Campervan Insurance Explained: What You Need to Know

Campervan insurance looks like car insurance, but the differences matter. Policies are written around how you use the van, what it's worth and whether you plan to travel in Europe. Getting the right cover can save you hundreds of pounds a year.

Types of campervan cover

• Third party only: the minimum, covering damage you cause to others.
• Third party, fire and theft: adds cover if the van is stolen or destroyed by fire.
• Comprehensive: covers your own van too, and is what most owners choose.

Almost everyone is better off going comprehensive. The premium gap between third party and comprehensive is often only £50-£150 a year, which is small compared with the cost of repairing or replacing the van.

How policies differ from car insurance

Campervan policies are rated partly on the van itself - its value, engine size and whether it's a conversion - and partly on you. Key differences include agreed value cover, which pays a set amount rather than a depreciated market value, and cover for the living equipment inside, from gas bottles to the hob. Many policies also include up to 180 days of European cover as standard.

What moves your premium

• Your age and driving experience: younger and older drivers pay more.
• Where the van is kept: a driveway beats an on-street parking spot.
• Mileage and how the van is used: commuting in it is more expensive than leisure-only use.
• No-claims discount: most insurers let you earn it on a campervan policy.

Specialist insurers usually beat comparison sites for campervans because they understand conversions and high-value motorhomes. If you're still deciding which van suits you, the running costs breakdown will help you budget for the premium.

Claims and things to watch

Read the small print on excess, European cover and what happens if the van is a write-off. Some policies only pay market value, which can leave you short on a recent conversion. Check the terms before you sign.

Never leave a campervan uninsured - even parked off the road it needs cover, and a locked, alarmed van on a drive typically attracts the best rates.

Browse motorhomes for sale and note the declared value before you buy a policy, because under-insuring saves little but costs a lot at claim time.