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

In search of breakdown cowl on your motorhome or campervan? Confused concerning the completely different insurance policies and the professionals and cons? Don’t worry- we’ve performed the onerous be just right for you. Listed below are the vital issues it’s essential find out about selecting motorhome breakdown cowl within the UK and Europe (and the best way 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 whenever 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 by means of your checking account or with your own home insurance coverage. All of us need to get monetary savings the place we are able to.
HOWEVER, please bear in mind a few issues:
- Nobody ever plans to interrupt down. Or get a flat tyre. Or by chance replenish with the incorrect sort of gas 😱
- Motorhome and campervan breakdown cowl usually wants a extra specialist response than automotive breakdown because the as autos are larger.
- Do YOU really feel comfy altering the tyre in your van? Or pushing it off the street to a protected place? Or coping with an issue in the midst of the night time (when impartial contractors are often asleep)?
If the reply to any of the above is NO, then it’s essential get breakdown cowl on your van. It’s that easy and the small charge gives you far more peace of thoughts whereas touring.
Is breakdown cowl a authorized requirement?
Nope. You do NOT legally must have breakdown cowl on your motorhome or campervan. Many individuals tour of their motorhome with no cowl in any respect. However, once more, if you happen to’re not comfy fixing any issues which can occur, I extremely suggest you get applicable cowl.
Motorhome Breakdown Cowl- my expertise
Breaking down is irritating. Particularly in an enormous car like a motorhome and ESPECIALLY when it’s your own home otherwise you’re abroad and have nowhere else to go.
For those who watched my Scotland street journey sequence on YouTube, you’ll know that my good friend had an issue in the beginning of our Scotland Highlands Journey – yep on day one! She had a rodent chew by means of her diesel line and was unable to drive her motorhome. (For those who haven’t seen it, you can watch it here. Don’t overlook to subscribe!)
My good friend shouldn’t be 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, pressured 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 (attributable to needing a business tow truck), not less than 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 car.
- Cowl for a particular individual in any/ most autos.
For those who cowl your self then any car you drive or journey in is roofed below your coverage (examine to make sure this covers autos as huge as motorhomes.) For those who cowl the car, then it’s THAT car which is roofed below 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 autos in your family, you might look right into a Joint Breakdown Cowl, which covers two or extra autos (or individuals) on the identical coverage.
Right here’s what occurs when you’ve got a breakdown:
- You breakdown
- Name your breakdown firm quantity (hold their quantity and your coverage particulars handy. I’ve mine within the entrance of my road trip logbook)
- They’ll ship somebody to help you, who will both repair it roadside if attainable or organize so that you can get towed away – both to a neighborhood storage or again to your own home.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that the companies and choices obtainable to you might be primarily based on the extent of canopy you may have paid for. Not each coverage affords a return to house or an onward car so you possibly can proceed your journey, for instance.
On a facet notice, don’t overlook that there are guidelines within the freeway code about breaking down and your tasks. You may 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 will have particular Motorhome Breakdown cowl, identical to your insurance coverage. The companies and insurance policies are arrange for the precise car varieties. This ties in with who they ship out and what restoration car they ship out.
Even when YOU are the individual coated, you’ll want to make sure the coverage covers massive autos like motorhomes.
Motorhome and campervan breakdown cover- what to search for?
Whenever you’re evaluating and reviewing breakdown insurance policies, there are some things to examine:
- The place does the coverage cowl? (UK, the remainder of Europe, worldwide?) You in all probability don’t must pay for worldwide cowl on your motorhome, however you would possibly need to add Europe cowl if it’s not included as commonplace (assuming you’re planning to tour Europe in your motorhome.)
- Can the coverage cope with your motorhome, particularly if yours is over 3.5 tonnes?
- Is the coverage for YOU (i.e.- any car you’re travelling in) or for a particular car?
- What does it embody? What choices do you may have if you happen to dwell in your van fulltime? Will they supply one other car 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 examine that the coverage you purchase can cope with a car of this measurement. A number of the smaller/ cheaper insurance policies can not.
Greatest Motorhome Breakdown Insurance policies- In contrast
That will help you, we’ve taken the perfect motorhome breakdown companies and in contrast the choices. These are the principle corporations used, though after all others can be found if you happen to want to do additional evaluations and analysis.
In no explicit order:
AA Motorhome Breakdown cowl
The AA affords a coverage referred to as Caravan & Motorhome Breakdown Cover, which incorporates caravans, trailers, motorhomes and campervans. As commonplace, this breakdown cowl provides you 24/7 assist if you happen to break down over 1/4 mile from house.
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 coated: No. Cowl is as much as 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and 8ft 3in (2.55m) extensive max.
Are you able to get house 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 need to go/ an in a single day keep in a lodge/ cash in 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 coated: 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 house 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.
For those who don’t want to be a part of a motorhome membership (though we extremely suggest you do!) then you possibly can go direct to Inexperienced Flag, who’re the suppliers of this coverage breakdown cowl (NOTE: For those who go together with Inexperienced Flag instantly, there are measurement restrictions- see beneath).
Area Coated: UK
Is it attainable to get Europe cowl?: No
Are motorhomes over 3.5 tons coated: Sure. It could possibly cowl all automobiles, caravans and motorhomes (inside UK authorized towing tips)
Are you able to get house 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 supply their very own breakdown cowl, referred to as Caravan and Trailer cowl.
Area Coated: UK
Is it attainable to get Europe cowl?: Sure, for smaller autos
Are motorhomes over 3.5 tons coated: No. Max weight restrict of three.5 tonnes and measurement limits of seven metres lengthy, 3 metres excessive and a couple of.55 metres extensive
Are you able to get house 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 profit motorhome house owners.
What if You Tow a Automotive and Breakdown?
When wanting on the completely different breakdown insurance policies, examine that towing automobiles are included. Some insurance policies could also be included, and a few insurance policies could require this to be an “further”.
What Occurs When You Break Down with No Breakdown Cowl?
Typically talking, if you happen to 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 get well you. It additionally means you might need to pay a premium worth to affix their scheme there after which.
An alternative choice is asking native garages or cellular mechanics within the space. The issue with that is that many individuals can’t cope with motorhomes and definitely can’t tow them if needed- they don’t have a large enough truck.
And this feature will virtually 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 elucidate the issue and what it’s essential a neighborhood mechanic? I do know mine’s not!
Ultimate ideas
On the finish of the day, getting campervan or motorhome breakdown cowl is a selection, not a authorized requirement. Nonetheless, I hope this submit has satisfied you to provide it correct consideration earlier than your subsequent journey.
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