How to Find the Best Motorhome Insurance

Whether you like to travel around Europe or sightsee along the British coast, there’s nothing quite like the freedom a motorhome gives you. So, if you rely on your motorhome for regular adventures, it’s crucial to make sure it has the protection it deserves.

 

Even so, finding the right policy can take up valuable time and with the number of options available (not to mention all the jargon), it can be bewildering too. But, to help you make an informed decision, here’s what to think about when it comes to finding the best motorhome insurance for you.

 

Do I need motorhome insurance?

 

In short, yes you do. All vehicles used on UK roads must have insurance. The only exception is if you have registered your motorhome with a statutory off road notification (SORN).

 

Driving without insurance comes with serious penalties and you could be fined £300 and given six points on your licence. If you’re taken to court, you could face an unlimited fine or can even be disqualified from driving.

 

What does the best motorhome insurance include?

 

From the places you visit to the activities you do, motorhome insurance is as unique as you so you’re unlikely to find two identical policies – which means that ultimately, the best policy for you, will be one that meets your specific needs.

 

Bear in mind that not all motorhome insurance is created equal. For example, while third party, fire and theft policies will pay out if your motorhome is fire damaged or stolen, these policies only compensate other people for damage or injury you’ve caused. In other words, if you have an accident, the policy won’t cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle.

 

On the other hand, comprehensive cover will give you everything included under third party, fire and theft policies but crucially, they’ll also compensate you for damage to your motorhome (even if you caused the accident).

 

Comprehensive policies often include other features, giving you even greater all-round protection, for example:

 

• Windscreen cover.
• Personal possessions cover – which typically includes camping equipment.
• Motorhome essentials – such as awnings and generators.

 

If the policy you choose doesn’t include a particular feature, you’ll be given the option of adding it on for a small charge. Typical add-ons include:

 

• Breakdown cover – which could include European cover as well as UK assistance.
• Legal expenses cover – pays solicitor fees and court costs if you need to settle a legal dispute or defend yourself against motoring convictions.

 

What is a motorhome insurance exclusion?

 

An exclusion is an event your policy doesn’t cover. Almost all insurance policies have exclusions which are set by the insurer, for example:

 

• Loss caused by you – you won’t be compensated if your actions resulted in theft, for instance, if you left the keys in the ignition and your motorhome was stolen. Similarly, you may not be covered if you left the vehicle unlocked and your camping gear was subsequently stolen.
• Unreported theft – you’ll need a crime reference number from the police for a claim to go ahead.
• Tyre damage – insurers are unlikely to compensate you for damage caused by punctures, cuts or sudden braking.
• Damage caused by animals – this includes both pets and vermin so if you’re taking any four-legged friends along, make sure they’re on their best behaviour.
• General wear and tear – you won’t be covered for any damage that occurs naturally over the course of time.

 

What sum insured do I need for motorhome insurance?

 

The sum insured is the maximum amount that the insurer will pay in the event of a claim covered under the policy. It should be enough to cover the cost of replacing your motorhome (along with any of its fixtures and fittings) so it’s important to give your insurer a figure that’s as accurate as possible.

 

Although it can be time consuming, it’s worth taking the time to check the value of your motorhome against others of the same make, model and year of manufacture. Overestimating the value can increase your premium unnecessarily while underestimating it means you won’t receive enough compensation to cover the cost of a replacement in the event of a claim.

 

Some insurers offer ‘new for old’ cover. Where this is the case it’s essential that the sum insured reflects the cost of replacing your motorhome with a brand new equivalent model.

 

Are motorhomes expensive to insure?

 

Motorhome insurance cost varies considerably depending on your circumstances. While motorhomes are likely to cost more to insure than say, a car or campervan, the policy you choose ultimately depends on factors such as:

 

• The policy you buy – the more comprehensive the policy, the higher your premium is likely to be.
• The sum insured – the higher this is, the more you can expect your policy to cost. So, newer or more expensive motorhomes with lots of facilities are likely to cost more to insure compared to older or more basic models.
• Where you keep your motorhome – storing your motorhome in a locked garage or secure storage facility can result in lower premiums.
• How secure your motorhome is – as well as where you store your motorhome, consider devices such as immobilisers, alarm systems and tracking devices.
• Your age – statistically, younger drivers are more likely to be involved in a road accident so this will be reflected in the policy price. Of course, if you have a lot of experience behind the wheel of a motorhome, your insurer may take this into consideration.
• Your claims history – claims can push up your premium so the more claims you’ve made, the more your policy is likely to cost.
• Your job – some occupations attract higher premiums because insurers make assumptions about the lifestyle associated with a particular role.

 

How much does it cost to insure a motorhome?

 

Depending on your circumstances, motorhome insurance could start from as low as £200*. It is important to note that premiums will depend on your individual circumstances and insurance requirements.

 

How much is Class A motorhome insurance?

 

Class A motorhomes are considered top of the range – spacious with a wide range of facilities, they’re also more expensive to buy compared to other types of motorhome.

 

With this in mind, Class A vehicles can cost more to insure than other types of motorhome but like any other policy, insurers will consider a range of factors to work out premiums.

 

How much is motorhome insurance excess?

 

The excess is what you have to pay for a claim to proceed. There are usually two types of excess – compulsory and voluntary.

 

The compulsory excess is set by the insurer and can vary depending on who you buy a policy from. Voluntary excess is so called because it’s an amount of additional excess that you agree with the insurer, in return for a premium reduction. Not all insurers offer voluntary excesses.

 

When you’re comparing policies it’s a good idea to check the excess as you’ll need to pay this before the repair can proceed or collecting your vehicle following a repair

 

Can I use my existing no claims discount for motorhome insurance?

 

In most cases, your no claims discount (NCD) can only be used for one vehicle at a time. So, if you’re looking to sell your motorhome and buy a new one, then yes, you should be able to transfer your NCD across to your new vehicle.

 

If you have a NCD for another vehicle, a few insurers might give you an introductory discount on your motorhome premium based on the number of years of no claims you have, but this may be a time limited offer. If you’re buying your first motorhome, some insurers may allow you to transfer your NCD earned under your car insurance to your motorhome insurance.

 

Alternatively, you might benefit from something called a ‘mirrored NCD’ which is where your NCD can be applied to more than one vehicle.

 

Mirrored NCDs aren’t the norm so you may only find a handful of insurers that offer it and in which case, there are usually strict conditions that need to be met in order to qualify for it. For example – there may be a minimum age, or you might need a certain number of years’ worth of driving experience. You’ll also need to cover all the relevant vehicles under the same policy.

 

How can I lower the cost of motorhome insurance?

 

On the whole, the more comprehensive the policy and the more far reaching the cover, the more you can expect to pay. While cheap motorhome insurance can look like an attractive option, just double check exactly what is and isn’t covered. You could find cheaper policies don’t quite give you the cover you need, compelling you to add extra features on – which in turn raises the price.

 

On the flip side, policies that initially appear expensive might actually offer great value as they already include as standard what other insurances sometimes charge for as an optional or limit cover. This could leave you out of pocket in the long term.

 

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should pay more than you need to – to help drive down costs a little more, consider:

 

• Being accurate with your sum insured – the value of your motorhome probably has the biggest impact on the cost of insurance so it really can pay to be accurate. Whilst it may be tempting to set the sum insured as low as possible, if the sum insured is too low it could have a detrimental impact on any claims.
• Paying for your premium in one go – if you can, avoid paying in instalments, this can push up the price because interest fees could be added.
• Being accurate with your mileage – statistically the more miles you cover in your motorhome, the greater the chance of an accident happening which could result in a claim being made. Insurers use your mileage to calculate premiums, so make sure that the information you provide is accurate (and remember – underestimating annual mileage could have a detrimental impact on any claims you make.)
• Upgrading security – the more secure your motorhome, the more likely you are to be rewarded with a favourable premium. If you don’t have a lockable garage, check whether there is a secure CaSSOA (Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association) facility near you. CaSSOA storage is specifically aimed at caravan, campervan and motorhome owners and there are various sites across the country.
• Join a club – you may attract further discounts if you’re a member of a caravan or motorhome owners club.

 

What information do I need to find the best motorhome insurance?

 

To get the best motorhome insurance for your needs, it helps to have the following details to hand:

 

• The type of motorhome you have, including the make, model, weight and market value.
• Details of any modifications to your motorhome. Typically, modifications can increase the cost of cover because the more unique a vehicle is, the more expensive it is to repair.
• Where you store your motorhome and what security features there are on board.
• The number of miles you do.
• Information about driving convictions or endorsements (points) for any named drivers.

 

Start your motorhome insurance quote

 

At Comfort Insurance, we’re passionate about the service we deliver, and as enthusiasts ourselves, we appreciate all the little things that make motorhomes a true home from home. Together, with our partners at Aviva, we’re proud to offer you an unrivalled choice of policies – it’s why our customers rate our service as ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot.

 

 

You can start your Comfort Insurance quote online now or speak to a friendly and knowledgeable member of the team on 0208 9840 666.

*Over 10% of our Aviva Motorhome policyholders paid this amount or less for their annual premium between 1st Jan 19 and 31st Jul 19.