Insuring Your Motorhome: What’s the Cost and What’s Covered?

In the UK, by law, you need to have insurance on your motorhome, so it is important to understand the type of cover that you need.

The exact cost of motorhome insurance varies depending on where you store your motorhome, how much it is worth, the security features it has and the number of drivers on the policy. 

Here at Sell My Motorhome, we have created a guide on the different types of motorhome insurance available, the type of cover you need and how to find the best insurance providers. Continue reading to find out more about insuring a motorhome.

What Is Motorhome Insurance and Why Should You Insure Your Motorhome? 

Motorhome insurance provides you with financial cover in the event of an accident.

The UK law currently requires you to maintain insurance on your motorhome. If you choose to not insure your motorhome, it could be seized or even destroyed and you could face up to six penalty points on your driving licence. Without insurance, your vehicle is not covered for fire, theft, or accidental damage which can result in expensive repair bills. 

What Does Your Insurance Cover?

Depending on the policy, motorhome insurance can cover you for:

• Accidents – to your motorhome and any other vehicle involved in the collision.
• Theft – of the motorhome itself and any items taken during the burglary. 
• Damage – to your motorhome or any other vehicle involved. 
• Fire damage – if your vehicle has been the target of an arson attack or involved in a house fire.
• Injuries – suffered by you, passengers or other road users in the event of a collision. 
• Breakdown cover – if your motorhome breaks down you are provided with road-side assistance.

Some policies may also include additional cover for any damage to your motorhome’s windscreen and awning or even additional cover for driving in Europe.

Types of Insurance to Consider

There are three main types of motorhome insurance:

• Third Party

Third party insurance is the minimum level of insurance you need to drive on UK roads. This type of insurance will cover you for any damage you cause to other people and their vehicles while driving on UK roads.

• Third Party Fire and Theft

Third party fire and theft is the same type of insurance as the above, however this has additional cover for if your motorhome is stolen or destroyed by a fire.

• Comprehensive 

Comprehensive insurance is the best type of insurance cover you can have. It is advised that you always go for a comprehensive policy if you can. Comprehensive insurance will cover you for the above and if your motorhome is damaged or destroyed by an event which is your fault.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure a Motorhome in the UK?

The cost of insuring your motorhome depends on a range of factors including the type of insurance you choose, the value of your motorhome and the number of drivers on the policy. Generally, you should expect to pay around £200-£400 per year for motorhome insurance in the UK. 

Let’s take a look at the different factors which affect the cost of motorhome insurance.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Motorhome Insurance

Make and Model

The make and model of your motorhome is likely to affect the price of your insurance. Newer or less common models will often cost more to insure as the parts are more difficult to source.

Value 

The greater the value of the motorhome, the more the insurance will cost. This means that even if your motorhome is older and you install upgrades, the insurance can be more expensive. 

Size

The larger the vehicle, the more it will cost to insure. Larger vehicles have more equipment that is costly to replace if the vehicle was damaged or stolen.

Security Features

Anti-theft features such as alarms and steering locks can help to reduce the cost of your motorhome insurance. If your motorhome does not currently have any anti-theft features in place, you should consider adding a few to lower your insurance premium.

Storage

Whether you park your motorhome at home, in the garage or in storage when you’re not using it – this will affect the price of your insurance. Generally, parking your motorhome in a locked garage will reduce your insurance premium. 

Driver’s History

Your driving history can also affect the price of your insurance. If you have previously had any accidents or convictions in the last five years, you will need to declare these and this could increase the annual price of your insurance. 

Usage

If you only use your motorhome occasionally, you will be able to agree on a certain mileage e.g. 5,000 miles per year. This will help to make the policy more affordable. However, if you use your motorhome most of the time, you will need to declare more miles which can increase the cost of your insurance premium.

Number of Drivers

Adding an additional driver to your policy can increase or decrease the price. If the driver has a clean record and lots of experience on the road, this is likely to reduce the cost of your policy. However, if the driver has numerous convictions – this can increase the cost of your insurance.

Location

When calculating your insurance premium, providers will look at your postcode to assess the risk. If you live in an urban area, your insurance cost is likely to be higher as the population is greater and if there’s more cars on the road, there’s more chance of an accident. Urban areas also have a higher crime rate too – which can increase the risk of your car being stolen or broken into.

Finding the Best Motorhome Insurance Providers

There are a large number of UK motorhome insurance providers and this can often be overwhelming. When looking for the best insurance providers, it is advised that you use a comparison site such as Compare the Market or Money Supermarket. 

Comparison websites will provide you with hundreds of quotes so that you can find the best type of cover for you. Simply enter your name, address and what you’re looking for and you’ll be offered a wide variety of policies based on the information you have provided. Once you’ve chosen a policy, you can continue to the provider’s website or give them a call to purchase it.

Comparison websites will find the cheapest policy for you allowing you to save up to £300. Using a comparison website, such as Compare the Market, can also provide you with many benefits including discounts on food or cinema visits with Meerkat Movies & Meals.

For more information on motorhome insurance, or to get a free valuation on your used motorhome today, get in touch with Sell My Motorhome.

FAQs

Can I drive a motorhome on my car insurance?

If you already have car insurance, you may be wondering whether you can put your motorhome on the same insurance. Unfortunately, you’ll need to take out another insurance policy to insure your motor home and legally drive it on any UK roads. 

Is it expensive to insure a motorhome?

Generally, motorhome insurance is more affordable than any other vehicle insurance. This is because motorhomes tend to do fewer miles than cars and are not used for commercial purposes which means there is less chance of a claim.