Campers urged to be secure, check contents insurance

The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) is reminding campers to check their contents insurance is up to date to ensure they are covered for unexpected events.

“Contents insurance is a must-have for campers,” ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton said.

Grafton highlighted that the cost of not having contents insurance, and the liability cover it provides, can run into millions of dollars. He explained that not all items are covered by contents insurance and that a separate campervan policy may be needed. He advises people to go to their insurer before heading off camping to understand exactly what they’ll be covered for.

“Your insurer will still be there to support you if something happens, but the best sort of holiday is one where nothing goes wrong to begin with,” he said.

Here are top insurance tips, as outlined by ICNZ, that brokers can pass to clients looking to camp this summer:

• Take precautions – lock up your valuables when you’re not using them, leave anything expensive stored securely at home, keep your car locked when you’re not using it, and be careful where you play sports, ride bikes or light fires;
   
• Check with your insurer – some contents policies only cover items while they’re in the home so, before you go camping, check with your insurer to make sure your contents will be covered when you take them to the campsite. And check whether your policy requires you to specify any expensive items you may be taking, such as bikes or jewellery;
   
• If you have a campervan, make sure you either take out campervan insurance or that your existing home and contents policies provide the cover you need. If in doubt, talk to your insurer;
   
• Pay attention to the weather forecast during your stay and if severe weather is predicted, pack up sooner rather than later. Your insurance will cover any natural disaster that befalls your campsite but it’s better to not be there to begin with, if possible;
   
• Let your insurer know if you’re going to be away for more than 60 days - many home contents policies are based on the expectation people will be resident in their houses most of the time and being away past this period without advising your insurer could invalidate your cover.