• You must have insurance for your motorhome if you drive it on public roads.
• If your motorhome is stored off-road and never driven, insurance is not legally required, though it might still be smart.
• Motorhome insurance is different from standard car insurance, covering extra risks and contents.
• Not having the right insurance could cost you a lot if things go wrong.

If you want to use your motorhome, even just once a year, you need insurance. Driving without it is illegal and exposes you to big risks if there is an accident, theft, or damage. You can technically store an uninsured motorhome off the road with a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), but you will not be protected if something unexpected happens. Insurance for motorhomes is not the same as car insurance; it covers more, from personal belongings to living equipment inside. If you skip it, you risk losing much more than your vehicle.

What the law says about motorhome insurance

In the UK, you need insurance if you take your motorhome onto public roads. It does not matter if you only drive it to the shops, go on a long holiday, or just move it from one parking spot to another. Police can fine you or even seize your motorhome if you do not have at least third party cover.

If you are not using your motorhome and it is parked off the road, you can register it with a SORN. That removes the legal need for insurance, but you lose all protection. If it gets stolen from your driveway, or a tree branch falls on it, there is no backup.

Without insurance, you are on your own if your motorhome is damaged, stolen, or set on fire while off the road, even if it is parked right outside your window.

How is motorhome insurance different from car insurance?

Some people think regular car insurance is enough for their motorhome. That is a mistake. Car insurance mostly covers you for driving and basic protection. Motorhome insurance covers extras like your appliances, fitted furniture, and personal belongings. It also protects you if you have emergency breakdowns while living or traveling in it.

Here are some differences:

What does motorhome insurance really cover?

• Third party cover: minimum needed by law, pays for damage or injury to others
• Fire and theft: some policies include fire and theft even with basic cover
• Comprehensive: includes your own motorhome and all personal contents
• European cover: if you want to travel outside the country
• Emergency accommodation: pays for a hotel if your motorhome is unusable
• Accessories and awnings: valuable extras like satellite dishes and solar panels
• Breakdown and recovery: especially useful in rural areas

Insurance is not just about the big stuff. Even small incidents, like broken appliances or storm damage to an awning, add up quickly.

Some policies help replace or repair items you did not think about, like mobile chargers, kitchen appliances, or a TV that falls off its stand on a sharp bend.

What if your motorhome is not used for months?

Many owners only use their vehicles for part of the year. Maybe you take the odd holiday in summer and leave the motorhome parked for winter. Is it worth keeping full insurance?

The law only cares about being insured when your motorhome is on public roads. With a SORN, you do not need cover. But is that a good idea?

• If your garage is flooded or a fire starts, insurance is the only thing that can help you recover losses.
• Some thieves target stored motorhomes since they look empty for long stretches.
• Mold, vandalism, and weather damage can sneak up on you while your vehicle sits unused.

A lot of damage to motorhomes happens when they are parked, not when they are being driven. You do not notice until it is too late.

How to choose the right type of motorhome insurance

The best option will depend on how you use your motorhome, where you keep it, and the value of your contents. Here are areas to compare:

• Policy type: Third party, fire and theft, or comprehensive?
• Mileage limits: Lower mileage sometimes means a cheaper price. Not all policies offer this.
• Agreed value: For unique or self-built motorhomes, this type fixes the payout amount in advance.
• Breakdown cover: Especially important outside cities or abroad.
• Contents cover: Does it pay out for the stuff you keep inside? Some policies have strict limits.
• Travel abroad: Check if you want cover in Europe or outside the UK.
• Storage location: Some providers offer discounts if you use a secure storage site.

I have talked to plenty of owners who thought basic car insurance would stretch to cover their whole setup. It never does. Always check those smaller details before getting a policy. If you are carrying expensive e-bikes, laptops, or gear, mention this when getting quotes.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Assuming your home insurance covers your motorhome. This is rarely true.
• Underinsuring the contents. Replacing even a few lost items can be costly, and insurance only pays up to your chosen limits.
• Not reading exclusions for wear and tear or water damage.
• Missing out on security discounts. Some policies drop in price if you install alarms or trackers. A few providers also look at the postcode where you store your motorhome.
• Lying about mileage or usage. If you say you store your motorhome off the road but actually park it on the street, this can void your insurance if there is a claim.

Insurers are quick to void policies where the details do not match reality. Being honest about storage and use pays off every time.

Can you temporarily insure a motorhome?

If you have just bought a used motorhome and want to drive it home, there are temporary insurance options. These are often short-term, such as one day to a few months. They can be expensive when added up, but for moving a motorhome or trying it out, this can be handy.

Make sure you still have all required documents, including MOT and tax if you drive on public roads. Some short-term insurance does not include European cover or replacement of personal items, so check before buying.

Motorhome insurance and international travel

If you want to take your motorhome abroad, you might need extra paperwork. The minimum required may change by country, especially after changes to driving laws since Brexit. Many basic UK policies only cover certain countries and for a limited duration per trip.

• Some policies let you add specific countries for a trip
• Time abroad can be capped, common limits are 90 or 180 days per year
• Check if green cards or extra certificates are needed for your destination

European medical incidents or breakdowns can become expensive. Choosing a policy with a strong overseas reputation makes those moments less stressful. If your provider handles claims in English, that saves time and hassle as well.

What does a typical motorhome insurance claim look like?

Here are some real claims drivers have reported, based on common situations:

• Hail storms cracking roof lights or sky hatches
• Smashed side mirrors or windows from parking mishaps
• Theft while parked overnight at a service station
• An awning ruined by a surprise wind gust while camping
• Water leaks damaging built-in kitchens after heavy rain

Regular car insurance does not stretch to these sorts of risks. Motorhome-specific policies include added protections for incidents that only happen when using your vehicle as a home.

What is not covered?

There are limits. All policies have small print. Read it carefully. Some things typically not covered:

• Normal ageing and wear
• Mechanical breakdowns (unless you added breakdown cover)
• Mold from neglect
• Deliberate damage
• Unknown modifications (for self-builds, always declare every change)

If you want cover for special trips, like ice road journeys or desert crossings, look for a specialist provider. Mainstream insurers may refuse these risks.

Insurance for campervans and van conversions

If you have a campervan or a self-built van conversion, most of the same rules apply. The main difference lies in how you declare modifications. Always get insurance before you finish the conversion, just in case it is stolen or damaged unfinished. Photos and receipts help at claim time.

Some insurers are not keen on converted vans, while others target them directly. If you do a good job with safety and get a gas certificate, you will have more choice and better quotes.

Do you need motorhome insurance if your vehicle is only parked?

Legally, no. As long as your vehicle is SORN and never touches a public road, you do not have to insure it. Will that really save money?

Not really. The savings disappear if anything goes wrong. With parking damage, vandalism, or even a neighbor’s car crashing into your driveway, you could end up paying more to fix problems out of pocket.

The cost of a basic storage-only policy can be small compared to what you might pay for repairs, even if nothing happens for years.

How to get the best price for motorhome insurance

Some tips that can lower your price and give better results:

• Compare specialist insurers online, do not stop at your usual car insurance company
• Upgrade security with a tracker, alarm, and wheel locks
• Keep the motorhome in a secure storage facility if possible
• Bundle extras you need, like European cover or breakdown, at the start, later add-ons cost more
• Mention no claims on any vehicles you own. Some insurers give discounts for good driving records, even if you have only driven cars before

Double-check all exclusions and ask about excesses (the money you pay if you make a claim). Some insurers have high excess for theft or storm damage, which might not be obvious until you need help.

Should you get a specialist broker?

If you have a unique motorhome, vintage vehicle, or expensive conversion, consider going through a broker. This is not always the cheapest path, but it helps if your needs are unusual or you want tailored cover. Brokers often know which underwriters accept self-builds or left-hand drive imports.

If your vehicle is standard and you do not need anything extra, comparison sites are usually fine. If you do not mind spending a bit more for peace of mind, specialist advice makes the whole process smoother.

Summary table: Do you need motorhome insurance?

It is tempting to save a bit each month by skipping insurance when not driving, but that is risky. Even a single small incident could cost far more than a year’s premium. Think about how you use your motorhome, where you keep it, and what is stored inside. Adjust your cover to match, being underinsured rarely pays off when something big goes wrong.