In our previous blog you could read that we our camper have found. We have now picked up our camper! It is important that your motorhome is insured before you pick it up. We have found that there are many aspects to consider when choosing a motorhome insurance† It is important that the insurance you choose fits well with your wishes and the way of travelling.
Insurance is not simply taken out. It is wise to thoroughly study the conditions and to compare different insurance policies.
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (1) | Traveling indefinitely: introduce yourself!
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (2) | Selling a house and looking for a motorhome
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (3) | Camper bought + features and upgrades
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (4) | Camper insurance full-time living and travel
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (5) | Final preparations and departure
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (6) | Experiences and tips for motorhome travelers
Safety in the motorhome is also essential. For example, have you thought of a smoke detector? If you are also planning to purchase a motorhome, here are a few tips.
Is motorhome insurance mandatory?
Yes, a motorhome insurance is mandatory. A motorhome is a motor vehicle and you are therefore obliged to insure it at least WA (Legal Liability).
What do you look for when choosing motorhome insurance?
Which cover do you choose?
Which cover do you choose for your motorhome? A motorhome must therefore be insured at least WA. Only the damage that you cause to other persons or other vehicles will be reimbursed. You can also choose extra coverage; WA limited hull or all-risk insurance. It is always worth looking at and calculating the differences. Think for yourself what the age and value of the motorhome is and which cover you think is appropriate.
- Insured almost every motorhome
- Also covers motorhome rental
- Extensive roadside assistance
- Commuting to and from work also insured as standard
- 3 year purchase value guarantee without appraisal
Expand insurance
You can also extend the above insurance(s). You can think of legal assistance, accident-passenger insurance, but also household contents, travel and/or cancellation insurance. Check the conditions of the insurance company carefully to see which costs are covered by which insurance and up to what amount. Also check with yourself whether you still have ongoing travel and cancellation insurance somewhere, for example.
Cost of insurance premium
With a number of insurance companies you can find on the internet what the premium costs will be. Unfortunately, this is not the case for some. We had made a list for ourselves with the points that were important to us and which insurance we wanted to take out. We also called a number of insurance companies to ask our questions. After this we had a good picture and we knew which insurance and with which company we wanted to take out. If you take out an insurance policy, you can choose to have it take effect immediately on that day.
You may qualify for a package discount if you extend your insurance. Ask about this! The costs of the premium depend on several factors, such as the value of the motorhome, the year of construction, the age of the policyholder, the number of claim-free years that has been built up, the zip code and the amount of the deductible.
Damage free years
It makes no sense to enter a higher number of claim-free years in the hope that you will receive a greater discount. The insurance company will ask for proof of the number of claim-free years. For example, you can provide the policy of your car insurance that states the claim-free years.
Postal code area
The insurance company looks at the zip code from where the motorhome is insured. The risk of theft and burglary is often greater in a city than, for example, in the countryside. Although you will not only drive your motorhome in your own zip code area, the premium will depend on the zip code area where the motorhome is insured.
Taxation
It may be that the insurance company requires that the motorhome is valued. A number of insurance companies can arrange a valuation themselves. An appraisal is mainly requested for self-built motorhomes. There may be a waiting time for this and it is important to take this into account. We have an existing motorhome and it did not need to be appraised for insurance purposes.
Extra locks and a Bearlock
The insurance company can set requirements regarding the locks. Often the standard locks on the motorhome are not sufficient and extra measures will have to be taken. This can be extra locks on all windows and doors or a BearLock around the gearbox that blocks the gearbox.
Number of days and kilometers
Pay close attention to the number of consecutive days that you can travel with the camper. This varies greatly from insurance to insurance. 'Permanent residence' is almost always not allowed.
Also look at the number of kilometers that can be driven. Some insurance companies have a maximum number of kilometers that can be driven in a certain period.
Coverage Area
The insurance is valid with most insurance companies throughout Europe. A number of insurance companies also allow you to travel to other countries outside Europe, such as Morocco. So it is important to think about the destinations you are planning to go to. Do these fall within the coverage area?
Commuting
It differs per insurance company whether you can use the motorhome for commuting.
Camper rent out
If you plan to go your camper too rent out This is also an important aspect to take into account. This is not allowed by every insurance company. With a number of insurance companies you are not allowed to rent the camper or sometimes only to family or acquaintances. For others this is not a problem (or there is a period attached).
roadside assistance
With some insurance companies, breakdown assistance is included in the premium. It is important to see what help is included. Is this replacement transport, a hotel stay or towing arrangement? You can insure yourself for breakdown assistance with the motorhome insurance. You can also choose another party such as the ANWB† Also make sure that the coverage is for the Netherlands and abroad.
Parking abroad
Suppose you have to travel to the Netherlands due to unexpected (family) circumstances, such as a death. Do you go with the camper or do you choose the plane† It is good to know whether your motorhome is also insured in a garage abroad and for what period.
European claim form
It is advisable to have a European claim form in the motorhome. Based on the information entered on the claim form, the insurance company can determine who is responsible for the damage and what its value is. A European claim form is provided by the insurance company.
Road tax
You pay less road tax for a motorhome than for a car. A motorhome/motorhome is eligible for the quarter rate† For a motorhome you pay a quarter of the rate that you have to pay every three months for a car with the same unladen weight.
If you buy a new motorhome, import a motorhome or convert a bus into a motorhome, you must apply for the motorhome rate. If you buy a motorhome from a dealer, they often arrange the application for this. Unfortunately, this was not done in our case and we are glad that we were aware of this arrangement ourselves.
We ourselves have submitted an application to the tax authorities for the quarterly rate. For this you have to fill in a number of forms and add photos of the inside of the camper. The tax authorities set a number of requirements for the quarterly rate, such as fixed cooking and sleeping facilities, a fixed table and at least two fixed and lockable storage facilities. The application will be processed by the tax authorities upon receipt. Processing can take up to 6 weeks.
Safety
Fire extinguisher
In a number of European countries, a fire extinguisher is mandatory in the motorhome. So make sure you always have one with you that still has a shelf life. The shelf life of the smaller bottles for in a (camper) car is often valid for a shorter period of time. The countries where a fire extinguisher is mandatory are: Poland, Belgium, Greece and Turkey.
Look for the most recent information on the internet or ask for it in, for example, the camping shop, there is often information here. Mandatory or not; It is always wise to place a fire extinguisher in your motorhome.
Tip:: being with Obelink compact fire extinguishers for sale that you can mount on a wall.
Smoke alarm
It is recommended a smoke alarm to hang in your camper. It is a small one and in principle there is only one escape route. It is therefore good to know in good time if there is smoke development. In a motorhome, opt for a smoke detector with a long-life battery. When the battery is empty, the smoke detector will beep. Then replace it immediately!
A smoke alarm in the camper is not mandatory, but can be life-saving. Look at here the range of smoke detectors on Bol.com – from 10 euros such a device can save all your life.
Carbon monoxide detector
You can also choose next to a smoke alarm made a carbon monoxide detector on the hang.
It is said that it is best to hang it above your bed. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, can spread quickly through a small space and can even prevent you from waking up when you are sleeping. The carbon monoxide detector will go off if it detects carbon monoxide so that you can leave the camper in time. Safety first!
Carbon monoxide detectors are slightly more expensive than a regular smoke detector. They are here for sale from about 20 euros.
Also read: Traveling? This travel insurance has corona (Covid-19) coverage!
- Insured almost every motorhome
- Also covers motorhome rental
- Extensive roadside assistance
- Commuting to and from work also insured as standard
- 3 year purchase value guarantee without appraisal
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (1) | Traveling indefinitely: introduce yourself!
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (2) | Selling a house and looking for a motorhome
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (3) | Camper bought + features and upgrades
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (4) | Camper insurance full-time living and travel
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (5) | Final preparations and departure
Also read: Traveling with a motorhome (6) | Experiences and tips for motorhome travelers