Motorhome/Campervan Hire Excess Insurance Cover

More and more people choose to remain independent during trips. And traveling in your own mobile home is a great chance to get to those places where there are no excursion routes and where public transport does not run. The coolest thing about hiring a motorhome is the feeling of freedom and no schedules for transport and hotels. You can entirely forget about time.

According to recent research, the motorhome market is anticipated to keep growing during the upcoming five years and reach an enormous amount of USD 96 billion by 2030. It becomes evident that gradually, more and more people enjoy the freedom and independence a campervan offers during our vacation.

By renting a motorhome for your vacation, you don’t need to worry about schedules or hotel bookings. The route can be rebuilt along the way, and you can spontaneously visit new places, following your mood and weather. There is simply nowhere to be late as the house is always with you. However, you shouldn’t forget that safety is always a priority when traveling. For this reason, we have created a detailed guide concerning Motorhome hire insurance for 2024.

This article will explore how Motorhome Excess Insurance is the smartest solution for campervan vacation. We will also explain everything you need to know to ensure that your upcoming vacation will be fun, cost-saving, and safe.

What Is Motorhome Insurance?

If you are renting a motorhome or campervan, you are legally required to have motorhome hire insurance. This insurance policy will cover you, your transportation means, your passengers, and third parties against damage, accidents, injuries, and theft.  Roughly, you can choose one of the following motorhome insurance types:

• Full coverage. With this option, you are fully covered against accidental damage, fire, theft. This motorhome insurance also covers third-party expenses.
• Third-party only. This variant will only cover the damages you cause to the third party, and it is the minimum level you need to obtain for driving a motorhome.
• Third-party and theft. As the name stands, it compensates damages caused by you to the third party and protects you from theft.

There are dozens of insurance variants to choose from, and you can always add the necessary details.

Vehicle rental excess insurance

What is insured?

• Excess reimbursement up to US$ 4,500
• Damage Waiver (LDW) up to US$ 4,500
• Towing charges up to US$ 500
• Improper fuel charges up to US$ 500
• Loss or theft of keys up to US$ 500
• Vehicle return charges up to US$ 250
• Personnal belongings up to US$ 500
• Hotel expenses up to US$ 150

What is not covered?

• Damage to the vehicle or property of a third party
• Damage caused by a person not authorized to drive the rented vehicle
• Mechanical failure of the rented vehicle
• Loss or damage to the vehicle’s interior that is not related to a collision.
• Parking tickets or fines, traffic violations and such
• Any loss that occurs outside the validity of the insurance
• Any rental contract of more than 45 days

Is the coverage subject to any type of restrictions?

• Any claim resulting from a direct breach of any of the terms and conditions of your rental agreement
• Any person under 21 or above 84 years of age
• Rentals that begin or end outside the insurance period, as indicated on the insurance certificate
• The policyholder must be designated as the main driver in the rental agreement
• The maximum amount that can be claimed for a single loss is US$ 4,500
• Damage to Recreational vehicles (RVs) / Motorhomes / Campervans (unless you have purchased a specific cover)
• Damage to vehicles provided by a peer-to-peer vehicle rental service platform or a subscription vehicle service is excluded (unless purchased specific coverage)..

Where do I have coverage?

• Anywhere in the world except trips in, to or through Afghanistan, Cuba, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Liberia, North Korea, Myanmar, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Zimbabwe

What are my obligations?

• When applying for your policy, you must exercise reasonable care to honestly and carefully answer any questions asked.
• You must take all reasonable steps to avoid or reduce any loss (for example, you must report accidents or other damage to your rental company nd to CarInsuRent as soon as reasonably possible).
• If you make a claim, you must provide the documents and other evidence that claims handlers need to process your claim.
• You must repay any sums to which you are not entitled (for example, if we pay your claim for an accident which is later compensated by a third party).
• You must not violate the terms of the rental agreement.

When and how do I make the payment?

• The premium must be paid in full before the policy start date. Payment can be made by credit or debit card or PayPal through our website

What is the start and end date of coverage?

• As set out in the insurance certificate, as agreed in the application process, your policy will cover you from the start date and time of your booking to the end date and time of your booking.

How do I cancel the contract?

• You can cancel your policy before the start date or within 14 days from your purchase through our customer service team.

What is Motorhome Hire Excess Insurance?

As with car excess insurance, motorhome hire excess insurance is a specially-created type of motorhome rental insurance that will help you save costs when renting a motorhome and have a stress-free journey. Unfortunately, most rental firms have extremely-high, sometimes hidden fees when it comes to extended insurances.

On the other hand, motorhome excess insurance is an insurance policy that will cover you and your passengers from almost any unpleasant experience. Protection against damage, accidents, injuries, and theft are only a few of the motorhome excess insurance’s advantages.

There are numerous insurance variants to choose from, and research is always necessary to find the correct insurance provider.

Am I required to have Motorhome Rental Insurance?

No matter if you are a temporary owner (rent) or a permanent owner of a campervan or motorhome, you must have motorhome or campervan rental insurance.

As with cars, in most countries worldwide, you are obligated to have at least the basic insurance with liability coverage when renting a motorhome.

What Does Motorhome Hire Excess Insurance Cover?

Renting a motorhome is more complicated than renting a car. Don’t forget that the standard car insurance doesn’t consider that your campervan or motorhome is also your accommodation. For this reason, many people trust the much more protective policy of the motohome insurance excess cover. The most critical coverages of motorhome hire excess insurance are:

Collision Damage Coverage

When you rent a motorhome, you are responsible for it. For this reason, Collision Damage Waiver is one of the most critical coverages. In case of an accident with another vehicle or object, this coverage will help you repair costs and replace your rental motorhome (when needed). It will provide the rental company with the costs for repairing or even replacing your transportation means. Please note that even you are covered by a collision damage waiver policy, you are still liable to pay a certain amount known as ‘excess’ or ‘deductible’, meaning that you could have to pay towards repair or theft costs, regardless of who is at fault. With our motorhome excess insurance, you can reduce your liability to zero.

Personal Property & Belongings Coverage

As mentioned above, the motorhome you rent is also your (temporary) house. Accordingly, insurance for motorhomes protects your motorhome possessions, such as many of the belongings you have. This is excellent coverage, especially for those of you who travel for long periods.

Personal Attachments Coverage

In many cases your insurance policy will not cover equipment that you attach or install. With our Motorhome Hire Excess Insurance, you can also remove this type of excess limit and release your stress in case of unfortunate situations.

Full Replacement Cost Coverage

This policy is recommended to those who live in mobile homes constantly. It covers the depreciation of the motorhome. Assuming that you are hiring a motorhome or a campervan, you don’t need this policy, but you need to make sure that the ‘total loss’ is covered under the collision damage waiver policy.

Loss or damage to the glass elements, roof, tires, and underbody

This is one of the most common problems people have to deal with when renting a motorhome or campervan. However, if you choose to buy campervan excess insurance for your rented campervan (or rental motorhome), your vehicle’s tires, wheels, roof, undercarriage, and windscreens will be covered.

Comprehensive Coverage

Apart from collisions, there are other situations (like natural disasters, vandalism, etc.) where your motorhome might be damaged. Likewise, with this type of policy, you ensure you are also covered from those events.

Towing and Roadside Assistance

This type of insurance also covers towing and roadside assistance. Likewise, motorhome excess insurance will provide you with specialized service providers during your vacation. Our campervan and motorhome hire excess insurance will reimburse your towing and roadside assistance.

Misfuelling

Putting the wrong type of fuel in your motorhome is surprisingly common. For this reason, this type of policy covers you against it.

Loss of Keys

Since keys are small items, there is a chance for you to lose them. Fortunately, loss of keys coverage is included when purchasing a motorhome hire excess insurance.

Damage and Theft excess

Standard car insurance will not cover all the damage in this type of situation and you will be required to pay the excess. Likewise, with this type of excess insurance, you won’t have to worry about damage and theft of excess amounts.

Reversing and parking accidents

Reversing and parking accidents are the most common motorhome accidents due to the size of this type of vehicle, but standard insurances do not cover them. However, motorhome hire excess insurance will cover those types single vehicle damages.

What is Not Covered by RV Insurance?

RV insurance typically provides comprehensive coverage for a range of risks, but there are certain situations and items that are commonly not covered. These exclusions can vary depending on the policy and provider, but here are some general examples:

1. Wear and Tear: Damage caused by normal aging, maintenance neglect, or mechanical breakdowns is not covered.
2. Personal Belongings: While some policies include limited coverage for personal items, expensive or high-value belongings (e.g., electronics, jewelry) may require additional riders or separate insurance.
3. Intentional Damage: Any damage caused intentionally by the owner or driver is excluded.
4. Use Outside of Policy Terms: Using the RV for commercial purposes, such as renting it out or using it as a mobile business, may void coverage unless specifically included in the policy.
5. Unauthorized Drivers: If the RV is driven by someone not listed on the policy or not permitted to drive (e.g., unlicensed drivers), the insurance may not cover incidents.
6. Driving Under the Influence: Accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are generally not covered.
7. Excluded Locations: Traveling in regions not covered by the policy, such as specific countries or off-road areas, may result in denied claims.
8. Flooding or Earthquake: Natural disasters like flooding or earthquakes may not be covered unless the policy specifically includes these as additional protections.
9. Roof Damage Due to Neglect: Issues like leaks caused by a failure to maintain or repair the RV roof may not be covered.
10. Custom Modifications: Aftermarket additions, such as solar panels or custom interiors, might not be insured unless specifically declared and included in the policy.

It’s essential to review your RV insurance policy in detail and consider optional add-ons or specialized coverage to address specific needs, such as full-time RV living or coverage for high-value items.

How Much RV Insurance Do I Need?

Choosing how many of those coverages you might need is always up to you. However, when creating a motorhome hire excess insurance, it is essential to research all your options. Protecting yourself from unforeseen situations is a brilliant thing to do. Don’t forget that you should always feel comfortable and safe when traveling with your motorhome.

How Much Does Motorhome Insurance cost?

The cost of motorhome hire excess insurance is not fixed, as different factors will influence it:

1. Your driving history: speeding tickets, traffic violations, etc.
2. Storage location: if you need to store your motorhome outside, that increases the risk and, thus, the insurance value.
3. Your motorhome’s class: 14 different RV classes will affect the insurance cost.
4. Type of usage: For example, if you always live in your motorhome and travel frequently, the insurance value will be higher.
5. Additional Coverage: You can always add other coverages, but have in mind that they come at additional costs.

7 Reasons to Consider CarInsuRent Motorhome Hire Excess Cover

There have been cases where a hit-and-run driver damages a rental car, in which case the renter is responsible for a significant deductible.

1. Zero Deductible – In the event of an accident, you do not want to pay the deductible. Your hire motorhome (or campervan)  could be subject to high deductible. Paying for motorhome hire excess cover and knowing you won’t be responsible for more than that amount may give you piece of mind.
2. Coverage in Foreign Countries: If you’re traveling internationally, your personal auto insurance policy may not provide coverage. Rental car insurance ensures you’re covered in these situations.
3. Theft Protection: If the hire motorhome is stolen, CarInsuRent could cover your excess.
4. Protection Against Vandalism: Car rental insurance can cover the cost of repairs if the motorhome is vandalized.
5. Gap Coverage: Motorhome rental companies may charge fees for “loss of use” and diminished value if their car gets damaged. These charges might not be covered by your regular insurance, but can be covered by CarInsuRent.
6. Personal Effects Coverage: This covers the theft of personal items from the rental motorhome.
7. Coverage for Additional Drivers: If you plan to share the driving responsibilities with someone else during your rental period, rental insurance can ensure that all drivers are covered.

What Is the Cost of Motorhome Hire Excess Insurance?

Our Campervan and motorhome excess insurance policy start at $44.75/day. The longer the rental period, the lower the daily price will be. For example, motorhome hire excess insurance for 15 days will cost $212.50, which is only $14.16 per day!

Exclusions

You can only purchase the motorhome hire excess insurance if:

• You are buying it before leaving your departure point.
• You are aged between 21-75
• You will use your rental vehicle in a country considered a worldwide territory.

How to Make a Claim?

Making a claim is a pretty straightforward process. However, you should submit specific documents to ensure your request is not delayed. It would help if you also read the company’s policy before making a claim. Thus, you should make sure your insurance certificate covers your situation and make sure you have all the needed forms and documents.

Required Documentation for Filing a Claim

• A copy of the Certificate of Insurance
• A copy of the rental agreement
• A copy of the police report if:
  • you got in an accident with a third party
  • It is legally mandated in the country of incident
  • your claim is about stolen personal belongings
• A copy of the damage report given by the rental company, detailing each cost incurred. Photographs of the damage are optional but may help ensure that the charges are reasonable.
• Detailed repair receipts, invoices or other documents showing the breakdown of the amount the rental company charged you for the accidental damage or loss
• A copy of your credit card statement that reflects your payment for the claimed damages
• A copy of the driver’s license of the person driving the car during the accident

What Documents Do I Need to File My Claim?

Tips for a Smooth Claims Process: Filing a claim can be a complicated and stressful process. The following tips can help ensure a smoother claims process:

• Document everything: Documenting all the details of the accident or loss, including taking photos and notes, can help speed up the claims process and reduce the possibility of disputes.
• Communication: Communication is key in any claim process. Keep thorough records of all communication with the insurer, and discuss your expectations for the claims process with the adjuster. You can also ask about the frequency of updates and the preferred type of communication.
• Avoid duplicate claims: Avoid submitting duplicate claims, as it slows down the claims payment process and creates confusion.
• Understand your coverage: It’s important to understand your coverage, including the limits and deductibles, before filing a claim. Understanding your policy can help ensure that you receive the maximum benefit to which you are entitled.
• Be patient: Claims processing can take time, so it’s important to be patient. 

By following these tips, you can help ensure a smoother claims process, and increase the chances of receiving the maximum benefit that you are entitled to under your policy.

Claims Process 

By following these tips, you can help ensure a smoother claims process, and increase the chances of receiving the maximum benefit that you are entitled to under your policy.

Final Thoughts – Who Needs a Motorhome Insurance?

Some people mistakenly believe they can use their regular car insurance to drive a motorhome. But motorhomes are used a bit differently than a car and must be specially insured due to it. These are actually mobile homes, and the motorhome hire insurance policy has additional coverage compared to what is normally used for a car.

When choosing a motorhome or campervan hire excess insurance, it is vital to carefully review all available options on the market. Besides standardized policies, you can always ensure everything you find important to protect yourself from unforeseen situations. This approach will make your traveling by a home on wheels both comfortable and safe.

FAQs

What is the purpose of a motorhome/campervan excess insurance?

The purpose of a motorhome/campervan excess insurance is to share the financial risk between the insured and the insurer in the event of a claim. The excess is a fixed amount you must pay out of pocket if your motorhome or campervan is damaged, stolen, or involved in an accident before the insurance policy covers the remaining costs.

This mechanism serves 2 main purposes:

1. Discourages Minor Claims: By requiring the insured to pay a portion of the repair or replacement costs, it prevents small or frivolous claims that could increase administrative costs.
2. Encourages Responsible Use: Knowing they’ll bear some cost in the event of damage, policyholders are incentivized to handle their motorhome or campervan with care.

Excess amounts vary depending on the policy and may differ based on factors such as the vehicle type, the driver’s age, and whether optional excess-reduction policies have been purchased.