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Information written by Rhiannon Philps Last updated on 26 May 2022.

What is motorhome insurance?

Motorhome insurance is a legal requirement and, as a minimum, will cover the costs of any damage your vehicle causes to a third party. Even if you only use your motorhome for occasional holidays, you need to make sure it is insured before setting off on your travels.

Insurers also offer more comprehensive motorhome insurance policies, which can provide further protection.

The three main levels of motorhome insurance are:

Third party only (TPO)

Third party only insurance is the legal minimum you need for your motorhome. It only covers you for any damage you cause to other people or their property. It doesn’t provide any cover should something happen to you, your vehicle, or its contents.

Third party, fire and theft (TPFT)

Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) provides the same cover as third party only, but also covers any loss or damage to your vehicle or possessions that is caused by fire or theft.

Comprehensive

As well as the cover provided by TPFT, comprehensive motorhome insurance covers loss or damage to you, your vehicle, your possessions, and any passengers. For example, if you accidentally damage your motorhome while driving, this insurance policy would cover the costs of any repairs.

Although comprehensive insurance policies provide the most protection, they may not always be the most expensive.

The exact cover offered by a comprehensive policy varies between insurers. Some of the features that may be included are:

  • windscreen and windows cover
  • contents cover (including television and audio equipment, camping gear, personal belongings, fitted accessories, generators)
  • awnings cover
  • medical expenses
  • legal expenses
  • personal accident cover
  • public liability cover
  • key cover
  • alternative transport and accommodation
  • cover when driving in Europe
  • motorhome replacement

Insurers will normally set a maximum claims limit for each of these features.

You may also be able to purchase add-ons to your policy, such as breakdown cover.

Motorhome insurance policies won’t normally cover you:

  • if you live in your motorhome
  • for damage caused by wear and tear
  • for mechanical breakdowns
  • for infestations in your vehicle
  • if you’ve been negligent, e.g. left your motorhome unlocked

Bear in mind that, whatever cover you take out, if you have an accident which is not your fault and the third party is insured, you can claim on their insurance to cover any costs, damages and losses suffered by you.

Types of motorhome insurance

As well as the levels of motorhome insurance described above, you need to pick the type of motorhome insurance that fits your requirements. You can choose from:

Social, domestic and pleasure

Most motorhome owners are likely to pick this type of insurance policy. As the name suggests, this policy is suitable if you use your motorhome for leisure trips, holidays, and any other journeys that are not work-related. It won’t cover you if you use your motorhome for commuting or commercial purposes.

Commuting

If you use your motorhome for commuting to a place of work, as well as for social and leisure purposes, you will need this insurance policy. It will cover you when you drive to work, as well as any other non-work trips you make.

Business use

If you use your motorhome as part of your business, not just for commuting, then you will need a business insurance policy. For example, if you use your motorhome to travel to different job sites and meetings, then you are likely to need this cover.

» MORE: Do I need business car insurance?

Do I need motorhome insurance?

It is a legal requirement in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to have valid insurance for your motorhome. Any vehicle that is used on roads and in public places must have third party only insurance as a minimum.

If your vehicle is kept off the road and you don’t plan to drive it, you can apply to the DVLA for a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN). This means you don’t legally need to insure your motorhome until you start driving it again.

However, even if your motorhome is kept off the road in a safe place, it may still be worth taking out specialist insurance to cover your vehicle in the event of fire, theft or accidental damage.

How much is motorhome insurance?

The cost of motorhome insurance will depend on a number of factors, including:

  • the level of cover you take out
  • the make and model of your motorhome and if it has any modifications
  • your age
  • your claims history
  • where your motorhome is stored
  • any security devices your vehicle may have
  • your mileage
  • if you add other drivers to your policy
  • if you’re a member of a motorhome club

You may be able to reduce the cost of your motorhome insurance policy by:

  • paying for your cover annually instead of monthly
  • having a No Claims Discount
  • adding extra security features to your vehicle
  • lowering your annual mileage
  • joining a motorhome or caravan club
  • storing your vehicle in a safe place

How do I find the best motorhome insurance deal?

The cheapest motorhome insurance policy may not necessarily be the best policy for you and your vehicle. You need to figure out what level of cover you need, taking into consideration how often you use your motorhome, how far you drive, and how much protection you want.

Different policies offer different levels of cover, so compare their features to see which one best meets your requirements. Make sure you check for any limits or exclusions to cover, as well as looking at what is included.

To apply for motorhome insurance, you’ll need to tell the insurer:

  • personal details, e.g. name, address, age
  • how long you’ve had your driving licence
  • any claims or convictions
  • details about your motorhome (registration number, value, age, how long you’ve owned it, any modifications)
  • security arrangements for your motorhome, including where it’s stored
  • how you use your vehicle (commuting or just social, domestic and pleasure)
  • your estimated annual mileage
  • if you have any other vehicles

» COMPARE: Get a motorhome insurance quote

Motorhome insurance FAQs

Do I need motorhome insurance for a caravan?

You don’t need motorhome insurance for a caravan that’s being towed.

If you’re towing a caravan, you only legally need standard insurance to cover the towing vehicle but that also means that if you are involved in an accident, only the car you are driving would be covered and any damage to the caravan would be your responsibility. It’s not a legal requirement to have specialist caravan insurance, but you can choose to take it out if you want your caravan to be covered.

A motorhome is different and you do legally need to have motorhome insurance to drive one.

Can I drive a motorhome on my car insurance?

You won’t normally be able to drive a motorhome on a standard car insurance policy, although you may want to check the terms of your car insurance to make sure.

However, even if your motorhome can be covered by a car insurance policy, bear in mind that this may not offer the specialist cover you want.

A specialist motorhome insurance policy covers you for the different risks a motorhome can present. For example, unlike a car, motorhomes are used for cooking and living in, so you need extra insurance to cover these additional uses.

What is the difference between a motorhome and a campervan?

Motorhomes are usually bigger than campervans and have separate areas for driving and sleeping. Campervans often have one space for driving and living, while motorhomes will typically have a cab for driving with the living quarters behind. Also, you will normally find motorhomes have more fitted appliances, such as sinks and ovens, compared to campervans which tend to have more basic facilities.

If you have a campervan, you can get specialist campervan insurance policies.

Can I insure a motorhome for six months?

Most insurers will only offer annual motorhome insurance policies. However, some providers may be able to offer short-term insurance policies if you only need to insure your vehicle for a limited period.

What can ‘It's Motorhome Insurance’ offer?

NerdWallet has partnered with It’s Motorhome Insurance to offer competitive quotes from specialist motorhome insurance brands. It’s Motorhome Insurance offers third party only cover, third party, fire and theft cover, and comprehensive cover so you can choose the level of protection you want.

If you want to drive your motorhome abroad, It’s Motorhome Insurance allows you to extend your cover so you have the insurance you need.

What can affect the cost of my motorhome insurance?

There are many factors that can affect the cost of your motorhome insurance.

For example, if you have made any claims in the past, you need to tell your insurer about them. Depending on the type of claim you made, this could affect the cost of your policy premium.

Your age and occupation could also influence the cost of your motorhome insurance, as well as where you live. If you’re young or considered to live in a high-risk area, you may face higher premiums.

The security of your motorhome and where you keep your vehicle will be taken into consideration by the insurer. The more secure your motorhome is, the cheaper your insurance is likely to be. For example, if you keep your motorhome in a locked garage, it is likely to be more secure and therefore at less risk than if it was parked by the side of the road.

Can I drive my motorhome abroad?

Some motorhome insurers will provide cover to drive abroad, up to a certain number of days. However, it may not be included as standard by every provider. You may be able to extend your cover for an additional cost, so you are insured to drive your motorhome abroad.

If you plan to travel abroad, you may want to consider taking out travel insurance and European breakdown cover.

Can I add additional drivers to my insurance policy?

Yes, you may be able to add more than one named driver on your motorhome insurance policy for an additional cost.

Can you insure my motorhome if it has modifications?

Yes, some insurers will be able to offer you a policy if your motorhome has modifications. Make sure you give details about the modifications when you apply for the policy. Bear in mind it may cost more to insure a modified vehicle than one without any modifications.

About the author:

Rhiannon is a financial writer for NerdWallet, with a particular interest in personal finance and insurance guides for consumers. Read more

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