Motorhome insurance: Your comprehensive guide to optimal protection and cost savings
08.06.25
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The right motorhome insurance is worth its weight in gold when it comes to carefree travel. It not only protects you from the financial consequences of accidents, but also safeguards your valuable mobile home. Discover how to find the right cover and save money smartly.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Third-party motor vehicle liability insurance is legally required for every motorhome and covers damage to third parties up to 100 million euros.
Partial and comprehensive motor insurance protect your own motorhome against damage such as theft, fire, accidents or vandalism, with comprehensive cover offering the most extensive protection.
Cost factors such as vehicle type, no-claims bonus class and seasonal number plates significantly affect the premium; savings of up to 40 per cent are possible.
Understanding the basics of motorhome insurance
Every owner of a motorhome in Germany must take out motor vehicle liability insurance. This legal requirement covers damage you cause to third parties with your vehicle, with cover of up to €100 million for property damage and up to €15 million per injured person. Without proof of this insurance, usually through the electronic insurance confirmation (eVB number), registration of your camper is not possible. Many insurers offer sums insured that go far beyond the statutory minimum requirements. This basic cover is the first step towards carefree travel. Next, we look at the optional, but often indispensable, comprehensive insurance policies.
Choose optimal cover with third-party, fire and theft and comprehensive cover
Alongside the compulsory third-party liability insurance, partial and comprehensive motorhome insurance provide extended protection for your own motorhome. Partial cover insures against damage caused by external factors such as theft, fire, broken glass or natural events such as hail and storms. A good partial cover should also cover the replacement of locks after a break-in, which can quickly cost several hundred euros. Comprehensive cover includes all the benefits of partial cover and also steps in in the event of self-inflicted accident damage and vandalism. For new or high-value motorhomes, whose value often exceeds €50,000, comprehensive insurance is usually the best choice. The decision depends on your individual need for security and the value of your vehicle, with comprehensive cover offering the most extensive protection. But which factors actually influence the cost of your policy?
Analysing and reducing motorhome insurance cost factors
The premiums for motorhome insurance vary greatly and depend on several factors. These include the vehicle type, the age of the youngest driver, where it is kept (garage or street), and your current claims-free class (SF class). Third-party liability cover alone can already be available from around €109 per year, while comprehensive cover, depending on the provider and scope of cover, can cost up to €1,000 or more. One important lever for reducing costs is choosing an excess in comprehensive insurance; amounts between €300 and €500 are common here. By opting for a higher excess, you can often reduce your annual premium by 10 to 20 per cent. You should also consider whether a seasonal number plate is an option for you in order to achieve further savings.
Seasonal number plates: Save cleverly with seasonal use
Do you only use your motorhome for a few months of the year, for example from April to October? Then a seasonal number plate can bring significant savings, often up to 40 per cent of the annual premium. For this period, you pay vehicle tax and insurance contributions only proportionately. Outside the season, there is a free-standing laid-up cover, which insures your vehicle against theft or fire damage on a private, enclosed parking space. To benefit from an annual improvement in your no-claims discount class, the registration period should be at least six months. Please note that the vehicle must not be driven or parked in public spaces outside the season. This arrangement is ideal for anyone who does not use their mobile home all year round. Another important aspect is protection for your contents and against theft.
Inventory and theft protection: Check important additional modules
Standard comprehensive insurance often only covers permanently installed parts. For your travel luggage, mobile electronics or expensive sports equipment worth often more than €5,000, a special contents insurance policy is recommended. It provides cover, for example, in the event of theft from the locked vehicle or damage caused by an accident. Costs often start at less than €50 per year. In view of rising theft figures for motorhomes – an increase of more than 30 per cent was recorded in 2022 – preventive measures such as alarm systems or GPS trackers are also sensible. A good motorhome insurance policy should reimburse the new or purchase price in the event of theft for at least 12 to 24 months. Bear in mind that household contents insurance usually only covers damage to or inside the motorhome to a very limited extent. Comprehensive cover goes beyond simple vehicle insurance.
Expert tips for your motorhome vehicle insurance
To arrange the optimal insurance cover for your motorhome, you should take a few expert tips into account. Our expert tip: Don't just compare prices, but also pay close attention to the insurance terms and conditions. A cheap motorhome insurance policy can turn out to be expensive in the event of a claim if important benefits are missing. Pay attention to the following points:
High cover sums: At least €100 million for property damage and financial loss.
Mallorca policy: Important when renting vehicles abroad.
Waiver of the objection of gross negligence: Protects against minor acts of carelessness.
New-for-old or purchase price compensation: For at least 24 months in the event of a total loss.
Cover for animal bites and consequential damage: Damage caused by martens can be expensive, often over €1,000.
Cover abroad: Check the scope of cover and consider foreign claims protection.
Regularly reviewing your policy, roughly every two years, ensures that your cover still matches your needs. This is especially worthwhile when changes are made, such as installing expensive extras or altering travel plans. Now we summarise the key findings for you.
Additional benefits and breakdown cover: Well taken care of on the road
For a worry-free trip, many insurers offer useful additional modules. A motor vehicle breakdown cover policy, often available for under 30 euros a year, provides rapid assistance in the event of breakdowns or accidents, such as towing, recovery or arranging onward travel. Such cover is especially valuable when travelling abroad, as it can also cover the costs of repatriating the vehicle or any necessary overnight stays. Driver protection insurance covers the driver even in accidents caused by their own fault and pays for loss of earnings or compensation for pain and suffering. Check whether travel health insurance abroad and legal expenses insurance are worthwhile for your trips to close coverage gaps that often amount to several thousand euros. These extensions can complement your motor vehicle liability insurance and comprehensive insurance in the best possible way. With this information, you are well equipped to find the right insurance solution.
Make the most of no-claims bonus classes (SF classes)
Your no-claims bonus class (SF class) has a significant impact on the premium for your motorhome insurance, often saving you up to 60 per cent with a high SF class. For every claim-free year, you move up to a better SF class, which leads to a lower premium rate. For motorhomes, the SF scale is often capped at SF 20, unlike cars, which can go up to SF 50. Some insurers offer special classifications if a car is already insured with a good SF class. It is possible to transfer an SF class from a second car or even from another person (e.g. parents) under certain conditions. Check the rules on the premium rate with your insurer carefully. A claim will result in a downgrade, so for smaller claims under 500 euros it can sometimes be cheaper to cover the cost yourself.
When choosing your motorhome insurance, you should not only pay attention to the price, but above all to the cover and terms included. Comparing different offers is essential. Pay attention to the amount of cover, which for personal injury should be at least EUR 15 million. Check the terms for new-for-old compensation; ideally, this should be 24 months or longer. It is also important how gross negligence is handled – an insurer waiving this defence can protect you from benefit reductions of up to 100 per cent. Read the small print regarding exclusions, for example for rentals or certain countries you travel to. A good comprehensive insurance policy offers extensive protection. nextsure will be happy to help you choose the right tariff.
Your next step towards optimal protection
Choosing the right motorhome insurance requires careful consideration of your individual needs and risks. With the insights gained here, you are now better equipped to find the solution that is right for you. Remember that good insurance not only saves you money, but above all gives you security and peace of mind on your travels. Take the opportunity to obtain comprehensive advice. A personalised risk analysis can reveal coverage gaps of often more than €10,000 and help you optimise your insurance cover.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) offers up-to-date statistics on the number of motorhomes in Germany.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes press releases with key figures that may also be relevant for vehicle statistics.
ADAC provides comprehensive information on insurance for caravans and motorhomes.
Consumer Advice Centre gives valuable tips on how you can save on your motor vehicle insurance.
Laws on the Internet provides the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) of 2008, which governs the legal basis for insurance.
German Insurance Association (GDV) provides an overview of statistics on the German insurance industry.
FAQ
What does partial comprehensive cover cover for a motorhome?
Partial cover covers damage caused by theft, fire, explosion, storms, hail, lightning, flooding, collisions with animals and broken glass.
Is my contents in the motorhome automatically insured as well?
No, in general, only permanently installed fixtures are covered by the comprehensive insurance. For loose items such as luggage or electronics, you usually need a separate contents insurance policy.
What is a Mallorca policy and do I need one?
The Mallorca policy is an extension to motor third-party liability insurance that, when using a hire car abroad (usually in Europe), raises the often lower cover limits of the rental agreement to the level of your domestic policy. It is often included in good tariffs.
How does the no-claims bonus class work for a motorhome?
Similar to cars, the no-claims class rewards accident-free driving with discounts on the insurance premium. For motorhomes, the scale often goes up to no-claims class 20.
What happens to my insurance outside the season with a seasonal registration?
Outside the season, there is a premium-free lay-up cover (third-party liability and, where applicable, partial comprehensive cover) if the vehicle is parked on private, enclosed property.
Which additional insurance policies are sensible for motorhome trips?
A vehicle breakdown cover policy, overseas medical insurance, driver protection insurance, contents insurance and, if applicable, legal expenses insurance for traffic matters may be useful, depending on your travel plans and your need for security.
