101 Motorhome Insurance Tips

Motorhome insurance varies considerably so take the time to check out the small print to ensure you know what the policy includes.
Get several quotes when looking for motorhome/campervan insurance by allowing a specialist broker to search for you.
When on holiday in the motorhome or campervan became friends with those camping around you and form a kind of “neighbourhood watch”
Make sure that you take plenty of plastic bags with you, including food bags, bin bags and carrier bags which can come in handy for wet/dirty clothing.
Always take specialist insurance aimed for motorhomes rather than taking standard car insurance. A standard policy usually will not provide cover that is needed for your motorhome.
Check that breakdown cover is included in the policy and if it is what level of cover is included, for instance would you be provided with replacement transport?
Ensure your motorhome or campervan is as secure as it possibly can be and this can help you to make savings of the cost of insuring your motorhome.
Check to see what the level of insurance is for personal accident cover as there will be a limit on this.
When taking insurance items such as awnings, steps e.t.c should be covered so check the small print to find out the limit and check for exclusions.
Check the limit stated by the insurance provider for windscreen damage; also check to see if other windows are covered in the policy and if so for up to how much.
Join a motorhome club and this way you will be able to get plenty of advice, hints and tips from like minded people.
If you are going to be travelling abroad ensure that you mention this when taking out insurance for the motorhome as it will affect the cost of the insurance.
Never just renew your insurance year after year, instead allow specialist brokers to shop around for you on your behalf.
Some camper van insurance companies will offer cheaper cover if you choose to insure another vehicle with them such as your car or motorbike.
If you only use your motorhome/campervan just a couple of weeks/months out of the year then consider taking a policy with limited mileage.
Make use of online forums to get information regarding all aspects of motorhomes or to find help with specific motorhome problems.
If you are considering purchasing a motorhome and are not sure if one would be suitable, consider renting a motorhome and taking a trip before spending thousands purchasing your own.
Check out motorhome reviews online before taking the plunge and choosing which to purchase.
In the UK there are over 90 different manufacturers of motorhomes which fall into 5 different categories.
Motorhomes range from the small 2 person to the luxurious home away from home with all the mod cons which cost tens of thousands of pounds, so consider the use the motorhome would get before splashing out.
There are many advantages to buying a smaller motorhome, which include more miles to the gallon and ease of access down narrow country lanes.
When buying a motorhome remember there are seat belt laws while a motorhome might state berth for 6 this means sleeping accommodation and there might not be adequate full seat belts for 6 people.
When considering buying a motorhome take into consideration the size of them. The motorhome might not look that large at the showroom, but have you got the room for it on the driveway at home?
If you took your test before January 1997 then you will be able to drive a motorhome of up to 7.5 tonnes legally. If you took it after then you can only go as high as 3.5 tonnes with your current licence.
To save money on your motorhome or campervan insurance it can be worthwhile paying out for a good quality security alarm.
Having your motorhome serviced by an authorised dealer can help you to save on the insurance costs and of course provides peace of mind that there will be less chance of it breaking down.
If you do not have the room on your driveway to park your campervan you can find a secure storage site for small cost for the year.
If you are new to motorhomes one of the best places to see the different types are at motorhome shows and there are many throughout the UK.
When buying a motorhome do not buy without first testing it out, motorhomes are very expensive and if you are going to be spending a lot of time in it sleeping, sitting and eating then you want the sofas to be comfortable.
When taking the motorhome for a test drive try to take it on as many different types of roads surfaces as possible as you could be travelling on a variety of surfaces in it on holiday.
When buying your motorhome always check out the warranty offered by the dealer and if buying second hand ensure you have all the relevant paperwork including service history.
It can pay to invest in a good GPS system if you plan on spending a lot of time on the road taking many touring holidays throughout the UK.
Check to ensure that the insurance company you choose to use for your motorhome insurance offers new replacement during the first year of registration.
Read the terms of any insurance policy before taking it out to find out if the policy includes a 24 hour accident helpline, this is essential if travelling a lot.
Check the limit the provider includes for personal effects cover as this can vary considerably with insurance providers.
Some insurance providers offering motorhome cover will offer you great savings if you choose to cover both the motorhome and take home insurance at the same time.
Always make sure that any policy you are considering taking out comes with the key facts so you can check them before taking on cover.
A good policy should include accident recovery that takes care of not only your motorhome but also gets you to your destination.
Look for an insurance policy that will take into account the no claims bonus that you have accumulated over the years on another vehicle.
If you check out motorhome forums and become a member you will be able to ask other owners who they have insured with.
Check how much excess the insurance company ask for and if you want to save on the premiums then offer to payout more in excess.
When comparing the cost of insurance always make sure that you are comparing like for like. For example the same excess, accident cover e.t.c
Before buying a motorhome go online and ensure that you check out the reviews of the motorhome you are considering buying.
The first motorhome dealership in the UK sprang up in 1958 in London and the first motorhome rally was held in 1960 at Woburn Abbey.
In 2006 there were over 90,000 new motorhomes were registered throughout the EU with over 11,000 being registered in the UK.
Then looking at the different types of motorhome insurance you should always check out insurance before you buy as the insurance could be unaffordable for some of the luxury large homes.
Take into account the MPG that you would get from the motorhome, a small motorhome might get you around 30 to 20 MPG whereas with a large luxury model you might get around 10 MPG.
Before buying your motorhome check for reliability online, motorhome clubs will provide such information on the different types of vehicles.
If you only use the motorhome/campervan a few times each year for a couple of weeks touring holiday ensure you take a small trip first to ensure everything is in good order.
Get advice from experienced motorhome owners on great sites for parking up around the UK.
If you join a motorhome home club you can get advice and also save money as many list special offers for days out.
If you are considering importing a motorhome/RV from another country ensure that you would be able to drive it legally in the UK.
Remember that driving a motorhome will be totally different to driving a car so when touring around Europe and navigating twisty mountain roads slow down.
The majority of motorhomes are diesel engines so do not forget and make the expensive mistake of filling up with petrol.
Pack a small tent in the motorhome when going on holiday, children can sleep out in it to give you some privacy and it can be used for storage during the day.
A hot water bottle can come in very handy, it can keep you warm during a chilly night, ease aches and pains and help to dry out damp clothing.
When parking out in the forest or wooded areas try not to park under trees, if there is a storm you would be at risk of storm damage from the branches.
If you are new to motorhomes then take a motorhome/caravanning course before embarking on any long journeys.
If you have a TV in your motorhome and have a TV license for home then your home license will cover you while travelling.
Always park at sites that are official rather than risking parking by the roadside or in a “lay-by”
There can be many different sleeping arrangements in motorhomes so check which is most suitable for your circumstances before buying.
Always check the sleeping area of the campervan to ensure that you would be able to sleep comfortably, if you are over 6ft you would not want your feet dangling over the end of the bed.
Check if there would be enough storage space for the people travelling as you do not want things lying around in aisles to cause a hazard.
If you are planning on spending a long time in the motorhome travelling around check there is adequate cooking facilities in the motorhome.
Never rush into buying a motorhome, it might look impressive in the dealership but can you afford it and would you get use from it.
When buying a motorhome from a dealership try to buy as locally as possible in case you encounter problems with the vehicle.
Never let the salesperson talk you into buying something that you cannot afford or you do not need.
If buying second hand check out the average prices of motorhomes you are looking at and be wary of any that exceptionally low priced.
Always ensure the dealer thoroughly demonstrates all features of the motorhome.
As soon as you get the motorhome home ensure you check everything over to ensure all is working as it should.
Make sure that you know all about the motorhome of your choice before looking around with dealerships.
One of the quickest ways to get the best deals on your motorhome insurance is allowing a specialist broker to search on your behalf.
Ensure that you read the “key facts” document thoroughly before taking on the insurance policy as this will state the important parts of the insurance.
As with any insurance policy any items of particular value might not be covered, such as jewellery that is left in the motorhome.
Check to see if the policy contains legal cover in case you should be involved in an accident.
The insurance protection should contain medical cover for yourself and any passengers.
See if the policy you are considering taking out contains accommodation in the event your motorhome cannot be repaired on the roadside.
If you are carrying such as mountain bikes on the back of the motorhome ensure that the insurance would cover them for damage whilst driving or theft whilst static.
Some insurance will also protect you for driving outside of the UK; however you might get a policy cheaper for just UK protection if you do not go outside the UK.
Insurance cover for your motorhome or campervan should be tailored to your needs as everyone has different needs.
Check to see if the insurance company offers discounts for club members as you could make savings this way.
Your vehicle will be seized by the police if you do not have insurance so do not risk it.
Always ensure you have the correct insurance for your needs
Always make an inspection of such items as showers, cooker, gas bottles and fridge before setting off on a long trip.
Installing fire alarms and extinguishers can improve your safety and help to keep down the cost of insurance.
Have an emergency plan in place for such as fires in the motorhome and ensure all those travelling with you know about the plan in case of emergency.
Keep an emergency toolbox in the motorhome which could include flashlight, duct tape, flares and mobile phone.
Plan your trip and itinerary well before you plan to leave and print it out and take it with you.
Some of the well known camping grounds can get booked up well in advance so check to see if you can pre-book a spot.
Make sure you know how to make a claim in the event of an accident outside of the UK.
Go over the policy carefully before taking on the insurance to check exclusions as failure to do so could be costly if you run into problems and cannot claim.
Check to see if the insurance would cover another driver if you should fall ill while on holiday and cannot drive home.
If your policy does not cover another driver in an emergency they could consider taking short term insurance to get you home.
Paying the insurance in one lump sum can work out cheaper than paying monthly premiums by direct debit.
If you have taken out limited mileage insurance and decide to go on holiday in your campervan check that you are not going over the limit.
If you are travelling to work and back in your campervan make sure this is not excluded in your insurance policy.
The average campervan/motorhome user will only travel 5,000 miles per year.
A motorhome is at lower risk of being stolen than a car.
Check that such as computers, TV and audio equipment are covered and if so up to how much.
Check the age limit on the insurance policy as some state over 25.
Would trailer cover be included in the insurance policy and up to how much?