Camper van insurance explained

If you've got a vehicle used for camping, then you are required by law to have a van insurance policy to go with it.

It is essential to have at least a third party insurance policy, which covers any injury you may cause to other road users or pedestrians and damage to their property. Being caught without van insurance is punishable by a fine and possibly even a ban.

However, if you have invested significant money into your caravan, you may choose an insurance policy that also covers the cost of damages to the vehicle, or a replacement if it is destroyed or stolen.

It is important to understand that the third party insurance will offer no cover for your own vehicle. However, a third party fire and theft or comprehensive policy will. The details of these are as follows:

Third party fire and theft
This type of policy is an upgrade from a basic third party policy and will provide cover for your camper van or caravan in the event of it being stolen, damaged or destroyed by fire.

Comprehensive
This type of policy will provide extensive cover for your caravan. It is more expensive than the other options, but may provide greater security and peace of mind.

Your potential insurer will also offer a series of options which might be useful for owners of caravans or camper vans like European cover or contents insurance. Some insurers may even offer these add-ons at no extra cost.

Saving money on your insurance
There are a number of ways in which you could save money on your insurance policy. Some methods might require an initial outlay, but could prove worthwhile in the long run.

- Invest in security
Installing devices approved by Thatcham, The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, like a steering wheel lock or an alarm can reduce the likelihood of your caravan being stolen. This means that your insurer is less at risk of having to pay out, and making your policy cheaper. You could even invest in a tracking device, which will allow your vehicle to be traced in the event of a thief making off with it.

- Lock it up
If your car is locked away in a garage overnight, then there is less chance of a theft, and your insurer may reflect this in its prices.

- Increase your voluntary excess
By agreeing to pay a higher voluntary excess (the contribution you make towards a claim) you may make yourself eligible for a cheaper insurance policy. However, the figure that you set your voluntary excess to should always be at a level that you're comfortable with in case of a payout.

- Drive safely
By keeping on the right side of the law and away from accidents, you stand in good stead for cheaper insurance. This is due to insurance companies perceiving a driver who has not made any insurance claim and has a clean driving license, to be far less of a risk for paying out than one who has a history of accidents and speeding fines, for instance.

- Shop around online
Starting your search for a van insurance quote online is a good idea as it will allow you to quickly and easily browse quotes from many different insurance providers with little fuss or effort so you know where the better deals are to be located. However, it's always essential to compare the features of the policies as well at the prices, so that you can rest assured that you've got adequate cover in the event that you need to make an insurance claim.