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Towing a trailer opens possibilities for transporting all kinds of items or vehicles. But it also carries legal requirements and car insurance considerations to stay protected on the road. This guide examines trailer cover, towing regulations and tips for safe towing.
Adding a trailer to your car or van involves adjusting your insurance, getting the right towing equipment and sticking to weight limits. We’ll outline the costs, cover and laws to help you keep compliant and fully covered when towing.
Specialist trailer insurance provides financial protection against:
Standard car insurance only covers trailers attached at the time of incidents. The types of trailers most commonly covered include:
As with car insurance, trailer insurance will typically cover your trailer for accidental damage, third-party damage, fire and theft.
Trailer policies tailored for individual needs might also include:
Check your needs against different offerings, as benefits vary by insurer. Paying a little more may guarantee you have adequate protection.
Common trailer insurance exclusions include:
Verify your policy documents to avoid surprises about what protection you have. Ask providers to explain if any aspects lack clarity.
Typical trailer cover costs range from £50 to £300 annually depending on:
Shopping around is advised, as costs vary significantly between insurers. Think carefully about the level of protection you need to find the right balance between cost and coverage.
Vehicles have legal weight limits for towing to remain stable and safe:
Check your vehicle paperwork for official figures. Towing above the legal weight limit can invalidate your insurance, jeopardise safety and incur fines.
Legally, your standard car insurance automatically extends to cover any caravan while attached, including caravans, so specialist cover is not a requirement. However, this often only covers third-party damage to your caravan when it’s being towed. But many insurers impose conditions or restrictions, including the following:
Given the gaps in regular policies, dedicated caravan cover adds peace of mind despite the extra costs, as it will also cover your caravan when it’s parked. You might also be able to claim for a temporary replacement or alternative accommodation if your caravan is damaged in an accident.
Towing introduces additional licensing requirements beyond your normal car or van entitlements. In England, Wales and Scotland, the rules are as follows:
| Category | Towing entitlement |
|---|---|
| B (car licence) issued before 1 January 1997 | Up to 8.25 tonnes combined weight in a car or van towing a trailer, or a minibus with a trailer over 750kg |
| B issued after 1 January 1997 | A car or van up to 3.5 tonnes towing a trailer up to 750kg, or a trailer over 750kg as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle |
| B issued after 19 January 2013 | A car or van up to 3.5 tonnes towing a trailer up to 750kg, or a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight doesn’t exceed 3.5 tonnes |
| BE | Up to 3.5 tonnes combined weight and trailers over 750kg |
| C1 (van licence) | Up to 8.25 tonnes combined weight and trailers up to 750kg |
| C1E | Up to 8.25 tonnes combined weight and trailers over 750kg |
The extra trailer classifications (BE and C1E) require passing additional driving tests for licensing. If you want to tow anything heavier than the limits stated above, you’ll need to pass an additional car and trailer driving test.
Exceeding weight limits or towing without proper licensing or insurance brings severe penalties:
These outcomes also apply if other regulations regarding lighting or number plates are breached. Tow legally or risk losing your licence and uninsured losses.
Beyond licensing, key legal trailer towing requirements include:
For expensive, frequently used trailers or caravans, specialist insurance likely provides useful coverage and extra peace of mind. Evaluate your exact needs against policy costs to determine if it’s right for your situation.
Notifying your insurance provider that you’ll be using your vehicle to tow a caravan ensures you have the necessary coverage in place. Omitting caravan use might mean your claim could be rejected in the event of an accident while towing.
Your home contents insurance might cover your trailer while it’s stored at home in a garage or other outbuilding, but don’t assume this is the case. Check with your provider to ensure you have the right cover in place. In addition, personal possessions cover (which is usually an optional extra on home insurance) might cover any contents kept in your trailer while it’s stored.
