After several years of lockdowns, the summer of 2022 sees many caravan and motorhome owners taking advantage of their vehicles and hitting the European continent.
1. Make sure you have caravan or motorhome insurance that covers you in Europe
Make sure that you have an insurance policy that covers you during your time abroad and make sure the insurance will cover you for all possible eventualities.
There are a number of ways to find caravan insurance or motorhome insurance. For example, you can look on the traditional price comparison websites or go to a specialist insurer.
If you are a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club or the Camping & Caravanning Club then they also offer insurance products to their members – check their websites for more details.
Also ensure that your tow car insurance will cover you in Europe. Check with your insurer before you travel to see if you need to make any changes and if you need to carry a green card.
2. Ensure you have European cover on your breakdown policy
Check your breakdown policy to make sure that it will cover you in Europe for everything you may need and if necessary, add European cover before you set off.
Consider the countries you are travelling through, and make sure you are covered again for all eventualities.
Specialist motorhome breakdown cover and car and caravan breakdown policies are available with the latter covering both your caravan and your towing vehicle.
As for insurance, you can find breakdown cover on comparison sites and also through the Camping & Caravanning Club or the Caravan and Motorhome Club if you are a member.
3. Choose how you are going to reach the continent
You have two options for getting your caravan or motorhome across the channel to Europe;
- By ferry
- Via the Channel Tunnel on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle train
By ferry
Ferries are slower than the Channel Tunnel, but can be a relaxing way to break up your trip.
Leaving from ports such as Dover, Portsmouth or Plymouth, you’ll find services that will take you to France or Spain and into mainland Europe.
If you’re travelling with pets, then some ships even offer pet-friendly cabins so you can remain with your furry friend for the duration of the journey.
You can book your caravan or motorhome onto cross channel ferries using their website.
You’ll usually need the length and height of your car and / or leisure vehicle to ensure you are making the correct booking.
Check their website as well for any further information that you might need to supply.
If you are a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club or the Camping & Caravanning Club, they offer discounts on ferry travel. Check their websites before you book to take advantage of these offers.
By train
If you need to get to France quickly or you don’t want to take the ferry, the Eurotunnel will take you from Folkestone to Calais in about 40 minutes.
This is a popular option with pet owners as you can keep your pet in your vehicle.
Check the Eurotunnel website to ensure your leisure vehicle is ready to travel and meets the requirements.
Discounts are once again available for members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping & Caravanning Club when booking through the clubs. See their website for details.
