Trailer insurance: is it compulsory in Luxembourg?

Transporting furniture, disposing of dead leaves from the garden, travelling with your motorbike or boat... Investing in a trailer can make sense. But be careful, as Luxembourg's legislation on trailer insurance is different from that of its European neighbours. Let us clear up a few points for you.

Car trailers: do they have to be insured?

In Belgium or France, if your trailer weighs less than 750 kg, it does not need specific insurance. If your trailer causes an accident, the insurance of the towing vehicle will apply.

In Luxembourg, all trailers must have their own insurance, whatever their weight. Not just their own insurance, but also their own registration number and vehicle registration document!

"But, if my trailer is towed, I'm covered by my car insurance, aren't I?"

That's right!

"So why do I need specific insurance for my trailer?"

That's an excellent question! The law takes the view that a trailer can cause damage even when it is not being towed.

Just imagine:

Stored in front of your house on a slightly sloping site, your trailer rolls down a few metres and collides with your neighbour's car parked further down the road.

Or your trailer could become uncoupled and cause an accident.

That is the type of risk covered by trailer insurance. And that's why it has to be insured independently.

What type of trailer are we talking about?

All trailers are subject to compulsory registration and insurance:

• boat trailers,
• caravan,
• horse transport van,
• motorbike trailer,
• food trucks...

Note that trailers weighing more than 750 kg (and 3.5 tonnes for the vehicle + trailer combination) require a special licence called C1E.

How to choose your trailer insurance?

As we’ve just seen above, trailer insurance covers you when your trailer is not being towed. Which is to say, most of the time, for the majority of us!

Trailer insurance can be broken down into 3 major components:

1. Civil liability and legal protection

This covers you in the event of an accident or injury to others caused by your trailer (if it rolls down a slope, for example).

2. Fire and theft

Because they spend most of their time stored in a yard or garage, trailers are quite vulnerable to damage and theft. This second section covers you if your trailer is stolen or destroyed in a fire.

3. Material damage

Finally, the property damage section covers any damage to your trailer when it is not in use.

Don't forget to inform your vehicle insurer as soon as you have purchased your trailer. After all, your car insurance covers the risks when your trailer is being towed.