HOME INSURANCE WHILE CAMPING

From tents to stoves and from sleeping bags to outdoor clothing, there's plenty to keep in mind before a camping trip – but have you remembered to compare home insurance ?

Chances are that insurance is not at the top of your checklist before a trip to the Lake District – but it should be. By arranging suitable home insurance you can ensure that not only are the items you leave at home protected, but that the possessions you take on your trip are covered too.

How does home insurance relate to camping?

Most home insurance policies cover items that are ‘temporarily removed from the home' against theft and damage. This is normally referred to as ‘personal possessions cover' and may be offered as standard or as an optional extra on a home insurance policy. However, there may be specific limits and provisions relating to camping.

This is because staying in a tent can be less secure than staying in other accommodation, such as a hotel room. Tents are often left unguarded for hours at a time and so it's important to check your insurance will cover you if necessary. Many policies will cover items such as iPods, cameras and mobile phones at little extra cost but you should also check to see if there are any limits on the value of the insured items you can take with you. There may also be additional provisions – for example, valuables that are left in a tent that does not have a lockable door may not be covered. So examine terms and conditions carefully and if your protection is not appropriate then use a comparison website to compare home insurance policies from other providers.

For those taking a camping trip for a short period, such as while enjoying a concert or festival, home insurance cover may be sufficient. However, those planning to be away for a longer period may also wish to consider travel insurance which can provide additional benefits such as cover for medical expenses and cancellations, as well as cover for possessions you take with you.

Covering expensive camping equipment is also an important consideration. You can consult your home insurance provider to see if it is willing to cover any specialist equipment; but you may also consider stand alone camping cover which is available from specialist insurers.

Additional tips to protect belongings at a campsite

While having suitable home insurance is important as a safety net in case things go wrong, there are steps you can take to protect your property while camping:

• Don't carry large amounts of money around with you. Simply withdraw smaller amounts on a regular basis as most sites have access to ATMs.

• Don't take expensive items that you don't need – stick to the essentials and don't be tempted to take expensive clothing or jewellery.
  
• Keep your valuable possessions with you at all times.
  
• Never leave valuables unattended in a tent and consider investing in security locks for your camping equipment.

What about protecting your home while you are away?

When you leave your home for an extended period it is particularly vulnerable to theft and other mishaps. As such you should ensure your home insurance will adequately protect the property.

Here are some considerations:

- Escape of water: Are you covered against burst pipes and other water leaks while your property is unoccupied? Many insurance companies carry an ‘escape of water' clause in their contracts which excludes these claims.

- Occupancy: How long can you spend away from the property and still be covered? With most home insurers this will be either 30 or 60 days before additional exclusions apply. Check to see whether there are limits to the amount of time you can spend away from a home in succession or whether there is a capped limit on the number of days you can spend away each year.

- Security: If you have told your home insurance provider that you have security measures in place such as burglar alarms, window and door locks, and so on; then you must ensure they are working correctly before you leave. Chances are you will be receiving a cheaper premium because you have these security devices in your home – failure to implement them could therefore negate a potential claim.

Here are some extra precautions you could take before you leave for your camping trip:

• Close curtains so that thieves can't see in – curtains left open at night are a clear indication that no-one is home. If you have a friend or family member you trust, you could even ask them to enter your property each day to open and close curtains in the morning and at night.

• Don't discuss holiday plans with neighbours or post information on social networking sites to say you are away – you never know who might pick up this information.

• Install time switches to lights and even the radio to give the impression that you are at home even when you're not. This could even earn a discount from a home insurance provider.

• Lock up properly – check and double check locks before you leave. Government statistics show that 30 per cent of burglaries occur through windows so it's particularly important to ensure window locks are up to scratch.