Average cost of motorhome insurance

 

A motorhome is a big investment and one that provides years of enjoyment, so protecting it with the right insurance is a must. The average cost to insure your vehicle varies depending on its size, age, and various other factors.

 

Motorhome insurance is required by law in the UK. As a responsible vehicle owner, it’s essential you understand what coverage you need and what it should include. Not sure what to look for?

 

Below, we share the different types of motorhome insurance to choose from, what you need to cover, and what isn’t included. Discover what factors affect the cost and how you can reduce your premiums.

 

You’ll also learn how it differs from campervan insurance and where to find the ideal motorhome insurance policy for you and your home on wheels.

 

What is motorhome insurance, and do you need it to insure your vehicle?

 

Motorhome insurance covers your vehicle financially in case anything happens to it, whether on the road or parked outside your home.

 

Do you need special insurance for a motorhome? Yes. This type of insurance is specific to motorhomes and can protect your vehicle in case of accident, damage, and theft.

 

Motorhomes without insurance cannot legally be on the road, so it’s essential to insure your vehicle as soon as you get it. Without it, not only will you be breaking the law when you head out on the road, but you also risk something happening to your motorhome and having to use your savings to pay for it.

 

How much does motorhome insurance cost?

 

There’s no one size fits all when it comes to the cost of motorhome insurance. It depends on the type of coverage you choose and other factors like your driving history and the model, age, and features of the motorhome itself.

 

What factors affect motorhome insurance cost?

 

Insurers don’t quote the same premium for all motorhomes. When calculating the cost of your motorhome insurance policy, they take many factors into consideration.

 

The quotes you receive will be based on several things, which can include:

 

Model

 

Like with cars, newer motorhomes usually cost more to insure. The more expensive they are, the more the insurance will be. If your vehicle also has parts that are difficult to source, it can increase the average cost of cover.

 

Value

 

Motorhome insurance costs increase with the value of the vehicle. This doesn’t only apply to newer models. If you have an old motorhome but have upgraded it over the years, the insurance premiums will reflect this. When searching for motorhome insurance quotes, always factor the retail value into the price.

 

Size

 

Larger motorhomes usually cost more than smaller ones to insure. It’s not only the value of the bigger vehicle taken into consideration. When motorhomes are large, they have more space for your possessions and equipment inside, which would also cost more to replace should you need to make a claim.

 

Age

 

While newer motorhomes cost more to insure, vintage vehicles can also increase the motorhome insurance premiums. Very old vehicles are likely to need more repairs. Equally, very rare or classic motorhomes might also attract higher premiums.

 

Features

 

Investing in security measures for your home on wheels might help to reduce the cost of insurance. Certain policies require you to implement some of these measures to insure you in the first place or to keep your coverage valid.

 

Some additions that could lower your insurance cost are:

 

• Wheel clamps
• Alarms
• Steering wheel locks
• Hitch locks
• Immobiliser
• Tracking device

Storage

 

One of the greatest factors that affects the cost of insurance is where you store it when not in use. Do you plan on keeping it in a garage, dedicated storage facility, or on your drive?

 

Usually, you can keep the cost of insurance down most when you lock your motorhome away in a garage at your home. The next best choice is to keep it at a gold standard Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) facility. For these storage choices, expect to pay around £350 a year.

 

If you plan on keeping your motorhome in a storage facility, know that insurers don’t always see this as the safest option. If a site has had thefts in the past, this can cause motorhome insurance costs to increase.

 

If there isn’t at least a gold standard CaSSOA facility near you, keeping your vehicle on the road by your home might be cheaper so compare your options carefully. Your van will need to have up-to-date tax to keep it on the road.

 

Driver history

 

Your driving history, and that of anyone else on your policy, affects the insurance cost. If you’ve recently been in an accident, or been given a driving conviction, you’ll likely have to pay more for cover.

 

Drivers with a clean record usually pay less than the average cost of insurance. If you do have a conviction, a specialist insurer like Motorhome Protect will be able to help.

 

Number of drivers

 

The average cost of motorhome insurance mentioned above is for one driver. If you want to add more drivers onto your policy, the price will increase. However, this additional cost also depends on the other factors mentioned above.

 

Mileage

 

If you only plan on heading out in your motorhome a couple of times a year, you might be able to negotiate a lower price for your insurance.

 

When you use your vehicle very little, your insurance premium should reflect this. Compare the options to see which works best for the number of miles you drive every year.

 

Insurance for your motorhome – what to cover

 

When getting a quote for motorhome insurance, it’s advisable to go for the most comprehensive plan to cover your vehicle in every way possible.

 

As a minimum, look for a policy that includes cover for things like:

 

• Damage – this should include damage to your motorhome and to any other third-party vehicles while you’re driving or parked.
• Theft – theft of the motorhome itself while you’re at home or out on the road.
• Fire damage – caused through equipment failure or external factors.
• Accidents – in any crash or collision.
• Injury – to you, passengers, and anyone else on the road in case of an accident.
• Breakdown – this isn’t always included in a policy as standard but can cover you to get home or use a replacement vehicle if needed.
• Contents – this is usually only part of a fully comprehensive plan and protects the items inside your motorhome like furniture, appliances, and your valuables.
• Travel abroad - make sure your policy covers you for all the countries you plan on visiting.

 

Similarly, to cars and other vehicles, there are three main types of motorhome insurance to choose from:

 

• Third party – This insurance includes the costs incurred to compensate other people and their vehicle when you cause damage and is the minimum level of cover you need to legally drive in the UK.
• Third party, fire and theft – This insurance is like the previous except that it also protects your motorhome in the event it gets damaged, stolen, or is in a fire.
• Fully comprehensive – This type of insurance includes everything from the other two options but also any damage to your motorhome that’s your fault.

What insurance do I need for a motorhome?

 

 

When it comes to deciding the type of insurance policy you need for your motorhome, there are a few choices. Consider how much you expect to use the motorhome and for what purpose.

 

1. Social, domestic, and pleasure

 

This is typically the most common type of motorhome insurance policy and is aimed at ‘everyday’ kind of travel. This cover includes all non-business-related trips in your motorhome like long road journeys or a family camping holiday. If you plan to use it for business trips as well, you’ll need to look for a different kind of policy.

 

2. Personal business use

 

If you want to use your motorhome to attend business meetings and events or even commute to work, you need this type of insurance. This cover also includes your personal trips and holidays like the previous policy.

 

3. Commuting

 

This type of motorhome insurance is rare and only covers you for travelling to and from your work. If you want to take a holiday or attend a social event, you can’t with this coverage.

 

What’s the difference between motorhome and campervan insurance?

 

Both a motorhome and campervan get you to your destination and make for a cosy place to sleep while you’re there, so how do they compare when it comes to insurance?

 

Are campervans expensive to insure?

 

Is motorhome insurance cheaper than van insurance?

 

The main difference between the two vehicles is their size. Motorhomes are usually bigger than campervans, and include more appliances, which can sometimes affect the cost of coverage. However, the insurance policy itself doesn’t really vary from one type of vehicle to the next.

 

They both include the cover mentioned above and you can insure either to protect you for social or business use. When working out your camper insurance cost, consider the same factors when getting a quote as you would for your motorhome insurance.

 

How can you reduce the average cost of motorhome insurance quotes?

 

With the everyday cost of running a motorhome in the UK, you likely have a budget in mind when searching for a quote to keep your expenses down. Luckily, there are a few ways you can help reduce your motorhome insurance cost.

 

• Pay for your cover in one lump sum annually rather than by direct debit each month. This usually works out cheaper.
• There are certain driving qualifications and advanced courses you can take that might make a difference to your premiums.
• If you can park in a garage or on your drive, you can save more money than if you park on the street outside your house.
• Install some of the extra security measures mentioned above. Lots of insurers take these into consideration when calculating a quote.
• If you already have breakdown cover included in another policy, you may not need to take out another for your motorhome. One breakdown cover usually protects multiple vehicles.

 

What isn’t usually covered by motorhome insurance?

 

Before you take out an insurance policy, check the details carefully. While it’s important to see what’s included, there are also several things that motorhome insurance doesn’t cover, including:

 

• Cuts and punctures to the tyres
• Theft due to lack of security
• General wear and tear with age
• Pest damage
• Damage when driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Filling the vehicle with the wrong type of fuel

 

Staying on top of payments is essential to make sure you’re always insured. If you’re late with an instalment, you risk your policy being cancelled altogether and driving uninsured.

 

Not only is this illegal, but you’ll also have no protection in case of an accident or damage to your motorhome.

 

Why choose Motorhome Protect to cover your vehicle?

 

 

At Motorhome Protect, we understand what a big investment your motorhome is and that you want to protect it in case of damage or theft. Finding the right insurance for your vehicle guarantees you drive legally on UK roads and saves you shelling out lots of money in an emergency.

 

Motorhome Protect factors in your budget, needs, and vehicle to find the right insurance coverage for you. Ask our team of specialists about the benefits of insuring through us:

 

• Unlimited mileage cover
• Special offers for club members
• Cover for your camping personal effects of up to £3,500
• Consideration of all previous claims and convictions
• Unlimited cover across the EU
• Cover for motorhomes of up to £120,000 in value
• Up to 6 months to perform a self-restoration

 

Do you need an insurance policy for your motorhome?

 

Get in touch with the Motorhome Protect team for a quick quote today.

 

*Policy exclusions and limitations apply