Campervan insurance

A brief guide to campervan insurance

A campervan is more than just any kind of motor vehicle – it’s a special vehicle. As you’d expect, therefore, campervan insurance requires a rather special approach. There are common elements in keeping with any other motor vehicle used on the public highway, but there are also particular considerations for ensuring that your motor home remains fully protected.

Let’s look at some of those common and special features of insurance suitable for motor homes.

Motor insurance

If you own a campervan, you have almost certainly also insured a standard motor car. In that case, you’ll be aware of the similarities:

a minimum level of cover is required by law to indemnify you against third party claims;

only if the vehicle is especially old or of low value (which is unlikely to be the case with a campervan) do most owners stop at that minimum, however, but select fully comprehensive cover;

careful drivers are rewarded by their motor insurer with an annual no claims discount, which might reduce the cost of premiums by up to 60%;

there is invariably a compulsory excess, but the cost of premiums might be slightly reduced by the owner opting to share more of the risks with the insurer and taking on an increased voluntary excess.

Although the familiar elements of motor insurance remain just as important for your motor home, you are equally likely to take into account the need for the following aspects of cover:

unlike a motor car, your motor home is likely to have many additional fittings and fixtures, not to mention a whole host of possessions and equipment making up the contents of the vehicle. Only a specialist campervan policy is likely to cover all the gear and possessions stowed inside;

for similar reasons, however, it might be well worth your while investing in a good all-round security system and alarm to secure your motor home. Not only is this going to deter break-ins and theft, but also may earn you discounts in the cost of premiums from your insurer. Do note that some caravan insurance companies will ask that you fulfil certain security obligations in order to have campervan insurance;

many campervan policies incorporate conditions with respect to a low annual mileage. You might want to make sure that the mileage limitation is likely to suit your needs or to search for cover that allows unlimited mileage;

any roadside breakdown is inconvenient. If you are driving a campervan, however, breakdowns are likely to be especially fraught (not to mention costly). Some specialist insurance for campervan providers may incorporate roadside assistance and recovery as a standard element of cover;

Since your campervan is also likely to be where you’re sleeping, you are likely to opt for a breakdown and recovery policy that provides alternative, hotel accommodation if roadside assistance is unable to keep you on the move;

many motor policies these days include standard provisions for driving within Europe. If you intend using your vehicle abroad, it is important to check that the campervan insurance you have selected covers such use

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