policies.
Compare Quotes
Request quotes from these providers and compare them. Ensure you understand each policy’s benefits and exclusions, which can vary significantly between insurers.
What Does Caravan Insurance Cover?
Typical benefits of caravan insurance include:
- Damage or Vandalism: Coverage for repair costs if the caravan can be restored to its previous condition, or up to its market or agreed valueÂ
- Theft: Compensation up to the caravan’s market or agreed value if stolen.
- Caravan Removals and Transport Expenses: If your caravan is damaged or recovered after being stolen and cannot be towed, insurers may cover the costs of moving it to a repairer or your home.
- Living Expenses: If your caravan is unfit for stay, insurance may cover temporary accommodation costs.
- Contents and Third-Party Liability: Optional covers for personal contents within the caravan and liability if your caravan damages property or injures someone.
Cost of Caravan Insurance in NZ
The cost of insuring a caravan in New Zealand varies based on several factors, including the caravan’s value, age, and how you use it. As a rough estimate, premiums can range significantly but expect to budget several hundred dollars annually. For precise figures, obtaining personalised quotes from multiple insurers is recommended to allow you to compare caravan insurance.
Why is Caravan Insurance Important?
Caravan insurance is vital for several reasons:
- Financial Protection: It safeguards against potentially huge costs due to accidents, theft, or liability claims.
- Peace of Mind: Insurance allows you to enjoy your travels without worrying about the financial risk of unexpected events.
- Compliance with Legal Requirements: Some circumstances or places may legally require you to have specific insurance coverages in place.
Choosing the Right Coverage: Market Value vs. Agreed Value
When selecting a policy, you’ll choose between insuring your caravan for its market value or an agreed value. Market value policies consider the current worth of your caravan, while agreed value policies cover the caravan for a set amount agreed upon by you and the insurer. The right choice depends on factors like your caravan’s depreciation and any modifications made.

Understanding Market Value
If you choose to insure your caravan for market value, your insurer will determine your payout at the time of the loss or damage, and will use factors such as the caravan’s make, age, mileage, and overall condition to determine the amount. Obviously, as your caravan gets older and accrues mileage and wear and tear, its market value will decrease, meaning you receive a smaller payout for a 10 year old caravan compared to one that is only 5 years old.
The downside of market value coverage is that the payout you receive may not be enough to replace your caravan with a comparable current model, necessitating that you pay out of pocket for a replacement. However, the upside of market value coverage is that it generally offers cheaper premiums, due to the depreciating value of the caravan.
Understanding Agreed Value
As the name suggests, agreed value coverage means your insurer will pay out an agreed amount, regardless of how much your caravan has depreciated over the life of your policy. The upside of agreed value coverage is that you know exactly how much you will receive in the event of a payout, and will have to make up less of a shortfall if you need to replace your caravan.
However, the higher agreed value of your caravan means that you will be paying higher premiums over the life of the policy, as the value of your caravan is not depreciating in the eyes of your insurer.
Final Thoughts
Navigating caravan insurance in New Zealand requires understanding your specific needs and comparing offers from various insurers. By doing so, you can ensure your caravan is adequately protected, allowing you to focus on enjoying the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand’s great outdoors.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Caravan Insurance
Generally, no. A car insurance policy and caravan insurance are separate entities. Car insurance typically covers only the vehicle itself, not a towed caravan. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a separate caravan insurance policy.
This can vary between insurers, but if your caravan has been stolen and not recovered within ten days, it is generally considered a total loss. The insurer will then proceed with a replacement payout based on the agreed or market value specified in your policy.
Coverage for your caravan contents often requires additional premiums and is not always included in standard policies. You should check with your insurer whether they offer contents insurance and under what terms. Enhancing security measures like using wheel clamps, hitch locks, or even installing a tracking device can also be beneficial.
In the event of theft, damage, or an accident, you should immediately contact the police if necessary and then inform your insurer. Provide detailed information about the incident and the extent of the damage. It’s also important to prevent any further loss or damage and obtain permission from your insurer before initiating any repairs.
Once a claim is lodged, your insurer will likely inspect the damaged caravan and assess the costs for repair or replacement. You may need to pay an excess depending on the event and your policy. Keep all receipts and documentation related to repairs and expenses as your insurer may request them for your claim.
After assessing the situation, your insurer will determine the most appropriate form of settlement. This might include repairing the caravan at an approved repairer, reimbursing you for repair costs, or providing a payout if the caravan is a total loss. The settlement method will aim to restore or replace your caravan based on the coverage terms outlined in your policy.