When you need insurance cover for just a short period then temporary motorhome insurance is a cost-effective solution worth investigating. This guide will help you understand your options to ensure you have the right level of cover.

 

What is temporary motorhome insurance?

 

Here at Motorhome Protect, we’re all about planning the next great adventure and creating lifelong memories to cherish. There really are few better ways to experience those epic grand tours and fun-filled times with family and friends than behind the wheel of a motorhome.

However, with motorhomes high up on many people’s wish-lists, not everyone is lucky enough to be able to own their dream motorhome, let alone insure it for a whole year. So, that’s why insurance providers are keen to offer temporary motorhome insurance for short-term cover.

By arranging to hire a motorhome or borrow one from a close friend or family member you can enjoy the ease and flexibility of motorhome ownership without any of the problems. As long as you’ve arranged the right temporary motorhome insurance to cover you for any mishaps.

Contact the helpful team of insurance specialists at Motorhome Protect for an insurance quote and get covered in minutes. Don’t delay when it comes to protecting your temporary home on wheels.

 

When would you need temporary insurance for your motorhome?

 

Temporary motorhome insurance is useful in a wide variety of situations. For example, you might be planning on going away for an extended period of time without your motorhome in tow. What would be the point in paying for a whole year’s insurance?

Or perhaps you want to take your motorhome for a spin one last time before moving abroad. You may well want to keep using your motorhome for the short time you have left, but don’t want or need a full year’s insurance. After all, there’s really no sense in paying for insurance cover you won’t use.

Short-term insurance cover is also useful in situations where you want to share your motorhome for a short period, or perhaps borrow someone else’s. Arranging a temporary insurance policy could well work out cheaper than adding another driver to an existing insurance policy.

Temporary insurance cover might also prove to be more cost-effective for you if you have a motorhome that you don’t drive very often. Not everyone wants to holiday in their motorhome all the time. If you think you might only tour occasionally then it might be worth getting a quote for temporary insurance cover.

Some people use short-term insurance when buying a motorhome. This will let them test drive a vehicle without breaking the law by driving without the proper insurance.

You could also buy temporary insurance cover if you’ve snapped up a motorhome bargain in the winter time, but want to leave it until the next touring season before you invest in a full year’s insurance policy.

There are so many scenarios in which temporary short-term insurance is a great way to bridge these gaps in cover. Better yet, it gives you the flexibility you need without the cost of a full year’s insurance policy.

And all without threatening your no claims discount on your annual insurance policy, too. It really is a great idea.

But there’s something worth considering if you’re planning on keeping your campervan off road and only taking out temporary campervan insurance when you need it. In this situation it’s important that you declare the vehicle as off the road (SORN) with the DVLA.

 

Who can get temporary motorhome insurance?

 

To apply for temporary motorhome insurance many insurers will require you to meet specific criteria. These might include that:

 

• You meet the age requirements. Depending on the size of the motorhome the insurer may limit who is insured to drive under the insurance policy. If you’re at the younger or older end of the spectrum then you’re more likely to get insurance for a smaller motorhome up to 3.5 tonnes rather than a whopping 7.5 tonnes!
• You hold a current, valid, full UK driving licence, an EU or International driving licence. And have done so for a certain minimum period of time.     
• You have been a permanent UK resident for a specified period, e.g., the last 12 months.
• You have no criminal convictions, been disqualified from driving or have above a certain number of penalty points on your licence.
• You have not had a previous policy of insurance declared void by an insurer.

 

The motorhome itself you need to insure might also need to meet specific criteria. It might need to:

 

• Have a minimum or maximum valuation
• Be roadworthy with a current and valid MOT
• Be taxed
• Be a right-hand drive vehicle
• Not weigh more than 7.5 tonnes
• Have no modifications, other than manufacturer’s optional extras and those designed to aid disabled drivers

 

If you’re unsure about what you need for an insurance quote from us, give the Motorhome Protect team a call.

 

How to arrange temporary motorhome insurance

 

Motorhome insurance policies arranged through Motorhome Protect are designed to put you in control, so you only pay for the insurance you need. Whether you just need temporary insurance or something more long-term, we’re sure to have a policy option just right for you.

For a fast, simple insurance quote, complete our online form or call us on 01865 818 341. We can arrange temporary insurance for your vehicle in three simple steps.

 

Step 1: Fill in your details

 

All we need is a few details about you. These could include your name, date of birth, UK address, occupation, email address and driving licence number.

We’ll also need details of the motorhome you want to drive. These include the registration number, manufacturer and engine size.

Remember, we can also arrange short-term camper insurance if you’ve opted for a campervan rather than a motorhome. If you’ve never driven a motorhome before then a smaller campervan might be a better option to start with.

 

Step 2: Find out the cost

 

How long do you need the motorhome insurance policy to cover you for? What date do you need the temporary insurance policy to start from?

And do you require any insurance policy add-ons? Benefits such as additional breakdown cover will affect your insurance quote. 

Be aware that if you’re planning on travelling over to Europe then there may be an additional charge for this. Indeed, some insurers won’t provide temporary motorhome insurance cover outside of the UK.

 

Step 3: Pay

 

Once you’ve got your temporary insurance just how you want it and you’re happy with the quote then it’s time to finalise your temporary motorhome insurance. You’ll just need your debit or credit card, and away you go on your next great adventure!

 

How much does temporary motorhome insurance cost?

 

Whenever you’re working out the cost of a motorhome insurance policy, insurers need to take into account a whole variety of factors. Insurers will usually want to know:

• Motorhome model
• Motorhome value
• Motorhome size
• Motorhome age
• Motorhome features, particularly security features
• Where the motorhome will be stored
• Your driving history, experience, age and location
• Number of drivers on the policy
• How you intend to use the motorhome, such as where you plan on travelling

 

Generally speaking, you should expect to pay anywhere between £220 to £400 a year to insure most popular motorhome models.  But when it comes to short term motorhome insurance in the UK, it’s very difficult to estimate a typical cost.

Finding great value motorhome insurance can be difficult, that’s why it’s so important to speak to the specialists at Motorhome Protect. By speaking to us you’ll only pay for the insurance cover you need.

 

21 top tips and tricks for first-time drivers of motorhomes

 

 

As a driver of such a large and powerful vehicle, it’s your responsibility to ensure you’re safe when you get behind the wheel. But if you’ve only had limited experience of driving a motorhome then this may be easier said than done.

Looking for some handy hints to get you off to a safe start? Then here are 21 important points to bear in mind:

 

1. Read the manual. While you might not have time to work out how EVERYTHING in the motorhome works, you’d be wise to find out some of the most important elements. Such as where the fuse box is, how to switch the lights on and off, how to empty the toilet cassette, how the control panel works and many other factors.

 

2. Never put fuel in the fresh water tank. It happens, particularly to beginners who might be daydreaming about how to save money on their short-term campervan insurance.

 

3. Know your payload. It’s important to never exceed the payload on your vehicle. If you do, it could cause a problem with your motorhome insurance if you make a claim on your policy.

 

4. Know your motorhome dimensions. If you’re not used to driving such a large vehicle then it’s wise to get used to its size beforehand.

 

5. Know all about your motorhome’s electric and gas systems. Gas and electric safety are paramount in a motorhome.

 

6. Avoid driving at night and at peak times. You might also want to avoid driving on fast or busy roads, or driving in poor weather.

 

7. Plan your route in advance and avoid taking spontaneous detours. It’s so easy to get over excited when you’re in a motorhome for the first time.

 

8. Check your battery. If you’ve just hired a motorhome then this shouldn’t be a problem. But if your motorhome hasn’t been used in a while then you really need to check your leisure battery before you head out.

 

9. Don’t forget pre-departure checks. There’s a lot to remember when you’re just setting off. Pre-departure checks include turning off the gas and water, ensuring all cupboards are securely shut and locking the fridge door.

 

10. Double check all windows, hatches and doors are shut.

 

11. Choose the right sat nav and dash cam. Exploring new places is great. But a sat nav will take some of the effort out of getting around. Make sure you buy one that shows suitable routes for larger vehicles.

 

12. Avoid driving for long periods of time, especially after eating or drinking alcohol.

 

13. Take regular breaks to stay alert. Driver fatigue can be a big danger.

 

14. Watch your speed. Speed restrictions for large motorhomes can be different to normal family cars. Particularly if you’re heading abroad, you need to check what the limit is if you want to stay on the right side of the law.

 

15. Choose a motorhome that’s perfect for safe and comfortable driving. For example, some models have particularly large mirrors and windows and high seats.

 

16. Leave a decent gap between your motorhome and the vehicle in front. Particularly at night or in bad weather.

 

17. Always know how much fuel, gas and water you have. When you’re out of the road you’ll need to pay close attention to your usage of such valuable resources. Particularly if you’re taking a tour to remote areas such as Scotland's North Coast 500 route.

 

18. Keep a track of electricity usage. A flat battery on your first night is not a great start for any trip.

 

19. Invest in motorhome security. Unfortunately, even in the quietest spots a motorhome can be a target for thieves. Paying a little extra for added security could help deter the criminals and may even help you save on insurance.

 

20. Keep those nasty smells at bay. Motorhomes can harbour a range of unpleasant smells. Read our Motorhome Protect guide to stopping such pongs.

 

21. Be prepared. Weather in the UK can be very changeable. Whether we’re experiencing summer heat or winter chill, it’s always best to be prepared for extreme weather.

 

Short-term motorhome insurance arranged through Motorhome Protect

 

At Motorhome Protect we can search our panel of insurers to find you the right cover for your age and circumstances. Give our friendly team of insurance specialists a call today.

Don’t forget to read our wealth of motorhome insurance guides and get prepared for life on the road.