Why you definitely need breakdown cover for towing your caravan

Have you got a breakdown policy that covers you for towing? It’s an important consideration, due to all the things that could potentially go wrong when you’re out and about. If you tow a caravan you’re effectively combining two vehicles into an ‘outfit’, which increases your risk of something happening on the road. Indeed, a breakdown of your tow car, your caravan, or the coupling between them can quickly turn a relaxing holiday into a logistical nightmare! That’s why having the right breakdown cover is not just wise - it’s essential.

Here we explore why breakdown cover is necessary when towing, what a good policy should include, what to watch out for - and a special section about any animals that are travelling with you.

Why breakdown cover for towing is necessary

It’s not a legal requirement to have it, but there are several reasons why caravan breakdown cover is vital. Towing adds complexity, with extra electrical wiring, hitch components, and braking systems that can fail. If your tow car breaks down while a caravan is attached, you’ll need both vehicles recovered together, something that’s not always included in a standard car policy. Being stranded with a large outfit on the side of a busy road whilst trying to sort the logistics out can create serious safety risks, and without proper cover you could also face eye-watering bills for towing, storage or accommodation. Those travelling abroad need to be even more cautious, as not all providers extend cover beyond the UK. In short, a breakdown when towing brings far greater consequences than a car-only issue, and your cover needs to reflect that.

Some car breakdown policies in the UK will provide cover for your caravan, but you do need to check this is a feature of the policy rather than just assuming it is. In any case, you’ll need to tell the company that you tow, and in addition you need to make sure that all of your requirements are covered. Let’s look at this in detail below...

What good breakdown policies should cover

To cover all possibilities, your breakdown policy should include roadside assistance and local recovery as a minimum, ideally. 

Now, some standard car policies will include cover for caravans, as long as they’re not over a certain size and weight, which is often up to 3.5 tonnes and seven metres long (including a towbar). However, in some cases, these standard breakdown policies will only offer recovery if the problem is with the car, and not the caravan - for this reason alone, it’s so important that you check the small print.

A good policy should make it clear that both the tow car and the caravan will be recovered if roadside repair isn’t possible. The ability to recover the entire outfit is fundamental; otherwise you risk having your caravan abandoned at the roadside. Ideally, a good policy should also provide onward travel options, such as a replacement vehicle or hire car, so that your holiday isn’t completely ruined. It’s also worth looking for cover that pays towards accommodation if repairs take longer than expected, as well as including home-start recovery, since problems often occur close to home before you even set off.

Some policies can also include ‘dual recovery’ cover, so if you break down on your way somewhere and your vehicle cannot be fixed at the roadside, they’ll take you to your destination and back home after your holiday. It could also offer ‘double drop off', where they’ll take your caravan to a different location to you and your car if required.

Some breakdown providers also offer services to safely unhitch and later reconnect your caravan - effectively ‘re-uniting’ them - which can be invaluable if roadside recovery requires separating the two. If you’re planning to drive in Europe, you should confirm that your policy includes continental cover, ideally with a clear process for repatriation if your vehicle cannot be repaired abroad. 

Finally, check whether labour costs, parts delivery and recovery to a local garage are included, and whether there are limits to the number of call-outs you can make in a year. Unlimited call-outs are preferable, especially if you tow frequently.

If you find that your existing policy doesn’t cover all that we’ve mentioned, you might need to look at getting specialist caravan breakdown cover. You may be able to upgrade to this cover with your existing provider if they offer this. If not, you can search online for a good quote, and if you are a member of a caravan club they may also be able to help.

What to watch out for!

The small print in breakdown policies often contains conditions that could leave you exposed if you’re not careful. Some standard car-only policies assume you are not towing anything and will refuse to recover the caravan. Others impose strict limits on the size and weight of the outfit, which can easily be breached by larger caravans. Certain policies exclude failures in towing-specific components like the hitch or electrics, so make sure these are covered. 

Geographical restrictions are another common issue - some policies only apply to the UK or exclude certain European countries, which could leave you stranded if you venture further afield.

Other common pitfalls include caps on accommodation or hire car allowances, call-out limits, mileage or hidden excess fees. The recovery services will likely insist the tow car must be taxed and MOT'd, or your coverage may be invalidated. 

Also, not all policies will recover a caravan when it's on a campsite, so do find out in advance of travelling if this is the case!

Animals travelling in the tow car or caravan

For many caravanners, pets are very much part of the family and travel with them on every trip. Unfortunately, some breakdown providers make it clear that they will not transport animals in recovery vehicles. That means if your car breaks down, you may be left trying to arrange alternative transport for your dog, cat or other pets at your own expense. Some providers even go so far as to exclude the cost of pet accommodation or care from their cover entirely, leaving the burden on the owner. If animals cannot be taken in the recovery vehicle, you may have to stay with them, or arrange alternate transport.

There are occasional exceptions for assistance dogs, but these should be checked in advance. Even if the animal can stay in the broken-down vehicle while it’s towed, this is usually at your own risk and not something the provider will take responsibility for. This makes it vital to ask specifically how animals are handled under your policy, and if necessary, to make separate plans for pet rescue or transportation. The welfare of your animals is ultimately your responsibility, and waiting by the roadside for long periods can put them at risk if the weather is hot, cold or otherwise extreme.

Towing a caravan makes breakdown cover a little more complicated, but also more essential. Always declare that you tow a caravan when buying breakdown cover - don’t assume it’s automatically included.

In a nutshell, you need to ensure your policy covers the recovery of both your car and caravan, allows for the size and weight of your outfit, includes roadside and onward travel assistance, and provides accommodation or hire car support if your holiday is disrupted. Be sure to read the fine print carefully for exclusions, and be very clear about what happens if you’re travelling with pets.

With the right caravan breakdown cover in place, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing that, should the worst happen, both you and your caravan will be looked after.