Urgent warning to caravan owners over ‘costly’ £3.9k bill – how to avoid it

CARAVAN drivers have been warned about a ‘costly’ £3.9k bill that could ruin their trip.

Those considering travelling by caravan to their favourite spot should take precautions to avoid costly repairs.

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Caravan owners who have their vehicles damaged by potholes face enormous charges, with the average cost per incident reaching £3,912, according to Ripe Insurance.

Damage caused by a pothole-related incident costs 50% more than the average caravan claim amount of £2,612.40, the Daily Express reported.

Necessary repairs include motorway crashes, roof fractures and damage to the wheel arches.

The figures were revealed before February’s half term, as hundreds of families will travel by caravan to different places in the UK.

Potholes continue to be a concern for most British drivers.

According to official data, more than 1.5 million potholes were reported on local roads between April 2018 and June 2021.

John Woosey, the founder of Ripe Insurance, said: “For caravan owners, potholes are not just a nuisance; they’re a dangerous and – as our data shows, costly – an issue that won’t be going away anytime soon.

“Following several cold snaps this winter, which will have exacerbated the existing pothole problem on our roads, we would urge caravanners to take extra care when driving to minimise the risk.”

Drivers should take their time and enjoy the trip, particularly in winter when slippery, wet conditions are far more frequent.

Keeping distance from the car in front helps the driver to have a better viewpoint.

And there’s a better chance of spotting an oncoming pothole.

It also gives them more time to react if something goes wrong.

Importantly, if a driver does come across a pothole on the road, they should not try to swerve sharply.

It is better to safely slow down to clear it rather than make a manoeuvre that other road users won’t expect.

Drivers should avoid sudden braking, as the immediate reaction will probably be to quickly apply the brakes when they hit a pothole. 

The impact may cause more damage by putting additional pressure on the caravan’s front suspension, so motorists should avoid hard braking if they can.