Campervans are a big investment. Not only can they be expensive to buy in the first place, but the costs involved in running, maintaining, and even renovating them can quickly add up. That’s why many owners choose to protect theirs with specialist campervan insurance for social, domestic, and pleasure (S, D & P) use. If you’re planning on using your campervan for holidays, popping to the shops, and other personal trips, then this could also be the type of cover for you. Some campervan insurers, such as Ripe, offer commuting cover and can protect your campervan against theft, accidental or malicious damage, and third-party claims. Whether you’re a new or experienced campervan owner, read this blog for further information on what campervan insurance covers, how much it costs, and why you may want to consider insuring your campervan.

Why consider campervan insurance?

Campervan insurance protects you and your vehicle against the various risks that come with campervan ownership. Whether you’re planning a 3-month trip or hitting the road on a whim to explore new locations across the UK and abroad, campervan life affords countless possibilities for those fortunate enough to have one. But of course, it’s not without its share of risk. Firstly, like standard car insurance, campervan insurance is a legal requirement if you drive your vehicle on public roads, and you could
find yourself in serious legal trouble if caught driving without it.

Note: If you keep your campervan off the road permanently, you can apply to the government for the insurance to be waived. Aside from all the legal obligations, there are various other reasons why you may want to consider specialist campervan insurance:

Theft

Campervans, their accessories, and the equipment and contents kept inside them are prime targets for thieves. However, insurance can protect you should your campervan get stolen.

Damage

Be it accidental or malicious, damage is another common risk for campervan owners to consider. Given their high price point, campervans can be very expensive to repair or replace. And that’s even if you think yours can be replaced. After all, if you’ve spent months renovating and redesigning your vehicle, you may deem it irreplaceable to you.

Third Party Liability

As a responsible campervan owner, you should also consider your impact on other road users and members of the public. For example, your vehicle could damage another vehicle in an accident or cause damage to somebody else’s property or personal possessions. Without campervan insurance, this could result in you having to pay for repairs or to settle a third-party claim yourself.

European Cover

One of the great benefits of owning a campervan is being able to holiday abroad in it! Some campervan insurers allow you to add European cover to your policy, which allows you to travel abroad in your campervan and still be protected by your campervan insurance.

What does campervan insurance cover?

The risks you face with your campervan will depend on your individual circumstances, such as what type you have, and how often and where you use it. For example, campervan policies through Ripe come with a few things as standard, including:

• Theft, accidental damage, fire, or flood cover
• Campervan equipment and accessories cover
• Public Liability cover
• New-for-old cover for a new, less than 2 years old, or fewer than 12,000 miles campervan
• Emergency accommodation cover

You also have optional extras which you can choose to include in your cover if you need them, such as personal accident cover, key cover, and, as we’ve already mentioned, continental Europe cover.

Campervan Conversion Insurance

When it comes to campervan conversions (whether you’ve converted it yourself or had it done professionally), it’s best to double-check that your insurance covers these, as not every insurer
will. If you find an insurer that offers cover for campervan conversions, you’ll often need to also make sure your conversion is registered with the DVLA as a motorhome or campervan. The DVLA has set
criteria you must meet to qualify for this, including:

• Having a V5C certificate, which shows that your campervan has an approved body type for a conversion
• Meeting the DVLA’s requirements for internal and external features (such as having two or more windows on the body, a separate door for the living area, and sleeping accommodation)

How much does campervan insurance cost?

The cost of campervan insurance can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• the value and age of your vehicle
• whether you have a no claims bonus
• where you live
• your annual mileage
• whether you have any additional drivers on your policy
• what security measures you have in place
• personal circumstances such as your driving experience and age

How can I make my campervan insurance cheaper?

You can do several things to try and make your campervan insurance cheaper.

Add security measures
Putting trackers and alarms in place can help reduce your insurance premium. Some insurers may even require you to have a specific alarm or tracker fitted for your policy to be valid.

Secure parking
If you’re able to, keeping your vehicle in a garage, secure storage location, or on a private driveway behind locked gates when not in use could also help bring your campervan insurance costs down.

Extra driving qualifications
Obtaining advanced driving qualifications like bespoke driver training could also result in a lower campervan insurance premium.

Campervan insurance FAQs

What types of campervans can be covered?

Depending on which provider you decide to insure your campervan with, your provider may be able to cover the following types of campervans:

• Campervan with pop-top or rising roof
• Compact recreational vehicles with a roof that can be elevated to
• provide additional headroom and sleeping space.
• High-top campervan
• Recreational vehicles with an extended roofline for additional
• headroom in the living area.
• Fixed roof campervan
• These are built on a standard van chassis with a fixed roof, making
• them a more affordable option for buyers.
• DIY converted campervan
• Vans that have been converted into a mobile living space by adding a sleeping area, kitchenette and storage space.

Does my home contents insurance cover items in my campervan?

Whether your home contents insurance is enough to cover items kept in your campervan will ultimately depend on your home insurance provider and the terms of your policy. If you have out-of-home cover included in your contents insurance, some items may be insured while inside your campervan. However, this won’t usually apply to items kept in your campervan full-time, such as TVs and kitchenware.

How would I be covered if I crashed my campervan?

Depending on the provider you choose, campervan insurance may be able to cover death or injury caused to a third party. It can also provide cover for damage caused to someone else’s property and cover for associated legal costs. Cover can also include arrangements to get you, your vehicle, and your possessions home if your vehicle is written off.

What details do I need when getting a campervan insurance quote?

There are several details you may want to have to hand when getting a campervan insurance quote. To speed up the process, make sure you have the following ready:

• your personal details – such as name, age and address.
• You’ll also need the details of any other drivers you would like named on your policy
• your vehicle details – such as the age, model and make.
• You’ll also need to know its estimated mileage, what fuel it uses, where it’s kept, and its current value

Whether you’re planning weekend getaways or extended road trips, having campervan insurance can help provide financial protection should something go wrong on your journey.