September, 2024
Case Study: Static Caravan for Home Insurance Claim
Background: Our customer, a family from Yorkshire, faced a significant challenge when their home needed substantial repairs following subsidence. The family, consisting of two adults, four dogs, and two cats, could not stay in the property due to the damage. Their contents also required moving into storage. Thankfully, their home insurance policy included alternative accommodation (AA) cover for temporary housing and contents storage during the period of works.
Challenge: The family needed to find suitable accommodation with specific requirements:
- Ideally, four bedrooms, equivalent to their home, but an absolute minimum of two
- Accommodation within a close radius of their home
- Acceptance of six pets
- Parking for two cars
- Wi-Fi.
Solution: After initial difficulties in finding AA that would accept all six pets, we explored the option of sourcing a caravan to place on the property. However, the largest touring caravan was just not large enough for the family and their pets. Working with our supplier, we explored the feasibility of siting a static caravan on the property. This option offered several advantages:
- Pet-Friendly: Unlike many rental properties and holiday lets, the static caravan could accommodate all six pets.
- Proximity: Placing the static caravan on their property allowed the family to stay close to home and oversee the repair work.
- Cost-Comparable: The total cost for hiring, delivering, and setting up the static caravan for three months was comparable to an average self-catering holiday let that would house them all near their home for the same period, which could be extended if required.
- Wellbeing: Staying on their property minimised the disruption to the family’s routines and provided a familiar environment, crucial for managing their health and wellbeing.
Implementation: The process included several key steps:
- Initial Assessment: Within 1 hour of being instructed to support the customer with their relocation, we spoke with the family to understand their specific and individual requirements. We then began searching for suitable AA.
- Exploring Options: Finding suitable accommodation for the family and their six pets for the duration needed was challenging. The family supported the search, suggesting a local Park Estate with residential properties to let, that might accommodate their pets. However, this option was not viable.
- Caravan Solution: Within days of being instructed, it was clear we needed to consider other options, so we explored the possibility of using a caravan. Once we determined a static caravan would be most suitable, we quickly navigated this new territory. We arranged a site survey and bespoke quote for the hire, delivery, and setup of a static caravan.
- Approval and Setup: The Insurance company supported the static caravan solution and quickly approved costs, enabling us to arrange delivery and coordinate removals for a few weeks later.
Outcome: The family successfully moved into the static caravan on their property, the first we had ever arranged. This solution allowed them to maintain their daily routines and manage their daily activities effectively. Staying at home enabled them to be closely involved in the repair process, ensuring everything was completed to their satisfaction. A two-month extension of hire was easily arranged, providing continuity of AA for the customer for the duration of the works.
Conclusion: Sourcing a static caravan as alternative accommodation proved to be a practical and positive solution for the family. Identifying timely, cost-efficient solutions that best meet customer needs is more important than ever for both our clients and customers following the introduction of Consumer Duty. Thoughtful alternative accommodation service provision ensures families maintain their quality of life even during unexpected disruptions.
For more information on how Rapid Relocate can assist your customers during a home emergency, visit our website or contact us today.
