If you head off on a camping trip and your vehicle is involved in an accident or a fire, most of your personal belongings should be covered by your car insurance. Car insurance should also offer financial compensation if your car is broken into and your belongings are stolen en route.

When packing your car for a trip to the great outdoors, it is worth knowing which of your possessions are included in your car insurance. Whilst camping you could be carrying expensive equipment, including tents, sports gear or holiday wear. Whilst car insurance will cover most personal belongings, some items (such as money, phones, tickets and stamps) aren’t usually included in car insurance policies. You should check with your provider to be sure.

Most car insurance companies don’t pay out for business supplies either, so if you keep samples or tools in your car for this purpose, it is worth removing them before you make your camping trip. Minimising the amount of luggage you take can also help you to pack your car safely.

However full your car is, make sure you have a clear view through the rear view mirror as driving without a good view of the road can increase your chances of being involved in an on-road collision.

The maximum amount auto insurance firms pay out for a single incident of theft varies from one car insurance provider to another. Cheap car insurance will probably offer more limited cover.

Motor insurance can also offer financial protection if your car is broken into during the journey. However, your car insurance quote may stipulate certain conditions; they may only offer you cover if all the entry points to your vehicle are locked, including the boot and the sunroof. They may also need to confirm the location of all your sets of car keys before they can validate your car insurance claim.

As the state of the economy worsens and more people are feeling the pinch, camping is becoming an increasingly popular holiday choice. According to the Office for National Statistics, 5.43 million camping trips were made last year. That’s an increase of 20 per cent on 2009’s figures. In fact, for the first time campsites have overtaken bed and breakfasts, which attracted 4.98 million stays in the UK.¹

Whether you go back to basics or choose a more extravagant option for your camping holiday, your belongings should be protected by your car insurance.

[1] – www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7918737/More-people-camping-than-staying-in-BandBs.html

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John Lewis Insurance offers a range of insurance services selected by the John Lewis Partnership. These include home, life, pet, travel, wedding, event and car insurance products.

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