This post contains affiliate links.
Last year we camped during hurricane Francis, and during the storm, I was very concerned about damage to our tent during the night.
I did not have any camping insurance or any other type of holiday insurance last year. I decided this year it was essential.
Tent camping insurance costs £16 per year, insuring your tents under 2 years old from a reputable supplier, camping equipment, personal property, storm, flood damage. Tent hire or accommodation £100 per day maximum £500. Additional cost for legal and key protection.
Many people will purchase tent camping insurance and not worry about checking the policy terms and conditions due to the low price. The summary advertising is often providing misinterpretation of benefits. There are many exclusions to camping insurance that is not obvious. It is crucial that you fully understand your insurance policy.
What does tent camping insurance cover?
Information from Shield Total Insurance and Camping and Caravanning Club.
| Benefits | Shield Total Insurance | Camping & Caravanning Club |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £16 | £16 (5% discount if a member) |
| Period of Cover | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Temporary accommodation | £100 per day Max £500 claim Tent hire up t £500 to continue holiday Emergency accommodation | £100 per day Max £500 claim Tent hire up t £500 to continue holiday Emergency accommodation |
| Tent cover | Under 2 years old Purchased by a registered UK Supplier Up to 4 tents associated awnings Up to 10 person tents Poles, pegs, attachements Market value only | Under 2 years old Purchased by a registered UK Supplier Up to 4 tents associated awnings Up to 10 person tents Poles, pegs, attachements Market value only |
| Equipment | Bed Linen Furniture Cooking equipment Portable fridges Gas bottles Generators Security devices Batteries | Bed Linen Furniture Cooking equipment Portable fridges Gas bottles Generators Security devices Batteries |
| Contents | Person property up to 10 people providing they are named on the policy Audio equipment Luggage General household goods used for camping | Single item claim max £300 Person property up to 10 people providing they are named on the policy Audio equipment Luggage General household goods used for camping |
| Weather | Storms Floods | Storms Floods |
| Other Damage | Fire Vandalism Theft Accidental damage | Fire Theft Accidental damage |
| EU Cover | Up to 240 days | Up to 240 days |
| Transport Driver | Illness Injury Max £500 claim Cost of transport home only and equipment | Illness Injury Max £500 claim Cost of transport home only and equipment |
| Legal Cover Additional cost | Additional fee £14 Up to £100,000 EU cover Uninsured loss recover | Additional fee £14 Up to £100,000 EU cover Uninsured loss recover |
| Key Protection Additional cost | Additional fee £12 Lost, stolen or broken Replacement Keys Vehicle hires for 3 days up to £40 per day if you cannot use your car. Up to £100 per day towards transportation costs Up to £50 if keys are locked in your property Up to £50 if keys are unusable due to damage or broken in the lock | Additional fee £11 Lost, stolen or broken Replacement keys EU cover No excess Up to £1500 Vehicle hire for 3 days up to £40 per day if you are unable to use your vehicle £100 per day if you are stranded. Up to 3 days for transportation costs Up to £50 if keys are unusable due to damage or broken in the lock Up to £50 if keys are locked in your property |
| Public Liability | Up to 5m | Up to 5m |
| Personal Accident | £10,000 per accident | £10,000 per accident |
| Cancellation Period | 14 days | 14 days |
Tent camping insurance does not cover
Treat tent camping insurance the same as your home, car or travel insurance. Read the wording policy carefully, as this will list all of the exclusions.
The table below provides examples of exclusions from the most competitive tent insurance companies.
| Sections of your policy | Shield Total Insurance | Camping & Caravanning Club |
|---|---|---|
| Tents | Under 2 years old but not purchased from a recognised UK Supplier (If you bought secondhand, you are not covered) Undamaged sections or parts of the typical design Left unattended for over 4 days Manufacturing fault General wear & tear Damaged by pets Frost damage Vermin damage Poor maintenance & negligence Tents used for business Lived in & hired out tents Agreed value or market value Claim within 14 days Any damaged items must not be destroyed and kept until the claim is authorised. Away from home or if repairs of the tent before your departure date | Under 2 years old but not purchased from a recognised UK Supplier (If you bought secondhand, you are not covered) Any damaged items must not be destroyed and kept until the claim is authorised Left unattended for more than 4 days Tents used for business Lived & hire out tents General wear and tear Manufacturing fault Damage by pets Frost damage Vermin damage Poor maintenance & negligence Fraud If insured elsewhere Vandalism Agreed value or market value Claim within 14 days |
| Personal Property | Named persons only Mobile phones Glasses / contact lenses Left unattended in the open Music festival Left in view of an open tent Computers Different payouts for approved and non approved sites Agreed value or market value | Left unattended in the open Music festivals Left in view of an open tent Mobile phones Glasses / contact lenses Computers Motor vehicles Cycles, boats & inflatables Agreed value or market value |
| Transport Driver | Driver illness is self-inflicted Drug or alcohol use Due to dangerous activities If the vehicle is used for business More than an 8 seater If you or the driver are rock climbing, snowboarding, mountaineering, parachuting, horse riding or any other activity | Driver illness is self-inflicted Drug or alcohol use Due to dangerous activities If the vehicle is used for business More than an 8 seater If you or the driver are rock climbing, snowboarding, mountaineering, parachuting, horse riding or any other activity |
| Key Protection | Keys lost or stolen under 3 days Claims with 48 hours of the policy start date Maximum total of all claims £1500 Onward transport costs have already been supplied Failure to safeguard keys Claims due to a deliberate or criminal act or omission Keys of a higher value or specification than standard keys for the vehicle On valid receipts Wear and tear Lack of maintenance Loss of earnings Claim within 48 hours of the start of a policy | The vehicle must be owned by you or a person who lives in your household Must be named drivers of the vehicle Stolen keys must be reported to the police, and a crime number provided 30 days to claim against the policy Must be a security risk (another person can trace the keys back to your vehicle) If your keys are locked in your car or need repairing, report directly to your insurance provider, and they will arrange a contractor Reimbursement up to £50 Claim maximum £1500 only Claim after 3 days waiting period If lost, damaged by others and not yourself |
Why do you need camping insurance?
Many people will not consider camping insurance unless they travel overseas and often purchase regular travel insurance.
Specialised camping insurance will offer you peace of mind if there are problems whilst you are away. You are removing the concern of a damaged tent and needing urgent accommodation, especially if you have children.
When we camped through a hurricane, I thought that we would be sleeping in the car and going home the following day due to a damaged tent. Thankfully this did not happen, but if I had purchased insurance, it would have reduced the stress of that night.
It’s not compulsory to purchase tent camping insurance
Our camping insurance survey revealed
We carried out a survey asking who had insured their camping equipment and if they had not, why?
A 50% did not feel that camping insurance was worth investing in, as there are too many restrictions. The restrictions included the age of their tents over 2 years and purchasing them secondhand, will not be insured due to tents’ policy conditions via a recognised supplier.
25% felt happier insuring their camping equipment to give them peace of mind.
25% have added their camping equipment onto their home insurance for a small premium. But this premium is more expensive than the £16 policy. They were more concerned that damage may occur at home, fire or theft.
Can an insurance claim be affected by the type of camping sites?
It’s essential to read the wording policy, as many camping insurances have reduced reimbursement amounts for approved and non approved campsites.
| Approved camping sites | Non approved camping sites |
|---|---|
| Single Item – £125 – Total claim £300 | Single Item – £50 – Total claim £100 |
How to buy camping insurance
Camping insurance can be purchased easily by their websites. The two main camping insurance company are:
Tent camping insurances are very quick and easy to purchase from a website. It is important to confirm the value of your tent and agree on a settlement figure if your tent is damaged before completing the purchase of your policy.
Tent camping insurance will only pay market value
Not the full price you have paid
Related Questions
Should I buy travel insurance or camping insurance?
Travel companies are offering camping insurance, and for one trip you will be expected to pay £68.30 – £80. This insurance will cover cancellations of your holiday due to illness, death, delays or illness whilst you are away.
Travel insurance will not cover the cost of any damage to your camping equipment. It is insurance for your holiday.
Is your tent damaged before your camping trip?
If your tent is damaged, under 2 years old, purchased from the UK recognised supplier and depending on your policy you can claim against your policy. The claim must not be due to wear and tear, frost damage or any other exclusions, as explained previously in the tables.
If repairs are not possible the insurance policy should supply and hire a tent for usage.
You must check your policy for this cover as it depends on the policy’s individual underwriters. Not all policies are the same.
Does home insurance cover camping equipment?
Basic home insurance will generally cover your equipment depending on their location and your insurance policy. There usually is a limit to claim payouts if your equipment is stored in the garage or a garden shed.
Home insurance will cover for theft, accidental or fire damage and not when you are on holiday.
You can add your equipment as individual items onto your home insurance policy, which will increase your premium. The increase in your premium payment will be higher than taking camping insurance separately.
The claim value will depend on your individual policy terms. There will have an excess payment, but on many tent camping insurances, it is not required.
Can you insure your camping equipment on more than one insurance policy?
It is impossible to claim on your camping insurance if items are insured on another policy. Part of the exclusion of insurance agreement is only on items not insured on any other policies.
How soon can you throw away your damaged tent or camping gear?
It’s very tempting when something breaks to throw it away, especially when you are on holiday as it is less to take home.
If you claim against your tent camping insurance, you need to keep the item until the insurance company has confirmed a settlement figure.
Keep all receipts for additional proof of purchase and avoid any problems when claiming.
Does campsite insurance cover camping gear?
The campsite will have full public and liability insurances. Still, unless there is a significant incident at the campsite and their fault, their camping insurance will not cover your camping equipment.
