Motorhome insurance

Every year millions of us take off on our holidays, whether that's a staycation in the UK or a trip abroad. It appears many are also swapping jet setting around for road trips in motorhomes and campervans, from luxury American style RVs to classic VW campervans.

The leisure vehicle industry has seen a steady increase in the number of motorhomes registered since the early 2000s, with around 225,000 currently in use. Between July 2020 and June 2021, 16,608 new motorhomes were registered with the DVLA, which is an 8.25% increase on the record set in the 2018 to 2019 period.

However, there's nothing worse than unforeseen circumstances spoiling your holidays, such as losing your vehicle keys, getting in an accident, or breaking down. So, before you embark on your next adventure, you will need to make sure you have prepared for your trip by properly insuring your motorhome.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about motorhome insurance. This includes types of motorhome vehicles and their insurance requirements, what your insurance policy covers, the cost of insurance, and how to reduce your insurance premium.

What is a motorhome?

A motorhome is a road vehicle that combines transport and accommodation. They come in various sizes which include A-Class, coach-built, self-build, American recreation vehicles (RVs), panel van conversions, and micro motorhomes.

As specified by the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA), a motorhome (including van conversions) is a special purpose M category vehicle that includes the following internal features as a basic minimum:

• Seating and a table
• Sleeping accommodation (can be converted from the seating)
• A kitchen or cooking facilities
• Permanent storage units

Motorhomes are classified as motor caravans by the DVLA and require a specialist insurance policy.

What is the difference between a motorhome and a campervan?

Campervans also provide transport and accommodation, however, there are some differences that can affect your insurance. Whenever you take out an insurance policy it is important to declare exactly what you use your vehicle for, the make and model, any additional features it has, and modifications — failure to do so may mean you are not properly covered by your policy.

In order to determine whether your vehicle is classified as a motorhome or a campervan, below are some common differences between the two.

Motorhomes typically:

• Are larger in size and have room for additional storage
• Have additional features such as a bathroom or ready-made beds
• Have separate driving and living areas

Campervans typically:

• Are smaller in size — closer to the size of a standard van
• Have basic facilities for cooking, sleeping and washing

You can also check your V5C logbook to determine whether your campervan is classified as a motor caravan — if so it will need to be insured on a specialist policy, the same as a motorhome. Otherwise, depending on the specifications of your campervan, you can insure it on a van or campervan insurance policy.

What does a motorhome insurance policy cover?

The same as standard car insurance, motorhome insurance has three levels of cover. These are:

• Third-Party - The legal minimum requirement for vehicles on the road, this basic level only covers injury or damage to other vehicles or road users. Many assume this will be the cheapest level of cover, however, this is not always the case.
• Third-Party, Fire and Theft - This level of cover also provides compensation for damage or injury to third parties, but also covers your motorhome if it is damaged or destroyed in a fire, or stolen.
• Fully Comprehensive - Fully comprehensive offers the highest level of cover. It provides compensation for all vehicles damaged in an accident and covers fire and theft. Additionally, it also covers your motorhome if it is damaged or destroyed, even if you are at fault.

Many motorhome insurance providers will also cover other items in addition to your standard motorhome cover. These usually include personal belongings, awnings that are damaged as a result of the weather, and windscreens that are chipped or cracked. Furthermore, some insurance providers will provide European breakdown cover, motorhome breakdown cover, roadside assistance, and lost key replacements as add-ons.

Motorhome insurance can also be broken down further depending on what you use your vehicle for. The three classifications for use are:

• Commuting - protects your motorhome when you are travelling to a single place of work from your home.
• Social, domestic and pleasure - covers your motorhome for any non-business trips such as shopping or holidays but does not include commuting. If you have chosen to insure your motorhome for this purpose, you will not be covered if you drive to work.
• Personal business use - provides cover for work-related driving such as attending meetings or events for business. You will also still be insured to commute to your usual place of work.

What doesn't motorhome insurance cover?

There are a few instances where motorhome insurance policies will not cover you. These include:

• If your motorhome is damaged by animals including pets, vermin or insects
• Loss or damage to your vehicle if keys have been left in the ignition
• Damage from general wear and tear
• Deliberate damage caused by a named driver on your policy
• Loss or damage caused by a roof or window being left open
• Loss or damage to your motorhome if it has been used for a purpose not declared on your insurance policy e.g. driving to work if your insurance policy states the use as social, domestic and pleasure only
• Loss or damage that has occurred as a result of the vehicle being driven by an individual not named on the insurance policy

Before you drive your motorhome, check your policy to make sure it is accurate and you know exactly what you are covered for.

How much does motorhome insurance cost?

There are many factors that affect the cost of your motorhome insurance, including, but not limited to:

• Your age.
• Your address.
• Where you keep your motorhome when it is not in use - parking your motorhome in a secure or registered site or driveway is likely to bring your insurance premium down.
• Your driving record - having a clean driving record and a longer no claims bonus can contribute to bringing your insurance down in price.
• How long you have been driving your motorhome for - experienced drivers may find their insurance provider offers a more competitive deal on their motorhome insurance.
• The make and model of your motorhome - high-value and classic models of motorhomes tend to be more expensive to insure e.g. VW campervans or luxury RVs.
• Your annual mileage - higher annual mileage will tend to increase your insurance premium due to a higher risk associated with being on the road frequently.
• Your use of other vehicles - driving other vehicles, particularly for commuting, will likely make your insurance less expensive.
• Other named drivers on the policy - sometimes having other experienced drivers on a policy can help to make your insurance more affordable.
• The security devices your motorhome is fitted with - adding better security devices to your motorhome reduces the risk of theft which is likely to mean insurance providers offer a more competitive price on your policy.

How can I save on motorhome insurance?

One of the best ways to save on your motorhome insurance is to compare insurance policies and determine the most suitable one for your needs. This way you can tailor your cover and choose add-ons that actually provide value.

Additionally, if you have the capacity to pay for your insurance annually rather than in monthly instalments, this will also help you save money.

There are also various other ways to make your motorhome insurance more affordable including:

• Fitting your vehicle with extra security such as a tracking device or a better alarm system to reduce the likelihood of theft.
• Taking an advanced driving qualification to prove you are a safe and experienced driver.
• Joining a motorhome owners club as they sometimes provide discounted insurance for members.
• Storing your motorhome securely on a site registered with the Caravan Storage Site Owners' Association (CASSOA), or behind a barrier when it is off-road.
• Reducing your mileage where possible as this will limit the risk of having an accident, likely reducing the cost of your insurance.

FAQs

Is motorhome insurance a legal requirement?

Yes, motorhome insurance is mandatory if it is driven on a public road. The only time you will not require insurance on your motorhome is when it is off-road being stored in a garage, on a driveway, or on private land. You will need to declare this to the DVLA and apply for a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN).

How much cover do I need for my motorhome?

By law, the minimum amount of cover you are required to have on your campervan or motorhome insurance policy is Third-Party insurance. This is the lowest level of cover available, only covering injury and damage to other road users. Third-Party insurance does not cover theft, therefore if your motorhome contains expensive gadgets or equipment, it is advisable to take out third-party, fire and theft, or fully comprehensive insurance.

Additionally, higher levels of cover often include helpful add-ons such as awning cover, breakdown cover, and windscreen repair so it can be useful to weigh up the options when taking out a policy for your motorhome or campervan.

Do I need a special licence to drive a motorhome?

Your eligibility to drive a motorhome or a campervan depends on your age and the weight of the vehicle. The weight of a vehicle is referred to as the maximum authorised mass (MAM) which is the total weight of the vehicle including the maximum load it can carry safely whilst being used. The MAM will be listed in the vehicle owner's manual and is also usually included on a sticker or plate on the vehicle itself.

If you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, you will automatically have category C1 entitlement on your licence. This means you are eligible to drive vehicles with a MAM up to 7.5 tonnes, allowing you to drive all motorhomes and campervans except American RV type motorhomes.

If you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997 your licence will entitle you to drive vehicles in categories B and B1 — these have a MAM of up to 3.5 tonnes.

If you are intending on driving a heavier motorhome (over 3.5 tonnes), you will need to pass an additional driving test that adds the C category to your driving licence. There are however plenty of options for motorhomes that weigh less than the 3.5-tonne threshold, therefore you will likely find that you do not need to take any further tests provided you have a full UK driving licence.

Can I drive a motorhome or campervan on my car insurance?

No, in order to drive your motorhome or campervan, you will require specialist insurance. This is because a motorhome or campervan is not used in the same way as a car, and there are more aspects and risks to consider such as sleeping and cooking in the vehicle.

Does my home contents insurance policy cover items in my motorhome?

Generally, possessions in your motorhome such as televisions or home appliances will not be covered by your home insurance as your policy will only cover items that are inside your house. If however, you added personal belongings cover for items outside the home, your insurance policy may cover belongings such as jewellery, laptops, and cameras.

It is advisable to check with your home insurance policyholder before you go on a trip in your motorhome as the level of cover you have will depend on the policy you have taken out, and the value of the motorhome.

How do I estimate mileage?

Your annual mileage can have a big impact on the price of your insurance so working out how many miles you are likely to drive is important.

If you drive your motorhome regularly throughout the year, you can do this by multiplying the average number of miles you drive in a week by 52. On the other hand, if you are simply using your motorhome for a holiday or short trip, you can calculate an estimated mileage from Google Maps or another navigation tool based on the journeys you are likely to take.