10 things you need to know about campervan insurance

From 'will I be covered for driving on the Continent?' to 'what exactly is covered in my policy?', we bet you've got a few questions when it comes to taking out a specialist campervan insurance policy.

In this article we’ll answer the top 10 things you need to know about our campervan insurance. But if your answer isn’t here, call the team directly and they’ll be able to help.

Do I need campervan or motorhome insurance?

It's important to know whether the vehicle you are driving, and require insurance for, is a campervan or a motorhome. These two classes of vehicle are similar, but have some crucial differences. They will also require different levels of insurance, with motorhome insurance typically a little more expensive than campervan insurance (although the nature of the policy, and what's covered, will be very similar). This reflects the fact that motorhomes will generally be more expensive in the first place – with some exceptions according to model and age.

Firstly, campervans and motorhomes share many features: they can accommodate multiple passengers overnight, they’re bigger than most cars, and they each require their own specialist insurance. However, there are quite a few differences.

A campervan will typically sleep between two and five people. Beyond that, there are low-top versions – which will be able to pass under most car park height barriers – and high-top variants, which will have more headroom but won't be quite so flexible in terms of where they can go.

Being typically around five feet in length, most campervans will fit into an average parking space. In this way, then, they are much like a large family car to drive.

The trade-off for this convenience and flexibility is that campervans don't typically have huge amounts of space inside. Usually, there will be enough space to cook and eat in, with that same space then being converted into a sleeping area at night. You may, however, wish to add on an awning, which you attach to the campervan to give you an extra sheltered area. Campervans are a brilliant, flexible way to see the world, and with the right specialist camper insurance you can go wherever you want to, safe in the knowledge that your vehicle is protected.

Motorhomes, meanwhile, come in two basic forms – class A and class C. Class As are the bigger size of motorhome: their larger size allows them to accommodate many of the amenities that will make life on the road comfortable, even luxurious. A Class A vehicle will have room for a fridge, a self-contained bathroom, a TV and spaces for both living and entertaining. Heating and air conditioning will also usually be present.

Of course, this wealth of features and space makes a Class A motorhome the ideal vehicle for holidaying in a larger group (some can accommodate up to eight people) and/or being on the road for a longer period of time. The cab is also integrated with the living space, meaning that passengers can move all around the vehicle even while you're on the road.
These bigger vehicles are usually built on a bus or larger van chassis, and will have their engines at the back of the vehicle. They'll be expensive, too, typically from £45,000 new.

Class C motorhomes, meanwhile, are more compact and slightly less luxurious. However, they will still share many of the same creature comforts as the larger Class As – such as heating and air conditioning, fridges, bathrooms and hobs. They can sometimes sleep eight, but will be more comfortable accommodating between four and six people. And, unlike their larger siblings, Class Cs will usually have the cab separate from the living space. Expect to pay up to £35,000 for a new motorhome in this class.

There are also so-called 'micro-motorhomes' – vehicles adapted from common small vans such as the Fiat Doblo, Renault Kangoo, Nissan NV200, or Citroen Berlingo/Nemo and VW Caddy. These sleep one or two people.

Weight will also come into play. If you want to drive a motorhome weighing 7.5 tonnes or more, you'll need a category C driving licence, whereas a C1 entitlement (which anyone who passed their test before 1997 will have automatically) will be sufficient for any motorhome under that weight.

How much does campervan insurance cost?

Much like any other form of insurance, the cost of your campervan insurance will depend on a few variables. Broadly, an annual campervan insurance policy might cost anything from £150 to around £1,000 every year.

How can it vary so much? Well, the final sum will depend on a few factors including your campervan's model, age and market value. Then, of course, there will be optional additions (or Endorsements) that you may wish to add to your policy – windscreen cover, for example, or contents protection up to a given value.

Will my campervan insurance cover me for trips around Europe?

Our campervan insurance will cover you for trips within the European Union that last up to 90 days. Beyond that length of time, you can upgrade to a full 365 days of cover if you wish.

What about breakdowns?

Breakdown cover is an extra option on your insurance for your campervan. At Lancaster, we are able to provide breakdown cover from £49.95.

What happens if my vehicle is lost, stolen or damaged?

If you're unable to use your vehicle because it has been stolen or damaged, and that loss or damage is covered within your policy, we will pay you £35 per day for emergency accommodation, for a maximum of 14 days.

Take the case that your vehicle is less than a year old, was bought and registered in the UK, and you are the only owner. If this vehicle has been destroyed, stolen and not recovered, we will replace it with one of the same make, model and specification. We will also do this if it has suffered damage covered by the policy, repairs for which will be more than 60% of the vehicle's most recent UK list price (including car tax and VAT).

This will only be possible if a replacement vehicle is immediately available in the UK, and also if anyone else with a financial interest in your vehicle (a hire purchase company, for example) agrees to our doing this.

If a suitable replacement vehicle cannot be found immediately in the UK, we will pay up to the market value of your vehicle before the accident or loss – and this includes any accessories and spare parts. Again, this is subject to agreement by anyone else with a financial interest in the vehicle.

What if my awning gets stolen or damaged?

If you purchase a Motorhome Endorsement to our insurance policy, the policy is extended to cover equipment and personal belongings used solely in connection with camping and/or caravanning. These belongings just need to be stored inside the vehicle at the time of the loss, for the cover to be activated.

So, for example, this policy will include awnings, gas bottles and portable generators – as long as these items are kept inside, or attached to the vehicle at the time they are lost.

Is my windscreen covered in the event of damage?

Yes: if you have comprehensive cover, you will be able to claim for damage to the glass in your vehicle’s windscreen, windows or sunroof.

We do stipulate that you arrange for the glass replacement to be carried out by Glassline. If you do this, you will have unlimited cover – you will simply have to pay the excess shown on your schedule. This will apply even if Glassline can't replace the damaged glass.

If, on the other hand, you do not arrange for Glassline to carry out the replacement, you

will only be covered for the reasonable cost of replacing the glass, up to a maximum of £1,000. Your personal excess will be fixed at £100.

If the damaged glass simply needs repairing, not replacing, and if this work is carried out by

Glassline, you will not have to pay any excess. If this repair is carried out by another repairer, you will pay the excess shown on your schedule.

The other good news here is that, as long as there is no other damage to your vehicle and that we only pay for the repair or replacement of the glass, your no claims bonus won't be affected.

What’s not covered in my campervan insurance?

Your campervan insurance will cover you against many eventualities but, unfortunately, it probably won't cover you for every last thing that could go wrong with your campervan, while you're travelling with it or while it's sitting on your drive at home.

You should definitely have a careful read of your insurance policy, including any sections that list exclusions to the policy – things that aren't covered. To take just one example, some insurers may not cover you against the vehicle being stolen if it's left unattended and with the engine running. Others may not pay out in the event of damage to your tyres – such as punctures, cuts or bursts – caused by heavy braking.

Elsewhere, we won’t be able to cover the loss of money, stamps or documents; navigation equipment or any audio equipment, cassettes, records, compact discs, minidiscs or other form of portable music-storage device. We also can't cover for phones or two-way radios; theft of items carried in an open or convertible vehicle, unless they are kept securely locked in the boot; property insured under any other insurance contract; or property that has not been reasonably protected.

What about damage caused by domestic animals? Unfortunately, we won't generally be able to provide cover here. Unless specified otherwise, the policy will not cover for loss or damage caused by chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling by domestic pets – or loss or damage caused by vermin, insects, mildew or fungus or any gradually operating cause.

However, here at Lancaster, we try to fit our campervan insurance policies, as much as possible, around the needs and lifestyles of our customers. If there is a particular situation or eventuality that you would like to cover, just let us know – and we will factor it into the calculating process when it comes to providing you with a quote.

What if I don’t use my campervan very often?

Lancaster offers a range of Endorsements that you can add to the policy, depending on your annual mileage. For example, you can specify an Endorsement that limits your mileage to 3,000 miles per year: the policy becomes invalid if your vehicle exceeds that mileage during any one annual policy period. You will simply need to notify Lancaster of the mileage when the policy starts; at the point of each annual renewal; if and when you change your vehicle; and if and when you need to make a claim.

How do I make a claim?

It's fairly simple to make a claim. Whether you have been in an accident, you've been the victim of a fire, or your vehicle has been stolen, you should notify the Lancaster claims line as soon as possible by calling 01480 484802.

In addition to this, if you have been the victim of theft, be sure to report it to the police immediately. You should then make a note of the crime book reference number that the police assign to you, as we will need it in order to process your claim.

When this is done, you can make a call to our claims line. We will then help you through the next steps towards making your claim with us.

Talk to the specialists at Lancaster

We hope this article has answered some of the questions you may have around campervan insurance. If not, just call the team and we can help.

Our specialist campervan insurance policies can offer benefits like:

• EU cover up to 90 days
• Windscreen cover
• Optional breakdown cover from £49.95
• 24-hour claims helpline
• Motorhome Club member discounts available

Contact us today to find out more about our campervan insurance.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.