How Much is Motorhome Insurance?

Although the motorhome itself is what will be most important when purchasing, rather than the ‘admin’ around it, perhaps unsurprisingly common considerations include the necessary insurance, and if and how that may differ from car insurance. In this edition of our blog we’ll answer, how much is motorhome insurance and everything you need to know.

Do your research (all insurance companies are online, so this task is much easier than it ever used to be), and take the time to assess your options before selecting a policy that aligns with your requirements. This process may cost you some time, though that investment will pay off in the future as, essentially, the work will already have been done when the time comes to renew your policy.

Getting motorhome insurance quotes from multiple companies and conducting comparisons is advisable – there are ‘comparison’ websites available which assist you with this. The process will help you identify reputable companies offering insurance and avoid inadequate coverage. It’s important to remember that prioritising affordability over suitability may not guarantee the best coverage – in much simpler terms, the cheapest doesn’t equate to the best, even though ‘best price’ may be what is most appealing to you.

You may be able to ‘do all of the business’ of getting quotes and then buying your insurance policy via online forms or processes – but most people still prefer to speak to an adviser by telephone when sorting things out. Almost all insurance providers still offer this as their main method of interaction.

There are different types of policy coverage available, meaning you are covered under different terms and conditions and for different things, dependent on which type of insurance you opt for.     a)  Comprehensive:   This is what almost everyone should consider as the best type of insurance. As the name suggests, this type of coverage is comprehensive, offering protection and assistance in a wide range of scenarios.   One of the primary features of comprehensive insurance coverage is protection against accidental damage. This includes coverage for damage caused by collisions during multiple-vehicle accidents, whether with another vehicle or a stationary object, and even in instances of single-vehicle accidents. This element of accidental damage coverage ensures that necessary repairs or replacements are covered.   Comprehensive insurance policies also typically cover instances of theft and vandalism. Motorhomes are valuable assets and, unfortunately, this means that they are sometimes the targets for theft or even malicious damage. Investing in comprehensive insurance will offer you financial protection in the event of such scenarios, meaning you will be reimbursed for the value of the motorhome, if stolen, and have the costs of the repairs necessary due to vandalism covered.   In addition, comprehensive insurance for motorhomes will often include protection against damage caused by fire. A fire may occur due to various reasons – an accident, an electrical fault or, even, an external phenomenon such as a wildfire. Comprehensive insurance may also cover motorhome owners in the event of weather-related damage – e.g. from hailstorms to floods – and include provisions for repairing or replacing the motorhome if it sustains damage under these adverse weather conditions.   Personal belongings carried within the motorhome are also covered. Comprehensive insurance may provide coverage for loss or damage to these items in case of theft or damage during an incident listed in the policy coverage.

b)  Third Party:

Third-party insurance for motorhomes in the UK is the basic level of insurance which provides protection against liabilities arising from damage to third-party property or injuries caused to third parties by your motorhome.   The primary coverage of third-party insurance is third-party property damage, including damage caused to someone else’s vehicle or property as a result of an accident. For example, if your motorhome collides with a car and that car sustains damage, the insurance policy would cover the costs of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle. Similarly, third-party insurance covers liability for injuries. If an accident involving your motorhome results in injuries to other individuals (whether passengers in another vehicle, pedestrians or cyclists), the policy covers the medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and compensation claims made by the injured parties. Unlike comprehensive insurance, third-party does not provide any coverage for damage to the insured motorhome itself.   In the UK, it is a legal requirement for all motorhomes to have at least third-party insurance before they can be driven on public roads. Failure to obtain valid insurance will result in penalties which will include fines and perhaps even the seizure of the vehicle. Therefore, third-party insurance as a basic option offers protection while ensuring compliance with the law. However, though this type of policy will initially appear a more economical option, it may prove more costly in the longer term, particularly if substantial repairs to your motorhome are required. It is possible to enhance coverage to provide protection for the insured motorhome, including coverage for accidental damage, theft, vandalism, and personal belongings. Once again, the facility for this varies between individual insurance providers.

c)  Other features of policies

A quality motorhome insurance policy should include specialist comprehensive cover, 24/7 recovery and roadside assistance, European breakdown cover, emergency accommodation cover and the option for motorhome replacement. Additionally, no claims bonuses accrued over time can significantly reduce insurance policy costs – think of that as a financial incentive to keep driving carefully.

It’s very important to be aware of the fact that the specific terms and coverage offered by motorhome insurance can vary slightly between providers. It’s also impossible to glibly offer specific prices, as there are many things individual to you which will affect the calculation of cost. Factors affecting the cost and extent of the coverage include the value of the motorhome, the driving history of the owner, the level of the excess chosen by the person taking out the policy (i.e. the amount they will have agreed to contribute in the event of certain claims).

Ultimately, prioritising the correct insurance coverage over making savings makes absolute sense – be as covered as you can be!