Campsite and Glamping Insurance

The appeal of a site is its setting, and the setting is where most liability claims start. A falling branch, a trip on a tree root in the dark, a slip on a wet path or a vehicle moving across a field during a busy changeover are all ordinary ways for a guest to be hurt.

Trees are the one insurers ask about most. A site with mature trees near pitches or units should have them checked regularly, and a record of who checked them and what was done. After a storm, check again before guests return to that area. A tree that was known to be dangerous and left is very hard to defend.

Simple measures also go a long way: lighting on main paths, clear signs for vehicle routes and speed limits, and somewhere obvious to report a hazard. These cost little and show the site is run with care.

Fire is part of the experience on most sites, which is why insurers look closely at how it is controlled. Fire pits should be set away from canvas and trees, and guests should be told the rules. Where barbecues are allowed, a raised stand or designated area is better than guests making their own arrangements.

Wood burning stoves inside yurts, huts and cabins need particular care. They should be installed properly with the right flue and clearances, and each unit with a stove should have a working carbon monoxide alarm and a smoke alarm. Insurers ask about this, and it is the kind of thing that matters after an incident.

Gas bottles for cooking and heating should be stored securely and checked. A unit fire can spread quickly on a site with units close together, so the spacing between them is also worth thinking about.

Most sites earn the bulk of their income between Easter and the end of the summer holidays. A fire or flood in the spring can cost the whole season, while the same damage in November might cost very little.

That makes the indemnity period important. It should run long enough to repair or replace units and reopen in time for the next season, and the figures on the policy should reflect your peak income rather than an average month. If replacement units have long lead times, factor that in.

Sites near rivers or on low ground should also look at flood. Whether flood cover is available and on what terms depends on the site, and it is better to know before a wet winter than after it.

Glamping units do not fit neatly into one insurance category. A pod on a base is closer to a building, a bell tent is closer to equipment, and a shepherd's hut on wheels can be either. Insurers need to know what each unit is, how it is fixed, what it is made of and what is inside it.

Listing units individually, with their age, construction and replacement value, avoids disputes about what is covered. It also makes it easier to add new units during the year without leaving a gap.

Sites are often insured on farm or holiday let policies that were never written for guests staying on open land. We are an FCA regulated broker and do not claim to be the best choice for every site. These are the questions worth asking any broker, including us.