Glamping pod insurance

This type of insurance covers small, unique properties that are typically used as luxury accommodation on camping and holiday accommodation sites. Examples of the types of properties that can potentially be covered include:

Glamping pods: This type of property is a modern, self-contained accommodation that tries to bridge the gap between traditional camping and contemporary living. They often include access to modern facilities such as toilets and showers. The construction materials used can vary from eco-friendly timber, to metal and durable fabric.

Shepherd's huts: These are small, mobile structures that were traditionally used by shepherds. In modern times, they are often marketed as small luxury holiday cabins. Like glamping pods, they can be made with a variety of materials.

Yurts: Popular with holidaymakers looking for a unique and luxury camping experience, yurts are domed tents that usually have a wooden frame and canvas or felt covering.

Whilst there are some similarities with regular home insurance, the specialist nature of these properties means that dedicated cover is typically required. In addition, cover that protects you against guest damages and claims is important if you rent your property out.

You may be required to get insurance in some cases, depending on your circumstances:

Licences in Scotland: Owners of properties in Scotland usually require some form of licence in place in order to be able to rent it out to guests. Glamping pod owners in Scotland may need to apply for a licence with the government if they don’t already hold a caravan site licence. One of the requirements when applying for this licence is having adequate building and liability insurance in place.

Glamping sites: Holiday Park owners may require insurance in place as a condition for letting you keep your property there.

Finance: Your lender may require insurance in place if securing a property on finance.

These types of properties may be an expensive investment. Even if there is no legal or contractual requirement to have insurance in place, ask yourself if you can afford to repair or replace items as opposed to paying a comparatively smaller fee for insurance.

Pikl’s rental insurance for paying guests is a fixed cost that varies depending on how many nights of cover you rent out the property a year. Properties that also require standard cover can be considered on a case-by-case basis over the phone, although not all of them may be eligible for cover that resembles a typical home insurance policy.

For unique properties that do require standard cover in addition to protection for short-term rentals, premiums for these structures are often less predictable given the uniqueness of the risk. Your insurer may take some of the following factors into account:

Permanent structures: Properties that are not classed as permanent structures and can be assembled when needed may be covered under contents instead. This may result in lower premiums if covered (depending on the value and insurer) as no equivalent buildings cover is needed.

Materials: The type of materials used may dictate the price you pay to some degree. Materials typically used industry wide may have lower premiums than ones more difficult to source in the event of a claim or those that carry a higher likelihood of risk.

Age: Insurers may take into account the age of the make and model as this may reduce its value and impact the premium accordingly.

Claims history: Any claims previously made will make you a higher risk and affect any no claims bonus.

Location: Where the property resides in a fixed area, your insurer will look at location specific risk factors such as flood risk, weather events, and crime rates.

Property use: How often you use the property and who it is used by will be taken into account, including whether the property is rented out to guests. Properties used more frequently may result in higher premiums due to a higher likelihood of a claim occurring. On the flip side, properties left empty for extended periods may have different risks.

Given that there is no one size fits all approach to standard premiums, shopping around is usually the best approach. Reducing cover can result in cheaper premiums but getting the right insurance that suits your needs should be a priority.