Gareth Walker

COVER THAT REALLY COUNTS

Posted on February 10, 2026

Protecting Today's Parks in an Increasingly Complex Risk...

Holiday parks and caravan sites have rarely operated in a more complex and fast-moving environment. Shifting guest expectations, digital booking journeys, extreme weather events, rising regulatory demands and increasing asset values are all reshaping how parks operate.

Against this backdrop, insurance is no longer a background administrative task — it has become a central pillar of business resilience and long-term sustainability. Today’s holiday parks look very different from those of a generation ago.

Alongside traditional touring pitches and static caravans, many sites now feature luxury lodges, glamping pods, on-site leisure facilities, retail outlets, food and beverage operations, and increasingly sophisticated online booking and payment systems. While these additions enhance guest experience and revenue potential, they also create a broader and more interconnected risk profile.

Property damage, public liability, employer’s liability, business interruption, customer-owned assets and digital exposure all intersect on a modern holiday park. Ensuring that insurance cover evolves alongside the business — rather than lagging behind it — has never been more important. Weather-related risks continue to be one of the sector’s most pressing challenges.

Storms, flooding and fire account for a significant proportion of claims, often with high severity and knock-on impacts. Climate volatility is placing greater strain on park infrastructure, drainage systems and siting decisions, while the density of caravans and lodges means that a single incident can escalate rapidly across multiple units.

At the same time, park operators are increasingly responsible for managing risk not only to their own assets, but also across hundreds — sometimes thousands — of customer-owned holiday homes on site. Damage to one unit can have consequences for neighbouring pitches, shared services and the wider reputation of the park, reinforcing the importance of coordinated, specialist insurance solutions.

Beyond physical risks, holiday parks are now firmly digital businesses. Online reservations, contactless payments, customer databases, Wi-Fi networks and automated systems bring efficiency and convenience for both guests and operators. However, they also introduce cyber risks that were barely on the radar a decade ago. Cybercrime is no longer confined to large corporations.

HOLIDAY PARKS are operating in an increasingly complex risk environment, where the right insurance cover plays a vital role in long-term resilience.

Small and medium- sized businesses are increasingly targeted, often because they are perceived as easier entry points with fewer safeguards in place. For holiday parks, a single cyber incident can disrupt bookings, compromise personal data, damage customer trust and lead to significant financial and regulatory consequences.

As reliance on digital systems grows, cyber insurance is fast becoming an essential consideration rather than an optional extra. This feature explores how specialist insurance solutions are responding to the evolving risk landscape faced by holiday parks. From protecting operators against emerging cyber threats, to safeguarding customer-owned caravans and lodges and managing complex site-wide liability, the focus is shifting from reactive cover to proactive protection.

Crucially, it highlights the importance of working with insurers who genuinely understand the realities of holiday park operations. Generic commercial policies may appear cost-effective on the surface, but they can leave dangerous gaps in cover when claims arise. Specialist providers bring sector-specific insight, tailored wordings and practical support that reflect how parks actually function day to day.

Later in this feature, Holiday Park Scene speaks directly to two leading insurance specialists who offer expert insight into different — but equally critical — areas of risk management. In the first contribution, Kevin Minnear, Head of Underwriting at Compass Insurance, examines the growing threat of cybercrime and explains why holiday parks are increasingly exposed.

He outlines common vulnerabilities, the potential impact of an attack, and why cyber insurance should now be viewed as a core component of a modern park’s risk strategy. We also hear from Gareth Walker, Head of Leisuredays Development, who focuses on the insurance of customer-owned holiday caravans and lodges.

His insight explores current claims trends, highlights the real-world impact of storms, floods and fire, and explains how proactive risk management and specialist partnerships can protect owners, operators and the wider site ecosystem. Together, these expert perspectives reinforce a simple but powerful message: insurance today is about far more than recovery after loss.

It is about preparedness, protection and peace of mind. For modern holiday parks operating in an increasingly complex risk environment, the right insurance strategy is not a cost to be minimised — it is an investment in stability, reputation and long-term success.

Please read the Cyber-Crime special by Compass Insurance here: https://www.holidayparkscene.com/lets-not-go-viral/ 

Please read the latest article from Leisuredays Insurance here: https://www.holidayparkscene.com/peace-of-mind-for-parks-from-leisure-days/

 

PEACE OF MIND FOR PARKS FROM LEISUREDAYS

Posted on February 10, 2026

Leisuredays specialises in working with UK holiday parks to insure customer-owned holiday caravans and lodges. Parks refer owners directly to Leisuredays, where a dedicated team of more than 60 advisers is available seven days a week to quote, arrange cover, issue documents and manage renewals. Or customers can self-serve online and arrange their insurance with Leisuredays. Parks benefit from a valuable, ongoing income stream on policies sold and renewed.

Gareth Walker, Head of Leisuredays Development, says: “Parks appreciate how easy it is to refer owners to us and trust our specialist team to deliver great service. With increasing regulatory demands and pressure on staff time, many parks now prefer to direct customers to a specialist provider so park teams can focus on sales, customer experience and day-to-day operations and the continual development and improvement of their park/s.”

Claims trends have remained broadly consistent. Storm damage was Leisuredays’ most common claim in 2025, as well as escape of water and accidental damage. Flooding and fire losses continue to be the most severe in terms of overall cost, often leading to major repairs or full replacement of caravans and lodges. “We’ve also seen cases where a fire in one caravan has spread to neighbouring units,” Gareth explains.

GARETH WALKER, Head of Leisuredays Development.

“That really highlights the importance of every owner on a park having insurance in place, not just for their own protection, but to help manage wider financial and liability risks across the park.” Leisuredays continues to work proactively with parks at risk of flooding, alongside its underwriter Intact, and an independent flood consultant.

Risk mitigation measures such as siting units above flood levels, flotation systems, earth bunds, drainage improvements, and flood walls help protect parks and support the continued availability of flood cover at sustainable premiums for owners. Key policy benefits of Leisuredays’ holiday caravan and lodge insurance include cover for storm, flood, fire, theft and accidental damage, with many policies arranged on a new-for-old basis.

Where a unit is written off, cover includes costs for debris removal, plus re-siting and reconnection costs for replacement units. Emergency repairs cover also pays parks to carry out immediate works to make customer units safe and watertight following insured events. “Our team of Business Development Managers carry out regular reviews of parks and their risk management measures to make sure we can provide competitive premiums to holiday caravan and park home owners,” added Gareth.

Leisuredays Insurance
01422 396 693
www.leisuredays.co.uk/park-insure

INSURING YOUR CUSTOMER UNITS

Posted on February 12, 2025

Leisuredays are specialists in working with UK parks to insure customer holiday caravans and lodges...

Holiday Parks refer their customers to Leisuredays and then the insurance company’s team of over 60 advisers are on hand seven days a week to do the rest in terms of providing quotes, taking payment for cover, issuing documentation and managing renewals. The parks receive a valuable income stream on the policies sold and renewed.

Gareth Walker, Head of Leisuredays Development, says: “Parks love the ease at which they can refer customers to us, and trust our expert team to give great service to their owners. In the past many parks have taken on administration of insurance for customers themselves, but with growing regulatory requirements and a desire for park staff to focus on core park activities such as sales and day-to-day operations, many parks have made the switch to directing customers to a specialist.

Leisuredays are obviously very well set up for this with our contact centre and online quote and buy facility. We’re on hand to get park customers the cover they need quickly seven days a week. Gareth added, “We’re known for getting good take up rates amongst each park’s customer base with timely marketing, highly-rated service, great cover benefits and competitive pricing.

Despite insurance operations moving out of house on these parks, we’re still very good at keeping parks informed of who’s on cover and any ongoing claims.” Commenting on changes in risks seen on parks Gareth explained: “There’s not a great deal of change in common claim types made by caravan and lodge owners.

REVIEWING OUTFLOW points for flood water is essential.

The most common claims in 2024 included storm, flood, accidental damage to the inside and outside of units and then escape of water from toilets, showers, sinks and boilers - often leading to floor damage.” Gareth adds: “In terms of changes, it’s fair to say we’re noticing more frequent flooding. One in 50-year flooding events in some areas are becoming one in 10-year events and so on.

In terms of actual claims value the costliest, perhaps predictably, are for flooding and fire with these events often creating severe damage leading to major repairs or write offs.” Leisuredays have not taken the increase in flooding events lightly. In fact, they’ve been proactive in working with numerous parks to implement flood defences and flood mitigation strategies to lower the future risk of flooding.

These initiatives have also enabled the continued availability of insurance including vital flood cover at sensible premiums for the caravan owners on these parks. Testament to this in 2024 the company twice made finals in major insurance awards for its work with parks at risk of flooding.

Gareth expands on this: “Alongside our underwriter RSA, and an independent flood consultant, we have worked with parks on some major flood strategies resulting in the installation of bunds, piling, and state of the art sea walls to protect the park’s business and its customers from future weather events.” Talking about vital benefits provided by the Leisuredays insurance cover, Gareth explained: “In line with most common claims our policy covers caravan and lodge owners for flood, storm, fire, theft and accidental damage.

LEISUREDAYS INSURANCE have seen an increase in caravan owner flood claims on parks

Most owners get our new for old cover which means in the event a caravan or lodge is damaged beyond economic repair, we’ll buy them a brand new model as a replacement, subject to them having the correct sum insured. Obviously, in the event of a caravan needing replacement it’s costly to take the damaged one off the pitch and get rid of the debris, so our policy provides £10,000 of cover for that, and for re-siting and reconnection to services for the new replacement unit”.

Gareth went on to say: “What parks often find useful is our emergency repairs cover on customer policies. It allows them to make temporary repairs following serious damage to caravans and lodges, to make them water tight or secure and to prevent more damage or loss, in the knowledge we’ll pay them for the work.

Customers also love the benefit of ground rent cover paying them up to £2,500 when their caravan can’t be used as a result of an insured event.” If we were going to suggest any quick ways a park can reduce the extent of damage from flooding, we’d always recommend they look at existing park drainage – making sure floodwaters can escape the park quickly.

Leisuredays
01422 396 693
www.leisuredays.co.uk/smartway

LEISUREDAYS HAVE worked with parks on numerous flood defences such as this living wall on a Scottish park.

CUSTOMERS SPIN AND WIN COMPETITION

Posted on May 11, 2023

CUSTOMERS SPIN AND WIN COMPETITION

TREVOR AND HELGA REDVERS-HIGGINS were the first £5,000 winners in a Leisuredays marketing promotion.

Two lucky Hoburne Holiday lodge owners hit the jackpot when they won a £5000 cash prize from insurance specialists Leisuredays. The insurance provider runs a “Spin to Win” promotion for static caravan and lodge owners who obtain a quote via the holiday parks it works with. Spin to Win gives those customers two chances to win with a no obligation insurance quote.

Firstly, a spin of an online wheel of fortune to instantly win a £10 Amazon voucher and secondly, automatic entry into an annual £5000 draw. Trevor and Helga Redvers-Higgins were the first £5000 winners. They’d got a quote from Leisuredays having bought a Carnaby Chantry lodge from Hoburne Bashley Holiday Park in the New Forest, earlier this year.

Helga said: “We’re over the moon. We’d just got the keys for our new lodge the day before Leisuredays called us to let us know we’d won the £5000 so it felt unbelievable. When asked how they’d be spending the money, Helga added “We’ll be treating the family as well as buying outdoor furniture and a new television for our lodge.”

Gareth Walker from Leisuredays added: “The Spin to Win promotion gives park customers an extra incentive to try us for an insurance quote. Once we quote a park customer, more often than not they’ll become a policyholder, meaning extra insurance commission for our parks.” Leisuredays will be announcing another £5000 winner in March 2024. Parks that want to take advantage of the Spin to Win promotion and need extra point of sale materials can get in touch.

Leisuredays’ Development Team
Tel. 01422 396772
Email development@leisuredays.co.uk

Stop Thief!

Posted on July 13, 2016

thief

Holiday parks can safeguard sites and visitors with a wide range of deterrents, as Ashleigh Mackenzie reports…

Crime is at an all-time low, according to the latest findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW).

Reported offences were down by seven per cent compared to 2014 and continues the long term downward trend seen since the mid-1990s; the lowest estimate since the survey began in 1981.

Holiday parks possess a wide range of attractive options to deter prospective thieves. While complete protection from such occurrences can never be guaranteed, there are a number of measures and precautions that holiday park operators can implement to safeguard their parks and their guests.

“One of the biggest security issues facing holiday parks is theft of contents from holiday caravans and business property, particularly in the closed season,” reveals Gareth Walker, head of Leisuredays Development.

“Monitoring comings and goings is a big issue for park owners, as by their very nature holiday parks have people coming in an out all the time, sometimes making it difficult to distinguish holiday makers from those intent on committing crime.”

Ideally, a holiday park should be surrounded by a perimeter fence, wall or hedge and only accessible through one entrance. This immediately limits access to the park for non-residents and potential opportunist criminals.

 

PRO-ACTIVE APPROACH

Many holiday parks will have a store of agricultural equipment and often vehicles for maintenance use around the premises. These can range in value but hold an appeal to criminals as items that are easily sellable. It is important for site owners to protect these items by storing them correctly and securely in locked buildings or compounds, with keys removed and stored in a safe place.

“Parks themselves can be more pro-active by being more vigilant and documenting registration numbers from suspicious vehicles that come onto the park, or by installing a security system that passes information onto them. This will allow resources to be sent quickly if an incident occurs,” comments Roy Williams of security provider Crosby Intruder Alarms.

“Parks may also want to consider an alarm system. This could be a standalone system that makes a noise if someone breaks into one of the properties, but a better option is to install an intruder alarm that can be monitored, logged and recorded on a mobile device by the park management or security team.” Crosby Intruder Alarms’ wireless systems not only comply with all current European and British Standards, but also meet the security requirements of many insurance companies.

As well as covering access points, the systems monitor the mains supply and notify the park owner if the mains goes off and when it is re-instated - a valuable tool for park home owners in particular. Furthermore, the system can protect from Carbon Monoxide poisoning from gas powered heaters and boilers and alert you of fire with the installation of smoke or heat detectors. All of this is controlled from the premises or remotely via an App.

COMBAT VANDALISM
It can be a tricky balancing act for park owners to protect their customers but also not create a heavily controlled environment. Pic:Leisuredays.

It can be a tricky balancing act for park owners to protect their customers but also not create a heavily controlled environment. Pic:Leisuredays.

Many caravan and holiday home parks suffer from some form of vandalism from time to time. Installing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) can help to combat this problem. There is some very high quality CCTV equipment these days that doesn’t cost the earth that can provide clear images in both day and night situations.

“Good quality CCTV is imperative, if an incident goes to court and evidence from the CCTV system is required,” says Roy.

“In general, most parks should consider an alarm system that each caravan or lodge signals back to, a CCTV system to monitor entrances and exits to the park as well as other vulnerable areas and access control via a barrier system and cards to high risk areas. Our Crosby Intruder Alarms CCTV systems can be record in high definition on site and can also be controlled via an App on your mobile phone.”

Roy continues: “When considering security, the main pitfalls to watch out for are cheap systems, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Other problems include systems installed by unqualified, non-approved installation companies.” From an insurance point of view, commercial insurance is a two way street whereby insurers will do all they can to provide a safety net to protect a company’s assets and their ability to trade.

In turn, insurers may provide clients with guidelines to adhere to which they hope will serve to limit the potential for claims.

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