13 February 2023 , 15:10
504
0
Caravan owners have been warned of facing a hefty £3,900 bill if they’re not careful when out on the roads.
Experts have offered their best advice on how Brits can avoid accidental damage and incredibly costly repairs when driving over a pothole.
Drivers could see their caravans damaged when hitting a pothole, with the average cost per incident reaching a whopping £3,912.
The figure is almost 50 per cent more than any other type of claim - with experts warning drivers to make sure they are covered.
Pothole claims makeup around three percent of all claims submitted, but are significantly more costly than the average caravan claim of £2,612.40.
Caravan 'dumped' at Toby Carvery car park sparks Facebook hunt to find its owner
Pothole claims cost over £1,000 than the average caravan claim (UIG via Getty Images)Specialist caravan insurer Ripe Insurance analysed two years of internal data and found out the average pothole-related claim.
The figures come in the lead-up to this year’s February half term, when many families will be hitting the road with their caravan for the first time since recent cold weather.
Potholes continue to be a concern of many when out on UK roads with recent AA statistics showing there were more than 1.5million reported on local roads from April 2018 to June 2021.
John Woosey, founder of Ripe Insurance, told the Express: “For caravan owners, potholes are not just a nuisance; they’re a dangerous and – as our data shows, costly - 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.”
Caravan owners are advised to watch their speed when out on the road as hitting a pothole too hard can destabilise the vehicle and caravan in tow.
This is even more vital when travelling at high speeds, which Mr Woosey warned can be far more “destructive”.
He added Brits with caravans in tow should stay back from the vehicle in front, to give themselves a better viewpoint. It also gives them more time to react if something goes wrong.
But most importantly, if a driver does come across a pothole, they should never try to swerve sharply to avoid it.
Instead, drivers should slow down to clear it.
Confusion as 30ft caravan is mysteriously dumped in road blocking route
In doing so though, they should avoid breaking quickly as well because this could put added pressure on the front suspension risking causing more damage.
Tyre pressure is also vital. With a car, a typical tyre pressure is between 30 and 35 PSI of air. On caravan tyres, the pressure can go up to 60 PSI, because they take more wear and tear.
Before setting off on a trip, the driver should check both pressures, not forgetting to do so on the return journey as well.