Is campervan insurance cheaper than van insurance?

Planning a big campervan adventure and weighing up your insurance options? Should you insure your vehicle as a campervan or a van? Is campervan insurance cheaper than van insurance? What are you likely to pay?

Before we dive into the costs involved, it’s worth noting that campervans and vans are different types of vehicles that require different types of insurance. Which one you need to take out will depend on a number of factors, including the facilities your vehicle holds and how you intend to use it.

Campervan insurance is usually cheaper than van insurance because campervans typically travel fewer miles than vans and aren’t used commercially. But you’ll only be eligible for this type of insurance if your campervan meets certain criteria.

What classes a van as a campervan for insurance?

It’s important to note that because campervans and motorhomes are vehicles, you have to have proper insurance in place before you hit the road. You can’t legally drive a campervan without insurance.

In the UK, mobile homes and campervans are typically categorised into three different classes:

• Class A: These are the large, luxurious recreational vehicles (RVs) you might associate with a big trip across the US.
• Class B: These are campervans that have been converted from panel vans either privately or professionally.
• Class C: These are motorhomes, which are typically bigger than campervans but smaller than RVs. Motorhomes have been common in British campsites for years, though campervans are gaining popularity.

According to the DVLA, campervans and motorhomes are considered the same thing, as they share certain features. These tend to include one or more of the following:

• A fixed bed: This one’s usually not negotiable for insurance purposes. Campervans have to have a permanent bed or a seating area that can convert into a bed. While you could technically make a (very squashed) bed out of any seats that fold back, an ordinary vehicle doesn’t qualify as a campervan. Campervans offer a certain level of comfort. Vehicles like VW Transporters, Fort Transits, and Peugeot Boxers are often used as campervans. 
• Cooking facilities: Campervans also have fixed cooking facilities such as a stove or microwave.
• Storage: Built-in storage spaces are included for items like clothes and kitchenware.
• Seating and dining: Permanent seating and a table, which can be either fixed or removable, are an important feature in campervans.
• Water supply: Campervans need a water container or running water system.

Campervans are typically insured for domestic or leisure use (not for commercial use — we’ll look into this in a minute). Your insurer may set mileage limits because they’ll assume that you won’t be using your campervan as a primary vehicle and will instead only drive it a few times a year.

If you do use your campervan as your primary mode of transport, make sure you discuss this with your insurer. This isn’t a problem, but it might affect the cost of your premiums. The biggest risk insurers will consider if you use your campervan every day is likely to be theft. If you take steps to secure your caravan, you may be able to drive down the price of your policy. Adding alarms, wheel locks, and dash cams could make a difference, too.

Can I drive a campervan on my car insurance?

Depending on how you use your campervan, you might be wondering if you can just drive it on your car insurance. Unfortunately, this one’s a hard no.

If you’re driving a campervan, you need to have campervan insurance in place, rather than standard car insurance. Your insurance needs to be appropriate for the vehicle you’re driving, and campervans and cars have different risks. Even if you have a converted caravan, make sure you speak to your insurer about campervan insurance.

Do I need campervan or van insurance?

We’ve established that you can’t use car insurance on your campervan, but can you use van insurance? Again, the answer here is no.

If your van has been converted into a campervan and meets the criteria for a campervan, then it should be insured as a campervan. This insurance is tailored to cover the unique features of campervans, and usually includes coverage for your contents and equipment.

However, if you’re using your van for business or for transporting goods, if it doesn’t meet the criteria for a campervan and you’re not sleeping in it, then you’ll need to take out standard van insurance. Van insurance will cover your vehicle for commercial use, which isn’t typically included in campervan insurance policies.

So, is campervan insurance cheaper than van insurance?

There’s no guarantee that a campervan insurance quote will be cheaper than a van insurance quote, but campervans are typically cheaper to insure because of how they’re used:

• Campervans typically have relatively low mileage: People don’t tend to drive campervans huge distances. Often, you’ll drive a campervan from your home to a couple of campsites or destinations for a few days or weeks before returning home. If you do plan to travel in your campervan for longer periods of time, let your insurer know.
• They’re lower risk than everyday vehicles: The fact that most campervans aren’t used day-to-day means that they’re less likely to be involved in an accident and shouldn’t need a lot of maintenance.

The cost to insure a campervan varies depending on several factors, such as:

• The make and model of the campervan
• The campervan’s value
• The main driver’s age, experience and claims history
• Which type of insurance you choose: third-party cover; third-party, fire and theft; or comprehensive insurance

Campervan insurance costs can start as low as £150 to £200 per year for a basic policy. But if you want more comprehensive cover, you don’t have a good driving record, or you drive a larger or more powerful camper, you might find yourself paying over £1,000.

Premiums are typically higher for more expensive or custom-built campervans and lower for smaller, less expensive models.

Why is my campervan insurance so high?

Several factors can contribute to high campervan insurance premiums. You can try and lower your costs by trying one of the following:

• Vehicle value: Higher value or custom-built campervans cost more to repair or replace. Consider buying a smaller or more affordable campervan.
• Usage: If you use the campervan frequently or for long trips, this can increase the risk and, consequently, your premiums.
• Storage: Storing your campervan in an insecure location can increase the risk of theft or damage. If you store it in a garage or lock-up that your insurer considers safe and secure, you might be able to lower your premiums. 
• Driver's profile: Younger or less experienced drivers often face higher premiums.
• Claims history: A history of claims can increase your insurance costs.
• Modifications: Custom modifications can add to the cost of your insurance as they may make repairs more expensive.

Quickfire summary

Campervan insurance is often cheaper than van insurance. But it’s also its own form of insurance, and can’t be used to replace either car insurance or van insurance.

If you’re driving a campervan, you have to have campervan insurance in place. Van insurance is for vehicles that don’t have sleeping, cooking or personal storage facilities, and are usually used for commercial purposes.

To try and lower your campervan premiums, make sure you’re storing your campervan safely and that you have installed additional safety features. If you’re a more experienced driver and have a good claims history, this will likely work in your favour, too.

The Howden team is here to help you insure your campervan quickly and easily so that you can get on the road and start enjoying your holiday. Get a quote today.

Also read:

• Do you need specialist insurance for a campervan?
• Why is van insurance so expensive?
• From tents to trailers: cover your camping
• What insurance do I need to rent out my campervan?

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