07 January 2025
Motorhome insurance cost: typical costs and rates
4 minutes
Having valid insurance is a legal requirement if you want to tour the UK and Europe from the comfort of your motorhome. But the big question is: how much is motorhome insurance? And how do you keep your costs low?
Insurance providers calculate your motorhome insurance cost based on a variety of factors, such as age, driving record, insurance type, cover level, and the motorhome itself. Although some improvements take time (for instance, building your years of motorhome driving experience), you can do a few things now to help lower your insurance costs.
In this article, we’ll look at the different factors affecting your motorhome insurance rate, and what you can do to help drive the price down. We’ll also look at what motorhome insurance does and doesn’t cover, so you can decide which cover level is right for you.
How much is motorhome insurance?
Trying to pinpoint your exact motorhome insurance cost without getting an actual quote can be difficult, because everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s because your premium is influenced by several factors, such as:
- Chosen cover level and any extras
- Age
- Overall driving history
- Your motorhome driving experience
- Motorhome’s make, model, and value
- Your address
- Where you park your motorhome
- Security devices
- Annual mileage for the motorhome
- Intended use for the motorhome (e.g. commuting, long-term touring)
- Any additional drivers
The best way to determine your motorhome insurance cost is by getting a quote online or over the phone. It’s also a good idea to work with an insurance broker to ensure you get the right insurance cover for your specific needs.
How to get cheap motorhome insurance
Here are some things you can do to help lower your motorhome insurance cost:
- Consider paying for your cover annually (i.e. in one lump sum) instead of monthly instalments. Insurance providers usually charge interest on monthly payments.
- Work with an insurance broker who can help you compare rates from different motorhome insurance providers based on the cover level you need.
- Don’t add any optional cover unless you need it. For example, you don’t need European cover if you’re only driving around the UK.
- Install additional security devices on your motorhome. Something as simple as a wheel clamp or a steering lock can help lower your rate.
- Consider taking out a limited mileage policy if you only drive your motorhome occasionally.
- Park your motorhome off-road, in your garage (if you have one), or at a secured offsite storage facility approved by the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA).
- Consider joining a motorhome owners’ club, as your membership may make you eligible for a discount.
- Take an advanced motorhome driving course to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to drive a motorhome safely.
- Consider taking on a higher voluntary excess on top of your compulsory excess. Policy rates tend to be lower when the voluntary excess is higher.
What do I need to get a motorhome insurance quote?
Your insurance broker (or prospective insurance provider) will need the following information to provide you with a quote:
- Your name, age, and address
- Driving history
- Your motorhome’s year, make, and model
- Motorhome’s annual mileage
- Any security features or tracking devices on your motorhome
- Where you keep your motorhome when not in use
After providing this information, the quotes you’ll receive may assume that you only need base-level coverage. You'll probably need to give more details if you want extra options such as contents cover or European cover.
Depending on how complex your desired motorhome insurance is, it may be better to work with a broker. They can ask the detailed questions that many online motorhome insurance quotation pages don’t ask. A broker also helps you find the best deal for your motorhome.
What insurance do you need for a motorhome?
Now that we know how insurance rates are determined, let’s look at the different types of insurance and cover levels you can get.
Types of motorhome insurance
- Commuting: this insurance type covers your motorhome when travelling between your workplace and your home. Insurance for commuting won’t cover you if you frequently drive to different places for meetings or events.
- Social, domestic, and pleasure: if you’re only using your motorhome recreational trips, this is the insurance type for you. If you’re in an accident while using the motorhome for work, this won't cover you.
- Business use: this insurance type is ideal for driving your motorhome between work-related meetings or events. Business use also covers your travel between your place of work and your home.
Cover levels for motorhome insurance
- Third-party cover: is the minimum level of cover required by law to drive your motorhome on UK roads. It only covers damage to other vehicles or injury to other road users in case of an accident.
- Third-party, fire, and theft cover: provides additional coverage in case your motorhome is stolen or damaged/destroyed by fire.
- Comprehensive cover: is the highest level of cover you can get for your motorhome. Not only does it give third-party, fire, and theft cover, but it also covers you if the damage to your motorhome is your fault.
Optional extras
You can also get optional extra coverage for your motorhome, such as:
- European cover, if you plan to drive around Europe
- Motorhome breakdown cover
- Contents cover
- Lost key replacement
- Legal expenses cover, in case of a legal dispute after an accident
- No claims discount protection
Getting additional coverage options beyond what’s legally required will give you and your motorhome more coverage, but it also costs more. It’s best to consult the policy terms first to see if you’re already covered for what you need or want additional cover.
What isn’t covered by motorhome insurance?
There are some things your motorhome insurance won’t cover, regardless of any extra coverage options you add to your policy. Some of these include:
- Damage due to vermin or animals (including pets)
- General wear and tear
- Theft of your motorhome’s contents after leaving a door unlocked or a window open
- Theft or damage to your motorhome after leaving the keys in the ignition
- Damage caused by a driver who isn’t on the policy
- Damage to the motorhome because of an open roof or window
Consult your policy documents to see an exact list of exclusions for your policy. Alternatively, you can speak to your insurance broker to get an explanation of what is and isn’t covered by your policy.
In summary: motorhome insurance costs
To determine your motorhome insurance rate, providers consider several factors. These include your age, driving experience, the motorhome itself, intended use, and the level of cover you need. You can even add optional extras, such as breakdown cover, to cover you from anything unexpected while on the road.
The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for motorhome insurance is to work with an insurance broker. Your broker will help you find the right policy for your needs at the best price. They can also help you find a provider who offers the exact type of specialised cover you need.
READ MORE MOTORHOME INSURANCE GUIDES
FAQs about motorhome insurance
Can I use my car insurance for my motorhome?
You can’t use your existing car insurance to insure your motorhome. That’s because motorhome insurance is a specialised cover only for motorhomes. Owning and driving a motorhome involves additional risks that car insurance doesn’t cover.
Is campervan insurance the same as motorhome insurance?
Campervan insurance is not the same as motorhome insurance, so make sure you have the right insurance type. Motorhomes are larger than campervans and have more advanced facilities (e.g. kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures). As such, motorhome insurance costs more than campervan insurance because there are more things to protect.
Is motorhome insurance the same as mobile home insurance?
Motorhome insurance is not the same as mobile home insurance.
A motorhome is a motorised vehicle with dedicated driving and living space. You can drive it on the road during the day and use the living quarters as a resting place in the evening.
On the other hand, a mobile home, more commonly known as a park home, is a type of dwelling manufactured offsite before being transported to a dedicated mobile home community. Once there, the mobile home remains onsite to provide full-time accommodation.
Can my home contents insurance cover what’s in my motorhome?
You can add personal possessions cover to your home contents insurance, which will cover specific items you frequently take out of the house. These items include your phone, laptops, jewellery, and other small devices.
However, it’s not enough to cover everything else in your motorhome, such as your TV, awning, or other personal belongings. You’ll need to add contents cover on your motorhome insurance to make sure everything in your vehicle is covered.
How many security devices do I need for my motorhome?
As many as you think is necessary. The more you can prevent theft from happening, the lower your motorhome insurance rate could be.
Keep in mind that there’s usually a limit on the discount you could get for adding security devices to your motorhome. For more bespoke policies, the insurance provider may even require you to add specific security devices before they can offer coverage.
Is my motorhome insurance policy enough if I’m travelling abroad?
Because your motorhome is a vehicle, you’ll need the right insurance coverage to drive in another country legally. Speak with your insurance broker or provider about getting the right cover for driving your motorhome in another country.
Is travel insurance enough to cover my motorhome abroad?
Countries have specific insurance requirements before you can drive a vehicle on their roads, and travel insurance will not meet that requirement. If you plan to take your motorhome to another country, speak with your insurance broker or provider to get the proper insurance cover to stay road-legal.