SUMMER is here and you may be planning on going on a caravan holiday.
But what are you meant to do if you get in an accident? Here's everything you need to know.
Is it illegal to tow a caravan that has been involved in an accident?
If you are involved in an accident with your caravan, you need to make sure you are safe before doing anything.
Soon after that, it is wise you contact your insurance company and tell them what's going on.
You need to make a judgement on whether the caravan is safe to tow or not.
If it has been badly damaged and if for any reason can’t be moved, towing it could potentially cause more damage and put people at risk.
Tim Booth, Leisure Vehicles Officer for the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service said: "Caravans are complicated vehicles and whilst it might appear after an accident that very little damage has been caused, some damage is not always going to be immediately apparent.
"If you have your caravan insured then, as a protection for both yourself and other road users, your car/caravan combination should be removed by a recovery firm to a safe place where the caravan can be checked out – and confirmed as safe to continue with."
What are the laws regarding towing a caravan?
Some new rules regarding towing a caravan came into action on December 16, 2021.
If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you're now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM.
The previous towing limit for those who completed their driving licence after January, 1, 1997 was 750kg.
You previously had to take a separate test known as the car and trailer driving test if you wanted to tow something heavier.
If you are caught towing without the correct licence, you could face a fine of £800 and nine penalty points.
This would be three for not having a licence and six for not having insurance.
It's also important that you have the correct towing equipment in place.
Here are some reasons you might be fined for not having the correct caravan towing equipment:
- Exceeding towing capacity
- Improper towing attachments
- Faulty lights or signals
- Inadequate braking systems
- Non-compliance with safety standards
It is also against the law for passengers to ride in the caravan while it is moving.
The weight has to be equally distributed when a caravan is on the move as any sort of weight imbalance could lead to a crash.
Will my insurance cover me if I am towing a caravan or trailer?
Most car insurance policies cover your vehicle while towing a caravan.
However, some won't cover damage to your caravan in the event of a collision.
It's important that you check before you head out on your trip as you may need to take out additional caravan insurance.