In June we discovered we were unable to take our planned trip to Wells Touring Park, in Wells Somerset which resulted in us losing our pitch fees of c£350.00. Unfortunately, our tow car went in for some planned repairs which took longer than scheduled (a whopping 37 days longer) and so we weren't able to make the trip to Somerset.
This led us to question the value in taking out additional travel insurance, either as an annual fee or with each booking?
Non-refundable site fees are fees that are paid in advance to secure a spot at a caravan park or site. These fees are typically non-refundable, meaning that if you are unable to travel or use the site for any reason, you will not be able to get a refund.
It's important to understand the terms and conditions of the caravan park or site before making a reservation. This includes understanding their refund policy for site fees. Some parks may offer partial refunds or credits for future stays if you cancel in advance, while others may have strict no-refund policies.
By understanding the non-refundable site fees and the associated policies, you can make more informed decisions when planning your caravan trips.
While non-refundable site fees can be disappointing if you are unable to travel, there are a few strategies you can employ to minimise your losses:
1. Plan your trips in advance: By planning your trips well in advance, you can have a better idea of your schedule and reduce the chances of last-minute cancellations. This can also work against you though, as our trip to Wells was planned in advance, we just hadn't considered our tow car being off the road!
2. Check the cancellation policy: Before making a reservation, carefully read the cancellation policy of the caravan park or site. Look for parks that offer flexible cancellation policies or options to reschedule your stay.
3. Consider travel insurance: Travel insurance can provide coverage for unexpected events that prevent you from traveling, such as car breakdowns or medical emergencies. Check if your travel insurance policy covers non-refundable site fees first though.
Travel insurance can play a crucial role in protecting your investment in non-refundable site fees. While each travel insurance policy may have different coverage options and exclusions, it's worth considering the benefits it can provide.
1. Coverage for trip cancellations: If you are unable to travel due to unexpected circumstances, such as car breakdowns or medical emergencies, travel insurance can reimburse you for the non-refundable site fees.
2. Peace of mind: Knowing that you have travel insurance coverage can give you peace of mind, as you can have financial protection in case of unforeseen events.
3. At time of booking: Some sites offer cover for a small added extra fee at the time of making the booking. The cover offered varies i.e. it might cover you for illness, family loss or court attendance but may not cover you for vehicle breakdowns.
It's important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any travel insurance policy and understand what is covered and what is not. Consider comparing multiple policies to find the one that best suits your needs and budget.
I'm not going to lie, losing £350.00 through no fault of our own (or the caravan site's) stung a little at the time, compounded by a very expensive tow car repair bill as well. Subsequently we checked our excess on our existing insurance policy and it was almost the amount of our loss, so we chose not to claim.
On a trip for August we did take out cover at the time of booking, however we've just noticed it does not cover vehicle breakdown, so let's hope the tow car does its job!