winter

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

Four Season Appeal

Posted on November 14, 2016

Four Season Appeal

Ashleigh Bissett presents ideas for boosting your all-year-round appeal…

Nowadays the ‘out of season’ period only sees a minor let-up in the volume of holidaymakers choosing to enjoy a park break during the cooler months. Pic: Potters Resort.

Nowadays the ‘out of season’ period only sees a minor let-up in the volume of holidaymakers choosing to enjoy a park break during the cooler months. Pic: Potters Resort.

In days gone by, the winter season signalled a sharp decline in the number visitor bookings. But nowadays the ‘out of season’ period only sees a minor let-up in the volume of holidaymakers and holiday homeowners choosing to enjoy a park break during the cooler months.

When Silverdale Holiday Park first opened 60 years ago, only a few hardy caravanners would ever consider a winter stay on a beautiful but elevated sea-facing location in South Cumbria.

But today, says Michael Holgate – grandson of the park’s founder – it’s very different scene. Silverdale continues buzzing throughout the winter months, and the prospect of cold bright days in the Lake District is more likely to inspire than deter visitors. Silverdale has around 500 caravan holidays homes, including a small letting fleet, and provides a range of activities and facilities which, like the park itself, are open all year round.

Michael believes that a parks industry with fewer peaks and troughs throughout the calendar is good for business in more than one sense: “Our six parks in Cumbria and North Lancashire employ around 135 people, and each year we find ourselves less reliant on seasonal staff and better able to provide more fulltime positions.

HIGH CALIBRE

“This allows us to attract higher calibre recruits, and to be able to invest in their personal training and development, which benefits both them and us in the longer term. “Increased continuity also means that permanent staff gain a more intimate knowledge of our business, and can play an even greater part in helping customers and driving us forward.

The start of the 2016 season saw Michael’s business put the finishing touches to a £1m investment in its indoor attractions, and he predicts that this is likely to bolster even further the appeal of the park to winter visitors. Silverdale’s leisure complex now includes a swimming pool with spa and sauna, a professional gymnasium, a high-tech US-style bowling alley, soft play areas, and a café, bar and restaurant.

“Although our leisure complex does give the assurance of something to do whatever the weather, I don’t think our winter guests would necessarily name it as the number one attraction,” says Michael. “Most people’s motive for buying here is the outstanding scenery, and winter in Cumbria presents all those familiar picture-postcard views in a different light, so walking is very popular. “Winter also seems to inspire a desire for change, and we’re delighted to find that increasing numbers of our customers also choose this time to make an upgrade!” he adds.

Skelwith Fold has around 300 privately-owned caravan holiday homes and some 150 touring pitches.

Skelwith Fold has around 300 privately-owned caravan holiday homes and some 150 touring pitches.

UNFAIR ADVANTAGE

Henry Wild, director of Skelwith Fold Caravan Park in Cumbria, believes the Lake District has an unfair advantage over some other traditional holiday honeypots in winter: “Seaside destinations really need sunshine and warm weather to bring out their best, but here the lakes and mountains become even more breathtaking under a winter sky,” he says.

“We’ll be kept busy right through November before the park closes with both owners and touring customers, and the atmosphere is always decidedly relaxed. I think one reason is that, unlike in summer, people don’t feel compelled to be out and about all the time, and are happy just taking things easy on the park.”

Skelwith Fold has around 300 privately owned caravan holiday homes and some 150 touring pitches. This winter, the park will also be providing the option of renting one of its two-person hideaway glamping pods located in a quiet forest glade. Their central heating and high levels of insulation mean cold snaps stay strictly outdoors

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