Trailer insurance while towing: what's covered
Am I covered when towing a trailer?
When towing a trailer, your car insurance covers your legal liability for damage the trailer causes to other people or property, but not accidental damage to or theft of the trailer itself — that needs dedicated trailer cover. The trailer must be roadworthy, correctly hitched with safety chains, licensed, and within your tow vehicle's rated towing capacity.
Key takeaways
- Car insurance covers towing liability; trailer cover protects the trailer.
- The trailer must be roadworthy, licensed and correctly hitched.
- Your tow vehicle must be rated for the trailer's loaded weight.
- Overloading can void a claim and is illegal.
- Check the correct driving-licence code for the combined weight.
How cover works while towing
Your car policy extends third-party liability to the trailer while towing — so damage the trailer causes to another vehicle is covered. Damage to the trailer itself, or its theft, is only covered by a dedicated trailer policy. If you regularly tow a valuable trailer, having both is the complete picture.
Towing safely and legally
Keep the trailer roadworthy and licensed, use the correct tow-ball, hitch and safety chains, and never exceed your tow vehicle's rated capacity or the trailer's load rating. Confirm you hold the right licence code for the combined weight — towing outside these limits is illegal and can invalidate a claim.