Motorhome Security – How to Protect Your Motorhome From Being Stolen

Motorhomes have always been popular targets for thieves as they are valuable and often filled with expensive contents. In fact, motorhome theft is still on the rise, with a recent increase in ‘Staycations’ making motorhomes and campervans more at risk of theft than ever before.

Motorhome holidays are on the increase, with UK resident’s looking for a staycation when lockdown eases. This is driving a demand for motorhomes as they are a safe and enjoyable alternative to holidaying abroad, making these vehicles extremely attractive to thieves. According to the NCC, sales of motorhomes are increasing following the first lockdown and out of all motorhomes sold during July 2020, 71% were first time buyers.

We are seeing a rising number of motorhome and campervan thefts reported within the Facebook motorhome community and other social media platforms. A number of motorhome owners have also reported someone knocking on their door and enquiring about their motorhome being for sale. There have been a few cases of this where the unwelcome visitor came back to the residence and stole the motorhome off the property.

Whilst motorhomes are usually more of a target for theft in the summer period, there are still copious amounts of motorhomes and campervans being reported stolen in recent months. This is why it is so important to ensure owners are taking the appropriate steps to protect their vehicle from theft.

Police statistics report that during the first week of the first lockdown in March 2020, theft offences fell to three fifths of the normal weekly average. Theft levels reached one third of the expected weekly average by the week of the 1^st June 2020.  However, beneath the headline statistics, there are worrying trends.

Motorhome magazine, MMM, have reported this month that North Yorkshire police are warning motorhome owners and encouraging them to take extra security measures after three vehicles were stolen in two weeks in the county.

Insurance companies are reporting a recent increase in claims, largely theft related. Motorhomes and campervans are at risk of being stolen anywhere that they are parked or being driven, whether it be on the road, on campsites, or even whilst being kept in secure storage. The need for visible deterrents play a crucial part in keeping thieves away, although audio deterrents and other forms of protection also go a long way to help prevent motorhome theft.

So, whether you’ve recently bought a motorhome and are looking for security device recommendations, or you want to see what more you can do to secure your vehicle – here are some of the best deterrents for motorhome theft.

What visible deterrents do I need to secure my motorhome?

Wheel clamps and steering locks are effective visible deterrents to help reduce opportunistic theft. If a thief sees a barrier to their ability to take off with your motorhome, it will most likely put them off and prevent them from trying.

Home security posts are another highly effective visible deterrent as they act as a physical barrier to prevent thieves from being able to freely drive away in your vehicle, in case they manage to overcome all other security measures in place and break in.

Another visible security device is clutch/pedal locks which act as extra protection for your vehicle.

What other deterrents do I need to prevent my motorhome from theft?

Alarms are great audio deterrents for attempted theft and are often fitted to the vehicle base. If you’re looking to improve your motorhome security, consider installing an upgraded alarm system as this will further prevent the risk of your vehicle and its contents from going missing. The majority of motorhomes only come with remote locking and an immobiliser as standard, so adding this will give you peace of mind and will take your security up to the highest level of Thatcham Category 1.

A lot of people have heard of Thatcham and are unsure what it is. Thatcham Research is a not for profit research centre funded by insurers. It is recommended to look at Thatcham approved security devices as they are meticulously tested to adhere to the highest of standards. As a Comfort customer, if your motorhome has a Thatcham Category 1 alarm or an approved tracker, this will benefit your insurance premium. Please call us on 0208 9840 777 to find out more.

It’s good practice to ensure you have an immobiliser if your motorhome doesn’t come with one as standard. This works alongside your alarm and prevents thieves from driving away in your motorhome. The immobiliser will automatically activate each time you switch off your engine.

Why should I buy a tracking device for my motorhome?

Trackers are a highly popular security device as they allow you to monitor your motorhome’s location at all times. This can prove very beneficial if your vehicle does get stolen, as there’s a higher chance of it being recovered and returned safely to you as quickly as possible. Although trackers are costly, they do provide better protection.

Trackers are very useful devices for people keeping their motorhomes in storage facilities. They enable you to keep a ‘virtual eye’ on your vehicle and alert you should somebody try to steal it. Battery drain caused by the tracking device can sometimes be a concern if the motorhome isn’t used for lengthy periods. This can easily be overcome by getting a solar battery charger to keep the tracking device running.

It’s important to remember not to leave your vehicle keys in your motorhome as insurance will become invalid and you will not be covered for loss or damage due to theft. You should also be aware of stealing by deception. Find out more about this in our Motorhome Buying Scams and Key Security blog.

Whilst a tracking device is always worth considering, it will become an insurer requirement when the value of the vehicle increases. If you need help finding the right security devices for you, it’s always worth talking to a security expert who can help you provide the best solution to meet your needs.

I’m currently not using my motorhome, why should I still buy insurance?

If you are not planning to use your motorhome for a while, you may consider ‘SORNing’, which is a ‘Statutory Off Road Notification’ (SORN) and means that the owner isn’t liable to pay the road fund licence. Vehicles can only be SORNed if they are kept off the road, such as on a driveway or on private property. Whilst it’s not a legal requirement to insure a vehicle that has been SORNed, vehicles that are SORNed can become prime targets for thieves due to inactivity. The old adage ‘moving targets are harder hit’ often applies. The security of your motorhome should remain a priority, even if your vehicle is not being used.

Whether you’re using your motorhome or not, it’s always recommended to keep it fully insured. Even if you’ve taken all reasonable measures to protect it, you never know what might happen. Keeping it insured also provides protection against fire, flood and accidental damage too. Our motorhome insurance and campervan policies are tailored to suit your needs. This means that from just 60p a day, or the cost of your daily newspaper, you can rest assured that you’re covered should the worst happen.

If you want more information on our specialist motorhome and campervan insurance policies, or additional motorhome security information, give our friendly team of experts a call on 0208 9840 777.