Caravan or folding camper insurance in the Netherlands: do you really need separate cover?

Quick answer: caravan insurance at a glance

Caravan insurance is not legally required for most caravans and folding campers in the Netherlands. While towing, the third-party liability cover (WA) of your car handles liability for damage the combination causes to others. But that is where the protection ends. Damage to your own caravan — whether it is a collision caused by your own mistake, theft from storage, a fallen tree at the campsite, or hail damage — is not covered by your car insurance. For that, you need a separate caravan insurance policy. Whether you should take one out is a personal decision in which the current market value of your caravan, your usage pattern and your financial situation play the leading roles. In the following sections, we take you through each aspect step by step, so you can make a well-informed choice.

What is mandatory and what is not: the legal basis

Unlike a car, moped or motorcycle — where third-party liability insurance is legally required once the vehicle is registered with a licence plate — that obligation does not apply to trailers such as caravans and folding campers. A caravan does have its own licence plate, but the Dutch Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Act (WAM) does not prescribe an insurance requirement for trailers. This is a deliberate choice by the legislator: because the towing car already has WA cover and the caravan is treated as a single unit with the car while driving, the coupling is deemed sufficient. That does not mean you are without risk — it simply means Dutch law does not force you to take out a policy. Much like with a scooter or moped, the difference between legal obligation and sensible precaution is essential.

What does your car's third-party liability cover while towing a caravan?

When you drive on the road with your car and caravan, Dutch law considers the combination as one vehicle. This means the WA (third-party liability) insurance of your towing car covers the legal liability for damage the entire combination — including the coupled caravan — causes to others. For example, if you hit a parked car with your caravan, your car's WA covers the damage to that other car. Even if the caravan becomes uncoupled and causes damage, this generally falls under the same WA cover. It is wise to check your own policy conditions, however: some insurers impose specific requirements regarding the maximum permitted weight of the trailer or the type of coupling. Comparing car insurance without commission can clarify whether your current policy correctly covers such situations.

What many campers do not realise is that the car's WA cover stops the moment the caravan is uncoupled. Once you are at the campsite, the caravan is an independent object and your car insurance offers no protection whatsoever. Also, damage you cause to your own caravan — for example, by a steering error while manoeuvring that makes your caravan hit a bollard — does not fall under the car's WA either. WA insurance is only intended for damage to third parties, not for damage to your own property. For that own damage, you need a separate caravan insurance policy, comparable to the limited casco or all-risk cover you know from car insurance.

Own damage, theft and storm: why a separate caravan insurance policy

The main reason to consider caravan insurance is the cover for damage your car insurance does not provide. Depending on the chosen variant, a caravan policy typically covers damage to the caravan itself. Insurers generally offer two main forms: a limited casco cover (often called 'WA + limited casco') that primarily covers storm, hail, fire, theft and window damage, and an all-risk cover that additionally includes own damage — for instance, when you hit a bollard yourself or damage the caravan while parking. Both variants usually come with an excess (eigen risico), which can range from a few dozen to a few hundred euros depending on the insurer and policy.

• Theft of the caravan from storage or the campsite, provided there are signs of forced entry and the caravan was properly locked.
• Storm damage, with most insurers applying a minimum wind force of 7 before the cover comes into effect.
• Hail damage to the roof and sides of the caravan — a common form of damage during summer thunderstorms.
• Fire damage, for example from a short circuit in the electrical system or a gas leak in the caravan's kitchen unit.
• Window damage to the caravan's glass panes, comparable to the windscreen cover in a car insurance policy.
• Under an all-risk policy: collision damage caused by your own actions, such as hitting a bollard while manoeuvring.

Contents inside your caravan: what about your belongings?

Most caravans are full of belongings: crockery, bedding, the awning, garden chairs, a television, perhaps even a coffee machine. Those contents often represent a higher value than you initially think. Your regular home contents insurance — which covers your belongings at home — generally does not apply to the contents of your caravan, unless your policy explicitly contains a clause for recreational accommodation. If your caravan is stolen, you lose not only the caravan itself but also all the contents. Some caravan insurance policies offer the option to co-insure an amount for the contents, for example up to €2,500 or €5,000. Comparing contents insurance without commission can help you check whether your current policy already covers recreational goods outside the home or whether you need a separate module.

When is caravan insurance sensible? A practical consideration

Whether you take out caravan insurance is not a matter of obligation but of risk assessment. A brand-new caravan worth €30,000 is generally not something you leave uninsured in storage, whereas a 25-year-old folding camper with a current value of €800 may be a different story. The premium for caravan insurance — depending on value, cover and insurer — often lies between €5 and €25 per month for a limited casco cover, and higher for all-risk. Against that stands the fact that total loss due to theft or a major storm can cost you thousands of euros at once. So the question is: can you and do you want to bear that amount yourself? Below is a step-by-step plan to determine what suits your situation.

When does it make sense to get advice about your caravan insurance?

Because caravan insurance is not mandatory, many campers assume they do not need help arranging it. But cover varies widely between insurers — from the level of the storm excess to whether frost damage to the water reservoir is covered. The link with your existing car insurance, contents policy and travel insurance can also produce unexpected overlap or, conversely, reveal coverage gaps. Precisely because a caravan sits at the intersection of vehicle, home and recreational property, a substantive check of your entire insurance package is often more valuable than simply comparing premiums. A wrong assumption — for instance, that the contents of your caravan fall under your home insurance — can lead to an unpleasant surprise when you make a claim.

With PolisMoment, you can have your non-life insurance policies reviewed on a no-obligation basis by one independent advisory office. There is no resale to multiple parties and you are not locked into anything. Curious how that works? Read how the free non-life insurance check works. Also, if you are considering adjusting your caravan insurance after moving house, changing storage, or simply renewing your policy, it can be useful to know when you can switch or adjust without creating coverage gaps.