Campervan Insurance Guide

If you own a campervan or you’re considering buying one, you may be wondering whether you need specialist insurance. The short answer is you do, as it’s a legal requirement to have at least third-party cover to drive a campervan on public roads.

But having campervan insurance offers far more than just meeting legal obligations. It can also offer valuable benefits such as European and breakdown cover, along with cover for your personal belongings and protection against fire or theft.

Let’s explore the types of cover available, the advantages of having a suitable policy, and the main considerations to be aware of.

What is Campervan Insurance?

Campervan insurance is a specialist type of vehicle cover that helps protect against the specific risks campervan owners face, including:

Cover for personal belongings such as camping gear, electronics, and furniture.
Cover for modifications and conversions, including custom features such as kitchens, beds, and solar panels
Cover for roadside recovery and assistance if you break down while on the road.
Cover for up to 180 days of European travel.

The Types and Levels of Cover Available for Campervans

It’s a legal requirement in the UK to have at least third-party cover to drive on public roads. However, you may find that higher levels of cover are more suitable as they offer greater levels of protection. Here’s what you can choose from:

Third-party: This is the minimum level of cover required by law. It covers the cost of vehicle damage or personal injury claims from other people if the accident is deemed to be your fault. However, it doesn’t cover your own campervan.
Third-party, fire and theft: This adds another layer of protection, covering your campervan if it’s stolen or damaged by fire.
Comprehensive: This is the highest level of cover available for your campervan. It includes third-party, fire, theft, and protects you from damage if an accident is your fault.

You may also consider the following optional extras to help provide further protection and peace of mind:

Key cover: Provides cover for the costs to repair or replace keys in the event of damage, theft, or loss.
Vehicle excess protection: We’ll reimburse you for the excess on your vehicle insurance policy following a claim on your vehicle insurance.
Accidental death and personal accident: Provides a benefit payment for death or certain bodily injuries while driving or travelling in the insured vehicle.
Substitute vehicle and legal expenses: Provides cover for the recovery of uninsured losses and motoring prosecution defence. If your insured vehicle is undriveable or has been written off because of an incident that is insured by your motor insurance policy, we’ll arrange to supply you with a substitute vehicle.
Motorhome/campervan breakdown (UK): Roadside recovery and at-home assistance in the UK provided by the RAC.

These are brief product descriptions only. Please refer to the policy documentation paying particular attention to the terms and conditions, exclusions, warranties, subjectivities, excesses and any endorsements.

Insuring a Self-Converted Campervan

A specialist policy to help protect your self-converted campervan may be a worthwhile consideration. After all, standard campervan insurance is unlikely to provide a complete range of protection for self-converted vehicles, which means if something happens like theft or damage, you could be left footing a very expensive bill. This could be particularly devastating if you’ve invested countless hours into modifying its structure and features.

Self-converted campervan insurance provides flexible, robust cover for a vehicle that’s been converted to include living accommodation. If you decide to take out a policy, there are a few things to be aware of:

Declare any modifications: It’s crucial to provide a detailed list of every change you’ve made to your van. That includes electrical, plumbing, and structural alterations. Failing to do so may invalidate your insurance.
Agree on the value: You’ll need to agree on the campervan value to help ensure you receive suitable compensation in the event of a claim. Keeping detailed receipts and records of costs can help you obtain an accurate valuation.
Gather the right documentation: Some insurers may ask for documentation, such as gas certificates.

What Impacts the Cost of Your Campervan Policy?

Like most insurance policies, there isn’t one set price for campervan cover. Instead, insurers will calculate your policy by considering a range of factors, including:

Your age: Younger or inexperienced drivers often face higher premiums because they’re typically seen as bigger risk to insurers.
Your driving history: A clean record and a substantial no-claims bonus can help reduce the cost of your policy.
Security features: Installing security devices such as alarm systems, immobilisers, and wheel clamps may lower your premiums as it makes vehicles less vulnerable to theft.
Number of drivers: Adding more drivers to your policy, particularly those with limited driving experience, can increase the cost of your policy.
The age, make, and model of your vehicle: Premiums often reflect the value, performance, and repair costs of your campervan.
Where it’s kept: Storing your campervan in a locked garage or on a secure driveway when not in use can reduce premiums.
Mileage and travel patterns: More driving mileage and using your campervan for frequent long trips abroad can often result in higher premiums.
Your location: Living in an area with a low crime rate may lower your costs, while higher-risk postcodes could increase them.

Taking Your Campervan Abroad? Consider European Campervan Insurance

If you’re planning to take your campervan overseas, it’s worth considering where you’ll be travelling to and for how long. While some UK campervan and motorhome policies include European cover as standard, many don’t—so you should check this carefully before committing to a policy.

Although some campervan policies include European cover as standard, it’s often limited to certain countries or a set number of days. So, if you’re travelling abroad for a substantial period, it may be worth searching for a policy with extended European cover.

You should also check for any country exclusions in your policy, as not all insurers provide cover in every European country. Check the policy wording to ensure you’re protected in the nation you’re planning to visit.

Why It’s Worth Considering Specialist Campervan Insurance from Lifesure

Wherever the road takes you, it can be comforting to know that you can be covered against a wide range of risks. That’s what we’re here for.
Our campervan insurance features cover to help protect you, including: