Despite its offering cover against such twin perils as motoring and a mini-home, however, motorhome insurance may often prove to be amongst the most competitively-priced forms of vehicle insurance.

Motor insurance

When it comes to insurance, the likely value of the motorhome probably makes very basic cover (ie third party only) inadequate in the vast majority of cases and third party, fire and theft or – more usually – fully comprehensive insurance is going to be sought. The latter cover is typically designed to indemnify the driver not only against claims from third parties but also provide cover for accidental damage, theft and fire.

Some providers of motorhome insurance, however, recognise that the majority of owners are likely to be of the more experienced and mature type of driver (indeed, some restrict cover only to drivers over the minimum age of 25 years).

Many also take into account the fact that the motorhome is used relatively occasionally during the year, when on holiday, and driven in suitably holiday mood, when there is no rush-hour pressure to get to work. Indeed, some motorhome protection policies may specifically exclude the vehicle’s use for driving to and from work.

Add to all this the fact that motorhomes may be less likely to be the subject of theft than other kinds of vehicle and it becomes easy to see why competitive premium rates are often offered on this type of insurance.

“Home” insurance

As your home away from home, the modern-day motorhome is likely to contain not only a range of personal belongings but also come fully-equipped with such things as television, video-players, computers and satellite navigation. Although it may be necessary to check carefully the maximum levels of compensation in the event of loss through theft or damage, insurance for motorhome policies are typically designed to offer protection for such fittings and personal belongings.

As offered by other providers of motor insurance, motorhome cover may often come with the benefit of a free courtesy car, whilst the motorhome is being repaired following an accident covered by the policy. Motorhome insurance more often goes that one step further, however, by recognising that the vehicle is not only a means of transportation, but of accommodation, too. If the motorhome is stolen or otherwise rendered unusable, some insurance policies may make provision for alternative accommodation (subject to a maximum cost per night and for a prescribed maximum number of days).

One thing you may want to consider when buying a campervan is that you may have problems when it comes to insuring the van if it is not a UK make or model. For instance if you buy and import an American or Japanese model, you may have trouble finding someone to insure it. If you do find an insurance company willing to insure your campervan then the premiums may come with high cost.

When considering buying a campervan and you are a new driver you may have trouble finding insurance companies who are willing to take you on. Usually you have to be at least 21 and some providers may ask you are even older. Generally, you have also need to have held a driving licence in the UK for a certain amount of time before being able to get insurance for a motorhome.

So what might your fully comprehensive campervan insurance cover?

Personal effects cover – Your personal effects may be insured in your policy but there is a limit as to how much the insurance pays out if you claim. Your clothing and camping equipment may come under the policy and such things as an MP3 player or personal DVD player may also be covered. However if they are, they are usually only protected under the insurance whilst they are in your campervan and not if stolen or lost outside.

Gas bottles and awnings – Gas bottles and awnings are often included in your insurance policy but again there may be a limit to how much you are able to claim, if needed. You may also want to find out if awnings are covered in the event of them becoming damaged due to a storm. Some providers may include this in the exclusions.

Loss and damage – Your campervan and belongings are covered in the event it is stolen, damaged or destroyed by fire. However, you may want to check to find out if the policy also covers damage, which is accidental. Some insurance providers include this but not all.

Key and lock replacement – In the event that your campervan is broken into and the locks damaged or the keys are stolen, your campervan insurance policy usually pays to have your lock replaced. Again, there is a limit to how much you are able to claim for locks and key replacements.

How are you going to use your campervan?
If you do not plan to use your campervan many times during the year then you may want to look for an insurance provider that allows you to take out limited mileage insurance. Usually insurance providers allow you to choose mileage from as little as 3,000 and up to 15,000 miles per year. Of course, the least amount of mileage you do in the year, often the cheaper the insurance may work out. Those who only use their campervan for a few weeks out of the year and who do not travel far from home may sometimes be able to benefit and make savings on insurance this way.

Check limitations on your awnings and gas bottles
All forms of campervan cover may often include insurance for things such as gas bottles and awnings. However not all insurance companies may payout for storm damage to awnings. Therefore, you may want to check if the policy you are considering taking out covers awnings for damage caused in a storm. You may also want to check the limits that are imposed on gas bottles and awnings as all providers limit the amount that is paid out. Some providers may give you more than others so always compare.

Personal belongings insurance
Insurance providers know that when holidaying in your campervan you are going to take personal belongings with you. These may include such things as mobile phone, DVD or MP3 player, among others. Personal belongings insurance is included and usually protects your personal belongings against theft, damage or destruction whilst they are in the campervan. However again there are limits as to the amount you are able to claim for your personal belongings, so always check with the provider.

Are you planning a European trip?
If you are planning a trip around Europe, it is essential that you be covered. In this case, you need to have European cover in with your campervan cover. Insurance providers generally include this as standard in your policy and give you so many days of insurance. You might want to compare how many days coverage is included in your policy as it can vary between providers, with some possibly giving more than others for the same monthly premiums.

At the very least, you should read the summary of any motorhome policy you are considering taking. This will usually give you an idea of the main benefits of the policy.

Should you want make the most of your motorhome and travel around Europe then look into the details of your insurance to find out how many days out of the year you may be covered for Europe. All providers limit this amount. Some may give you more days cover than others for the same cost, and this is where you may benefit if you do spend many days out of the year in Europe.

If you are obtaining several insurance quotes, and it may be to your advantage to do so, be careful to ensure that you are checking like for like insurance policies. This means that the policy includes the same amount of European cover, you are paying the same amount of excess on the policy and you are getting other very similar benefits.

When considering the excess you may benefit and make savings if you offer to pay more for your excess than what the insurance provider is asking for. Your motorhome cover always comes with a minimum amount of excess. This may be the amount of money you may need to pay out of your own pocket should you need to claim on your insurance, before the insurance provider will take over the remainder of the claim.
When checking the benefits of your insurance policy find out what the insurance may payout for when it came to personal belongings. For instance, may any personal equipment be covered such as your portable
DVD player? How much may the policy pay towards steps and awnings?

Find out if the insurance provider will offer discounts for limited mileage, if you have installed advanced security measures on your motorhome or if you belong to a specialist motoring club. If you store your motorhome securely during the summer months you may be able to benefit from taking limited mileage insurance providing you do not travel more than the mileage stated on your motorhome cover.

• You have the freedom to travel anywhere and at anytime, but do you have European cover and how many days coverage do you have? European cover is offered by providers based on days with some offering you more than others so always check in the benefits on offer.
• Is such as your portable TV, your DVD player or radio covered in your insurance policy and if so up to how much may you be able to claim back in the event they were stolen or damaged?
• Should the worst happen and your motorhome was damaged to the extent that you could not stay in it may your insurance policy pay out towards a stay in alternative accommodation? If this is included then remember to find out how many days and up to how much per day.
• Does the insurance provider you are considering going with for your motorhome insurance offer you lower premiums if you are the member of a specialist motorhome club? If not, consider looking for one that does if you have a membership.
• Is legal cover included in with the cost of your insurance or may the insurance provider allow you to add it in for a little extra each month? This can come in very handy if you are the victim in an accident which you were injured in and which caused you to have to take time from work. You could claim up to so much towards recovering costs.
• Does the insurance company offer a UK helpline that is operated 24/7? If you had to make a claim out of regular office hours and they were closed, it could add to the stress of the accident if you had to wait to make a claim.
• Check to find out if the provider you are considering offers limited mileage insurance. You could make savings on your insurance when your motorhome is off the road; say during the winter months if you take limited mileage cover. You may state how many miles you may travel with your motorhome during the year and stick under this limit.
• Check to find out if the provider offers you the option of adding in breakdown cover for a little more each month. Breakdown cover can be very valuable and if you have it added in with the same provider you could save a great deal of money compared to taking it out on its own.

These are just a few of the considerations you may want to take into account when looking into taking out your motorhome insurance. Whichever policy you take out always make sure that you have checked over the small print thoroughly as this is where you may be able to find out the limits on the cover and what you were and were not protected against.

One of the main ways that you can save on the cost of your motorhome cover is to pay more for the excess than insurance companies will ask you to pay on your policy in the event of having to make a claim on the insurance. All will set a minimum amount that you need to pay from your own money should you be unfortunate enough to have to make a claim but you could offer to pay more and this can help you save on the cost of your premiums. Do bear in mind that when making savings this way you could lose out if you were to have to put more than one claim in on your policy in the same year. You would also need to find money in a cash lump sum and then the provider would pay the rest of the claim.

Another way to save on your insurance is to ensure that your motorhome is safe from thieves. You could buy a good quality car alarm, an immobiliser or a tracking device and any of these would go towards you saving as your motorhome would be harder to steal. If you park your motorhome under cover then it will be safer than if you left it on the roadside where it could be damaged or vandalised.

You could join a specialist club and this could help save on the cost of the insurance premiums along with you being able to get help and advice from likeminded individuals.

When you take out insurance for your motorhome you will have cover for your belongings. Some providers will give you new for old if you have to replace items or belongings while others take depreciation into account. If the provider does take wear and tear into account and you take this policy it could work out cheaper.

If you do not plan on taking your motorhome out of the UK then you could check any motorhome insurance that you were considering taking out to make sure that European cover was not included in your policy. European cover could boost the cost of the premiums up and is only needed if you plan on travelling around Europe in your vehicle.

Always go over the terms and conditions of any motorhome cover you were considering taking out as this is where you can find exactly what you would and would not be covered for. There will always be some limitations and limits on such as if you were claiming to replace steps and awnings in your motorhome. Checking over your insurance policy will ensure there are no nasty surprises in it that could leave you uncovered.

As the value of your motorhome would be taken into account and go towards your insurance costs used motorhome insurance can allow you to save. Depending on the age of your vehicle you could knock a great deal off the cost of insuring it which goes in your favour of course. However there are also many other things to consider that would reflect on the cost of the insurance and help you to keep the premiums each month down to the minimum.

The amount of excess the provider asks you to pay can be considered as a way to cut down on the monthly premiums. Excess is what you need to pay before the insurance will kick in and pay the rest of your claim if you had to make one of course. There will be a minimum amount and this might differ between insurance providers. If you offer to pay out more by way of excess then you could save on the monthly premiums but bear in mind that the excess you choose would have to be paid in a lump sum and if you were unlucky enough to need to make more than one claim in the same year you could lost out on any savings you had made by way of premiums.

What type of cover do you need? For example where are you planning on travelling in your motorhome? If you do not intend leaving the UK then you do not need to take out insurance for Europe. This can add onto the cost of your monthly premiums with some providers giving you extra days coverage. European cover is essential if touring around Europe as you would have breakdown cover, towing and be able to claim on the insurance if you could not live in your motorhome and had to stay in alternative accommodation.

If you only plan on travelling in the UK for one or two weeks out of the year then you could look at used motorhome insurance that comes with limited mileage. You would state a maximum amount of miles that the motorhome would do per year and the policy could work out a great deal cheaper. Of course you would need to stick under this amount as should you go over it you would not be eligible to make a claim on your insurance policy.

When taking out campervan cover you would have your belongings covered and so you would have to take an inventory of all the belongings and possessions in your campervan. You should not underestimate this value nor would you have to overestimate this because how much you choose to insure would go towards setting how much you would pay for your insurance. It would also be the sum of money that you would get back in the event that you were to lose everything through fire or theft.

When considering your contents you would have to bear in mind that some insurance providers will offer you new for old on your insurance while others would take depreciation into account. If the provider offers new for old then you would get brand new replacements for your belongings. If the provider takes depreciation into account then usually the premiums would work out less.

Also check to find out if any steps or awnings were covered in the policy. They would usually be but there is generally a limit as to how much the policy would payout to replace them. At the same time check to find out if the contents of your freezer would be covered under the insurance policy as some policies would payout up to so much for you to replace your contents if say the electric was to fail and everything was destroyed.

If you do not use your campervan for many months out of the year then you could look into taking out limited mileage insurance. For example you could take this insurance if you just use your campervan for a couple of months out of the year for holidays. This means that you would state a certain amount of mileage that you would not go over in any one year and then providing you stick under this amount you can make savings on your insurance.

If you are touring around in your caravan and you plan on going outside of the UK and into Europe then you would have to ensure that you had European protection in your campervan cover. You would then be able to make a claim, if needed, should you be involved in an accident. The policy would pay towards your campervan being towed and repaired. It would also pay towards you being able to stay in alternative accommodation if you could not live in the campervan due to repairs or damage. You do have to check how much you would get towards a stay in alternative accommodation as this would be so much per day for so many days.

The first thing that you have to consider when taking out motorhome cover is where you intend travelling. If you are only travelling in the UK then you will not have to pay out for European cover. However should you plan on travelling around Europe then of course you would have to add this into your policy.

European cover would allow you to claim on your policy in the event that you were to have an accident or break down. The cover would generally payout for the towing and repairs of your motorhome along with providing you with money to be used towards a stay in alternative accommodation if needed. This would be up to so much each day and for so long. The amount of day’s protection you could have whilst in Europe would vary with providers so compare this before taking out the policy.

You will have to pay out some excess if you were to have to make a claim on the cover and this can also vary with providers with some asking more than others. You would have to pay this excess before the insurance company would take over the rest of the claim. While there is always a minimum amount that you need to pay you could offer to pay more and this could help to keep down the cost of the premiums for your insurance policy. However the excess you choose to pay would need to come out of your own pocket in a lump sum so bear this in mind.

You will want to protect your personal belongings in your insurance so check if there are any limits to making a claim for a single item. Some providers will offer you new for old if you were to have to claim for loss or damage but others could take depreciation into account and if so this policy could cost less than one replacing your belongings with new for old.

Finally always check over any motorhome cover that you are considering taking out as there will be limitations and exclusions. You should also check to ensure that you have the correct policy for your needs. It is not good taking out the first cheap policy that you find only to find that you would not be covered for something you need. Go over the cover carefully and it can help to make a list before you start searching for cover so that you know what you want and what to look for when taking out protection.

When looking for budget motorhome insurance you will have to decide if you want to have European cover included in your policy. This is essential if you plan on touring around Europe in your motorhome. However you would have to pay extra for this so if you do not plan on travelling around Europe then this is where you could save on your insurance.

European cover is essential as if you were to break down whilst travelling you would have to pay out of your own pocket. The policy would pay out for towing your motorhome, repairs to the vehicle and for a stay in alternative accommodation if you could not stay in your motorhome. The policy would generally pay out for up to so many days and so much per day so this would have to be checked with the provider.

As you will be taking your personal belongings with you then you will want to ensure that your policy would payout in the event that your belongings should be stolen, damaged or destroyed. You would need to work out how much your belongings come to and this would include items in drawers and cupboards. You should also check what the policy would pay out for in the event that a claim should have to be made. Some providers will pay out new for old on your items while others would take wear and tear into account. If your provider takes wear and tear into account then this type of policy would work out cheaper than one providing brand new items.

When finding budget motorhome insurance there are several ways that you can make savings on the cost of your policy. One of these is how much excess you would have to pay on your policy. The excess is what all providers will ask that you pay towards a claim before they will take over the claim and pay the rest. While there will be a minimum amount that you are asked to pay you could offer to pay out more and this would help towards keeping the cost of your insurance down.

The safer your motorhome is then the cheaper you would get your insurance. Therefore if you pay out and install such as an immobiliser or a tracking device you could make some great savings on the cost of your insurance policy. Installing such as smoke alarm can also go towards you being able to save on your insurance as this would go towards stopping fire before it takes hold.

One of the first things that you have you would have to decide is if you want European cover in your policy. European cover would pay out in the event that you had an accident in your motorhome and it had to be towed for repairs. It would also pay for repairs to your motorhome and for you to stay in alternative accommodation. There would usually be limits in the policy as to how many days you would be able to claim and how much per day. This would therefore need to be checked in the terms before taking out the policy.

As you could be travelling around a great deal of time in your motorhome you will have your personal belongings with you. These could add up to a tidy sum as you would also include such as bedding, linen and basically anything in your caravan that would make it feel like home away from home. You would have to go around and take an inventory of all items even those hidden in cupboards and drawers. The amount you get to would be the sum of money that you would take out insurance for, for contents and is the sum of money that you get back should the worst happen and you lose everything.

The insurance company would either pay out to replace your belongings new for old or they could take depreciation into account. There could be more chance of getting low cost campervan insurance if your provider paid out with wear and tear into account.

There are ways that you can help yourself to make savings on your insurance. For example there would be a certain amount of excess that you would have to pay out of your own pocket in a lump sum before the insurance provider would take over your claim and pay the rest. There will be a minimum amount as to the amount you would have to pay but you can offer to pay more and this would help to keep down the cost of the premiums. You could also add security features to your campervan to help you to make savings on your insurance policy. Installing an immobiliser or a tracking device could go a long way towards you being able to save on your policy.

Before taking out low cost campervan insurance you would have to go over the terms and conditions to ensure that you had the cover you needed in your policy. There will always be limits and there will be some exclusions in the policy. For example there could be a limit on the amount the policy would payout for awnings.

One of the many factors that are taken into account to the cost of your motorhome insurance is the type of insurance you are taking out. If you have a brand new motorhome then you will want to cover it with fully comprehensive and this policy would provide you with the most security for your vehicle. Third party fire and theft could be taken if you own a second hand model but this would provide little insurance for your own vehicle. For the purpose of this article we are taking about the benefits of fully comprehensive insurance.

A fully comprehensive policy would allow you to insure the contents of your motorhome. This is essential if you are travelling around in your caravan and have a great deal of your belongings with you. You would take an inventory of the items in your caravan including all your personal possessions. This is the amount that you would get back if the worst possible scenario were to happen and you lost everything.

When considering your belongings take into account what the policy would pay out for. Some policies would provide you with new for old. However others would take wear and tear into account and this would be the cheapest way to protect your belongings. If your cover did payout new for old then of course your belongings would be replaced as brand new.

When you compare motorhome insurance and you travel outside of the UK and into Europe then you would have to check to find out if your policy included European cover. You would then be able to claim on the cover if needed while travelling in Europe. If for example you were to break down then you would be able to claim on the cover to be towed and have your motorhome repaired. The majority of policies would also payout for you to stay in alternative accommodation whilst repairs were being made.

There will be limits in all policies and you would have to compare motorhome insurance for these limits when comparing the cost. For instance, while your policy would provide European cover the policy would only protect you for so many days out of the year whilst travelling around Europe. The cover would only provide you with an income for so many days in alternative accommodation and up to so much each day.

There could also be a limit as to how much the policy would pay out for any single items such as steps and awnings. Any personal items could also be limited with very expensive items being excluded and these could be such as expensive jewellery.

Checking over the terms and the features is essential as this is the only way that you would find out what was and was not included in your policy. For instance while you would be able to insure your personal belongings and items that you take with you there could be limitations as to what was and was not included in it. Generally any items of particular expense would not be covered in the policy. This could include such items as expensive jewellery and mobile phones or computer equipment. Steps and awnings could also have limitations so go over the small print with a fine tooth comb.

When considering your cover check to find out what the insurance provider would pay out for. You could be able to claim brand new items if yours were damaged or stolen. However some providers would take depreciation into account and this is generally the cheapest way of covering your belongings.

If you only use your campervan for a few weeks out of the year then you could consider taking out a policy that came with limited mileage. With this policy you would be able to set the amount of miles that you would not drive over each year and providing you stick under this amount you could get cheaper premiums.

To make savings on the cost of your insurance when you compare campervan cover you might want to consider paying out more in excess. The excess is what you would need to pay out in the event that a claim was to be made on the policy. All providers will set a minimum limit to this amount but by paying our more you can keep down the cost of your monthly premiums. However you do have to take into account that you would need to pay this amount out of your own pocket.

The safer your campervan is then the cheaper you will get your insurance. You could install such as a steering wheel lock, an immobiliser or a tracking device. All of these would go towards ensuring that your camper van was harder to steal.

If you travel around Europe then you need to check to the benefits to find out if European cover is included in the policy. It is essential to compare campervan cover to find out how much European cover you would have as all providers will offer different terms. Some could offer many more days protection than others out of the year for example. European protection would mean that if you were to break down while travelling around Europe the policy would payout to have your campervan towed and would pay out for repairs to your campervan. It would also pay out for you to stay in alternative accommodation.

Checking the small print for exclusions and limitations when choosing campervan insurance cover is essential. All insurance providers will add these in and some could include more than others. For example there could be a limit as to how much the insurance company would pay out for such items as steps and awnings. You could also have to pay out extra excess to make a claim against windscreen and window damage. It is only by going over the small print of the policy you were considering that you would know about these.

The features provided can vary between insurance providers and what you need in a policy would depend on your circumstances. Therefore when looking into insurance for your campervan you first have to decide what it is you want out of your policy.

For instance you would have to decide how many months or weeks out of the year you used your campervan. If you do not use it often they you could consider taking out insurance that came with limited mileage. This would provide you with full insurance providing you did not drive over a certain amount of miles per year.

You would also need to take into account whether or not you wanted European cover included in the policy.

If you planned on touring around Europe then you would need to look for the best deal that provided adequate cover when travelling around Europe. European cover would for example payout to have your campervan towed and repaired. It could also payout for you to stay in alternative accommodation if your campervan was inhabitable. Again all providers will state a maximum amount of days that you would be covered while travelling around Europe.

Campervan insurance will allow you to take out protection for your personal belongings. You would have to take an inventory to reach a figure to insure. This is the amount that you would get back in the worst case scenario that you lost everything. When insuring your belongings you could be offered new for old protection. In this case your belongings would be replaced brand new. This is usually the dearest type of protection. If your policy pays out taking depreciation into account then you could lose out.

All providers will add in a certain amount of excess that you would have to payout before you could make a claim on your campervan insurance cover. This amount would come out of your own pocket as a lump sum and is deducted from the amount of your claim with the insurance company paying the rest of the claim. You can offer to pay more excess to help keep down the cost of the insurance. However should you need to make more than one claim in any one year it is possible that you would lose out?

The first choice you have for taking out motorhome cover is whether you need fully comprehensive insurance or third party fire and theft. This would depend of course on how much you have paid out for your motorhome or how much it is worth. If you have a brand new motorhome or it is over a certain amount then you would have no alternative but to pay out for fully comprehensive insurance. If your motorhome is old or you are buying a second hand vehicle then you might want to consider third party fire and theft as this is the cheapest way to cover your vehicle.

If you are taking fully comprehensive motorhome insurance then there are many features that you would need to check. The first of these would relate as to how you plan on using your motorhome. If you are going to be touring around Europe then you would need to ensure that European protection was added into your policy. This is essential as if you were to break down or be involved in an accident or suffer any kind of loss while in Europe and did not have protection, you would not be able to claim on the insurance. With cover you would be able to claim for recovery of your vehicles and for repairs. The insurance company would generally pay out for you to stay in alternative accommodation while your motorhome was being repaired, up to a certain amount.

A fully comprehensive policy would payout for loss of belongings in the motorhome. Some providers will payout new for old and others could take depreciation into account. If you are offered new for old protection then your belongings would be replaced brand new of course. You would have to go around your motorhome and make an inventory of your belongings so that you would be able to state the amount you want to insure.

This amount would be paid back in the event that you lost everything.

To keep down the cost of your motorhome cover you could offer to pay out more in excess than what the insurance providers asks for. The excess is what all insurance companies will ask that you pay towards any claim that you have to make. The amount you choose would have to come out of your own pocket in a lump sum so be aware of this when choosing the amount. You could also boost up the security of your campervan in order to keep down the cost of the premiums. By installing steering and wheel locks or a tracking device you can make savings on the premiums.

If you do plan on travelling outside of the UK in your motorhome then European cover would be considered essential. This would protect you for all the things you would be protected against in the UK but of course while you were travelling around Europe. This could include being towed if you breakdown and recovery to your destination. It could also include paying out for you to stay in alternative accommodation while your vehicle was being repaired of giving you a replacement vehicle.

All motorhome insurance policies would allow you to insure your belongings. However there would usually be limits and exclusions to this. Items which are particularly expensive might not be covered and there could be limits on the amount that is paid out on a single item. Items which are usually covered in your protection would include soft furnishings, linen, clothing, a TV, steps, awnings and gas bottles. Of course the provider could include much more so you would have to check this in the small print. Also check to find out if accidental damage is included as some providers will ask you pay more for this.
When looking into the features offered by the policy take a look to see if the insurance would payout for damage to glass. This could include the windscreen of your motorhome and some providers might also extend this to side windows. Usually there would be a limit on the amount you could claim for windscreen damage so again this would have to be checked in the small print before taking out the cover.
You could also check to find out if the policy would payout for such as liability, personal accident, flood and storm damage. Flooding and storm damage could be considered essential if you are spending a great deal of time travelling out on the road in your motorhome. However again you should check for limitations and exclusions before taking on the protection.

Of course all the above features would be found only in a fully comprehensive motorhome insurance policy. If you have bought a brand new motorhome then you would have no option but to take this level of insurance out as it provides the most cover for your motorhome. However if you have chosen to buy a second hand model then you could choose to take out third party fire and theft cover. This would provide you with protection that would payout in the event your motorhome was damaged due to fire or if it were stolen. It would also provide cover for any third party that should be involved in an accident with you which is your fault.

This would need to be checked before taking on the policy. Usually providers offer storm damage and flood damage in with the insurance which of course could be considered essential if you are taking your campervan out on the road for a great deal of time throughout the year. Some providers will also include accidental damage in with their policy while others could ask that you pay extra for this, so again checking the small print is essential.

There are also many extras that could be included in your campervan insurance or which you can add onto the cover for a little extra. One of which might be European cover, this should be considered essential if you intend travelling outside of the UK in your campervan.

If your policy does have European cover included then you would have to check how many days coverage the policy would provide as usually there will be a limit. European cover would payout for such as a stay in alternative accommodation if you were to break down or have an accident while in Europe. It should also payout to have your campervan towed to a garage and pay for repairs.

The majority of campervan insurance policies would payout for items such as clothing, linen, bedding and personal items. However you would have to check the limits on these as all insurance providers will only pay out up to so much and certain items such as those of particular value might not be covered.

There would also be a minimum amount of excess on the policy which would need checking as this is the amount you would have to pay out of your own pocket before the insurance provider would take over the rest of the claim.

Motorhome insurance is similar in some parts to car insurance; however in some aspects it is also very different. To begin with you could choose insurance such as third party only or fully comprehensive. If you are buying a brand new motorhome then it only makes sense to cover it with fully comprehensive insurance.

This provides the most cover for your new motorhome although of course it is the most expensive form of cover. The difference between motorhome insurance and car insurance is that the motorhome is your “home away from home”. If you take the motorhome on holiday and travel around extensively in it then you will have all your belongings in it. Therefore you need to ensure that you enough insurance to cover your belongings.

As insurance companies offering insurance tailored to those who drive motorhomes recognise this, personal belongings will be included in your policy. However there will usually be a limit as to how much those belongings would be insured for and this could differ with providers. You would also have to check the small print as certain items and items over a particular amount might not be included. Along with personal belongings you should also check to find out if items such as steps, awnings and gas bottles were included in the insurance policy. Again there could be a limit imposed on these and they would need to be checked.

When looking for insurance find out what protection is given in the event that your motorhome should break down. The majority of policies offer insurance that would payout for you to stop in a hotel for so many nights if your vehicle was beyond repair at the roadside. Also check to find out if towing and getting you to your destination is included in the policy.

If you travel around outside of the UK and venture into Europe you would want European cover included in the motorhome insurance policy. This would ensure that if you break down while on the road you would have protection just as you would in the UK. However some policies will only offer so many days European cover in their protection so it would be essential to check the terms. It is also worth nothing that if you do not plan on travelling outside of the UK you could save money by choosing a policy that does include European protection.

However while the same types of policy can be considered this is where the similarity ends. There are many more aspects of campervan insurance that have to be taken into account that are specifically tailored to a campervan. One of the main reasons for owning a campervan is of course to travel around in it and spend your holidays in it. Therefore you will be treating your campervan as a home away from home and have your personal belongings in it. With this in mind you want to ensure that you have suitable cover for your belongings.

All campervan insurance should come with personal belongings cover but they would usually limit this to a certain amount. It is essential to check this amount and also if there are any exclusions as to the type of belongings that are protected in the policy. Expensive items such as sat nav equipment, TVs and jewellery might be exempt for the cover and you would have to take out extra insurance for these.

Also check any insurance you are considering to ensure that you would be protected if travelling around Europe. This would give you protection in case you should breakdown and if the worst comes to the worst if you were to have your campervan taken for repair you would be taken to your destination. Some insurance policies would also include hotel accommodation if your campervan was off the road for repair so again this would need comparing as there could be limits. There could also be a limit on the amount of days of European cover the policy would provide and again this has to be checked before taking on the policy.

A policy that does include European cover would generally cost more than one without. With this in mind if you do not plan on travelling outside of the UK then search for a policy that comes without cover for Europe. Another way you can cut down on the cost for the premiums for campervan insurance is if you choose to pay out more in excess. The excess is what you are asked to pay towards the cost of the policy before the insurance company would kick in and pay the rest of the claim. However you would have to bear in mind that the amount of excess you choose to pay would have to come out of your own pocket as a lump sum payment. Installing extra security devices such as a tracking device and good quality alarm could also help to keep down the cost of your insurance premiums.

When asking yourself where to buy a new campervan a dealership is one of the best places to begin. There are many dealerships that specialise in campervans and this is where you would get the widest choice.

However one of the factors that should be taken into consideration when looking at dealerships throughout the country is to try and buy locally. This is due to the fact that if anything should go wrong with the campervan after you have bought it, you would not have to travel for many miles to take the van back to the dealership.

Once you have found a dealership and the right campervan for the right price then you can go ahead and buy. However some campervans could be very expensive and you might have to take out finance for it. The dealership will usually offer finance to help you buy your motorhome, however this might not be the cheapest option and you should consider whether you could get finance cheaper elsewhere.

If you choose a dealership to buy your new campervan and have taken out a loan to pay for the purchase then you can haggle to get something knocked of price of the campervan. Many dealers will expect this so it is worth trying especially if you are walking in there with cash in your pocket. One word of warning, never feel pressured into rushing into buying the motorhome. The dealer could tell you that the price on the windscreen is for one day only or that there is a great deal of interest in the model you are looking at. Nine times out of ten what the dealer says will be far from the truth. Always take the time to ensure that the purchase is what you want at a price you can afford.

When considering where to buy a new campervan the internet can help you. There are comparison sites that would allow you to make a search for the perfect campervan for your needs. There are many different models out there and each will offer a different layout. With a comparison website you would be able to search for the type most suitable and gain a vast amount of information of the campervan. Once you have found the perfect model then you can make a search for the dealerships that carry that model and compare the prices.

You should also spare some thought to the fact of whether your driving license would cover you for the motorhome of your choice. Depending on when you passed your driving test will all depend on the weight limit of the motorhome you would be able to drive under your current license.

Another factor you should give some thought to when considering buying a new motorhome, is the bigger the motorhome the more it can cost to insure. With this in mind it can pay to look around and compare insurance for the type of motorhome you have set your mind on. It would be no good paying out thousands of pounds for a huge motorhome with all the mod cons, only to find the insurance for it is sky high and out of reach.

Another of the great tips on buying a new motorhome is to look out for the facilities the motorhome has. Even the most basic of motorhomes should include a kitchen, washroom, lounge, sleeping area and storage. Of course the features that are included in the motorhome will vary depending on the size and cost of the motorhome. The top of the range motorhome could have such as air conditioning, extractor fan, full sized shower and all the mod cons in the kitchen.

While some equipment will come as standard in your new motorhome you will of course have to give some thought to the many add-ons you could buy. These could be such as a tow bar, awning, bicycle rack, alarm and tracking system. Of course there are many more and all of these would add onto the cost of your new motorhome.

There are many tips on buying a new motorhome that should be taken into account. One of these is weight. Weight plays a very important part in two respects. One if the amount of weight you would be able to tow with the motorhome for such as a boat or car. The other is the amount of weight the motorhome can carry without overloading it. If you were to overload your motorhome then you would be facing a considerable fine, you would also be putting those aboard the motorhome at risk as overloading affects the handling of the motorhome and the braking.

There are many different ways of selling a motorhome. You can choose to advertise online and this would give you access to a wider scope of people looking to buy what you have. Some websites can get thousands of people per day looking to buy second hand and if you have your motorhome listed it could sell a lot quicker than advertising in a free newspaper.

If you are advertising your motorhome for sale on the internet then you can include photos of your motorhome. Putting up good clear photos of the motorhome you are selling is essential as many times first impressions do make a great deal of difference. If you take bad photos that are out of focus and are badly angled your chances of gaining interest in your motorhome will not be as good as if you have taken clear shots of good angles of your motorhome. Some websites will allow you to upload several shots so take sides, back, front and interior photos.

Take the time to make a note of the exact make and model of the motorhome along with the weight that can be pulled and the weight you can have in the motorhome. You should also include any extras that are thrown in such as awnings, gas bottles, steps e.t.c. these are all things that the new motorhome owner would have to buy and if you include them in with the sale they would not have as many extra outlays to make.

Of course you will stand more chance of selling a motorhome if you have made a little effort before taking the photos of your motorhome. Taking the time to go through the motorhome and spring clean the carpets and upholstery to high standards could entice more people. Also take the time to wash and polish the exterior of the motorhome and do not forget the windows.

Of course when considering buying second hand one of the best tips for buying a used motorhome is to check out the condition of the motorhome before buying. Of course you will spend a great deal of time inside the motorhome checking to ensure the interior is in good order, however there are many more things that need taking into consideration. One point of interest on the inside of the motorhome is to check for any damp. Therefore take the time to look in cupboards as this can be a classic sign that there is damp present in the motorhome.

If possible you should take a good look at the chassis of the motorhome and the underneath of the motorhome. The engine would also need checking, along with the amount of mileage the motorhome has travelled. Also take time to go around the motorhome and check for any scrapes and scratches on the vehicle. Always ensure that such as the cooker and shower are working. However when looking around do remember that you are buying a used motorhome and as such you have to expect some wear and tear which should reflect the age and the cost of the motorhome.

When looking at a used motorhome check to see if there are any extras thrown into the deal. This could include such things as a tow bar, awnings, steps and any other accessories that are common when taking on a motorhome. The more accessories thrown in with the motorhome, the more savings you can make by not having to payout extra for them.

Also take into consideration when considering buying a used motorhome the many different types of motorhome there are. One might suit your circumstances better than another or could be cheaper to insure than another.

One of the best tips for buying a used motorhome is to make sure that the motorhome is suitable for your needs. While the price might be right and the motorhome in excellent condition is would be no good buying it if it does not have what you need. Check to see if there would be seatbelts for all family members is there enough seating and above all would you be covered by your current driving license.

If you plan to live in the UK but use the vehicle solely abroad, looking at the storage possibilities when it is not in use is essential. The larger the motorhome, the more specialist the storage facilities need to be. With the option of early retirement and the subsequent increase in leisure time, many Brits have decided to spend the kids’ inheritance and enjoy touring around the USA and Canada having bought motorhomes for this purpose. Benefiting from the winter sun in Spain is also very popular and living in a motorhome gives the choice of relocating to different resorts rather than being static.

There are a number of dealerships around the UK, which specialise in the sale of new and used motorhomes. Some may also offer the option of hiring models out for weekends or longer before you commit to the sale. Most reputable dealers will give the buyer a comprehensive hand over, fully demonstrating all the equipment. They should ensure that the new owner is completely familiarized with the motorhome before leaving the dealership.

It can be possible to place an order for a new motorhome directly with the manufacturer as many have their own websites. Some have trade stands at specialist exhibitions and motor shows and are willing to accept orders directly from the public. This is often the case for high-end specifications required in the A-class.

Regardless of your choice of where to buy a new motor home, you should always haggle when purchasing. Not just on the price but also on those extras that may not be included in the price, for example, a filling hose. Alternatively, perhaps you would like the supply and fitting of a bike rack or awning included within the price. Take your time when selecting your new motorhome and your time when striking a deal that is suitable for you.

When buying a used campervan, always view your would-be purchase in good daylight conditions, as this should make detecting flaws easier. Look for cracks on the outside, sun damage, knocks, scrapes etc and check the seals and trims. Look at the chassis and inspect underneath the vehicle. Inside, check the cupboards, handles, carpets, upholstery and beware of over personalisation of the interior. Ensure that there are no signs of damp. It normally has a distinctive smell and mildew is often present in corners and cupboards. An inexpensive damp meter could assist with this.

Test all the electrical and gas equipment, making sure that the seller fully demonstrates every single feature is in good working order and that they all operate from a hook up. Always take the campervan for a test drive, ensuring that you drive down both town and country roads. Also, try parking it and turning it around so that you are fully comfortable with its degree of manoeuvrability.

If buying privately, always insist on viewing the campervan at the seller’s home address so that you can verify ownership. Insist on seeing full documentation and check the chassis and engine numbers. Motoring organisations, for example, the RAC and AA, offer on-line history checks, full inspection and road tests. Be aware that a private seller does not have to make a statement regarding the vehicles condition. However, they are legally obliged to answer truthfully any specific vehicle related question. If you are buying a used campervan from a dealer, they are duty bound to ensure everything is in safe working order and many provide a guarantee with the sale. Some dealers also offer part exchange deals and provide finance arrangements.

Regardless of whom you approach, it is often sensible to shop locally. This not only makes the travelling to view easier but also any after-sales visits more convenient. Also, when buying a used campervan, always haggle. Not just on the price but also for extra items that may not be included in the selling price.

If your plans are for more than day trips, a C-class motorhome might be appropriate. These are chassis cab conversions known as coach-built and have purpose built ‘caravan’ body attachments. If they have a bed area over the cab, they are referred to as over-cabs and those without this area and with a lower roofline are called low profile.

The final category in this quick guide to motorhomes, is the A-class. These are invariably built to order by the manufacturer and are normally very stylish in body design, roomy and with practical features. A-class could suit those who wish spend longer periods travelling, perhaps catching the winter sun in Spain. In the UK, the maximum length for a motorhome is 12m with 6m being the benchmark between medium and large. Most insurance, recovery packages, ferry and road tolls cater for the 6m vehicle. This, plus the increased running costs and lack of manoeuvrability, should be fully understood and compared between the varying sized motorhomes.

The generosity of the payload is an important factor in the quick guide to motorhomes. It is the difference between an empty motorhome and its MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass). The greater the payload the more scope you have of packing heavy equipment and luggage. There is a chart available so that you can compare the varying payloads. The overhang of a motorhome is also important; the legal limit is 60%, measured from the middle of the rear wheel to the back of the vehicle. This could easily be exceeded if a bike rack and bikes are attached, so too the axle weight limit.

Finally in this quick guide to motorhomes is the extremely important factor – you! Does your licence allow you to drive a motorhome? If you past your driving test before 1 January 1997 are under 70 years old and have no medical conditions, then you may drive a motor home with 7500kg MTPLM and 8250kg with a trailer. If you obtained your licence after this date or are over 70 years old, then the limits of 3500kg MTPLM and 4250kg with trailer apply.

A campervan, or day-van, is referred to as a B-class motorhome, are panels vans converted by the manufacturer into motorhomes. There is a selection of vehicles within this category to suit a range of budgets, storage and layout preferences, so it could be prudent to take your time and do some research before committing to a purchase. It is possible to do this research on-line, or if you prefer by perusing specialist magazines. Often campervan owners are very keen to chat about their vehicles and you might obtain valuable pointers about the practical characteristics of certain models that may help you decide.

Visiting a motorhome show would allow you to view first-hand a good range of new campervan models. Try looking for models with generous payloads, especially if your plans involve the inclusion of heavy equipment in your luggage. Also, give the overhang some consideration. Having a bike rack and bikes could easily have your vehicle exceed the 60% maximum, plus the weight limit for the rear axle.

Once you are certain that a new campervan is for you, pay a visit to your local dealer. Shopping locally does not just make the purchasing visit easier but also any after-sale visits and servicing, more convenient. Once there, again take your time, take hours to view if you feel it necessary. Have the sales representative fully demonstrate all the features and accessories. Take the vehicle for a test drive, making sure that you travel down both country lanes and town roads. Always try parallel parking the vehicle and ensure you are fully comfortable with its degree of manoeuvrability. If you are still not sure, why not hire a particular model for a weekend or holiday.

Never rush your purchase and do not be pressurised by any time-limited deals. In fact, if you are requiring finance for your purchase then fully explore and compare the options available from other providers besides those offered by the dealer. Some dealers will accept part-exchange, which may include cars and boats. However, once you have made your choice, then haggle! Not just on the price but also on the extras, for example, hook-up leads which may not be included in the price. These are just a few tips on buying a new campervan, which might lead to many years of happy campervan ownership.

C-class is chassis cab conversions with a caravan body and is often known as coach-built. If it has a bedroom over the cab area, it is called an ‘over-cab’. If not and has a lower roofline, then it is called ‘low-profile’. This class of motor home might suit someone planning to enjoy longer periods touring and requires more room than that offered by a B-class.

The largest is the A-class, which is coach shaped with smooth bodylines and is normally very roomy. Generally, the ‘compact’, which is in this class, is about 6m long, which is the benchmark between medium and large. If you plan to spend longer periods in your motor home, perhaps months catching the winter sun in Spain, then it could be deemed wise to buy something larger to yield more comfort.

If you plan to tour in the UK then it could be prudent to be aware that the maximum motor home size permissible is 12m long and 2.55m wide (39’4” x 8’4”). However, most campsite entrances, ferries, road tolls, recovery prices and insurance are fixed for the 6m motor home. Therefore, anything greater than 6m may pose problems that outweigh the benefits of its larger living space.

Not only do you need to consider the living space within but also what you plan to take with you so look at the payload information for each motor home. This is the difference between the MTPLM (maximum technically permissible laden mass – the legal maximum weight including all equipment and occupants) and the empty motor home. There is a chart available to allow you to compare payload details.

If you plan to have a tow bar or bike rack on the rear of your vehicle then the overhang needs to be 55% or under to allow for this. The maximum legal length 60% and it is measured from the centre of the rear wheel to the rear of the motor home. Thought might also be given to the axle weights permissible for the motor home. Traffic police rarely tolerate overloading and it could lead to trouble with the law.

As you can see, there are lots to consider when deciding ‘what size motor home should I buy’. Therefore, it might be helpful to visit motor home shows, relevant internet sites, read enthusiasts magazines or simply talk to motor home owners to assist you with your decision.

If you wish to use it for weekends away or to make day trips more comfortable, then perhaps you could chose something at the smaller end of the size range, like a campervan. If more room is required and a greater capacity for carrying luggage, then a motor home in the C-class range might suffice. These are chassis cab conversions with a purpose built caravan body attached.

If you plan to tour for lengthy periods, perhaps catching the winter sun in Spain for instance, then an A-class motor home, which is coach shaped and usually has plenty of living space within might fulfil your requirements.

Any increase in living space tends to reduce the vehicle’s manoeuvrability and increases its running costs. In the UK, the maximum permissible size of a motor home is 12m long and 2.55m wide. A length of 6m is generally deemed the benchmark between medium and large with most campsites, road tolls, ferries, recovery packages and insurance, catering for this sized motor home. Anything larger than this could pose problems with parking and manoeuvrability.

The design of motor home interiors is constantly evolving, creating a wide range of layouts from which to choose. You might start your choice process by considering how many people will be travelling in the vehicle at any one time. Ensure that there are adequate seat belts and berths for the intended occupants. Also, evaluate the various shaped lounges available. For example, both rear U and L shaped lounges make rear seat travel undesirable but both offer very sociable and spacious living areas when stationery.
The kitchen should be just big enough to prepare a meal and aim for at least 80-litre capacity for the fridge. A motor home without a toilet or shower facilities is not adequate for most people so that might be a necessary requirement on your criteria. Although certain items you may wish not to compromise on, it might be sensible to be as flexible as possible with everything else, as being adaptable might make choosing the right motor home for your needs easier and more enjoyable.

As with car insurance, there are a number of factors that could influence the cost of the premiums, for example; the make and model; the vehicle’s age, its engine size, annual mileage and where it will be stored when not in use. The fitting of an alarm and or an immobiliser, and perhaps having your motor home electronically tagged could help reduce the price of premiums. The age of the drivers and any no claim discount, also the amount of excess you are prepared to pay could also affect the price. Some insurance companies offer special deals if you already insure a car with then, making the motor home your second vehicle, or if you already have home insurance with the provider. Membership of certain motor home clubs and organisations can yield a discount, sometimes as much as 15%.

Besides looking for the best price, the amount of cover is also important. Cheap insurance is worthless if it does not provide the degree of cover required. It could be inconvenient if an accident occurs whilst on holiday and the recovery costs are not covered, especially if it happened overseas. It might be horrendous if the insurance did not cover the delivery to the repairer and then back to you or your home, and the cost of any temporary accommodation required.

Having your policy cover, the contents as well as the actual motor home, replacing the contents new for old, may well be advisable. Could you afford to replace stolen items, especially whilst on holiday or cope with the hassle of organising a repair after an accident? Getting the right motor home insurance for your motor home could remove these worries, allowing you to enjoy your motor home with confidence.

There are a number of reputable motor home hire companies in the UK or alternatively, you could approach an owner’s network. These are organisations, which match up owners wishing to hire out their motor homes with people looking to hire. However, before approaching a hire company or network, it is prudent to have some idea what you require from the motor home. Whether you plan to tour the countryside or attend a festival, the number and age of the occupants etc. You do not need to know the type, make or model, as trained staff will allocate the most suitable vehicle to meet your needs. Unless of course you are using the hire to road test a particular motor home before buying!

A full demonstration of how all the equipment and accessories operate, and a test drive is generally given. This ensures that you are completely familiar with the vehicle and its components before the commencement of the hire period. The hirers should also verify that the driver of the hired motor home has the appropriate driving licence. Drivers with no medical conditions who passed their driving test before 1st January 1997 are allowed to drive a motor home with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 7500kg or 8250kg if there is a trailer. If the test was passed after this date or you are 70 years of age or over, then a lower limit of 3500kg MAM or 4250kg with trailer is applicable. To drive anything heavier requires an additional driving test.

The hire cost often reflects the time of year, hire period and the size of motor home, it also usually includes breakdown cover and insurance and often a 24-hour help line. However, it might be possible to negotiate a better deal on either price or the inclusion of extras. Try asking when you enquire about hiring a motor home and do not be afraid to haggle.

There are many campsites in Europe and the UK, which can accommodate motor homes. It is possible to obtain a listing of these sites from various specialist magazines and enthusiasts club websites. This will enable you to plan your journey and book ahead if you so fancy. Generally, the appeal of going on holiday with your motor home is the ability to travel without an itinerary and off the usual tourist route.

There are thousands of campsites across Europe catering for a variety of tastes and budgets. Plenty of campsites are open all year and can accommodate the longer stay visitor. For example, Spain is a popular winter destination for those motor homers wishing to enjoy the winter sun. It has many sites in the south catering for the long stay winter visitor.

Campsites are not the only option when travelling through Europe as there are over 6000 camper-stops, known in France as ‘aire de service’. These are special places for motor homes and campervans only, permitting them to stop over for a few nights. The sites are sometimes situated in some fabulous locations and have facilities for dumping and replenishing water tanks often free of charge.

Going on holiday with your motor home, especially in Europe, could allow you to experience ‘free camping’ also known as ‘free-park’. This is legal or at least tolerated in most European countries and offers the chance to be truly free to travel and stop as you wish and without paying a campsite fee. However, it could be unwise to head off to Europe without first obtaining accurate information regarding the location of camper-stops and free-camping possibilities and what is tolerated and where. Again, there is specialist literature available and often motor home clubs could assist with this allowing you to make informed decisions regarding locations and fully enjoy your holiday.

Ensure that you have packed all the necessary habitation equipment. For example, it might be difficult to power anything that requires electricity without a leisure battery or the main electric hook-up lead. How could you boil a kettle for tea or cook a meal if you have forgotten the gas tank or allowed it to run empty? If you plan to travel during a national holiday or in an area where the availability of gas supplies could be reduced, then it might be sensible to make sure you have enough gas for the whole trip. This could be especially important if you are travelling in Europe, as each country seems to have its own gas suppliers and bottles making the refilling or exchanging of gas containers impossible.

Forgetting to fill the fresh water container, or worse still, forgetting it completely or any of its components such as the submersible pump and connections, could make any impromptu stop for a drink unfeasible. Even having a wash within the campervan might be difficult without fresh water and may be virtually impossible if the wastewater container and connecting pipe were left behind.

It rather defeats the object of being able to travel freely around if you must stay in campsites that can provide the facilities your oversight has denied you. Especially so if it is the chemical toilet you have forgotten! You could reduce the risk of neglecting to include these essential items for your campervan when preparing for a trip by composing a checklist in advance. In this way even the little essential things like the spare wheel and jack, the tiny portable step, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and the rear registration plate for the bike rack, could be less likely forgotten.

One of the simplest things you could do is not to make things easy for the criminal. Always lock all the doors and windows when leaving the campervan even if it is just for a very short time. After-all, the thief could be in the driving seat and away in less time than it takes you to walk to the kiosk and pay for the fuel you have just filled up with. The fitting of an immobiliser could add to the difficulty of starting your campervan without the keys… because you always take the keys with you, don’t you?

Although good quality padlocks and heavy-duty chains might be expensive to buy, their presence could make attempting to remove items like gas tanks or bicycles from a bike rack rather challenging and time consuming. Using locking wheel nuts and fitting an alarm from a reputable company, which is activated each time you leave the vehicle, could also act as an effective deterrent. The idea of stealing your campervan and stripping it for parts and accessories might not be so attractive if the actual initial vehicle theft is not going easy.

Whenever you leave your campervan, always take your valuables with you. Never leave them in plain sight, always lock things away. Even items of clothing or trainers can be appealing to a thief who might be tempted to try to break in for a closer look. Whilst inside, takes a good look around and could be happy to remove anything that is not locked away, even the campervan itself. If you leave any of your vehicles registration documents inside, it could make stealing your campervan to sell on, worthwhile.

Having the registration number of your campervan etched onto all its windows and any other part that could be removed and sold on, could help reduce your vehicle’s appeal to a criminal. It might also be prudent to security mark all your valuable possessions within the campervan, perhaps using an ultraviolet pen if etching is not practical. You could also electronically tag your campervan to give added security. All these tips could help you protect your campervan from being stolen.

Identifying what you wish to use the motor home for will help you select its class, size and model. Also, if you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, have no medical conditions and are under 70 years old then you are permitted to drive a motor home with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 7500kg or 8250kg if there is also a trailer. If you passed after this date then the weight limits are considerably reduced to 3500kg MAM or 4250kg with a trailer. If you are over 70 years of age then the lower limit is applicable regardless when you passed your test.

Make a list of the desirable items you wish the vehicle to include. Although certain items are deemed essential, for example a comfortable bed plus toilet and shower facilities especially if you plan to spend more than a few days living in your motor home. Others items are not so important and it could be helpful if you are not too ridged with your list.

Deciding where to buy is generally a case of either buying privately or going to a dealer. Buying from a private seller is normally cheaper but the vehicle is sold as seen and without any guarantees. However, if the vehicle is relatively new, the manufacturer’s warranty might be transferable to the new owner. Buying from a reputable dealer might be more expensive but they are legally bound to disclose all the details pertaining to the vehicle’s condition and often give a guarantee. This does not apply to a private seller but they are legally bound to answer all the buyers’ questions truthfully. Should you choose to buy privately, you should always view the motor home at the seller’s home address so that you can verify the paperwork and the vehicles details, motoring organisations as the RAC and AA offer online history checks plus other services for the buyer. Regardless of whom you buy your used motor home from, buying locally is generally accepted to be prudent. This not only cuts done on time and distance when looking but also could make any after sale issues easier to resolve.

Most people spend more time in their motor home than in their car, therefore, it might be a wise to take your time when buying. Try everything out and have the seller show you how to operate all the equipment and accessories, ensuring everything are in good working order. Look for scuffs and scratches on the bodywork, wear and tear on its interior. To make this easier, try to always view in good weather conditions and in daylight. Thoroughly check for any signs of damp, it has a distinctive smell but if you are uncertain, a damp meter could prove helpful. Have a test drive of the vehicle, not only down country roads but also around town and try parking it. Finally, haggle. Not just on price but on the inclusion of accessories etc whenever possible to get a better deal. These are just some tips on buying a used motor home that may help you to make a successful purchase.

The majority of motorhomes come in three categories; A-Class, which are coach-shaped, B-Class, which are converted panel vans and are often known as campervans or day-vans and C-Class which are cab conversions with a caravan body attached. The manufacturers mostly use light commercial vehicle engine and chassis for the basis for their motorhome constructions.

However, the guide to motorhomes does not stop there as they can be further sub-divided and their categories known by other names.

‘Compact’ is the smallest of the A-Class motorhomes and is generally less than 6m in length. It can provide similar manoeuvrability as the campervans but with a larger layout. In the UK, A-Class motorhomes can be up to 12m long and 2.55m wide and can be very roomy and comfortable but at the expense of being easy to manoeuvre. These larger models are often built to order.

‘Micros’ are petite motorhomes and are the smallest of the B-Class or campervan. They are normally large enough for two adults and can be enlarged by the fixing of an annexe. They often do not contain a toilet or washroom. The normal sized van conversion often has washing and toilet facilities within. It has a higher fixed roof and can have a pop-up roof to increase the internal size when parked.

In the C-Class, the living area is built upon the chassis in the form of a caravan body. There is the ‘Coach-built’ which are also known as ‘over-cabs’ as they have a bed area built over the cab. Then there is the ‘low-profile’, which does not have a bed over the cab and has a lower roofline.

When viewing a guide to motorhomes, how much luggage and the number of people you wish to carry in the vehicle may define your choice. Motorhomes have varying payloads, which can easily be compared using a chart that is freely available from most motorhome clubs and some specialist publications. The overhang must also be considered. In the UK, the maximum overhang permissible is 60% but ideally, 55% would be better to allow for tow-bars and bike racks. The permissible maximum axle weights of various motorhomes are another attribute to be reviewed. All these figures should be specified on the weight plate attached to each motorhome.

Dealers are legally bound to disclose all details regarding the vehicle and to ensure that everything is safe and in working order. A private seller does not have to do this but when asked a specific question by the would-be buyer, must answer truthfully. If buying privately, always view the motorhome at the seller’s home address so that you can check the registered address on the documents.

However, regardless of whom you buy the motorhome from, the manufacturer’s guarantee maybe transferable if it is only a couple of years old. A factor you might wish to consider when deciding on the age of the vehicle you are looking to purchase.

Apart from of the type of seller you choose, it is often deemed prudent to buy locally. This can make travelling to view the motorhomes and any after-sales requirements, less of a hassle. If possible, always ensure that you view in daylight and good weather; this can make judging the general condition of the vehicle easier. Cracks, scuffs and sun damage on the outer bodywork are often more apparent in favourable conditions. Always check for damp by its distinctive smell and by looking for signs of mildew and moisture marks etc. Damp meters are regularly inexpensive and can assist with detection.

Check for signs of wear on carpets and upholstery and make sure everything that is present is in good working order. Have the seller demonstrate everything and take your time when viewing. Spending a couple of hours in the vehicle could help you judge if the vehicle’s space and layout are suitable for your needs. It is considered sensible to take the motorhome for a test drive, driving along country lanes as well as town roads. Park it a couple of times and negotiate tight turns and corners, to ensure that you are fully comfortable with its handling.

The general wear and tear of a motorhome should reflect its age and mileage and the selling price accordingly. However, a reduced price or a better deal maybe obtained if the buyer haggles. Many additional extras like the gas hook-up lead are not always included in the price, so a little bargaining may expand on what is included.
If buying from a dealer, it maybe advantageous to enquire if they are prepared to offer a part-exchange.

Some dealerships will take cars, motorbikes and boats as part-exchange items. Also, some offer finance packages but should finance be required, then better deals could be obtained from other finance providers and the market should be fully explored before making a commitment. These are some of the things that ought to be considered when deciding where to buy a second-hand motorhome.

It is doubtless wise to do plenty of research before buying a motorhome to avoid disappointment and unnecessary expense. There are a number of specialist magazines available and looking on the internet might be an option. Attending motorhome shows and exhibitions so you can inspect the vehicles first-hand, even viewing the range offered at a dealership, could help you quantify your choice. However, if you are planning to hire, then finding the best motorhome for your needs is not such a dilemma, as the staff of any reputable hire centre will match their most suitable motorhome to your requirements.

Besides being swayed by the aesthetics of a motorhome, its practical and technical attributes should also be considered. The largest legally allowed motorhome permissible in the UK is 12m long by 2.55m wide. However, most campsite, ferries, road tolls, insurance and recovery packages are based on motorhomes of 6m in length, which is the benchmark between medium and large. Its running costs, the choice of fuel and availability of parts, ought to be considered along with its manoeuvrability.

A very important factor that should never be overlooked when finding the best motorhome for your needs is the payload capacity. This is the difference between the MIRO (Mass in Running Order), the entire manufactured weight, including all the essential equipment for operating and making the motorhome habitable, less the MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) its legal maximum weight that includes all the occupants. There is a chart available to assist you when comparing the various motorhome payload details, as currently there is no universal interpretation of the MIRO regulations between manufacturers.

Another factor is the overhang of your motorhome, the legally permissible overhang in the UK is 60%. However, 55% is deemed more desirable to allow for tow-bars and bike racks. Do not forget that 200-300kg of motorbike on the back of a motorhome not only adds to the payload but also can exceed the permitted rear axle weight. Failure to adhere to payload limitations could lead to serious trouble with the road traffic police and the Law. Therefore, storage is not the only consideration when thinking exactly how much you are going to pack into your motorhome!

The choice of layout is often a personal thing, but it may be wise to remember that as the motorhome is probably going to be used for pleasure, the kitchen should be just big enough to prepare a simple meal and it would most likely be inadequate if there were not a separate toilet and shower. The design of motorhomes is constantly evolving, so try not being too inflexible with your specification when you attempt finding the best motorhome for your needs.

There are many hire centres within the UK, which include or can specialise in, the hiring of motorhomes. Before approaching a hire centre, you need to have an idea of what you want the motorhome to provide. Are you going on a touring holiday in the UK or just a weekend away at a festival for example? How many people will be travelling and sleeping in the vehicle. If you are unsure which type of motorhome to hire, there is no need to worry, as the staff at these hire centres will match a vehicle to best suit your needs. Reputable hire centres will also fully demonstrate all the equipment and accessories and give you a hand over period, so that you are familiar with the vehicle before commencing the hire.

These centres will also ensure that the driver of the hired motorhome has the appropriate driving licence. If you are less than 70 years of age, have no medical conditions and passed your driving test before the 1st January 1997, then you are allowed to drive a motorhome with a MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) or MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) of 7500kg or 8250kg with a trailer. If you passed your driving test after this date or are older than 70 years old, then a MAM of 3500kg and 4250kg with a trailer applies. To drive anything heavier requires an additional driving test.

The class and size of the motorhome, plus the time of year and length of the hire period, could determine the hire price. It may be possible to negotiate a better price or a deal that includes extras, the key is to ask when enquiring.

An alternative to hire centres is to use an owner’s network. These organisations match up owners of motorhomes who wish to hire out their vehicles when they are not using them, with people looking to hire. The network attempts to ensure they match the hirer’s requirements with the most suitable motor home in their area. These networks and hire centres are also found outside the UK allowing you to enjoy touring abroad, making hiring a motorhome a real option as part of your holiday and a taster should you decide to buy a motorhome in the future.

A realistic budget is also required, to assist with this, look at the price range of the used motorhomes of your choice. Remember to add in factors like insurance, servicing and fuel economy. If you decide to buy privately, vehicles are often cheaper but are sold as seen. Purchasing from a dealer maybe more expensive but they often come with a guarantee and the dealer is legally obliged to disclose full details of the vehicle’s condition. If the vehicle is under three years of age, a manufacturer’s guarantee maybe transferable to the new owner.

It may well be wise to view the vehicle in daylight and in good weather when buying a used motorhome as this can make assessing its general appearance easier. Have the seller fully demonstrate all the equipment and accessories to ensure that all are in good working order and that you are at ease with their use. Check for any signs of damp, damp-meters are inexpensive and could help with this.

If possible, ensure that a full service history is available and verify the engine and chassis numbers against the documentation. If you are buying privately, always view at the seller’s home address so you can confirm the registered address.

Motoring organisations, such as the RAC and AA offer online history checks, full inspections and road test should you require support when buying a used motorhome.

For ease of access and after-sale care, it is often best when buying a used motorhome to shop locally. Take your time when purchasing, do not yield to time-pressured deals. Spend a couple of hours in the motorhome, as you are likely to spend longer continuous periods in it than you would a car. Always take the motorhome for a test drive, travelling along both country lanes and town roads and try parking the vehicle. If possible, before buying a used motorhome, hire the type of motorhome you wish to buy to ensure it meets all your requirements and that you are comfortable with all its aspects. This could prove a deciding factor in your choice when buying a used motorhome and help reduce the risk of making a costly mistake. Finally, always haggle at least over the price and if applicable, the extras you would like included.

It is probably best to investigate the selling price of other motorhomes, which are similar to yours. Remember the mileage, condition, the popularity of the make and model, could determine the selling price range. If you are selling a motorhome privately, then put it on the market at the higher price and let the buyer haggle you to a lower price, which you are prepared to accept. It is often considered best practice by private buyers to view a vehicle at its registered address, so be prepared to handle the sale from your home address and be ready for the buyer to take a test drive.
Legally, a private seller does not have to make a statement regarding the vehicle’s condition but must answer truthfully any questions.

The method of payment must not be overlooked; cash might be the best option if you do not mind handling cash. However, if selling on-line, then often credit card payments are possible using the website’s own services. Alternatively, a bankers draft or a money transfer maybe more appropriate, with a non-cash method, it could be prudent to wait until the money has cleared in your account before relinquishing ownership of the motorhome.

When advertising, choose the best media for your requirements, it maybe the local newspaper, a specialist magazine or perhaps the owner of a local campsite may agree to advertise your motorhome for you. You may wish to consider selling a motorhome by auction, if so, there are a number of reputable auction-houses specialising in the selling of vehicles. Usually, they will assist you with realistic information on how best to facilitate the sale, including the setting of a reserve price.

If you are going to use a dealer, then brace yourself for the price they offer to be much lower than if you sold it privately. Remember, a dealer has overheads and needs to make a profit on the buying and selling of second-hand motorhomes. If you are going to use your motorhome as a part-exchange, then there maybe room for you to haggle for a better deal. Regardless if you are selling your motorhome privately or to a dealer, unless you require a quick sale, do not be pressured by time-limited deals, take your time.

Firstly identify your budget and what are you going to use the new motorhome for? Do you fancy spending months enjoying the winter sun in the Mediterranean, only holidaying for a couple of weeks at a time or just weekends away? Will you be travelling mostly in Europe or just in the UK? This could determine whether you buy a left or right-hand drive. It is often cheaper to buy a left-hand drive motorhome in the UK. How many will be occupying the motorhome will ascertain the layout and body type; a single person or a couple may require a van conversion or compact which is usually more spacious but still under 6m long. Whereas the larger coach-built or a Class-A motorhome may be the best choice for a family.

Then read those enthusiast books and magazines on motorhomes, search the internet, attend motorhome shows and exhibitions and take time to talk to motorhome owners. They are often more than happy to discuss their vehicles and could prove invaluable when giving you the practical details on various models, their layouts, running costs, manoeuvrability etc.

When ready to purchase that new motorhome it is often more convenient to buy locally for ease of access, after-all, you probably would not want to travel miles for any after-sales issues. It is important to take your time when buying, do not be pressured by time-limited deals. Test drive the vehicle, making sure that you are comfortable driving it in town as well as those tiny country lanes and try parking it. Have the dealer demonstrate how every accessory works and if possible, hire the vehicle for a weekend to make sure it suits your requirements, for example, does it fit on your drive if you are going to store it at home?

Once you have decided upon your motorhome then haggle with the dealer over those extras that are not included in the price. Compare their finance arrangements with those from other providers and check to see if the dealer offers part-exchange deals, they might accept cars, motorbikes, boats etc.

Remember, there is a vast array of new motorhomes in the marketplace that could suit your needs but at the end of the day, it is for YOU that you are buying the new motorhome and not family and friends!

There are many campervans to choose from so good research to find the one that most suits your needs can be important. It might be advantageous to visit motorhome shows and exhibitions to view first-hand the selection of makes and models with their variety of layouts. There is also a vast array of add-ons available, which may prove desirable, for example, awnings and bike racks. Visiting a motorhome show may possibly assist you when deciding which campervan to buy, however, a buyer might be shrewd not to be too ridged with their requirements, as this may inhibit obtaining a good deal when purchasing.

It can be prudent to take your time when buying a new campervan; do not be pressurized into taking a time-limited deal. If possible, hire the type of campervan you wish to buy first to ensure that it meets all your requirements and that you are comfortable with its lay-out and manoeuvrability. Failing that, at least spend a couple of hours in the new campervan before committing to the sale.

Always take it for a test drive, making sure that you travel down both country lanes and town roads, and try parking it. Have the dealers demonstrate all the equipment and accessories are in good working order and that you are familiar with their operation before proceeding with the purchase.

Be brave and haggle, not just over the price but also the extras that are often not included, for example, the gas hook-up lead. If you require finance when purchasing, always compare their financial arrangements with those on offer from other providers. The dealer may also offer part-exchange deals, which may include taking cars, motorbike and boats. These are all factors you may wish to take into account when considering where to buy a new campervan.

The first decision you will have to make before looking for quotes for your insurance is the type of camper insurance you need. Just as there are different types for car insurance there are also different types for camper vans. Which one would be the most suitable will depend in how much you use your camper van. If you only take it out on the road a few times a year then you might not benefit from taking out a fully comprehensive insurance policy.

The other option for insuring your camper van is third party fire and theft. This however gives only very limited insurance for your vehicle but it does provide insurance for any third party that should be involved in an accident with you. In respect of your camper van it would provide cover in case your vehicle should be stolen and also if it was to be destroyed in a fire. There can be other inclusions so always check the key facts before taking on the cover.

When taking out camper insurance you need to check the key facts as different insurance providers will include different things and will also give limitations on cover. One thing you do need to check that may already be included in fully comprehensive is your personal belongings. If you travel frequently then the camper van will hold many of your possession. If they are stolen or destroyed then you would have to replace them and some policies offer new for old cover while others will only give you the value of what they would be today. If new for old is listed in your policy then you will get your belongings replaced at what it would cost today to replace them.

Fully comprehensive insurance may also include breakdown and recovery. If you are travelling and were to breakdown then your vehicle would be recovered and you would be taken to your destination. Some policies would also pay for you to stay in alternative accommodation if your vehicle could not be repaired and you had to be without it.

Also check to see if camper insurance would cover such items as camping equipment. Camping equipment is very costly and the majority of policies will cover up to a certain amount. Your awning is also expensive to replace if it should become damaged, again your policy should cover awnings for up to a certain amount. Windscreen and sunroof repairs along with window cover should also come as standard in your policy. However you have to check to see if claiming for these would have an affect on your no claims bonus.

The two most common policies for insuring camper vans are fully comprehensive and third party fire and theft insurance. While third party fire and theft is the cheapest, it does not offer very much protection for your own vehicle. It would payout for repairs to the third parties vehicle but you would have to payout for your own repairs. You would be covered for damage caused by fire and if your camper van was stolen.

Fully comprehensive camper van insurance on the other hand would protect you against a huge range of possibilities and should be considered if you spend a lot of time out on the road. You would be covered for not only any repairs to the third party’s vehicle but also your own. In addition to this you would often be covered for medical expenses to the third party and any legal costs that arose from an accident. The policy would also pay often for emergency treatment resulting from an accident.

If you are on the road with your camper van for many months out of the year then your vehicle will be filled with many personal belongings. These will usually be covered up to a certain amount if they should be stolen or if they are damaged. Along with checking if the policy includes personal belongings, you also need to find out if the policy would pay for new for old. If it does not then you will only get the value of the items at the time you bought them and this usually means you will lose out. If the policy states new for old then you can replace your belongings at what they would cost you to buy today. The majority of policies will also cover against loss or damage to any audio equipment and satellite navigation equipment that is installed permanently in the camper van. This could include if they are stolen or damaged in an accident.

If your camper van holds such things as camping equipment then equipment such as this can work out very costly to be replaced if they are stolen. A fully comprehensive camper van insurance policy would give you cover for these which would allow them to be replaced. You should also look into the policy to see if it covers such items as awnings and steps. Again awnings can get damaged and these can be very costly to replace yourself, the majority of policies will include this up to a certain amount. Also take notice of whether you would lose your no claims bonus if you were to put in a claim for sunroof or windscreen damage.

Third party fire and theft could be adequate if you only take your motorhome out for a very few times per year and park in a commercial motorhome car park. You would be insured for third party’s repairs and for fire and theft of your own vehicle and this is the cheapest type of insurance for those who want parked motorhome insurance without it costing them a lot.

Some providers will also pay on a third party fire and theft policy for any equipment such as Sat-Nav and audio. However these will just be covered for damage that incurred through fire and theft. A third party fire and theft policy might also protect you and allow someone else with a driving licence to take control of your motorhome if there should be a medical emergency.

A third party fire and theft parked motorhome insurance policy can be an excellent way of protecting yourself, however if you want all-singing-all-dancing cover then consider fully comprehensive. Fully comprehensive would protect you and your motorhome for a whole range of different situations and could be needed if you plan on taking your motorhome on the road for many months.

Fully comprehensive would provide you with all the benefits of a third party fire and theft policy along with providing many additional benefits such as covering your personal belongings. If you are frequently on the road then you will need to have your possessions covered against loss due to theft or damage in an accident. Some policies would provide for new for old, which means that you would be able to get the value of what they are today not when you initially bought them.

When considering taking out parked motorhome insurance you always need to check the small print as all policies will differ with insurance providers. While the contents of the policies might look the same at first glance, looking deeper into it could you could find that there are limitations and you can only claim for up to a certain amount for such as personal belongings.

To start with, those travelling around in motorhomes will take a huge amount of personal belongings with them and you need to know that if they were stolen or damaged, that they would be covered. The majority of fully comprehensive motorhome policies will cover your personal belongings but only up to a certain amount. The amount you would be covered for can be found in the terms and conditions of the cover, and you need to check these before taking out the policy as they can vary by a great deal.

You also have to consider such as camping items which can include cooking stoves, seating etc and also the awning for the motorhome. All of these could be very expensive if you have to pay to replace them. A fully comprehensive policy should provide cover for these, again there will usually be a maximum amount up to which you are able to claim so always check when comparing UK motorhome insurance policies.

Breakdown cover and recovery cover may also be included in the comprehensive cover, though with some providers you might only get the very basic recovery. You should at the very least have roadside breakdown cover and you should be taken to your destination. Some insurance policies for your motorhome will also pay out for alternative accommodation if your motorhome is damaged and cannot be lived in. However all policies will limit the payout so check the key facts when comparing policies.

The majority of fully comprehensive motorhome insurance policies usually come with replacement vehicle cover. This means that if the insurance company believes it would cost too much to repair the vehicle then you would get a new one. However there are limitations to this, usually the insurance company would only pay if under so many miles or within a period of time from buying the vehicle.

Of course while fully comprehensive will provide you with the most amount of cover you do have to consider if you need it as it is often an expensive option when looking for UK motorhome insurance. If you are taking the motorhome out on the roads for a large amount of time then it could well worth be paying for fully comprehensive. However if you only use your motorhome occasionally for a couple weeks then you could consider taking out third party fire and theft.

Third party fire and theft would provide the third party with cover for repairs that needed to be made to their vehicle. It would not provide you with money for repairs however but it would pay if your vehicle was stolen or if it was damaged in a fire. However it is the among the cheapest forms of UK motorhome insurance and can be an option for those who rarely use their motorhome or who are not going to be leaving it alone for periods of time.

Depending on where you are considering taking your motorhome and how long you are planning to be on the roads with it will affect the type of cover you should consider taking out. If you plan to tour around the UK for many months out of the year then fully comprehensive insurance might be the better choice. If you only take your motorhome out of the garage for a week or so out of the year then third party fire and theft might be a better choice as this will cost less.

Third party fire and theft insurance would only pay for the very basics. It would give you protection if your motorhome was stolen or if it was damaged due to fire. It would also pay for any third party repairs but it would not cover repairs to your own vehicle.

A fully comprehensive motorhome insurance quote provides more extensive cover and if you plan on using your motorhome frequently, then you may be better off considering this type of cover. This policy would give you all the benefits of a third party fire and theft policy and so much more, which is essential if you are going to be out on the roads for many months. There are many things you will have to consider when taking out fully comprehensive insurance, as while the majority of policies will have the same things included, the amount of benefit they pay will vary.

The first thing you need to consider is how much you would be covered for personal contents. If travelling around for many months at a time then you will have many possessions in the motorhome and these can all add up if you would have to replace them all. The majority of cover will provide some personal belongings cover so you need to check what the limit would be in any policy you are considering taking out. You should also look for cover for such as satellite navigation and stereo equipment. Some insurance providers will include cover for such items, however again they will usually only payout for up to a certain amount.

You should also check the cover for where you would stand with legal costs if you should be involved in an accident. A fully comprehensive should include cover for the third party’s legal costs at the very least and also for any medical costs that come from the third party. Some policies will also add in cover and pay if you should damage property with your campervan.

When you get your motorhome insurance quote always look to see if you would be covered for recovery of your vehicle and yourself if your motorhome could not be repaired. Some policies will also provide cover in case you should have to stay in alternative accommodation while your motorhome is being repaired and again this will be limited up to a certain amount.

If you take your campervan and do a lot of travelling throughout the year then you should consider covering it with fully comprehensive as this gives the most complete cover. However if you only travel in your campervan for the odd week with the family, then you might be able to save money by insuring third party only. Third party, fire and theft provides liability protection for any third party who may be involved in an accident which was your fault as well as damage caused by fire or if the campervan was stolen.

Fully comprehensive campervan insurance on the other hand would provide you with many additional benefits. The majority of comprehensive insurance policies cover for any accidental damage that happens to the campervan. They also cover for loss or damage to the vehicle and the cover would also pay for repairs to both parties in an accident. Some will also pay for medical costs to the third party but you have to check the small print to see what the cover actually includes.

You would almost certainly want the policy to include cover for your belongings as the majority of campervans very often act like home. If you were to lose everything in a fire or if they were to be stolen then you could lose a lot. While policies usually include loss or damage to personal belongings you would be better off if the policy covered new for old. A new for old policy would allow you to replace the items lost at the value they are today as opposed to when you purchased them.

A good comprehensive insurance policy would give you some form of breakdown and recovery assistance. If your vehicle broke down and you had to pay for recovery, it could be very expensive. Usually a policy will include taking you to your destination and getting your campervan to a repair centre. Some policies will offer to pay for accommodation; however the level of cover would depend on the insurance provider.

When looking for campervan insurance check to see if you would be covered for the awning and any camping equipment that was stored in the van. Both of the can be very expensive to replace if they are not covered in the policy. Both of them are usually covered for up to a certain amount so you have to compare this in the terms and conditions of the cover. You would also have to look out for windscreen and sunroof cover and if any items such as stereo equipment and navigation equipment would be covered if these were damaged or stolen.

The amount of time you spend on the road and where you are travelling will make a difference to the cost of your motor home insurance. If you are on the road with your vehicle for the majority of time then you can expect the premiums to be higher than if your vehicle is garaged for a lot of the time. The cost of insurance will also be decided by the size of the motor home with the larger “home from home” type vehicles being the dearest to insure.

When looking for budget motor home insurance you could consider taking out third party fire and theft. However this only gives the basic cover and is not really suitable if you take your motor home out on the roads from many months out of the year. You might be able to get away with a third party fire and theft policy if you only take your motor home out for one or two weeks of the year.

If you want full cover for not only the motor home but also the contents and other things then you will typically need to take out fully comprehensive insurance. While this is a dearer policy you can get a quality but affordable policy by going with a specialist website. You can also get cheaper insurance by offering to pay a higher excess charge. The excess is the amount that you have to stand to before the insurance company would payout on a claim. All insurance companies will add in excess but you can offer to pay more and this will lower the premiums you pay each month. However you also have to take into account that you would have to find that sum of money if you had to claim on the insurance policy.

When looking at fully comprehensive insurance there are many things that you have to consider, usually they will be included in the majority of policies but there many be limitations as to how much the insurance company would payout. This will differ between insurance companies so it is vital to check the small print before you take out the cover.

You need to make sure that your belongings would be covered in the budget motor home insurance policy. As this is your home while you are travelling around in your motor home your belongings can add up to a fair sum. All comprehensive policies will include cover for belongings and such as awnings but they do have a limit up to a certain amount which differs between policies. Always check to make sure that the policy you are taking gives you new for old coverage. This means that you do not lose out when it comes to replacing all of your belongings if they were destroyed or stolen.

As with all motor insurance you can take out three types of insurance, these are third party only, third party fire and theft and fully comprehensive. Comprehensive insurance offers the most cover for your motor home but it will also be the most expensive way to cover your vehicle. However by going with a specialist and allowing them to look round on your behalf they can find you the quotes with some of the top insurance firms in the UK and you are then able to compare them at your leisure.

While you might know about the basics of motor home insurance there are other factors that you have to consider and check to see if they are included in the policy. While the majority of motor home insurance policies offer similar cover, there can be many limits imposed.

When considering which low cost motor home cover to go with, look at the summary first of the cover. Almost all comprehensive policies will include accidental damage to your vehicle and loss or damage due to the motor home being stolen or if it is was to be in a fire. Cover for the third party legal costs should also be included, along with property damage and medical costs if the accident was caused by you.

The majority of policies should include some form of basic breakdown and recovery cover in the comprehensive policy. This should be considered essential, recovery means that if your motor home should breakdown and it cannot be fixed at the side of the road you would be transported to your destination. Some insurance companies will also offer policies that will pay for accommodation if you cannot live in your motor home, however this is usually only up to a certain amount. You should also check to see if your policy would cover another driver if you suffered a medical emergency and wasn’t able to drive your motor home.

As you will often carry a lot of personal belongings in your motor home you will need to make sure that you have adequate cover for them. Some policies will allow you up to certain amount for personal belongings and of course the higher that value the better off you will be if your belongings get damaged or stolen. You should also check to see if your belongings are covered by new for old. This means that you would get the value of the belongings at today’s cost.

When comparing low cost motor home cover look at the summary to see if there is cover for windscreens, windows and sunroofs. The majority of policies do include this cover but if you claim for them it might affect your no claims discount. Also check to see if you would be able to claim for a new motor home if yours was involved in an accident and was deemed to be damaged beyond repair. While you can usually find this in a policy usually you would have to meet certain factors such as having travelled under so many miles or the motor home is under a certain age.

The needs of motor home drivers are many – some travel around in their vehicle almost all year long while others will just take their motor home out on the roads a couple of weeks out of the year. This is the first consideration that you need to make before taking out your policy.

You then have to decide if you are just going to be travelling in the UK or if you plan on travelling around Europe. Usually insurance companies will give you cover for travelling in Europe if you are taking out a fully comprehensive policy but you need to make sure that your policy covers you.

Fully comprehensive is the most complete form of motor home insurance that you can take out for your motor home. As your motor home is a home from home then you will be carrying around many personal belongings and these need to be protected. Usually your policy will cover belongings however there will be a limit on personal belongings so also check this in the terms and conditions.

As your motor home is designed for travelling the country around you will probably have such things as Sat-Nav installed in the vehicle, so you need to check your policy to be sure that this would be covered. You should also check any cover you are considering taking out to see if audio equipment would also be covered. Usually as long as they are permanently fitted in the motor home then your policy would cover damage to them or theft.

Another thing you have to check on when looking for the cheapest motor home insurance is if such things as awnings and camping equipment stored in the motor home are covered. Again if you take out a fully comprehensive policy then they should be covered against accidental damage up to a certain amount, which will differ with all policies.

If your motor home is involved in an accident that means it is not economical to repair, then some policies can replace your motor home. However there are limitations with all policies, usually the motor home has to be under 2 years and have done less than so many miles, so always check the small print. You also need to look for recovery cover. This is usually included and means that if your motor home cannot be repaired then you will be taken to wherever it is you were going.

Finally when comparing for the cheapest motor home insurance check the policy to see if you would be covered for legal liabilities to any third party that might be involved in an accident. This includes damage to the property of the third party. You also need to check to see if legal costs would be covered in your policy, they usually are, but only up to a certain amount.

Usually motorhomes will be like a home away from home with all the mod cons such as kitchen with cooker, toilet and shower room and that means that there are many things that can go wrong. If you have regular checks on these however and have safety records to show you have such as the gas bottle and connections checked regularly, then you can make savings on your insurance.

You should also consider the excess of the policy. All insurance companies ask for excess to be paid on the cover, however if you offer to pay a higher excess then the cost of the insurance policy will generally be lower. You would have to bear in mind though that the excess is the amount you would have to pay before the insurance company would payout for a claim.

When looking for cheap motorhome insurance do go with a specialist in the sector, as they will be able to look around on your behalf and find you the cheapest deals with some of the top UK insurance companies specialising in motorhome insurance. They will also provide you with the key facts of the cover so that you are able to make a comparison.

You will have to check what is and is not covered in the policy as they can differ depending on the insurance company. Some insurance companies will provide breakdown cover in with their policy and this is essential when out and about in your motorhome. Other providers on the other hand might not include this cover and you would have to pay extra for it. Check to see if the breakdown cover also includes getting you to your destination if your vehicle is beyond repair at the roadside.

Give some thought to the where you will be travelling in your motorhome. For example, will you be staying in areas that are well known for flooding? If this is the case then consider if your policy includes damage due to flood. If you are parking up for overnight stays would you be covered for damage due to falling branches? All of these things have to be taken into account if you are to ensure you have the correct cover.

You also need to check to see what the contents of the policy includes when it comes to your possessions. The best cover would be to have new for old which means that you would receive payments for what the items are worth today, not when you originally bought them. If the policy is just a replacement policy then you would only get the amount of what they were worth originally and you would lose out. You also need to check when taking out cheap motorhome insurance that items such as your awning would be covered, it should be covered for damage at the least.

Your motorhome policy needs to be considered very carefully as there are many different things that need protecting and which you might not consider if you are used to insuring a car. Car and motorhome cover are entirely different and this is why you need to choose an insurer who specialises in offering motorhome insurance.

If you are taking your motorhome out onto the roads and doing a lot of travelling then the cost of insurance will be higher than if you only travel for a week or two out of the year. The same will apply if you are going to be travelling with your motorhome out of the UK. You do however have to be totally honest about this when taking out a policy. If you have stated that you are only travelling in the UK to keep your insurance costs down and then make a claim for an incident that occurred in Europe, your policy will be null.

When considering insurance you will need to make sure that such things as awnings and steps are included in the cost of the policy. Awnings can get ripped in bad weather and some providers will add this into basic cover while other insurance providers might ask that you take cover for such things at an additional premium. You also need to check what contents are included in the motorhome insurance. The majority of motorhomes are futted with a fridge, cooker, bathroom and kitchen and these can breakdown, therefore you need to know if they would be covered in your policy.

You also have to check the small print to see what contents cover you have in relation to if it is new for old or replacement only. If the entire contents of your motorhome were to be stolen or destroyed they can be very expensive to replace. New for old is the best type of cover as it would allow you to buy replacements at what they cost today. However, if the cover only pays out replacement for what the items were worth at the time of losing them.

You also have to compare exclusions and limitations in motorhome cover before taking on the policy. Factors to take into consideration here include if you should be hit by a driver that is uninsured and if you have liability cover which includes medical expenses. You also need to check to see if recovery and breakdown is included in the policy. If you were to breakdown and your motorhome needed towing for repair then you should be provided with an alternative vehicle, at the very least you should be taken to your destination along with your luggage.

When looking for the best deals for your motor home then you have to go with a specialist insurance company. Someone who specialises in offering insurance for motor homes as opposed to insurance for cars will know what insurance is needed. They will also offer among the cheapest premiums, which of course need to be compared on a like-for-like basis. A specialist motor home insurance company will compare quotes on your behalf.

If your choice of motor home is one of the “home from home” types with full kitchen, bathroom and everything else found in the home then the insurance will cost more as there are more things that can go wrong and which you might have to claim for. Refrigerators are run on gas and these can be potentially dangerous so of course insurance for a vehicle holding such items will cause the insurance to be higher. You will also be carrying around personal belongings such as your clothes, money, jewellery and other items of value. Therefore you will need to have insurance to cover not only in case you are involved in an accident but also in case your belongings get stolen when out of your motor home.

You need to make sure that if you have such items as a satellite dish, TV antenna, awnings for example that these are included in the motor home insurance. Some insurance providers will include these things in a general policy while other insurance companies will ask that you add on extra cover for these, so always check out the small print of any policy you are considering taking out.

There are many things that you should think about including in your policy. For example, if you were involved in an accident that was your fault and caused injury to a third party, you need to have cover for liability. If the other party should be injured, then the cover would pay out. You also need to be covered in case you should be hit by an uninsured driver and also if you should do damage to another’s property with your motor home.

When looking for motor home insurance you should also look for a policy that offers breakdown coverage as inclusive. If you are travelling in remote areas and should break down you need to have peace of mind that you would be able to reach your destination if your motor home is not worthy of travelling. Therefore you need a service that would supply you with a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired.

You should always choose a reliable insurance company to take your motor home insurance out with. They should preferably deal solely in offering this type of insurance, as this way they will understand what coverage you need. Motorhome insurance is not the same as taking out car insurance, there are many factors that have to be taken into account.

All policies are not the same so comparing what you are actually covered for, for the cost of the premium is essential. It is no good taking out a cheap policy and then finding you haven’t got the cover you need. Here are some pointers that a good policy should include as standard.

1. Look for added breakdown cover; this is essential if you are doing a lot of travelling over many months in your motor home. There should ideally be no weight restriction in the terms and conditions or size restrictions. This would then give you peace of mind wherever you were travelling throughout the United Kingdom or Europe.
2. Always go for new for old replacement, usually there will be a clause limiting this to so many years or under so many miles. However look for cover that offers new for old for at least 2 years from you buying your vehicle and with at least a 15,000 mile restriction. You would then be able to claim new for old if your motor home should be involved in an accident and was to be written off within a 2 year period and you had done under 15,000 on the clock.
3. When considering how to get cheaper motor home insurance, take into account that you should get a policy that cover personal effects up to a certain amount. The policy should also include such as windscreen damage, generator, audio equipment, awnings and legal protection.

One of the most frequent causes of having to claim on motor home insurance was down to fires caused by leaking propane lines around the back of the refrigerator. One way of stopping yourself from appearing among the statistics is to have this checked by an authorised dealer. At the same time you can also check this on a regular basis yourself to make sure all is well. You can buy a leak detection solution which you can easily use around the fittings of the gas bottle to show any leakage.

The next most frequent claim was for repairs were as a result of hitting low bridges or overhangs. This occurs through the owner of the motor home not knowing the height of their vehicle and misjudging. This is easily remedied by going to the manufacturer’s website and looking at the details of vehicle. Alternatively measure it yourself starting from the ground and the taking the measurement at the very highest point of the vehicle. When you have got this then add 6 inches onto it to bring you to a total.

Steps and awnings were also another popular insurance claim. So by following this advice we can show you how to prevent claiming on your policy. Always double check to make sure steps have retracted safely and they are safely stored in the position they should be. You can easily avoid claims resulting from awnings and steps by following a check list each and every time you go on the move. Get into a routine of checking off everything all around the vehicle and you and your motor home will remain protected.

This should be kept in mind when buying the vehicle and if you look at the various types and the cost of insurance before buying, you will have an idea if the motor home of your choice is affordable.

At the top end of the scale in motor homes is what is termed the “A” class vehicles. These are luxury models that are nothing short of homes on wheels. The majority of them have 2 to 3 berths, however it has been known for them to go up to 4 to 6 berths. This type of motor home is fully fitted with all the “mod-cons” that you could expect at home including TV, showers, fitted kitchen and bedrooms. They are however one of the most expensive types to insure.

Next down the ladder is the “C” class motor home, otherwise know as the coach build. This type is basically a van with chassis which has a caravan built onto it. They do have a lot of room and are well designed to make the most of the available space and sleeping quarters. This type of motor home is one of the best choices for the whole family. They also include larger kitchen space and bathrooms and over cab sleeping areas for children.

Finally there are the camper vans; these are conversions of normal vans. This type is the cheapest when looking to save on your motor home insurance. These are also the easiest vehicles to manage when it comes to parking as they are more compact, with a large majority of them being based on the Ford Transit. However they are the smallest and only really ideal for a couple. Having said this they do include the essentials of bathroom, kitchen and bedroom, if somewhat on the small side.

While saving money on the cost of getting insurance you also need to make sure you have adequate protection. All policies will differ in the content that is covered. A policy should provide cover for personal belongings left in the vehicle. It should also include protection for audio equipment, gas bottles, and awning damage. Also check to see if provisions are included for alternative accommodation if your motor home should be damaged to the extent where you cannot live in it and continue on your trip.

If you are planning to live for many months in the motor home or are going to make frequent trips in it then you insurance protection can be more expensive than the odd week away in the vehicle. However do not be tempted to say you use it infrequently if this is untrue. While the cost of the insurance will be cheaper, you will have problems if you should need to claim on the policy and it comes to light that the vehicle is your home for the majority of time.

When looking for cheap motor home insurance quotes go specifically with an insurance company who specialises in offering this type of insurance. Motor home insurance is quite different from car insurance and you need to have the correct cover. A policy should be tailored for what you intend to do with the vehicle and the time you are spending in it. Always be sure to read the small print of the policy before taking it on. You also need to make sure you understand what is and is not covered in the agreement. You should also look into the history of the insurance company and stick with those who are established.