It’s not unusual to see articles giving advice on what they consider to be the “best caravan insurance” around. The problem with that is what might be best for someone else isn’t necessarily going to be the best for you.

When you compare caravan insurance, you should be looking at an individual policy against your specific requirements. For that reason, it’s difficult or impossible to say, in abstract terms, just what the best policy around is at any given time.

What you may be able to do though is to think about some of the following general points that might apply in the vast majority of cases when you are trying to compare caravan insurance:

• check to see if the policy provider has a verifiable track record in touring caravan insurance. That is not to say that such companies’ policies will automatically be best for you – but they may be able to provide a more rounded and knowledgeable service than other more generalist insurance providers;

• look closely at what cover is included in the policy as standard. The more that is, the more cost-effective the policy may be as a solution.  By contrast, the more cover elements you regard as essential but which are seen by the provider as optional extras, the more the cost is likely to escalate;

• be aware of the excess. That is essentially the amount of money you will be expected to contribute towards the cost of any future successful claims.  Sometimes an apparently attractively-priced policy may bring with it a correspondingly higher excess.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that providing you understand it and are aware what it might mean for you in the context of a claim;

• review the policy for restrictive towing driver conditions. Different insurance providers see this subject in very different ways.  Again, it’s not a question of which are right or wrong but just whether you will be able to comply in situations where there is (e.g.) a younger driver you would like to be able to tow the caravan;

• think about what the policy says in terms of out-of-use parking. Some policies may make it mandatory for your caravan to be fully parked in your garage when not in use or stored in an approved secure site.  This, by implication, might prohibit you from parking it in your garden, on the road or on your driveway;

• does the policy offer cover for external items? You may find that some policies will explicitly exclude things such as awnings, whereas some may include them providing certain conditions are adhered to when they are in use;

• read the policy carefully with regard to its overseas travel cover provisions. There is a potentially huge variation in standard practices here and you will want to make sure that your policy is not unduly restrictive or requires the payment of considerable extra premiums;

• be sure you know the policy’s total replacement cover position. If your touring caravan is stolen or totally destroyed, it is important that you are clear exactly what the policy will offer to do for you.  Again, things may be very different here from one policy to another, including new-for-old replacement and so on.

In all the above, there has been no discussion of the basic price of the policy in terms of trying to compare caravan insurance.

It’s typically advisable not to get obsessed with the advertised price before being sure that the policy is a good match against your requirements.