CAMPING | Everything You Need to Know About Motorhome Insurance

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DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by quotesearcher.co.uk

Owning a motorhome means having a haven-on-wheels available whenever you want it. From weekend breaks to week-long camping trips, you can enjoy staycations across the length and breadth of the UK, and even further afield on the continent.

The freedom of choosing when and where you rest your head is a huge draw for people looking for a chance to explore without spending over the odds. Before you set off on your journey though, you need to know you are protected against the many things that could potentially go wrong with your motorhome. The only way to get that peace of mind is through a dedicated motorhome insurance policy.

Here, we’ll take a look motorhome insurance as whole, the features you should consider adding as part of your policy, and a few ways to help bring down the cost of your premium. So, let’s put our pedal to the mettle and get going!

What Actually Counts as a Motorhome?

In this guide, we’re going to look at motorhomes, rather than caravans and trailers. So, what actually constitutes a motorhome?

A motorhome is a vehicle that is ‘self-propelled’ rather than towed, with a separate driving compartment at the front. Behind the driving compartment you’ll find berths for between 2 and 8 people, and usually including built-in kitchen and washroom areas. These types of vehicle often fall under the umbrella term of RV (recreational vehicle), however this is more commonly used to refer to the ginormous RVs we see traversing the wide highways of the USA.

In the UK, motorhomes are a massive part of the staycation culture, so its important you know what kind of insurance you need in order to be fully protected while you’re on your journey. In order to get the right insurance, you need to know the ins and outs of your motorhome – from its category to the breadth of features you decide to include on your policy.

Motorhomes come in three categories:

Class A – Integrated

This is the big daddy of motorhomes, and the most expensive. They often have built in kitchen and bathroom facilities, large extendable awnings and a great deal of storage space. For this reason, they are the most expensive to insure

Class B – Semi-Integrated

This type of motorhome is more basic than Class A, most commonly built atop a standard van chassis. The driving compartment is usually set lower than the living area, which has a higher ceiling to make it easier to move around. The facilities are also more basic, with the kitchen/dining area doubling up as a berth come bedtime

Class C – Alcove

This type of motorhome has a caravan-style body with a double berth area that sits over driving cab. They tend to be slightly more luxurious than Class B but not quite at the same level as Class A. However, they are definitely more cost-effective than the latter, meaning they will be cheaper to insure.

What Types of Motorhome Insurance Are Available?

There are a few levels of cover when it comes to motorhome insurance, each offering protection against different things.

As with any standard motor insurance policy, you will be expected to have third party only (TPO) insurance by law, which covers the cost of third-party damages in the event of an accident. Third party fire and theft (TPFT) insurance is one step above, adding fire and theft as coverable situations.

However, if you want to be truly protected against all possibilities, you need to get a comprehensive policy that encompasses features specific to the way you use your motorhome. A fully comprehensive policy will be more expensive by default, but for that extra money you can perhaps enjoy greater peace of mind.

Which Features Should Be Included in Your Policy?

Your motorhome is your kingdom for the duration of your staycation and it’ll often contain expensive personal belongings. It also functions as a drivable vehicle, so you are likely to run into risks similar to the ones you face when driving your car.

Let’s take a look at some of the most useful policy features for motorhome insurance:

Breakdown cover

This can be vital if your holiday is to go off without a hitch. Whether you’re on a family trip with small children, or its just you and your other half off for a weekend of romance, the last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of the road. Now, add in the stress of paying not only for a tow truck but also the cost of your onward journey and you’ll understand why having breakdown cover is so important

Contents cover

As we mentioned earlier, your motorhome probably has all sorts of belongings in it, from your clothes and toiletries, to more expensive items like electronics or even jewellery. If your motorhome is broken in to and your belongings stolen, contents cover will ensure you are paid out to the value of the missing goods, hopefully enabling you to replace them quickly

Storm and flood damage cover

Now, you hope for sunshine and blue skies but let’s face it – it’s the UK. Whilst this summer has been a scorcher, you should still prepare for an onslaught of rain if you choose to go away in your motorhome. Water damage from a storm or flood can cause significant damage to a motorhome, resulting in mould and mildew (which itself won’t be covered unless it is a direct result of storm for flood damage), as well as potentially faulty electrics.

Accidental damage cover

Motorhomes can be tough to maneuverer at the best of times, so sometimes inadvertent damage to its body (like scratches for example) is inevitable. Accidental damage cover will offer a little buffer on these occasions, covering the cost of repairs needed as a result of said damage.

Are There Any Exclusions to Be Aware Of?

There are a few situations that are rarely covered by motorhome insurance policies, and you should definitely check these with your broker before you enter in to a contract with them. Always check the inclusions and exclusions – even if you think they must come as standard – as the last thing you need is to find out you don’t have cover when you really need it.

Common exclusions include:

Mildew and mould

Mildew and mould damage that is caused by yourself, through not securing your motorhome adequately, will not be covered by insurance

Permanent residence

If you live in your motorhome, you will need a different type of policy as it will no longer be classed as a leisure vehicle, rather becoming an abode

Unforced entry

If you leave your motorhome unlocked or a window open and your motorhome is burglarised, you won’t be paid out for it as it wasn’t properly secured

Vermin infestations

Vermin and pest damage won’t usually be covered by your insurance policy, but there are things you can do to stop it from happening (heightened security, not leaving food out on surfaces, keeping all communal areas clean)

What Can Be Done to Reduce Your Premium?

There are some elements of your motorhome insurance that you can’t help paying for. The type of motorhome you have will dictate the price of your premium to a certain degree, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the cost of your premium.

The security measures you take, for example, could make a marked difference to your premium price as the more secure your motorhome is, the less likely it is to be broken into or damaged by weather and vermin.

Alarm systems, trackers and immobilisers all present significant protection against these things. Your insurer is likely to take this into account when providing you with a quote.

Also, shop around! Don’t just settle for the first quote you come across; diversify your search and take a look at brokers who specialise in motorhome insurance exclusively, as they are more likely to not just understand the unique risks you face, but also offer you a competitive quote.

Now, you can get back on the road and enjoy your holiday, safe in the knowledge that you are fully protected!

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by quotesearcher.co.uk. You can find out more about our sponsored post policy here.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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