Motorhome, Campervan and Self-build Insurance advice
I originally put this article
together for the Facebook group I run for 7.5 ton vehicles
(self-build motorhomes but also including overlanders, RVs and
factory made motorhomes). As my insurance was due I ended researching
insurance as it is a bit more specialist when you have a 7.5 ton
lorry conversion! I ended up ringing all the companies listed for
insurance so have added notes about them and the sort of requirements
they ask for. I have not investigated all the breakdown companies
listed as I got breakdown included with my insurance at a very
reasonable cost.
This article is very much geared
towards bigger vehicles but all these companies will cover smaller
campervans and some I found out will only cover those! It is also
geared towards self-builds which is relevant whatever the weight or
size of vehicle as not all insurers will look at self-builds.
I hope you find it helpful, please
let me know if you do and any feedback on the article or any of these
companies will be gratefully received.
INSURANCE
When
taking out insurance on any vehicle you need to check things like
whether there is a limit on mileage, what the excess is and what
cover you actually get. With a motorhome or campervan there are a few
more things to think about and if you have a self-build things can
become slightly more complicated.
If you have a 7.5ton or over lorry or horsebox conversion things
become even more complicated!
Often
the cover for contents only covers the usual motorhome contents like
fridge, cooker, utensils, bedding, curtains etc, so check you have
cover elsewhere for cameras, laptops, phones etc.
Many
insurance companies are not keen on full timers so as long as you
have a secure address you can be ‘on a long holiday’ from home!
Insurance prices change with your occupation, there are high risk
occupations like musicians and artists and they often don’t like
students or the unemployed. It’s
worth subtly
tweaking job descriptions (legitimately of course) to cut insurance
costs.
Also
worth noting that a lot of insurance policies offer 90 days cover in
Europe and make it sound like you are not insured after that time if
overseas. Under EU law all motor insurance
taken out in any EU country is valid for the full term of the policy
in any other EU country on a third party only basis. So you will be
legal if you go over your 90 days just be aware it will be third
party only (until we leave the EU!).
Insurance
companies now often look up on Google Earth the location you say you
park your vehicle so be aware that saying your 7.5 ton lorry in on
your tiny drive could lead to not getting cover. Also be aware that
insurance companies have spies on a lot of Facebook groups now so be
aware insurance has been cancelled where people have put things on
Facebook that they haven't told their insurers. The message?
Obviously be totally honest with the insurance company, we all get
annoyed with paying these prices year in year out and nothing
happening but imagine your motorhome being stolen and never recovered
or being burnt to the ground in a fire. The insurers will do anything
not to pay out and if they find you haven't been honest it could
invalidate your claim.
You
may want to consider an 'agreed value' policy where you and the
insurance company come to an agreement on what they will pay out in
the event of total loss of the vehicle, not all insurers do this so
you might want to find one who does.
If
you are planning trips out of the EU you will need to find an insurer
that will provide you with a 'Green Card', this may have an extra
charge.
It
is usually cheaper to add another safe driver or two and having
another vehicle you drive can also reduce premiums. In fact many
motorhome policies do not like it at all if you don't have another
vehicle.
You
cannot use a no claims bonus (NCB) on a motorhome if you are still
using it on a car or other vehicle. Some companies will 'mirror' your
NCB or you will need to start from scratch and build up motorhome
NCB. NCB can give you massive reductions on your insurance and so is
well worth having even if you do have to build it up for a few years
before seeing the results. Remember most insurers will offer you
'protected NCB' at an extra cost. This means that if you claim you
will keep the years you have but it does not mean that your insurance
will not go up after a claim.
It
is often cheaper to get a combined package of breakdown cover as well
as your insurance so it is worth checking prices on that. Not all
companies offer it and some only offer UK cover.
Worth
mentioning in this article is the issue of people posting pictures of
their vehicles on social media, particularly with their real name and
the number plate clearly showing. Whilst if you are totally honest
there is no real harm in this regarding insurance there are other
considerations. The cloning of vehicles does happen and especially if
you have a common type of van (white Transit for example) you may be
opening the doors for criminals to clone your van. We had our van
cloned, it happened probably before we owned it and luckily there was
no comeback but it's worth being aware of what information you are
sharing online with regards your vehicle.
There
is some good information HERE on the Money Saving Expert site, although
geared towards cars a lot applies to motorhomes as well.
All
about NCB HERE
10
ways to save on motorhome insurance HERE
Here
is a list of insurance companies that the members of our 7.5 ton
motorhome group have recommended. I have rang every one of these
companies and my notes are information I have got from them. Remember
this information will be specific to the vehicle I have and the cover
I was looking for so not everything may be relevant or be the same
for you:
https://www.aib-insurance.co.uk
- 180-365 days EU cover fully comp as standard.
http://www.anthonydevans.co.uk
- Only 30 days fully comp EU cover and only offers UK breakdown
cover.
http://www.staveleyhead.co.uk
- 90 days EU cover, breakdown cover available but only for UK for big
vehicles.
https://www.adrianflux.co.uk
- Offers UK & European breakdown cover.
http://parkinsurance.co.uk
- Were more expensive than quotes I got but other members recomend
them so it probably depends on engine size & type of vehicle.
https://www.jswinsurance.co.uk
- Were more expensive than quotes I got but other members recomend
them so it probably depends on engine size & type of vehicle.
http://www.brokeraide.co.uk
- Have an insurance scheme designed for the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma
communities.
http://www.clubcareinsurance.com
- Must
be a member of The
Camping and Caravanning Club, only covers up to 3ltr engine.
http://www.saga.co.uk
- Over 50's only 365 days EU cover fully comp and free green card.
http://www.insurance-policies.co.uk
- Would only quote if sent photos of the inside and outside of the
vehicle.
https://www.rhspecialistinsurance.co.uk
- No breakdown cover.
https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/personal/insurance
- Will only cover self-builds if professionally done. Offers UK &
European breakdown cover & free green card.
http://www.comfort-insurance.co.uk
- Want gas safety certificate for self-builds.
https://www.stuartcollins.com
- Do not cover 7.5ton or above. Specialist in EU policies, also
offers UK & European breakdown cover.
http://www.caravanguard.co.uk
- Do not cover self builds.
https://www.justkampersinsurance.com
- Do not cover 7.5 ton or over.
http://www.insurancechoice.co.uk
- Do not cover 7.5 ton or over.
https://www.hertsinsurance.com
- Said they would quote but never rang back.
http://www.oneinsurancesolution.co.uk
- Said they would quote but I could never get through to the right
person.
http://2getherinsurance.co.uk
- No information.
BREAKDOWN
Here
is a list of breakdown companies that our members have recommended.
Be aware that a lot of policies will only recover vehicles up to 3.5
tons! Remember to check things like whether there is a limit on how
many call outs you can have, whether there is any excess and what
cover you actually get. Breakdown does not automatically cover you
for Europe so you need to take out a European policy if planning on
travelling overseas. It usually works out cheaper to take out
breakdown cover with your insurer but not always!
http://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/bundle1
– Must be a member of The
Camping and Caravanning Club.
https://www.adac.de/mitgliedschaft/adac_membership/
- German company, will cover UK vehicles in UK and Europe but has a
towing limit of 300euros and will only cover up to 7.5 ton.
Do
contact me if you have a good insurer or breakdown service to add to
the list. Only companies that cover 7.5 tons and above though please!
Also insurance and breakdown for overlanders would be good to add to
the list. ONLY companies you have actually used and had good
experience with. This is meant to be a helpful article!
Feel feel free to share this article
with other relevant groups and websites, it would be nice to be
credited though :)
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