Baby meerkat with a cycling white helmet waving with a motorhome loaded with bicycles on the background
Motorhome  loaded with bicycles, parked in the nature on a sunny day, Baby meerkat with a cycling white helmet waving

Motorhome insurance

COMPARE CHEAP MOTORHOME & CAMPERVAN INSURANCE QUOTES

  • Find a great deal on motorhome and campervan insurance
  • Compare quotes from 25 trusted motorhome insurance providers in the UK[1]
  • Plus, enjoy fantastic reward on us*

[1] Correct as of September 2023.

What is motorhome insurance?  

Motorhome insurance is a type of cover specific to motorhomes and campervans. It could cover:

  • You and your passengers 
  • Pedestrians
  • Other drivers and their passengers
  • Traffic accidents 
  • Theft and damage caused by break-ins
  • Repairs 
  • Fire damage.

Like car insurance, motorhome insurance is a legal requirement.

What type of motorhome insurance do I need? 

The type of motorhome insurance you need will depend on how you use your vehicle:

  • Social, domestic and pleasure – for your social and holiday trips. This doesn’t cover driving to work or using your motorhome for business.
  • Commuting – for driving to work from your home. 
  • Personal business use – for driving to business meetings and events, as well as commuting. 

What is a motorhome?

A motorhome or campervan is a type of vehicle that provides transport and living accommodation.

Motorhomes range from larger (and sometimes luxury) vehicles, like A-class models, American recreation vehicles (RVs), coach-built motorhomes and panel van conversions, to smaller models including self-built campervans and micro motorhomes.

What are the main types of motorhome cover?

There are three main types of insurance for motorhomes:

  1. Third party – the minimum level of cover you need to drive on UK roads. This only covers damage or injury to other drivers and their vehicles. It won’t cover your own motorhome.
  2. Third-party, fire and theft – offers the same level of cover as third party, but it could also cover you if your motorhome is stolen, damaged or destroyed by fire.
  3. Comprehensive – covers you for all the above and could cover your motorhome even if you’re at fault.

Your motorhome policy may also cover the following as standard:

  • Personal belongings cover – protects what you keep in your motorhome or camper.
  • Awning cover – covers storm damage to an awning.
  • Windscreen cover – covers the cost of repairing chips or cracks to your windscreen. You will have to pay an excess towards the cost of the claim, though.

Some specialist motorhome policies offer extended cover – for European road trips, for example. Other insurance providers offer this as an add-on for an extra cost.

How much does motorhome insurance cost?

£340/year
Motorhome insurance[2]

£155/year
Touring caravan insurance[3]

£141/year
Static caravan insurance[4]

[2] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £339.23 for their motorhome insurance in August 2023.

[3] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £154.70 for their touring caravan insurance in August 2023.

[4] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £140.70 for their static caravan insurance in August 2023.

What affects motorhome insurance cost?

Factors that could affect the cost of your motorhome insurance include:

Your age

Older drivers typically pay less than young drivers.

Your address

If you live in high-crime area, you might pay more for your insurance.

Where you keep your motorhome

If your motorhome is parked on the street, rather than off road, this could push up your premiums. In some locations, this might make it difficult to insure at all.

Your driving history

The longer your no-claims bonus, the cheaper your insurance is likely to be.

How long you’ve driven a motorhome

If you’ve plenty of experience driving motorhomes, you could find you get a cheaper deal.

Your motorhome’s make and model

As you’d expect, expensive vehicles tend to be pricier to insure. Classic motorhomes or campers campervans may come with higher premiums.

Your annual mileage

The higher the mileage, the more you can expect to pay. If you only use your motorhome occasionally, you could find your insurance is cheaper.

Access to other vehicles

If you have another car for daily use, this is likely to reduce your premium. Using your motorhome or campervan for commuting or business purposes is likely to mean paying more.

Additional drivers

If you can share the driving of your motorhome with an experienced driver who hasn’t made a claim, adding them to your insurance could reduce the cost of your premium.

Modifications

Modifications can make any vehicle costlier to insure. If your motorhome’s heavily modified or you fitted it out from scratch, insurance companies who specialise in this might be able to offer better value cover. 

How can I get a cheaper motorhome insurance quote?

There are several ways you could save on your motorhome policy. One is to pay for cover annually, rather than in monthly instalments. Paying outright for your policy could save you money, as insurance providers usually charge interest on monthly payments.

Other ways to help cut the cost of your motorhome insurance include:

  • Adding extra security, such as a steering lock, tracking device or ID kit
  • Parking your vehicle off road, using a barrier or a Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CASSOA) registered site 
  • Limiting your mileage  
  • Building up your no-claims discount  
  • Taking advanced driving qualifications to prove you’re a safer driver 
  • Joining a motorhome owners’ club – some insurance providers offer member discounts.

One of the best ways to find the right deal for you is to shop around. Compare with us and we’ll give you a range of insurance quotes for your campervan or motorhome. 

Author image Alex Hasty

What our expert says...

“With a motorhome, you can have all the freedom of travel and still enjoy the comforts of home. Whether it’s a lifestyle choice or a once-in-a-lifetime trip you’re planning, make sure you have the right insurance in place to cover you, your motorhome and everything you take along for the ride.”

- Alex Hasty, Insurance expert

What details do I need to get a quick motorhome insurance quote?

To get a motorhome quote, you’ll need to tell us about:

1. Your motorhome and how you use it

We need to know your motorhome’s make, model and age, as well as its value and fuel type. We’ll also ask how you use your motorhome, your estimated annual mileage and where you keep it.

2. Your details 

Including your name, age, address and claims history. We’ll want to know if you have any other vehicles and whether you’d like to add named drivers to your policy.

3. Your driving and your licence 

Tell us how experienced you are driving your motorhome, the type of driving licence you have and how long you’ve had it.

Get a quote

Expert tips and guides

Frequently asked questions

Do I need motorhome insurance?

Yes. Insuring your motorhome is a legal requirement. You can only avoid insuring your motorhome by officially declaring it off the road. To do this, contact the DVLA and apply for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

What’s the difference between a motorhome and a campervan?

There are a few key differences between motorhomes and campervans:  

  • Motorhomes are usually bigger, with more storage space 
  • They have clearly defined areas for driving and living 
  • They often come with additional features, like an over-cab area with space for a double bed.   

Campervans tend to be smaller inside, with more basic facilities for cooking, washing and sleeping.  

You can compare insurance for campervans through Compare the Market, provided your campervan: 

  • Has fixed facilities for cooking, washing and sleeping 
  • Or is classified as a motor caravan on your V5C log book.

A van with a bed in the back doesn’t qualify as a campervan. 

Can I drive a motorhome on my car insurance?

To drive a motorhome or campervan, you’ll usually need a specialist motorhome insurance policy. That’s because motorhomes are used differently to cars.

Motorhomes aren’t just for driving – you sleep, cook and socialise in them too. That means there’s more to consider in terms of cover. 

Do I need a special licence to drive a motorhome?

If you have a full UK driving licence, you can drive a motorhome weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.  

Provided you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you can drive motorhomes weighing up to 7.5 tonnes – this covers most of them.  

If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, you’ll need to take another test to drive a motorhome over 7.5 tonnes. 

What won’t motorhome insurance cover?

Exclusions vary, depending on your policy and provider. But motorhome insurance generally won’t cover:

  • Your motorhome if you live in it full time 

  • Wear and tear 

  • Infestations of rats, mice or other vermin 

  • Using your motorhome for business 

  • Theft if you leave your motorhome unlocked or a window open.

Does my home contents insurance cover items in my motorhome?

Home contents insurance generally only covers belongings inside your home, but check your policy to make sure. Adding personal possessions cover outside the home could mean you’re insured for items you take out with you, like your laptop, jewellery and camera.

Your home contents insurance is unlikely to cover household items you keep in your motorhome or camper, like your TV or bedding. If you’re not sure what your contents insurance covers, check the policy or talk to your home insurance provider. 

How do I estimate mileage?

Your annual mileage could affect the cost of your motorhome insurance, so it’s useful to know. If you regularly drive your motorhome, you can multiply the miles you drive in a typical week by 52.

If you only use your motorhome for occasional long trips, it’s a bit trickier. Google Maps is a useful resource, allowing you to plot a trip with multiple destinations and find the approximate mileage.

Can you get any added extras with motorhome insurance?

There are plenty of useful extras you can add to your motorhome insurance policy. These include:

  • Breakdown cover – with roadside assistance to get you to a garage quickly if you break down.
  • Legal expenses – covers potential legal costs and compensation, as well as helping you recoup any losses.
  • No-claims discount protection – means your no-claims discount won’t be affected if you claim, although your premium may increase.
  • European cover – insures you if you’re driving to Europe.

To keep your insurance costs as low as possible, think about how you use your motorhome. Avoid paying for cover you don’t need or might already have with a different policy.

Can I get temporary motorhome insurance?

Plenty of insurance providers offer temporary motorhome insurance. Whether you want cover for one day or one month, you should be able to find a policy that meets your needs.

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Why use Compare the Market?

Compare quotes from 25 leading motorhome insurance providers[1]

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We’re impartial. You decide which policy is right for you – we simply help you search more quickly and easily.

Page last reviewed on 17 OCTOBER 2023
by Alex Hasty