Classic Campervan Insurance

Why choose Howden for Classic Campervan Insurance?

At Howden, we take pride in handling the hard work for our clients, making it easier for you. We simplify the process of comparing multiple policies on your behalf, thanks to our strong relationships with a select group of standard and specialist insurers. What’s not to love?

Our approach is all about providing a personalised service. We take the time to understand your unique needs and preferences for campervan insurance because we know every policy should be as unique as its owner. As enthusiasts ourselves, we appreciate how essential your campervan is to your lifestyle, and we're here to help you keep it that way.

Whether you're looking to purchase a new campervan policy, renew an existing one, or need assistance with a claim, you can count on us to be there every step of the way.

Benefits of working with Howden:

• We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
• Speak with your local branch, within your community.
• We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.
• Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
• You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

How does Classic Campervan Insurance work?

Classic campervan insurance isn’t all that dissimilar to standard campervan insurance, except, as you might expect, it makes a few allowances for the fact that the campervan’s a classic. This means that insurers will typically take a close look at its age, rarity, and condition when determining the coverage they offer and the premiums they charge.

One of the most important criteria classic campervan insurance policies will address is the campervan’s agreed value coverage. This is what you and your insurer determine the campervan’s worth to be, and what will be paid out in the event that it's written off.

Other aspects include agreements around mileage, storage, breakdown assistance, coverage for original parts, and maintenance. 

How old does a campervan have to be to be a classic?

Usually, a campervan is considered a classic when it's at least 15 years old. However, some insurers may require it to be 20 to 25 years old to qualify. Some popular campervan classics include VW campervans like the T2 Samba and T2 Westfalia, and converted campervans like the Ford Transit.

It's worth noting that:

• Age isn't always the only factor insurers consider. Some insurers also look at the campervan’s model and rarity. Others may have other criteria altogether — for example, they may require the engine to be in the rear of the vehicle.
• There can be a distinction between “classic” and “vintage” or “antique”. Vintage or antique campervans are usually older, often over 40 years. Remember that, if your campervan is over 40 years old, you don’t have to pay tax on it. (This doesn’t happen automatically though, you have to apply for this exemption.)
• In some cases, newer models of discontinued lines might qualify as “future classics”.

To be sure, chat to your insurer about what they consider a classic car to be. 

What does Classic Campervan Insurance cover?

Like other forms of campervan insurance, you can choose the level of coverage that best suits your appetite for risk. You might opt for third-party; third-party, fire and theft; or comprehensive coverage. The option you choose will have the greatest impact on the extent of coverage your classic campervan has. 

It’s worth bearing in mind that it’s often difficult and expensive to source parts for classic campervans, and they usually require specialist mechanics to work on them. If you opt for third-party or third-party, fire and theft insurance, and your campervan is damaged in an accident, you’ll have to cover these costs yourself. 

Depending on your insurer and your policy, you may also be offered some of the following forms of coverage. If these extras don’t come standard, they can usually be included as add-ons:

• Agreed value coverage: As we mentioned above, this ensures that you receive a pre-agreed amount if your campervan is totalled. It should reflect your campervan’s true worth as a classic vehicle.

• Collision coverage: Collision coverage covers damage caused by accidents with other vehicles or objects.

• Contents coverage: Most policies don’t automatically protect the items you keep inside your campervan. Contents coverage will cover you in the event that any of your belongings are damaged in an accident or stolen.

• Specialised parts coverage: This covers the cost of original or hard-to-find parts for repairs. It can be especially useful for classic vehicles whose parts aren’t in regular circulation anymore.

• Breakdown assistance: Not every mechanic has the tools or expertise to repair a classic campervan on the side of the road. This form of coverage is specifically tailored to older vehicles requiring emergency assistance.

• Limited mileage options: If you don’t use your campervan frequently, limited mileage options can help to reduce your premiums. Make sure you stick to the limit you’ve agreed on with your insurer, though, as exceeding it may invalidate your policy. 

• Laid-up coverage: Laid up coverage essentially pauses the on-road aspects of your insurance policy, replacing them with a reduced level of cover that protects you for off-road events like fire, malicious damage, and theft. It can be useful if you only use your classic campervans at certain times of the year and will likely make your premiums more affordable. 

• European cover: Heading to the continent? European cover will protect your vehicle once you’ve crossed the channel.

• Salvage retention: If your car is written off, salvage retention allows you to keep the vehicle afterwards. This can be useful for rarer models.
• Legal expenses: Legal protection covers the cost of any legal fees of an incident you’re involved in ever ends up in court.

If you’re looking for additional coverage, extra insurance for your awnings, gas bottles, and camping equipment can almost always be sourced. Again, the exact coverage will vary between insurers, so talk to your insurer about your specific requirements and check your policy details carefully.

What exclusions are there?

There are a few exclusions that you can expect with classic campervan insurance. In these instances, it’s unlikely that your insurer will pay out, even if you have comprehensive insurance in place.

Classic campervan insurance typically doesn’t include:

• Any damage done to the campervan’s tyres due to braking, punctures, cuts, or bursts
• Normal wear and tear or depreciation
• Any damage inflicted by pests, pets, or an infestation
• Any incident that is a result of negligence, such as having your campervan stolen because you left the keys in the ignition
• Any damage caused by someone driving the campervan without an appropriate licence

Your insurer may have other exclusions besides. Make sure you know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t before you agree to your policy. 

How much is classic motorhome insurance in the UK?

The cost of classic motorhome insurance in the UK can vary widely based on several factors, including: 

• The type of coverage you choose
• The age and value of your campervan or motorhome
• Its make and model
• Your driving history and age
• Your annual mileage
• Where you store your campervan or motorhome
• What security features you have installed

Classic campervan insurance can also be a bit of an unusual insurance item. While it’s often more expensive because of the value and potential scarcity of parts, it can be cheaper, too. If you limit your mileage and demonstrate to your insurer that you are a responsible owner (storage and security features can help here), you may find that your insurance is relatively affordable.

The only way to know for sure is to contact several insurers and compare their quotes. Be sure to shop around. Some specialist insurers might offer more competitive rates for classic motorhomes than others.

You can always talk to an insurance broker, such as Howden. We would be more than happy to compare the best value deals available based on the information you’ve provided and your budget.

Related articles

Do you want to read more about campervans and other leisure vehicles? Take a look at one of our Campervan Insurance Guides, or read any of the articles below from the Howden Blog!

• A guide to camping and caravan insurance
• The road ahead for VW insurance
• What to know about driving in Europe