Static caravan owners

DRY WEATHER SPARKS CARAVAN FIRE ALERT

Posted on July 31, 2025

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

 

DON’T SLIP UP!

Posted on March 13, 2024

DON’T SLIP UP!

Freezing temperatures trigger increased claims...

Compass, the insurance specialist, has issued warnings to static caravan owners to prepare early for freezing conditions this winter. With a 115% increase in claims for freezing pipes and escape of water year on year, almost 80% of December 2022’s claims were as a result of extreme cold weather.

Static caravan and lodge owners must prepare their holiday homes for winter as per the terms of their policy or risk claims being rejected, according to Compass. The company saw a 115% increase in total claims caused by cold weather in 2022 compared to 2021. Almost 80% of total claims in December 2022 were due to damage caused by plunging temperatures, as the UK was gripped by the coldest start to meteorological winter since 2010.

During December 2022 alone, claims increased by 66% year-on-year compared to the same month the year before. Long-range weather experts are already predicting that another cold snap is on the way this winter, with a higher risk of snowfall caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

This typically brings colder, drier weather to northern Europe due to the jet stream shifting course. With the UK’s weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, Compass is warning static caravan and lodge owners to ensure their unit is winter-ready to mitigate the risk of damage and to allow for claims to be processed quickly if the worst should still happen, despite all precautionary measures being followed.

 

WATER ESCAPE
With escape of water being the main cause of damage following freezing weather conditions, static caravan and lodge owners need to ensure that they complete a full drain down of their unit prior to leaving it unattended during winter. While owners may assume that this responsibility falls to the park, performing a drain down is a condition within most insurance policies, making the owner and not the park, liable for any damage that occurs.

Karen Stacey, Managing Director of Compass explains: “Turning off the water and opening the stopcock valves is not sufficient, and does not constitute a full drain down, as the shower mixer valve, taps, and some components in the water heater are still exposed to risk if temperatures drop.” As well as turning off the water supply and opening stopcock valves, there are several other important steps in the process of draining down, including:

• Turning on the heating.
• Opening the caravan’s external taps, usually located underneath the structure.
• Turning on all taps, flushing toilets, and running the shower, as well as removing the shower head and connecting pipe to remove as much water from the plumbing system as possible.
• Removing any remaining water by blowing compressed air through the pipes.
• Using non-toxic anti-freeze where standing water may remain, such as in toilets and down plug holes.
• Securing all windows, skylights, and doors to prevent cold air from entering the unit. Checking any external plumbing and insulating any exposed pipes from the cold.

ALMOST 80% of December 2022’s claims were as a result of extreme cold weather, report Compass.

Stacey continued: “A lot of parks provide a drain down service, and owners should take advantage of this. However, it’s important not to leave this too late, as parks may have hundreds of units to complete, and weather conditions can change very quickly, as we have seen this October.

“If a park does not offer this service, and the owner does not feel confident doing the drain down themselves, they can hire a professional to do this for them. Even units with an automatic drain down system installed may not be covered in the event of a loss, as all precautionary measures need to be taken into account.

“With claims relating to damage caused by frozen pipes and escape of water ranging from a few hundred pounds to a total loss, we urge caravan and lodge owners to take the necessary action to protect their holiday home during the winter months as soon as possible.”

 

STORM HENK
With more wet weather forecast, and reports of flooding in areas which have previously been unaffected, there have been a number of holiday parks impacted across the UK, Compass warns. Karen adds: “The first storm of 2024, Storm Henk, has caused significant flood damage to holiday caravans across the UK.

“Our stats show that storm and flood damage make up 32% of insurance claims, and in one such instance, an entire static caravan was destroyed during a storm, resulting in a £148,590 claim. “In flood-prone areas, holiday home owners may need to check that their policy does not have flood-related restrictions or requirements, such as fitting a floatation device.

While floods cannot be predicted or prevented entirely, having a comprehensive insurance policy in place can help avoid being left out of pocket should the worst happen”.
For more information on specialist caravan and leisure insurance, visit www.compassparks.co.uk

 

Compass Insurance
0344 274 0276
www.compassparks.co.uk

BRACE FOR INCREASED STORM DAMAGE

Posted on October 26, 2023

BRACE FOR INCREASED STORM DAMAGE

CLAIMS FOR STORM damage is increasing due to climate change impacts on UK weather.

Static caravan and lodge owners should prepare for the likelihood of increased storm damage due to climate change, according to Compass, a specialist provider of caravan and leisure insurance.

The company saw a 16% increase in total claims caused by storm damage between 2021 and 2022. The insurer is warning owners to ensure their caravan is storm-ready and also to check they have comprehensive insurance.

During 2022, 32% of Compass’ static caravan claims were due to storm damage. In one such instance, an entire static caravan was destroyed during a storm, resulting in a £148,590 claim.

CLIMATE CHANGE
Due to the effects of climate change, claims for storm and flood damage have the potential to increase in the coming years, making it even more important that static caravan owners purchase insurance to protect their home-away-from-home as extreme weather events become more frequent.

According to the Met Office 2, July 2023 was one of the wettest on record, with many parks across the country also being impacted by unseasonably windy weather, with gusts of up to 55mph recorded in Devon, Gwynedd, and Northumberland.

Analysis of claims data highlights how unpredictable UK weather can be. As a result of Storms Dudley, Eunice, and Franklin 3, February 2022 saw a significant increase in the number of claims for storm damage, up more than 2,000% on the previous year.

BEYOND REPAIR
In the UK, it is not a legal requirement to insure a static caravan. However, it is a condition of many caravan parks that caravan owners have adequate insurance to cover damage to their property when it is on-site. This insurance will also ensure a safe and efficient removal of the unit, should it be destroyed beyond repair.

Even if not completely destroyed, storm and flood damage can make a static caravan completely uninhabitable. “Unlike bricks and mortar holiday homes, static caravans are particularly susceptible to damage from storms or floods,” points out Karen Stacey, Managing Director of Compass.

“Unpredictable weather events, especially flash floods caused by heavy rain on parched ground during the summer, can cause a significant amount of damage to static caravans. “We know caravan parks do everything they can to protect the units on their site all year round but freak storms and the damage they cause are somewhat out of their control.

“Caravan owners should make sure that they have adequate insurance for their unit and take the time to do regular maintenance to ensure any damage is kept to a minimum.” For more information on specialist caravan and leisure insurance, visit compass.co.uk