What counts as a campervan for insurance purposes?

Insurers generally expect a campervan to have permanently fitted living facilities such as a bed, seating, storage, and a means of cooking, along with windows and a means of accessing the living area. A van with a mattress in the back is usually still considered a van for insurance purposes. If your unsure what insurance your vehicle needs, speak to us on 01603 649744.

Do I need to reclassify my van as a motor caravan with the DVLA?

Reclassification is not compulsory, and since 2019 the DVLA has applied stricter criteria, so many converted vans remain registered as panel vans on the V5C. You can still insure a campervan that has not been reclassified, but you must describe the conversion accurately to your insurer. Our guide to registering a converted campervan or motorhome covers the process in more detail.

Can I insure a self-build campervan conversion?

Yes, self-builds are very common, and we can insure them, including vans that are partway through conversion. You will usually be asked for a description of the work completed, receipts, or a build cost breakdown, and photographs.

Do I have to declare my conversion and modifications?

Yes, anything fitted after the vehicle left the factory should be declared, including the conversion itself, pop-top or high-top roofs, leisure batteries, solar panels, awning rails, roof bars, bike racks, and any engine or suspension changes. Undeclared modifications can lead to a claim being delayed or declined.

Should I insure my campervan on an agreed-value basis?

Market-value settlements don't always reflect what a conversion actually cost, particularly on self-builds where the finished vehicle is worth considerably more than an equivalent panel van. An agreed-value policy fixes the settlement figure in advance, so that the amount you'll receive if you make a claim is already agreed. You'll usually need to provide a valuation, receipts, and photographs when you take the policy out.

Can I use my campervan as my everyday vehicle?

Policies can be arranged for everyday use. Many campervan policies are set up on a limited-mileage or leisure-use basis, which can reduce the premium, but will not cover commuting or daily driving. If you use your camper as your everyday vehicle, you'll need to let your insurer know when you take the policy out.

Is van insurance the same as campervan insurance?

No, a commercial van policy is based on carrying goods and usually does not cover the conversion, fitted equipment, or the belongings inside. It may also exclude use as living accommodation. Insuring a converted camper on a standard van policy risks a declined claim.

Are awnings and camping equipment covered?

Drive-away awnings, camping equipment, and personal belongings can be covered, either within the policy or as an add-on, up to a stated limit. Check the single-item limit as well as the overall figure, since items like bikes and laptops can exceed it.

Is my campervan covered while it is in storage?

Cover generally continues while the vehicle is stored, but insurers will ask where it is kept and may set security requirements such as a tracker, immobiliser, or secure compound. Tell us if your storage arrangements change over winter.

Am I covered while I am sleeping in the van?

Standard campervan policies cover the vehicle rather than you as an occupant, and personal effects cover applies to your belongings. If you are living in your campervan full-time, you'll need to make your insurer aware. See our guide to living in a campervan or motorhome.

What licence do I need to drive a campervan?

Most campervans are under 3,500kg, so a standard category B car licence is sufficient. Some conversions, particularly long-wheelbase or high-payload builds, may need a C1 entitlement. Drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 usually hold C1 automatically.

Can I drive my campervan in Europe?

Yes, policies typically include a set number of days of EU travel per year, commonly 30 days, and you should tell your insurer before you travel. If you take longer trips, extended European cover can usually be arranged. Bear in mind you may need to upgrade your breakdown cover to include Europe.

How can I reduce my campervan insurance premium?

Fitting a tracker and an approved alarm or immobiliser, keeping the van somewhere secure, agreeing a realistic annual mileage, taking a higher voluntary excess, and limiting the number of named drivers can help to lower your premium. Read our guide on how to protect your motorhome from theft for practical security measures.

Campervan Insurance Quotes | Alan Boswell Group

Name: Campervan Insurance
Brand: Alan Boswell Group
Rating: 4.8 (13078 reviews)

Campervan Insurance

Specialist cover for campervans and van conversions in the UK, protecting your vehicle and your kit on the road or in storage.

Self-builds and professional conversions

Agreed value available

UK-based claims service

Your campervan is rarely just a vehicle. Whether it started life as a panel van and became a weekend project, or rolled off the line as a factory camper, the conversion inside is often worth as much as the van itself. Campervan insurance is built to protect both.

The Alan Boswell Group Difference

As independent insurance brokers, we have been arranging cover for more than 40 years and work with a panel of the country's leading insurers. That means we can insure campervans that standard motor insurers might struggle with, including self-build conversions, part-finished projects, and vans still going through DVLA reclassification.

We look after campervan owners across the UK, from first-time converters running a single VW T6 to owners of high-value coach-built campers. If you make a claim, you speak to our own UK-based team, and we support you through the process.

We’ve also put together a range of useful guides, articles and tips for motorhome and campervan owners in our knowledge hub.

How our customers rate us

Tom is fantastic. He has saved me a lot of money on campervan insurance and recovery. Really easy to deal with, so I now also have my car insurance with them. They seriously take the stress and hassle out of insurance.

Mrs Faulkner - Campervan Insurance

4.8/5 13078 reviews

What is campervan insurance?

Campervan insurance is motor insurance designed for vehicles used both for driving and for living or sleeping in. It differs from standard van insurance as it can cover:

The value of the conversion, not just the base vehicle
Fitted equipment such as leisure batteries, solar panels, hobs, sinks, and heaters
Camping equipment and personal belongings kept inside
Awnings, roof racks, bike racks, and pop-top roofs
European travel
Cover while the vehicle is parked up or in storage between trips

As with any motor policy, there are three levels of cover:

Third party only, the minimum level required by law. It compensates other people for injury or damage you cause, but will not cover damage to your own campervan.

Third party, fire and theft includes third-party cover and will also compensate you if your campervan is stolen or damaged by fire.

Comprehensive includes third party, fire and theft, and will also cover damage to your own vehicle in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

If you plan to hire your campervan out, you will need self-drive hire insurance instead, which will cover your hirers as well as your own personal use.

Do I need different cover for a campervan and a motorhome?

Whether you own a campervan or a motorhome affects how your vehicle is classified and what insurance you need.

A campervan is usually a converted panel van. The living space and the driving cab are part of the same body shell; there is no separate walk-through, and facilities are typically limited to a bed, a small kitchen area, and storage. Popular campervans include VW Transporter and California, Ford Transit Custom, Mercedes Sprinter conversions, and Renault Trafic builds. Campervans are sometimes used as everyday vehicles as well as for trips away.

A motorhome is generally larger and purpose-built on a chassis cab, with a coachbuilt or A-class body, fixed washroom, and a separate living area. Motorhomes are rarely used as an everyday vehicle.

If your vehicle is a coachbuilt or A-class, our motorhome insurance may be more suitable. If you're unsure, speak to our expert team for advice on 01603 649744.

Do I need campervan insurance?

Yes, if your campervan is kept or used on a public road, you must legally have at least third-party cover. Driving without insurance can lead to a fine and up to six penalty points. If it goes to court, you could be disqualified and face an unlimited fine.

The only exception is if you formally declare the vehicle off the road by applying to the DVLA for a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN). Bear in mind that a SORN removes your legal obligation to insure the vehicle, but it does not protect it. To protect your SORN vehicle if it is stolen or damaged by fire, you may want to consider third party, fire and theft cover.

If your van is mid-conversion, you will need to inform your insurer as a part-finished build has a different risk profile to a completed camper. The same applies once the DVLA updates your V5C: read our guide to registering a converted campervan.

Campervan insurance in detail

Cover varies according to the type of campervan insurance you buy. The details below form part of a fully comprehensive campervan policy, and may vary for third-party, fire and theft and third-party-only policies.

Accidental and malicious damage cover

Cover for repairs by an approved repairer.

Replacement locks

If your keys fall into the wrong hands and there is a risk of theft.

Conversion and fitted equipment

Cover for the conversion itself, including fitted furniture, leisure batteries, solar panels, hobs, sinks, and heating systems, provided they have been declared.

Theft of the vehicle

Campervans built on popular van platforms are a known target for thieves. Cover applies subject to the security requirements set out in your policy.

Damage caused by theft or attempted theft

Cover for damage caused as a result of theft, including forced locks, doors, and ignition damage.

Theft from the vehicle

Cover for communications, entertainment, and navigation equipment.

Personal belongings and camping equipment

Cover for belongings kept inside the campervan, up to the limit shown in your policy.

Fire damage

Covers fire damage, unless caused by cooking or heating food and drink.

Glass and windscreen

Including pop-top roof windows, skylights, and side windows fitted as part of the conversion.

Courtesy vehicle

A courtesy vehicle if your campervan is being repaired following a claim, subject to availability.

European travel

Cover for up to 30 days' travel within the EU per year. Your insurer must be told in advance of travel.

Personal accident

Up to £5,000 for the death of you, your spouse, or civil partner in the event of an accident. Up to £2,000 for loss of limbs and £2,000 for complete or permanent loss of sight.

Third party while towing

Up to a £5m limit for damage to third parties.

Optional extras

The range of optional extras available will depend on the insurer but could include features such as:

Legal expenses cover

Our motor legal expenses from ALPS (Auto Legal Protection Services) cover up to £100,000 for £30, including adviser costs, if you have an accident. This mainly applies to uninsured drivers or personal injury claims where you believe a third party's negligence was the cause.

Key care

Key care covers you, any named drivers, and immediate family for campervan keys that are lost, stolen, or broken. Up to £1,500 of cover for keys, new locks, and locksmith charges if there is a security risk. Cover is available for £15 and is provided by Coplus.

Call Assist breakdown and recovery

Call Assist breakdown cover* provides roadside assistance, onward travel or overnight accommodation, and recovery of the motorhome/campervan to your preferred destination. We can offer both UK-only cover at £195 and UK & EU cover for £275.

Excess protection

Reimburses you for the excess you pay when making a claim on your vehicle insurance. Protection is available for between £300 and £2,000 of cover, with prices starting from £35.