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.
Table of contents
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.
The NKC wants you to fully enjoy the most beautiful motorhome trips. The feeling of freedom and pleasure, where you don't have to think about anything. Not even if you rent out your motorhome!
- 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!
Having an 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 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!
The NKC wants you to fully enjoy the most beautiful motorhome trips. The feeling of freedom and pleasure, where you don't have to think about anything. Not even if you rent out your motorhome!
- 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
Dear Kees,
Thank you very much for sharing this information. Getting to the bottom of this, including a round of all known insurers, is still on our to-do list. But unfortunately we just don't get around to it... We have a laundry list of articles we still have to write.
Very nice that you have now at least found another option, the price is indeed a bit of a shock. If you have any new findings in the future, feel free to share them here. When we update and rewrite the article, that will absolutely be taken into account. Many people still end up on this page via Google with the exact same questions, so anything you share here can be valuable to them.
Chris
Add: The amount mentioned is, after the 1st year, about 50% more than the normal monthly premium! That's what you get when you're the only one in the market 🙁
Hi all in this thread,
At the bottom I already asked a question about this last year and have been living permanently in a camper for over a year, at the moment and to my knowledge, only Aveco is willing to insure a camper (WA hull optimal). Without the usual discounts and, as mentioned by some, roadside assistance / travel insurance, etc. Moreover, you pay the main price. Saves about 40/45 per month after the 1st year (15% discount).
So I have a postal address (and therefore remain registered in BRP) and no postal address. max. 8 months stay abroad allowed, other 4 in NL. If there are other companies now offering this, I would like to hear about it.
The headline of your article this time is also called Full-time living and traveling, I understand that you live in the camper. Am I seeing this wrong? Which insurance did you eventually find with which to live and travel with Full-time?
We are now insured with Avevo.
We don't 'live' in our motorhome 365 days a year either, but have a postal address. For almost every insurance policy, if you have a postal address and no residential address, you cannot insure with them. They see that, and also Aveco, as permanent residence in the motorhome.
Except if you have a home address, and you live in the camper just as well, you are welcome with multiple insurance policies.
Hi Anja and Ineke,
Who did you take out the insurance with? So with (semi-)permanent living?
Regards, Hank
Hello Anja and Ineke, thank you for your response. In our blog we wrote the following: '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.' – We see the 'advertisement' of the NKC, but it is not ours! Perhaps this has caused confusion? We ourselves (also) never 'live' in the camper 365 days a year! Have a nice trip! Greetings Stefan and Laura
Hello
We are somewhat surprised by your article.
We have been living in the camper for 3 years, have sold our house just like you and have a postal address with one of our sons.
Now we were insured with the NKC, to our complete satisfaction.
However, we had to go far to another insurance company because you can NOT insure with the NKC if you live in the camper. I don't see anything about this in your article.
Wondering if you've figured this out as well.
With regards
Anja and Ineke
We weren't actually planning to, but we still bought a small apartment. Mainly for our son who still lives at home, but also for later when we no longer enjoy living in our camper.
Or if something goes wrong, we are no longer the youngest.
So we also have a residential address. We finally took out the insurance with the NKC.
I got my truck driver's license yesterday, so the journey can start now.
And hopefully I'll never need the insurance.
Wow, very nice all this information!
I bought a bus camper this week and was looking for information about insurance.
NKC, Aveco, Centraal Beheer and ANWB.
The ANWB also allows you to use a postal address. And because I already have various insurance policies there (with a considerable discount), the premium for my bus camper was lower than with Aveco.
The restriction that the ANWB does have is that you can be abroad for a maximum of 180 (1/2 years). But if you just refuel or something in the Netherlands and then go on the road again, you meet the conditions set by them.
Permanent residence is not allowed, but I see that reflected in several insurers in their conditions.
Hi ,
You live in the camper, but with which insurance did you take out the camper insurance?
Grt Mario (who also wants to travel full time in a camper without his own home)
I've figured out what's going on.
Living 365 days a year in a motorhome and still being well insured. It's possible.
What it's all about with the insurance of your motorhome is whether or not it is registered at a residential address. So no postal address because that doesn't count.
If you are registered at a residential address, you can use a number of standard camper insurance policies. But do take a good look at the conditions that you have cover for 365 days.
If you are no longer registered at a home address, but you still have a postal or letter address, the choice of insurers will suddenly be limited to 1, namely Aveco.
And then only for the stripped-down WA and hull insurance for your camper. Aveco is the only one, as far as I know, that has an insurance that allows living in the motorhome without having a registration at a residential address. This insurance is also not on their site.
The problem with this insurance, however, is that Aveco does not want to take out any further insurance (travel insurance, roadside assistance, medical expenses, etc.) from you. And you will have to place it somewhere else. Well, that's not really a problem, because you can still house most of them at the NKC or something like that.
However, if you have a somewhat larger motorhome, you will get a bit stuck with the roadside assistance. Because that won't work. And you will have to take that for your own account.
Good thing you have that in your own hands, if you take good care of your camper.
So it's not about what you think is what living or recreation is. The criterion is being registered at a residential address. I hope you take advantage of it, and continue to live carefree in your camper. Because we're going to do that too.
Just this. We made some inquiries in our municipality (Dordrecht) about rules regarding having a postal address. And that was no problem, as long as our son agreed.
I also checked how it will be checked that we have been in the Netherlands for more than 4 months every year, so that we are not deregistered as a Dutch citizen, because then you will get all kinds of other problems that you are not waiting for. That had to be done through receipts and bank statements and so on. But I don't really expect it to ever be checked. But I'd like to hear from someone else if that ever happened.
If there is anyone who thinks that I worry too much about the insurance, and that it should be possible with the standard insurance. Then I can understand that well. I think so sometimes. But I have also experienced the insurers from the other side, and you don't want to experience that. An insurance advisor from the Rabobank, when they still did insurance, said to me, now we are going to take out insurance for the insurance. Namely a legal assistance insurance. You will really need that when it comes to the insurers. Unfortunately he was right.
Carel, thank you for sharing this with us! Many readers end up on this page via Google, so you really help people with this.
Actually deregistering will be a high threshold for many, but it is in any case an option for people who really intend to leave. After all, unsubscribing brings another challenge, such as your health insurance, bank account, telephone subscriptions, things like that will in principle lapse if you are no longer registered in NL.
As for your roadside assistance insurance, I'm also curious what will roll out of that.
And I know an elderly couple who are still traveling the world at 74 and 81 in a 4×4 with roof tent, so age is just a number, right? Haha.
Have fun with the anticipation of arranging your trip!
Chris
Here's an update. Aveco has wa hull insurance that does cover it, living in the camper 365 days a year, which is, as expected, a lot more expensive, but then you are well insured, and you have no more doubts about that to have.
The criterion for living on the camper is no longer registered with a permanent home address, but still with a letter address.
If you take out this insurance with Aveco, you can no longer take out insurance there for your travels. So you will have to place it somewhere else. Think of roadside assistance, continuous travel insurance, extra health costs, etc.
The motorhome insurance only covers damage to another person and damage to your own motorhome. As is normal with this type of insurance.
The breakdown assistance is also a thing for us, because our camper weighs 6 tons. And most roadside assistance insurance policies don't seem to insure that. 4,5 is max. This in connection with towing.
I understood yesterday that you can go to the NKC for the other insurance policies, but I will also ask those insurance companies whether living in the camper or being permanently traveling is a problem.
I have yet to receive an answer from the NKC or said possibly also willing to insure the camper under the same conditions as Aveco.
I will keep you informed of my progress.
Regards
Carel
Ps We, Carel 63 and Mechteld 61, want to live and travel on the camper for an indefinite period of time early next year 2023. We will keep you informed about this, including via the website, but also through Twitch live streams, YouTube videos and all kinds of other social media.
Our camper will be a Concorder Charisma 880F. At our age you no longer “live” in a VW van.
Hello Carel, as far as we know there is no insurance that covers permanent residence. We do not live 365 days a year / not full time in the camper and therefore did not need this. Looking forward to seeing what result/answer you get, good luck! Greetings Stefan and Laura
Hi Carl,
We are also very curious what will come of this. Can you share the outcome with us here again in a comment? Other readers will also benefit from this and perhaps we can update the article immediately with the new information.
Thanks in advance!
Chris
Dear Stefan and Laura.
Which insurance did you eventually take out for your motorhome?
I'm having the same problem, permanent residence.
The NKC insurance does not cover that either.
I have now asked Aveco. And they want to cover it under certain conditions.
But I don't know the rest of that yet. Premium and conditions.
Following Aveco's response, the NKC is now making inquiries.
M curious.
As far as we know, there is no insurance that really allows 100% living in a motorhome, in short, an insurance that would cover 365 days. A tip from us is to think about how much time you think you will travel in the camper in a row and to look for insurance that covers as many days of travel as possible. Maybe you'll take a hotel/apartment somewhere, go on another trip in between? Are you perhaps going back to NL temporarily and sleeping with family/friends etc? That way you will never stay in the camper 365 days a year. Good luck!
Hey,
I regularly read your blogs. We also sell our house and want to stay in the camper for a long time. So far I have not found any insurance that allows this. Anyone has a suggestion?
The Corinne. It's true that they ask for an address. However, many people who travel for a long time keep an address in the Netherlands, for example by registering with family or friends. This has many advantages and also keeps things a lot simpler from a tax point of view. If you really deregister completely from the Netherlands, the NKC may not be the right choice.
I am curious why you recommend the NKC? This one has a residential address as an obligation, so it is not an option for the wannabe nomad.
Hi! For (most) insurance(s) you need a residential address. There is a lot of information to be found on the internet, from insurers, other travelers, etc. Have a nice trip!
Hi, Have fun with your camper. How did you insure the Camper?
I also sold my house, bought a motorhome, but insurance to a postal address is difficult. Would love to hear from you.
Hi,
Wish you a lot of fun and success with the camper. Have you been able to take out insurance on the basis of a postal address?
Hi,
Wish you a lot of fun and success with the camper. Have you been able to take out insurance on the basis of a postal address? I also sold my house and want to travel abroad for a year (max. 8 months).
That's a good point to add, I didn't know that! Thanks for sharing.
Chris
NKC does not insure you if the motorhome is registered in the name of the business. Like in my case, as a travel writer and photographer.
What good information. Very convenient for novice travelers.
How thoroughly you have researched that! Top! And August is getting closer……..?
Extensive and clear information, useful for people who are looking for this! Good luck with your further preparations?