How can I make my motorhome and campervan insurance cheaper?

Before you decide to purchase insurance for your motorhome or campervan, it's always worth finding out if and how you can make it cheaper. Motorhome and campervan insurance can provide cover against a wide range of incidents, from damage and theft to legal or repair expenses.

The type of insurance you buy will depend on your individual circumstances and what you want to cover, but there are a few things everyone could do to potentially lower their motorhome or campervan insurance premium.

Here are eight tips for making your motorhome or campervan insurance cheaper.

Our top tips for making your motorhome and campervan insurance cheaper

1.      Pay annually

Paying for your motorhome and campervan insurance annually could help save you money by not having to pay the interest included in the monthly costs. So, if you're sure about the type of insurance you want and that it won't change over the next year, annual payments are a great way to potentially save some extra money in the long run.

2.      Improve safety and security

Depending on the insurer you choose and the make and model of your vehicle, your insurance provider may require you to implement certain safety and security measures as standard.

For example, for your insurance to be valid should you insure your motorhome or campervan through Ripe, you must show that you’re taking all reasonable steps to prevent or reduce loss or damage to your motorhome or campervan.

Always check what measures are necessary to be covered by your insurance, and then look at what additional accessories you can buy to lower your premium.

You can buy add-ons such as wheel clamps, trackers, and alarms to further protect your vehicle from theft. If you're wondering what other essentials your motorhome or campervan might need, read the list in our blog.

Getting a tracker fitted will also help you locate your motorhome if it is stolen. It sends a signal that will help you find its location, and you can pass this information on to the police.

3.      Look into modifications and self-builds

Keep in mind when organising your motorhome and campervan insurance that the more modifications you've made to your vehicle, the more complex it may be to repair or replace—and therefore, the more you'll likely have to pay in insurance.

If your campervan is self-built, you may want to look into specialist insurers that provide cover specifically for DIY conversions to ensure you aren't overcharged. You could also make your insurance cheaper by adding reversing cameras and parking sensors to your vehicle to make bumps less likely.

4.      Drivers and qualifications

Another way to potentially make your motorhome and campervan insurance cheaper is to ensure you're adding as few drivers onto the policy as possible. It sounds obvious, but if you can manage with just one insured driver it'll be far more cost effective.

Keep in mind that the driving history of those you're adding to the policy will also affect how much you'll be paying. If the additional driver has previous accidents on their record, you could end up paying a fair bit more than you would if you only included yourself on the policy.

Secondly, you and the other drivers insured on the policy can complete advanced driving courses to lower your insurance costs. This demonstrates to insurers that you're more confident and safer on the road. The courses available can also help improve your experience and knowledge of driving in different weather and light conditions.

5.      Parking and storage

Insurance policies usually state where your motorhome or campervan will need to be parked or stored for the policy to be valid. This usually includes your garage or driveway at your home address or the home of friends or family, a dedicated storage facility, or a registered caravan site.

Storage is particularly important in winter when you're less likely to be using your vehicle as often. Leaving your motorhome or campervan parked on the street could mean you end up paying a high premium, and you might not even be covered anyway should you make a claim.

6.      Get reevaluated regularly

Having your motorhome or campervan regularly reevaluated could help save you money as the market price of your vehicle goes down over time. Don't get caught out paying a premium price for a vehicle that's had a few years of travelling under its belt!

The same can be said for if you add any safety and security measures to your vehicle or change where you're storing it whilst it's not in use. Each year you renew your policy, keep in mind anything that you've changed over the past year that may have an effect on the rates you're paying.

7.      Make the most of your no claims

If you've made it a few years or more without any incidents when driving your vehicle, you may be eligible for a no claims discount on your motorhome or campervan insurance. Ask your insurer about this so you can take advantage of the offer.

8.      Choose the right cover

Lastly, but arguably the most important point to remember, is to find an insurer that lets you build your policy, ensuring you're never paying for something you don't need.

The type of plan you need depends on many factors, such as your budget, where you'll be storing your vehicle and your driving history. Some insurers even include optional add-ons to their policies, like Continental Europe cover or key replacement.

Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe

Through Ripe, you can build a motorhome or campervan insurance policy tailored entirely to your needs, selecting from a range of options to ensure you never pay more than you need to on unnecessary cover.

Get a quick quote today, or visit our website for more information on motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe.