Motorhome insurance
MOTORHOME COVER WORTH THE ROAD TRIP
- Search for a great deal on motorhome and campervan insurance
- Compare quotes from 24 trusted motorhome insurance providers in the UK[1]
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[1] Correct as of June 2024.
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 American recreation vehicles (RVs), coach-built motorhomes and panel van conversions, to smaller models including self-built campervans and micro motorhomes.
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, separate areas for driving and living
- They’re designed for self-contained living on the road, and normally feature permanent kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
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.
If you’ve converted a van to live or holiday in, with fixed areas to sleep, cook and clean up, then you may be able to insure it as a campervan with some providers. On the other hand, a van with a bed in the back doesn’t qualify as a campervan.
What are the main types of motorhome cover?
There are three main types of insurance for motorhomes:
- 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.
- 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.
- Comprehensive – covers you for all the above and could cover your motorhome even if you have an accident that was your fault.
What else could be covered by motorhome or campervan insurance?
Your motorhome policy may also cover the following as standard:
- Personal belongings cover – protects what you keep in your motorhome or camper, up to a certain limit. Make sure it’s enough to cover the possessions you typically store in your motorhome or take with you on trips.
- Awning cover – covers storm damage, or in some cases accidental damage, to a fixed awning.
- Generator cover – covers your generator if it’s damaged in an insured incident.
- Windscreen cover – covers the cost of repairing chips or cracks to your windscreen. You'll 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 at an extra cost.
As always, make sure you read the terms of any policy carefully before you buy to check that the cover works for you.
Do I need motorhome insurance?
Insuring your motorhome is a legal requirement. You must have a minimum of third-party insurance to drive or keep any vehicle on UK roads.
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).
How much is motorhome insurance?
£424/year
Motorhome insurance[2]
£139/year
Touring caravan insurance[3]
£132/year
Static caravan insurance[4]
[2] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £423.05 for their motorhome insurance in April-June 2024.
[3] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £138.11 for their touring caravan insurance in April-June 2024.
[4] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £131.81 for their static caravan insurance in April-June 2024.
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 a 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 – or ideally in a secure garage – this could push up your premiums. In some locations, this might make it difficult to insure at all.
Security features
You may be able to negotiate a discount if your motorhome has a more sophisticated alarm system or additional security devices, such as an immobiliser or wheel clamps.
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 might get a cheaper deal.
Your motorhome’s make, model and value
As you’d expect, expensive vehicles tend to be pricier to insure. Classic motorhomes or campers may also come with higher premiums, both because of their valuable status and the likelihood that they’ll encounter problems caused by old age.
Repair costs
If your model of motorhome is rare or out of production, replacement parts could be harder to source or more expensive, and that could add to the cost of your premiums.
Your cover level
Your choice of cover level can affect the price you pay for insurance. And if you want to add on extra cover for expensive possessions or equipment stored in your camper, or add-ons like European breakdown cover, then it could cost you more.
Your annual mileage
The higher your mileage, the more you can expect to pay. If you only use your motorhome occasionally, you could find your insurance is cheaper.
How you use your motorhome
If you’re living for extended periods in your motorhome, rather than using it for holidays, then you may need to look for specialist cover and it will likely cost you more. Insurance providers will have different definitions of what is classed as ‘full-timing’ or ‘long-term touring’ in your motorhome, so check the terms carefully.
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. However, you’ll also typically need to pay to add an additional named driver to your policy.
Modifications
Modifications can make any vehicle costlier to insure. If your motorhome’s heavily modified or you fitted it out from scratch, insurance providers 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 to help cut the cost of your motorhome or RV insurance:
- Pay for your cover annually, rather than in monthly instalments. Insurance providers usually charge interest on monthly payments.
- Add extra security, such as a steering lock, tracking device or ID kit.
- Park your vehicle off road, on your driveway, in your garage or in a storage facility recognised by a motorhome association.
- Take out a limited mileage policy if you don’t plan on using your motorhome very often.
- Build up your no-claims discount.
- Agree to a higher voluntary excess – but make sure you can afford to pay both the voluntary and compulsory excess if you need to make a claim.
- Take advanced driving qualifications to prove you’re a safer driver.
- Join 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.
What to look out for when comparing motorhome insurance
Price is important, but to get a good deal on your motorhome insurance, make sure you get a policy that covers what you need. Here are our top tips on what to consider when you compare quotes:
- Honesty is the best policy. The more time you spend in your motorhome, the more it could cost to insure. But if you mislead an insurance provider about how you use your motorhome to get a cheaper quote, your policy could be invalidated if you need to make a claim.
- Protect your contents. Make sure you have enough contents cover for the possessions you take with you in your motorhome, especially expensive satellite TV, audio or computer equipment.
- Understand any limitations. Check you’re covered for how you plan on using your motorhome. For example, will you invalidate your policy if you occasionally use your motorhome to commute? And if there are mileage restrictions, what is the cost per mile if you do go over?
- Think about what extra cover you need. For example, if you plan on taking your motorhome on a grand European adventure, then European breakdown cover could be worth adding to your policy. But if you’re sticking to trips in the UK, there’s no point paying for cover you don’t need.
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.”
- Julie Daniels, Motor 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 history 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 quoteExpert tips and guides
- Get your motorhome ready for winter – find out how best to get your vehicle ready for the cold months.
- A simple guide to driving abroad – if you’re planning on driving abroad, there’s a few things you ought to know before you set off.
- European breakdown cover – you’re planning on driving in mainland Europe, compare cover that will get you back on the road in the event of a breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How much is road tax on a motorhome?
The rate of road tax you’ll pay for your motorhome depends on its revenue weight – also called the gross vehicle weight (GVW) or maximum authorised mass (MAM). This is the maximum it should weigh when carrying the maximum safe load.
You can check this by looking in your owner’s handbook, or on a plate or sticker attached to the motorhome.
Motorhomes with a revenue weight of 3,500kg or less are classed as a private light goods vehicle. If you pay upfront, you’ll pay annual road tax of:
- £210 if the GVW is 1549kg or less
- £345 if the GVW is over 1549kg.
Motorhomes over 3,500kg are classed as private heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and are subject to road tax of £165 per year.
Can I drive a motorhome on my car insurance?
No, to drive a motorhome or campervan, you typically need motorhome insurance. 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 Category B driving licence, you can drive a motorhome or campervan weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.
To drive a motorhome or campervan with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, you’ll need a category C1 driving licence.
To drive a motorhome over 7.5 tonnes, you’ll need a category C driving licence.
What won’t motorhome insurance cover?
Exclusions vary, depending on your policy and provider. But standard 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, or damage caused by pets
-
Using your motorhome for business
-
Theft if you leave your motorhome unlocked or a window open.
-
Mechanical or electrical breakdown, unless you add breakdown cover to your policy.
If you plan on taking your motorhome abroad, check that you’re covered outside of the UK. Some policies will cover you as standard for a set number of days in the EU, but with other policies you may need to pay extra to add cover.
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.
Many motorhome insurance policies include cover for possessions that are locked inside your motorhome, but cover levels vary. Check the overall limit and the single-item limit to make sure it’s enough to cover your belongings.
How do I estimate mileage?
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, for an additional cost. 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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