Campervan Insurance: How to Optimise Your Coverage and Save Up to 30 Percent
20 Sept 2025
7
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Your camper van is a symbol of freedom, but unexpected damage can quickly result in costs of several thousand euros. The right camper van insurance protects your vehicle and your assets. Find out how the right policy lets you travel worry-free while saving smartly.
The topic in brief and concise terms
A comprehensive insurance policy is essential for new or high-value camper vans, as it also covers self-inflicted damage and vandalism.
Supplementary insurance for inventory is crucial, as standard comprehensive coverage often doesn't adequately protect loose items and expensive special modifications.
By using the second car policy and transferring a high no-claims bonus, insurance costs can be reduced by more than 40 percent.
Fundamental Protection: The Three Pillars of Campervan Insurance
Every insurance for a camper van is based on the legally required motor vehicle liability insurance. This covers personal injury, property damage, and financial losses caused to third parties, with experts recommending a coverage sum of 100 million euros. The voluntary partial coverage insurance extends this protection and covers damage to your own vehicle caused by external influences such as theft, fire, glass breakage, or storms with hail. For comprehensive protection, especially for newer vehicles, the fully comprehensive insurance provides security. It includes all the services of the partial coverage and additionally covers damage from vandalism as well as self-inflicted accidents. A good fully comprehensive insurance is therefore the foundation for worry-free travel. The choice of the right comprehensive coverage largely depends on the value and age of your camper.
Cost analysis: Reduce premiums by up to 30 percent through clever tariff design
The cost of motorhome box van insurance varies significantly and can range from 150 to over 580 euros per year. A crucial factor is the chosen deductible; typically, it's 150 euros for partial coverage and 500 euros for full coverage. By opting for a higher deductible, you can often reduce your annual premium by ten to fifteen percent. Further savings of up to 25 percent are possible through a seasonal license plate if you only use your camper during the warmer months. Restricting the number of drivers to a few people also noticeably lowers the costs. Paying annually is on average five percent cheaper than monthly payments. Combining these factors allows for a significant reduction in insurance costs without compromising on cover.
Expert tip: Secure custom modifications and inventory properly
A standard comprehensive insurance policy covers permanently installed parts, but often not loose inventory or expensive retrofitted components like solar panels and high-quality electronics. A burglary could quickly cause damage exceeding 5,000 euros, which is only partially covered. For this, there are special contents insurances that protect your travel luggage and equipment. Our expert tip: Keep a detailed inventory list with purchase receipts and photos. This significantly eases the claims process with the insurer in the event of damage. When looking at a motorhome insurance policy, look for an add-on like the “CamperInhaltsSchutz,” which covers movable inventory up to a sum of 10,000 euros. This way, your personal valuables are optimally protected, making the next section on travel protection all the more relevant.
Safety on the road: Breakdown assistance and protection abroad are a must
A breakdown abroad can quickly become a financial burden of over €1,000 for towing and repair costs without the right cover. A motor vehicle breakdown cover is therefore an important addition to your motorhome van insurance. It covers not only on-site roadside assistance, but often also costs for hire cars, overnight stays or vehicle repatriation. For travel within Europe, the so-called 'Mallorca Policy' is often included in the liability insurance. It increases the coverage for accidents with a hire car abroad to German standards. The following benefits are typically included in a breakdown cover:
Roadside assistance and towing to the nearest workshop, often up to €300.
Delivery of spare parts abroad, if not available locally.
Accommodation costs in the event of vehicle breakdown, usually up to three nights.
Car hire costs for the duration of the repair, often up to seven days.
Vehicle repatriation if the repair takes longer than three days.
Comprehensive breakdown cover for abroad ensures that your journey can continue even with unforeseen incidents.
Optimising SF classes: Smart use of the second car rule
The no-claims discount class (SF-Klasse) is one of the biggest levers to reduce your insurance premium. While many insurers limit the SF-classes for motorhomes to 20 years, you can save significantly through strategic classification. Many vehicle owners are unaware that they can insure their motorhome as a second car and benefit from a cheaper SF-class. Some insurers even offer to transfer the SF-class of the first car to the van. This can reduce the premium by more than 40 percent. The following options for special classification are common:
Classification in SF-class ½ if the driver has held their licence for at least three years.
Transfer of the SF-class from another vehicle (car or motorcycle).
Attribution of the partner's claims history for shared use.
Better classification if all drivers are over 25 years old.
Carefully check what regulations your insurer offers to obtain the most favourable classification for you.
Your personal coverage: The next step
Choosing the right motorhome panel van insurance is a very personal decision that depends on your vehicle, your travel habits, and your security needs. A careful analysis of your situation not only protects you from financial risks but also gives you the peace of mind to enjoy every mile of your journey worry-free. With the right knowledge about liability, comprehensive options, and useful additional components, you can assemble a tailor-made protection. Professional advice will help you understand the details and find the optimal policy for your needs. Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific optimization proposals.
More useful links
Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) provides facts and figures about car insurance.
FAQ
Which insurance is right for my van: third-party, fire and theft or comprehensive?
The decision depends on the value and age of your vehicle. For new or nearly new vans (up to around six years), comprehensive insurance is advisable, as it also covers self-inflicted accidents and vandalism. For older vehicles with lower value, third-party, fire and theft insurance may be sufficient to protect against risks such as theft, fire, or hail.
Are my bicycles and my laptop insured in the van?
Usually not covered by the standard comprehensive insurance. This only covers permanently installed vehicle parts. For loose items such as bicycles, laptops, camping furniture, or clothing, you need separate contents insurance (also known as camper contents cover).
What happens if I break down abroad?
Without additional roadside assistance coverage, you must bear the costs for towing, repairs, and possibly a rental car yourself. A car insurance roadside assistance cover, which you can add as an extra to your policy, covers these costs and organizes the necessary help.
How can I save on motorhome campervan insurance?
You can save by using a seasonal license plate, choosing a higher deductible, restricting the driver group, and paying the premium annually. However, the greatest saving potential lies in a favourable classification of the no-claims discount, for example through the second car rule.
Does my insurance coverage also apply in cases of gross negligence?
That depends on your plan. Many modern insurance policies include the 'waiver of gross negligence objection'. This means the insurance will still cover you in full, even if the damage was caused by carelessness (e.g., running a red light). Pay attention to this clause in the contract.
Do I need to register my self-converted camper?
Yes, if a van is permanently converted into a motorhome, it must be reclassified as an 'Other Motor Vehicle - Motorhome'. This is crucial for the correct insurance and vehicle tax. The insurance company must be informed about the conversion and the new value to avoid underinsurance.
