Campervan Breakdown Cover: What to Look For

Breakdown cover for a campervan is different from car cover, and the cheapest policies often aren't the best. The stakes are higher: a broken-down motorhome is bigger, heavier and can leave you stranded with nowhere to stay. Here's what to look for.

What campervan breakdown cover includes

• Roadside recovery for the van and its occupants.
• Home start, so you're covered if it fails on your drive.
• Onward travel or a replacement vehicle so you can finish your trip.
• European cover for continental touring.

Not every policy includes all of these, and the small print decides which you actually get.

The big differences from car cover

• Van size matters. Some policies restrict cover to vehicles under 3.5 tonnes - most campervans fit, but check yours.
• Recovery of the living area. A good policy recovers the whole van to a site or workshop, not just the chassis to a garage.
• Overnight accommodation. If the van can't be fixed, will the insurer put you up or recover you home? Premium policies usually cover this.
• Europe. Standard car cover often gives only roadside help abroad; campervan policies typically offer full European recovery.

What to look for when comparing

1. A recovery weight limit higher than your van's GVW.
2. Home start included, ideally without an upper age limit on the van.
3. Cover for the driver and named passengers, not just the vehicle.
4. Onward travel or accommodation in the event of a breakdown.
5. No time limit on how long a repair can take before you're recovered home.

Policies typically cost £60-£200 a year depending on the level and your van's age. Add it to your running costs, which our running costs guide lays out in full.

Common mistakes

• Buying car cover that excludes vans over three tonnes.
• Not declaring modifications such as roof racks, which can void cover.
• Assuming full UK breakdown includes home start - it often doesn't.
• Forgetting that a vehicle policy covers the van, while a personal policy covers you in any vehicle.

Check your policy before you travel. European cover varies wildly - from free 90-day extensions to expensive add-ons - and the difference can cost you hundreds on a single trip.

When comparing vans, note the weight and base vehicle before you insure, and use our search to shortlist models that match your plans.