Choosing Your Park Home Insurance Provider
Choosing a park home insurance provider can feel overwhelming, given the number of options available. Since park home insurance differs from standard home insurance, it is best to approach your decision with a clear understanding of what you need. Here’s a guide to help you make a well-informed choice.
Understanding Your Needs
Before selecting a provider, consider your specific requirements:
- Value of your park home and contents – Ensure you have an accurate valuation to secure adequate insurance cover.
- Type of cover required – Decide if you need comprehensive cover or a more basic policy.
- Specific requirements – Consider additional needs such as cover for valuable items, personal liability, or alternative accommodation.
Do You Need a Specialist Insurer?
Park home insurance is considered a non-standard risk due to the unique construction of park homes. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar houses, park homes are built on a chassis using materials such as plywood and timber, which present different risks.
Because of these differences, many people find it beneficial to opt for a specialist insurer that understands the specific needs of park home owners. A general home insurance provider might not offer you the tailored coverage required, so ensuring that the policy explicitly covers park homes is essential.
Park Home Assist, for instance, has specialised in park home insurance for over 16 years and offers tailored policies that reflect the unique characteristics of park homes. If you’re new to park home living, working with a specialist insurer may provide greater clarity and peace of mind.
Key Features to Look For
When comparing providers, look for these essential features:
- Comprehensive Cover – Protects against fire, theft, storm damage, and accidental damage.
- New-for-Old Cover – Ensures your possessions are replaced at their current value.
- Public Liability Cover – Protects you if someone is injured on your property.
- Contents Cover – Ensures adequate protection for your possessions, including high-value items.
- Cover for Verandas, Decking, and Sheds – Includes these additional structures.
- Emergency Cover – Helps with urgent repairs such as boiler breakdowns and burst pipes.
- Legal Expenses Cover – Assists with legal costs related to your park home.
- Alternative Accommodation Cover – Covers the cost of temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable.
- No Claims Bonus – Rewards policyholders for not making a claim.
Key Questions to Ask a Park Home Insurance Provider
To make an informed decision, you may want to ask potential insurers the following questions:
- What Does the Policy Cover?
Not all policies provide the same level of protection. It could be wise to check whether your policy includes:
- Accidental damage
- Storm and flood cover
- Fire and theft protection
- Alternative accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable
- Site clearance and replacement costs in case of total loss
Park Home Assist, for example, offers all of the above in a standard park home insurance policy, providing comprehensive protection for your home. However, it is very important to check whether any exclusions apply.
- Who Underwrites the Policy?
The financial stability of the insurer matters. You may want to ensure that your policy is underwritten by a reputable company. Some policies, like those from Park Home Assist, are underwritten in the Lloyd’s market, which provides extra security in the event of an insurer’s financial difficulties.
- How is Customer Service Rated?
Customer service plays a key role, especially when making a claim. Checking independent customer reviews could give you insight into how well an insurer supports its policyholders.
Park Home Assist has repeatedly received the Feefo ‘Platinum’ Trusted Service Award, indicating a consistent track record of excellent customer service. This could be reassuring when you need assistance.
- What is the Claims Process Like?
Understanding how claims are handled can help you avoid frustration down the line. You may want to check:
- How quickly claims are processed
- Whether there is a dedicated claims team
- If you have flexibility in choosing repairers
With Park Home Assist, you can use your own tradespeople or rely on their recommended repairers, whose work comes with a 12-month guarantee.
- Are There Any Discounts Available?
Some insurers offer discounts based on your age, the location of your park home or safety measures in place. Park Home Assist, for example, provides discounts for over-fifties, homes in certain residential parks, potentially reducing your premium.
Extra Benefits You Can Add to Your Policy
Many insurers offer optional extras that can provide additional peace of mind. Some of the benefits you may want to consider adding to your policy include:
- Enhanced contents cover – Higher levels of cover for valuable items like jewellery and electronics.
- Personal possessions cover – Protects your belongings when taken outside your park home.
- Caravan awning cover – Cover for caravan awnings if applicable.
- Pet cover – Protection for pets within the park home.
- Home emergency cover – Urgent repairs for plumbing, heating, or electrical failures.
- Legal expenses cover – Assistance with legal disputes related to your park home.
- Key cover – Covers replacement costs for lost or stolen keys.
- Extended accidental damage cover – Additional protection for specific high-value items.
Park Home Assist offers all of these optional extras, allowing you to customise your policy to suit your needs.
Understanding Your Obligations as a Policyholder
To ensure your insurance remains valid, it’s important to understand any obligations outlined in your policy. Insurance providers typically require that your park home is well maintained to avoid preventable issues that could impact a claim. This means you may need to:
- Carry out regular maintenance, such as checking for leaks, damp, and structural wear.
- Service essential appliances like boilers annually.
- Keep your home secure, ensuring doors and windows are locked when unoccupied.
- Take precautions against extreme weather, such as securing loose items in stormy conditions.
Failing to meet these obligations could affect your ability to claim, so it may be helpful to review your policy carefully and ensure your home is kept in good condition. Park Home Assist provides clear guidance on maintenance requirements to help you stay compliant and protected. If you are in any doubt as to what is entailed, you can always call one of our friendly advisers on 01604 946 796.
Finding Value for Money
Cost is always a consideration, but the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best. It may be worth weighing the level of cover, customer service, and claims support against the price to ensure you’re getting good value for money.
A policy with Park Home Assist, for instance, is designed to balance affordability with comprehensive protection and award-winning specialist service, offering peace of mind without excessive costs.
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing a park home insurance provider is an important decision, and taking the time to ask the right questions could help you find the best policy for your needs. Whether you prioritise comprehensive cover, customer service, or financial security, ensuring that your insurer specialises in park homes could make all the difference.
For further information on park home insurance, you may want to contact Park Home Assist’s friendly team on 01604 946 796 or explore their policy options online.
Please note that all insurance cover is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions.
This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi award-winning providers of park home insurance, mobile home insurance, insurance for static caravans, insurance for holiday homes and holiday lodges, as well as boat insurance and touring caravan insurance. If you have any questions about your insurance, then please call our office on 01604 946 796 and one of our insurance advisers will be happy to help.
Published – 18/04/25
