With the UK experiencing its driest spring in over a century and the mercury rising fast this summer, Compass, a leading provider of caravan and leisure insurance, is urging static caravan owners to take urgent steps to reduce the risk of fire.
Static caravans are particularly vulnerable during extended periods of hot, dry weather. Their fixed positions, close proximity to neighbouring units, and lightweight construction—often using plastic and thin cladding—can cause fires to spread rapidly.
The added presence of LPG gas cylinders, if not stored or maintained correctly, only heightens the danger. The warning follows a notable surge in fire-related claims. Between June 2022 and May 2023, Compass recorded fire claims totalling over £165,000—more than six times the previous year’s total and representing 10% of all caravan and park home claims.
With summer 2025 expected to rival 2022’s record-breaking heat, the risk is growing. Kevin Minnear, Head of Underwriting at Compass, said: “Caravans are a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, but they carry serious fire risks, especially in hot and dry conditions. We’ve seen too many families lose their holiday homes and belongings to fire.
We’re asking everyone to stay vigilant and follow basic safety practices.” Common causes of caravan fires include barbecue use near units, careless disposal of cigarettes, unattended cooking, faulty gas appliances, and electrical faults. Fires in caravans are statistically more likely to result in serious injury or death than those in conventional housing.
"WE'RE ASKING EVERYONE TO STAY VIGILANT AND FOLLOW BASIC SAFETY PRACTICES."
TO HELP PREVENT FIRES, COMPASS ADVISES CARAVAN OWNERS TO:
• Keep barbecues well away from units and dry grass.
• Never smoke inside; use ashtrays and dispose of cigarettes properly.
• Store gas bottles securely outdoors, away from direct sunlight.
• Install and regularly test smoke alarms.
• Avoid open flames—opt for battery-powered lighting.
• Equip caravans with a fire blanket and extinguisher.
• Avoid overloading sockets and have electrics checked regularly.
• Keep all escape routes clear and accessible.
Insurance also plays a key role in recovery after a fire. Compass recommends that caravan owners review their policies to ensure comprehensive fire cover, maintain an inventory of contents, and understand their entitlements to temporary accommodation or replacement items.
“Fire spreads fast, just one spark can be devastating,” Minnear added. “But by taking these simple steps, owners can protect their property and their loved ones. Prevention is always better than cure.”
Compass Insurance
0344 274 0276
www.compass.co.uk
When it comes to accommodation, the ‘one size fits all’ philosophy is long gone, as parks now strive to provide bespoke options to suit all tastes and clientele. Today’s holiday parks are more inclusive than ever before. With a vast selection of accommodation and activities now available to choose from, it’s no wonder that an increasingly broad clientele of people are opting to holiday close to home. Parks up and down the country are expanding their horizons when it comes to accommodation, with most offering a good range of options for families with small children, teenagers and young couples as well as the older generation. And what’s more, it’s a shift that’s paying off, with more and more parks reaping the financial rewards. Henry Wild, of Skelwith Fold caravan park in the Lake District, says that new ways for guests to stay on parks are helping to ensure bookings and drive down the average age of visitors: "About a decade ago, many park industry commentators became concerned at what they saw as an increasingly mature market of visitors and holiday home buyers. Their conclusion was that without new blood being drawn in, numbers in these sectors would be sent on a downward trajectory. "What they didn't foresee was a combination of factors, which has led many younger couples and families to become familiar with the park product, helping to underpin this industry's future.”
"Another factor which couldn't have been predicted a decade ago, and which has also broadened the appeal of parks to new markets, are concerns over Brexit and the accompanying fall in the value of the pound .which has driven up the cost of holidays overseas,” he comments. "Combine this with a series of spectacular summers in recent years, and many people are now questioning whether a UK holiday might offer more fun and a lot less stress than going abroad. The superbly high standards of modern holiday homes reinforces the argument, and makes a pretty persuasive case for owning a holiday home in this country.” According to holiday park owner and operator Bridge Leisure, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit is already having a positive impact on UK staycations. Their advance bookings for 2019 have seen a 30 per cent increase across their nine parks, with Ashbourne Heights in Derbyshire already up by 150 per cent on the same period last year. CEO Andrew Howe believes they are definitely benefitting from the Brexit effect, he said: “Staycations are becoming increasingly popular anyway but with the lack of clarity around what a deal or no deal Brexit means for travellers, people just want to avoid any nasty surprises and seem to be opting for a UK holiday instead.” To meet the demand, Bridge Leisure are continuing to invest in their accommodation options, to ensure that they are hitting the spot when it comes to their customer’s expectations. “Staycations are becoming more and more popular, so the various types of accommodation continue to evolve and develop to meet what the customer is looking for in all sorts of shapes, styles and sizes,” says Andrew.
In terms of maintaining a high standard of accommodation on their parks, Bridge Leisure have a dedicated on-site team who carry out regular checks and keep everything in tip-top condition. “There isn’t really a hard and fast rule for when accommodation should be replaced. Different types will have different life cycles,” says Andrew. “We have an annual refurbishment programme across all of our parks and this year we are investing over half a million in new units. We want to make sure customers have a choice of different accommodation to suit different requirements and budgets.” For park owners that are looking to invest in new accommodation, choosing the right supplier is a key decision. A good supplier is easy to deal with, consistent, reliable and provides quality products and suitable prices. In turn, this helps you to focus on your park and deliver a high-level of service to your guests. An average supplier can, at best, take up your valuable time and, at worst, can cause a knock-on effect that impacts your service, guests and profit. “When choosing an accommodation supplier I’m sure top of most people’s lists will be value for money, quality and innovation,” comments Andrew. “But in addition, we look for suppliers who understand the demands of our business and deliver within agreed timescales.”
There is no shortcut to risk assessing each and every park-owned unit onsite. The risks associated with a caravan holiday home or lodge will differ from those associated with a glamping pod, which will differ still to those associated with a tepee, safari tent or ready tent. Parks should ensure that all park-owned accommodation meets relevant regulatory safety requirements. This is also required by the Policy wording. Subsequently, units should be kept in good condition and it is crucial that records of all operating procedures, maintenance, checking and cleaning are meticulously documented and kept readily accessible. The Compass spokesperson warns: “If a park cannot prove, using up-to-date and documented evidence, that it has taken all reasonable steps to minimise health and safety risks, it may be impossible for an insurer to defend a liability claim. The park could also end up in trouble with the HSE!” According to Compass, the type of cover and the cost of insurance will vary according to the type of accommodation on a park. This is relevant to the risk presented. For example, it may be more expensive to insure a pod with a wood burner than one without, simply because there is more likelihood of a fire-related incident where a wood burner exists. Premium costs will also vary depending on the number, variety, age and value of the units requiring cover. “Insurance can be expensive so while it is very important not to underinsure, over-insuring won’t help either! In this regard, maintaining an accurate valuation of park-owned accommodation is vital,” advises the spokesperson. “The value of accommodation should be reviewed on an annual basis, but policies can and should be amended mid-term too if new units are purchased or sold. It is important to keep your insurer informed about investment and development throughout the year so that they can ensure your policy is fully up-to-date.” To keep things as simple as possible, park owners would be wise to choose a specialist provider that can cover all of their park-owned accommodation under a single policy avoiding issues, should a claim occur, over which provider is responsible.