Insurance is one of those things buyers often forget to budget for. It isn’t part of the lodge price or the site fee. Here’s what you need to know.
Do you need insurance for a holiday lodge?
On most UK holiday parks, yes. The licence agreement for your pitch will usually say that you must insure your lodge, and the park may ask to see proof each year. The NCC’s model licence agreement, which many parks base theirs on, includes this kind of requirement.
What lodge insurance usually covers
Every policy is different, so always read the details. Holiday home policies commonly cover things like:
- damage to the lodge from fire, storm, flood or escape of water
- theft and malicious damage
- accidental damage, if you choose that cover
- contents, such as furniture and furnishings
- public liability, in case someone is hurt at your lodge
- the cost of clearing the pitch and replacing the lodge if it’s destroyed
Specialist holiday home insurers know how lodges and parks work, so they’re worth a look alongside your usual insurer.
Things to check on any policy
- Sum insured. Is it enough to replace your lodge with a similar new one, including siting and connection?
- Unoccupied periods. Some policies have rules about how long a holiday home can be left empty.
- Winter cover. Check what the policy says about frozen pipes and what you need to do when you’re away.
- Decking and extras. Make sure decking, a hot tub or other additions are covered if you have them.
- Excess. Know what you’d pay towards a claim.
Getting the right quote
When you ring around for quotes, it helps to have a few details to hand. Insurers will usually want to know the make and model of the lodge, the year it was built, how many bedrooms it has, and where the park is. For Epworth Fields, that’s Newlands Lane, Epworth, North Lincolnshire DN9 1JA.
Think about how you’ll use your lodge. Epworth Fields has a 12-month holiday season, so you might visit in every month of the year, but there may still be weeks when the lodge is empty. Ask each insurer how they treat those gaps, and what they expect you to do before you leave, such as turning off the water in cold weather.
Be clear about extras. If you add a hot tub, a shed or new furniture, tell your insurer so your cover keeps up. And when you work out your sum insured, remember that the lodge price at Epworth Fields includes siting, connection, decking and furnishings, so replacing like for like may cost more than the lodge alone.
Finally, compare policies on more than price. Look at the excess, any limits on claims, and how easy it is to contact the insurer if something goes wrong. A specialist holiday home insurer and your usual insurer may give very different answers, so it’s worth asking both.
If you have questions about the park side of things, call us on 07919 961115.
At Epworth Fields
At Epworth Fields, you can arrange your own insurance with any insurer you choose, so you’re free to shop around.
Every lodge at Epworth Fields comes with siting, connection, decking and furnishings included in the price, so think about all of that when you decide how much cover you need. Hot tubs are allowed but aren’t standard, so tell your insurer if you add one.
The park is open 12 months a year, so you can visit in every season. The park looks after the grounds and shared areas. You look after your own lodge and its insurance.
For the full list of ownership costs, read our cost of buying a holiday lodge guide and site fees explained.
