We all take an interest in the security of our homes but why are we less motivated to do the same with our mobile homes? According to the article “Your Caravan is a Target – Act Now & Insure Your Caravan” if we make an effort to improve the security of our caravans, our homes on wheels security can be increased by a massive ten times! This is something we are all interested in as there is nothing worse than losing our prized possessions to opportunist thieves!
The Home Office have claimed that crimes against our vehicles amounts to nineteen per cent of all England and Wales crime. This is a serious problem that can be contained to a considerable degree if we just use our heads. In addition to added security measures, it is important to insure our vehicles against (amongst other things) damage, fire and theft and to consider the importance of finding an insurance policy that suits our requirements to the optimum level.
When considering the caravan insurance policy that offers the best value for money as well as keeping your premiums to a minimum, you must fit your caravan with an immobiliser. Ensure that whenever you stop, your caravan is completely immobile. Fit a caravan wheel clamp whenever you stop for a period to prevent a passing thief from being tempted into removing your vehicle. Make the commandeering of your caravan as difficult as you can by ensuring each corner is secured with a decent padlock and if chains are used, ensure these are as short as you can make them.
Always make sure your windows, doors and sun-roofs are firmly locked when you leave your caravan and get into the routine of doing this whenever you leave the vehicle empty.
A worthwhile security measure that is increasing in popularity all the time is to get a tracker fitted as well as a good alarm. In the event of a theft, security marking is recommended by the relevant authorities. To assist the police in tracking your caravan, you would be doing yourself a big favour to ensure you have the manufacturers seventeen digit identification number (or VIN) marked on the chassis and windows.
When parked up, ensure your caravan is less interesting to criminals by leaving the vehicle for only short periods at a time. If there are no valuables on board your caravan, make sure passing thieves know of this by leaving curtains open.
To avoid damage to the caravan by burst pipes, make sure all pipes are drained and that the electricity and gas supplies are switched off when you are away from the vehicle. To avoid fire (which is a great risk in a caravan) you are responsible for maintaining your heating equipment and making sure everything is in good working order.
Last but not least, avoid becoming just another Home Office statistic by ensuring your caravan keys are on you at all times even when away for the shortest period of time.
Tags: caravan insurance policy, caravans, mobile homes, security marking