In search of Motorhome Breakdown Cowl? READ THIS FIRST! (2023 replace)

In search of breakdown cowl in your motorhome or campervan? Confused concerning the completely different insurance policies and the professionals and cons? Don’t worry- we’ve carried out the arduous be just right for you. Listed below are the essential issues you must learn about selecting motorhome breakdown cowl within the UK and Europe (and find out how to get the perfect offers!)

Don’t overlook to seize your FREE motorhome pre-trip guidelines beneath that can assist you keep organised.

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Motorhome Breakdown Cowl- do you want it?

We’ve all been there. That second of debate while you attempt to determine whether or not to say sure or no to including on breakdown cowl to your motorhome insurance coverage coverage.

Or whether or not to get it via your checking account or with your house insurance coverage. All of us wish to get monetary savings the place we are able to.

HOWEVER, please keep in mind a few issues:

  • Nobody ever plans to interrupt down. Or get a flat tyre. Or by accident replenish with the flawed sort of gasoline 😱
  • Motorhome and campervan breakdown cowl typically wants a extra specialist response than automotive breakdown because the as automobiles are larger.
  • Do YOU really feel snug altering the tyre in your van? Or pushing it off the street to a secure place? Or coping with an issue in the midst of the evening (when unbiased contractors are often asleep)?

If the reply to any of the above is NO, then you must get breakdown cowl in your van. It’s that easy and the small price provides you with far more peace of thoughts whereas touring.

Nope. You do NOT legally have to have breakdown cowl in your motorhome or campervan. Many individuals tour of their motorhome with no cowl in any respect. However, once more, should you’re not snug fixing any issues which can occur, I extremely advocate you get applicable cowl.


Motorhome Breakdown Cowl- my expertise

Breaking down is worrying. Particularly in a giant automobile like a motorhome and ESPECIALLY when it’s your house otherwise you’re abroad and have nowhere else to go.

In case you watched my Scotland street journey sequence on YouTube, you’ll know that my good friend had an issue initially of our Scotland Highlands Journey – yep on day one! She had a rodent chew via her diesel line and was unable to drive her motorhome. (In case you haven’t seen it, you can watch it here. Don’t overlook to subscribe!)

My good friend isn’t an fool. She lives in her motorhome full-time by herself and is completely competent at many issues.

However breaking down like that threw her. She was emotional, burdened and devastated to be lacking our vacation. With out breakdown cowl, she would have been caught there for an indeterminate quantity of time- there aren’t many choices for restoration in the midst of nowhere!

Though it took a few days to get her sorted (because of needing a industrial tow truck), a minimum of she knew assist was coming.


How Does Motorhome Breakdown Cowl Work?

It really works precisely the identical as automotive breakdown cowl:

There are two motorhome breakdown choices:

  • Cowl for a particular automobile.
  • Cowl for a particular individual in any/ most automobiles.

In case you cowl your self then any automobile you drive or journey in is roofed underneath your coverage (verify to make sure this covers automobiles as large as motorhomes.) In case you cowl the automobile, then it’s THAT automobile which is roofed underneath the coverage, no matter who’s driving it (guarantee that anybody driving your motorhome is legally allowed to and has the suitable motorhome insurance coverage cowl!)

When you have a number of automobiles in your family, you might look right into a Joint Breakdown Cowl, which covers two or extra automobiles (or individuals) on the identical coverage.

Right here’s what occurs you probably have a breakdown:

  • You breakdown
  • Name your breakdown firm quantity (maintain their quantity and your coverage particulars at hand. I’ve mine within the entrance of my road trip logbook)
  • They may ship somebody to help you, who will both repair it roadside if attainable or prepare so that you can get towed away – both to an area storage or again to your house.

Nonetheless, keep in mind that the companies and choices obtainable to you might be based mostly on the extent of canopy you have got paid for. Not each coverage gives a return to residence or an onward automobile so you’ll be able to proceed your journey, for instance.

On a facet be aware, don’t overlook that there are guidelines within the freeway code about breaking down and your obligations. You possibly can review them on the Gov.uk website here.

Is Motorhome Breakdown cowl the identical as Automotive Breakdown cowl?

Merely put…NO (though some insurance policies will cowl each). You have to particular Motorhome Breakdown cowl, identical to your insurance coverage. The companies and insurance policies are arrange for the particular automobile sorts. This ties in with who they ship out and what restoration automobile they ship out.

Even when YOU are the individual lined, you’ll want to make sure the coverage covers massive automobiles like motorhomes.


Motorhome and campervan breakdown cover- what to search for?

Once you’re evaluating and reviewing breakdown insurance policies, there are some things to verify:

  • The place does the coverage cowl? (UK, the remainder of Europe, worldwide?) You most likely don’t have to pay for worldwide cowl in your motorhome, however you may wish to add Europe cowl if it’s not included as normal (assuming you’re planning to tour Europe in your motorhome.)
  • Can the coverage take care of your motorhome, particularly if yours is over 3.5 tonnes?
  • Is the coverage for YOU (i.e.- any automobile you’re travelling in) or for a particular automobile?
  • What does it embody? What choices do you have got should you dwell in your van fulltime? Will they supply one other automobile or a lodge for you?
  • What if you’re travelling with a canine or towing a automotive? What occurs then?

Motorhome Breakdown Cowl over 3.5 ton

When you have a motorhome which weighs or COULD (legally) weigh over 3.5 ton, you MUST verify that the coverage you purchase can take care of a automobile of this dimension. A number of the smaller/ cheaper insurance policies can’t.


Greatest Motorhome Breakdown Insurance policies- In contrast

That can assist you, we’ve taken the perfect motorhome breakdown companies and in contrast the choices. These are the primary corporations used, though after all others can be found should you want to do additional evaluations and analysis.

In no specific order:

AA Motorhome Breakdown cowl

The AA gives a coverage known as Caravan & Motorhome Breakdown Cover, which incorporates caravans, trailers, motorhomes and campervans. As normal, this breakdown cowl provides you 24/7 assist should you break down over 1/4 mile from residence.

Area Coated: UK

Is it attainable to get Europe cowl?: Sure, as an additional. See more about the AA European Breakdown cover here

Are motorhomes over 3.5 tons lined: No. Cowl is as much as 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and 8ft 3in (2.55m) huge max.

Are you able to get residence name out? Sure, as an additional

Can you get onward journey so your vacation isn’t ruined? Sure, as an additional.
The quilt is 72 hours’ automotive rent to get you the place you wish to go/ an in a single day keep in a lodge/ cash in the direction of public transport prices that can assist you end your journey.


RAC Motorhome Breakdown coverage

The RAC’s caravan, campervan and motorhome breakdown cowl, also referred to as ‘Arrival’, has been developed with The Tenting and Caravanning Membership. 

It contains specialist advantages designed for caravans, motorhomes and campervans.

Area Coated: UK

Is it attainable to get Europe cowl?: Sure as an additional

Are motorhomes over 3.5 tons lined: Sure – There aren’t any top, weight or size restrictions for Motorhome Cowl. Nonetheless, for campervan cowl there’s a 3.5 tonne restrict.

Can you get residence name out? Sure- relying on the extent of canopy you choose.

Are you able to get onward journey so your vacation isn’t ruined? Sure-depending on the extent of canopy you choose.


Caravan and Motorhome Membership Cowl

The MAYDAY UK Premium UK Breakdown Cover is for members of the Caravan and Motorhome membership solely.

In case you don’t want to be part of a motorhome membership (though we extremely advocate you do!) then you’ll be able to go direct to Inexperienced Flag, who’re the suppliers of this coverage breakdown cowl (NOTE: In case you go together with Inexperienced Flag immediately, there are dimension restrictions- see beneath).

Area Coated: UK

Is it attainable to get Europe cowl?: No

Are motorhomes over 3.5 tons lined: Sure. It might cowl all vehicles, caravans and motorhomes (inside UK authorized towing pointers)

Are you able to get residence name out? Sure, relying on the extent of canopy you selected.

Are you able to get onward journey so your vacation isn’t ruined? Sure, relying on the extent of canopy you selected.


Inexperienced Flag

Inexperienced Flag provide their very own breakdown cowl, known as Caravan and Trailer cowl.

Area Coated: UK

Is it attainable to get Europe cowl?: Sure, for smaller automobiles

Are motorhomes over 3.5 tons lined: No. Max weight restrict of three.5 tonnes and dimension limits of seven metres lengthy, 3 metres excessive and a pair of.55 metres huge

Are you able to get residence name out? Sure, relying on the extent of canopy you selected.

Are you able to get onward journey so your vacation isn’t ruined? Sure, relying on the extent of canopy you selected.

In our opinion, it’s a lot better to get the C&MC cover- you’ll discover extra is included to learn motorhome homeowners.


What if You Tow a Automotive and Breakdown?

When wanting on the completely different breakdown insurance policies, verify that towing vehicles are included. Some insurance policies could also be included, and a few insurance policies might require this to be an “further”.


What Occurs When You Break Down with No Breakdown Cowl?

Typically talking, should you break down with no cowl, then you definately’re by yourself to kind issues out!

This implies researching and calling round completely different corporations to see if they’ll recuperate you. It additionally means you might need to pay a premium value to hitch their scheme there after which.

An alternative choice is looking native garages or cellular mechanics within the space. The issue with that is that many individuals can’t take care of motorhomes and definitely can’t tow them if needed- they don’t have a large enough truck.

And this selection will nearly actually price you greater than the value of a yearly coverage. Even worse can be breaking down in Europe- is your French or Spanish or German ok to clarify the issue and what you must an area mechanic? I do know mine’s not!


Remaining ideas

On the finish of the day, getting campervan or motorhome breakdown cowl is a alternative, not a authorized requirement. Nonetheless, I hope this put up has satisfied you to offer it correct consideration earlier than your subsequent journey.

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