If you have had your motorhome in caravan storage in Devon, but are now planning to take the vehicle abroad for the summer, do not forget to check driving regulations of the country you are visiting. 

This might sound obvious to you, but according to Gocompare.com Car Insurance, one-third of motorists do not look at the requirements and laws of driving in a foreign country before they hop behind the wheel. 

Only 41 per cent check whether their car insurance is valid or offers the same level of protection, while almost a fifth think all they need to drive in Europe is a GB sticker and headlamp deflectors.

Matt Oliver from Gocompare.com Car Insurance said there are several challenges to driving in Europe, including the different side of the road and unfamiliar language.

“Being able to recognise and understand road signs and potential hazards and knowing what equipment and documents you’re supposed to carry will help to ensure that you’re driving both safely and legally,” he stated.

This advice will be useful to many caravanners and Brits travelling to Europe in their cars this summer, as 23 per cent are planning to drive abroad. However, 28 per cent do not check speed limits, traffic signals, local alcohol limits, car seat laws and safety equipment regulations for the country they are heading to. 

Of course, motorists should not just check driving laws and their insurance policy, but should also make sure their vehicle is safe for long journeys. 

Best Price Financial Services suggests checking tyre pressure, tread and oil levels, carrying a first-aid kit and a car ‘tool kit’ in case you have a breakdown or accident, and packing all relevant paperwork, including vehicle registration documents and insurance certificates. 

CCTV footage has shown the theft of a man’s £20,000 caravan and home in Dundee last week, as reported by the Evening Telegraph.

The Fendt model was just under a year old and had cost something in the region of £20,500. 

The caravan was parked in an area that the unfortunate victim had been developing and he had been living in the caravan temporarily until he had a more secure and permanent home. The victim, only 21 years of age, now finds himself effectively homeless, not to mention significantly out of pocket at the ill-fated loss of his caravan. 

He hopes the released CCTV footage, along with the offers of rewards for information that leads to the finding of his lost home, will help towards recovering his caravan and bringing the perpetrator to justice.

This harrowing story goes to show how easy it is for opportunists and thieves to strike. The man in question was living in the caravan at the time of its theft and had only vacated it for a short period of time, yet most caravan or mobile home owners only use them for sporadic trips and holidays, leaving them vacated and vulnerable for large chunks of the year.

Theft can happen at any time, so it is important to consider the security of your caravan during times when it is not being used. 

When the winter months hit and your caravan might just be sitting in the drive all season, why not consider looking for your local caravan storage in Devon or Cornwall to ensure that it is safe from theft or damage when it’s not in use?

Every caravan owner has faced damage to their beloved motorhome at some point, but Saga has revealed a few rather strange accidents that have been claimed for over the last year.

In 2015, it spent more than half a million pounds repairing caravans, and while many of these were for typical damages such as broken windows, several claims were made after some unusual events.

One policyholder experienced a burglary of a unique kind – the thief had stolen just the fridge and the toilet, not only taking the appliances but also causing damage by breaking the fixtures and fittings.

Another found their caravan on its side when the strong winds blew over the motorhome, causing nearly £2,000 worth of damage.

Saga was also contacted when huge hailstones hit a caravan, denting the exterior so badly that it cost almost £5,000 to repair.

Chief executive of Saga Services Roger Ramsden said: “Last year we were clearing up after Kamikaze pigeons, this year we’ve been fixing damage caused by runaway wheelie bins. It’s fair to say that owning a caravan and holidaying in one is more adventurous for some than others.”

Saga advised caravan owners to get the right insurance to protect themselves against all possible events, including vandalism, burglaries, equipment and driving. If you are planning to leave your caravan in storage in Devon, you should also make sure it is in good condition first. Drain water supplies, empty waste pipes and make sure there is no food left, so you can rest assured you will find your caravan in the same state you left it.