Campervan Insurance UK (2026 Guide): Everything You Need to Know Before You Get a Quote

If you’re searching for campervan insurance in the UK, chances are you want three things: proper cover, a fair price, and zero hassle if you ever need to claim. As someone running VanLife.uk and immersed in the UK vanlife scene, I’ve spent years seeing where campervan owners go wrong with insurance, especially self-build owners.

This guide is written to save you time, money, and stress and to point you towards a specialist campervan insurance quote that actually understands vans, conversions, and vanlife.

Campervan Insurance UK (2026) – Quick Summary

If you only read one section, make it this:

• Most UK campervan owners choose comprehensive campervan insurance, it’s usually the best value once you factor in conversion costs and gear.

• If you’ve converted your own van, look for self-build campervan insurance with agreed value.

• Don’t guess your campervan’s value, keep photos and receipts to prove the build cost.

• To save time, compare specialist campervan insurance quotes in one place rather than applying to insurers that won’t accept your van.

👉 Get a free campervan insurance quote with Quotezone and compare specialist providers in minutes.

Campervan Insurance Options Compared (Quick Table)

Before we get into the details, here’s a simple way to choose the right level of campervan insurance based on how you use your van.

Cover type	Best for	What it covers	What it doesn’t cover
Third Party Only	Absolute bare minimum legal cover (rarely suitable for campervans)	Damage or injury to others	Your campervan, your conversion, your gear
Third Party, Fire & Theft	Older, lower-value campervans	Damage to others, plus fire and theft	Accidental damage to your campervan
Fully Comprehensive	Most UK campervan owners and self-builds	Accident damage, fire, theft, vandalism (often windscreen cover)	Policy-dependent limits for belongings and accessories

If you’ve invested real money in your conversion, electrics, solar, heating, insulation, custom furniture, fully comprehensive campervan insurance with agreed value is usually the sensible route.

👉 Get a free campervan insurance quote with Quotezone and compare campervan-specific policies.

Campervan life in the UK has never been more popular. Whether you’re planning weekend escapes to the Lake District, slow vanlife adventures around the Scottish Highlands, or you’re living full-time on the road, having the right campervan insurance in 2026 is essential.

This in-depth guide explains how campervan insurance works, what’s changed for 2026, how to keep your premiums down, and how to make sure you’re properly protected, especially if you own a self-build campervan.

What Is Campervan Insurance?

Campervan insurance is a specialist form of motor insurance designed for vehicles used for travel, leisure, and sometimes full-time living. Unlike standard van insurance, it recognises that your vehicle is both transport and accommodation.

A proper campervan insurance policy can cover:

• The vehicle itself

• Your campervan conversion and fixed fixtures

• Personal belongings kept inside

• Awnings, solar panels, and accessories

• European travel (if required)

• Part-time or full-time living

This is particularly important for self-build campervans, where standard insurers often fail to recognise the true value of the conversion.

Campervan Insurance in 2026: What’s Changed?

Insurance providers have adapted to several trends shaping campervan ownership in 2026.

1. More Self-Build Campervans

Self-builds are now mainstream, but insurers still expect good documentation and safe installations.

2. Rising Vehicle and Conversion Costs

Base vans and materials cost more than ever, making agreed value insurance increasingly important.

3. Increased Theft and Break-Ins

Many insurers now favour security such as:

• Thatcham-approved alarms

• Steering wheel locks

• Trackers for higher-value builds

4. Full-Time Vanlife and Remote Work

Some policies now allow full-time living, but only if it’s declared upfront.

Types of Campervan Insurance Cover

Third Party Only

Legal minimum cover. Rarely suitable for campervans.

Third Party, Fire and Theft

Covers theft and fire, but not accidental damage to your campervan.

Fully Comprehensive Campervan Insurance

The most common choice, covering:

• Accidental damage

• Fire and theft

• Vandalism

• Windscreen cover

• Personal belongings (within limits)

For most owners, especially self-builders, fully comprehensive campervan insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Self-Build Campervan Insurance Explained

Insuring a self-build campervan is different from insuring a factory-built motorhome.

What Insurers Usually Require

• Photos of the conversion

• A list of materials and fixtures

• Confirmation that gas and electrics are safely installed

• An estimated or agreed value

Some insurers may ask for gas safety certification or professional sign-off.

Why Agreed Value Matters

With self-builds, the real value is often in the conversion. Agreed value campervan insurance helps ensure you’re paid what your campervan is actually worth if it’s written off.

What Does Campervan Insurance Typically Cover?

Depending on the policy, cover may include:

• Vehicle and conversion

• Personal belongings

• Awnings and outdoor equipment

• Solar panels and leisure batteries

• European travel (often 30–90 days)

• Optional breakdown cover

Always check limits and exclusions carefully.

What Affects the Cost of Campervan Insurance?

Premiums are influenced by:

• Your age and driving history

• Where the campervan is stored overnight

• Vehicle and conversion value

• Annual mileage

• Security features

• Whether you live in the campervan full-time

Tip: Secure overnight storage can significantly reduce premiums.

How to Get Cheaper Campervan Insurance in 2026

• Install approved security devices

• Be realistic about mileage

• Choose a higher voluntary excess

• Keep full build documentation

• Insure for the correct agreed value

• Use a specialist campervan insurance provider

General comparison sites often struggle with self-builds and specialist requirements.

Why Use a Specialist Campervan Insurance Provider?

Specialist insurers are more likely to:

• Accept self-build campervans

• Offer agreed value cover

• Include camper-specific features

• Allow full-time living

• Provide knowledgeable support

If you’ve ever been refused cover or quoted an absurd price, this is usually why.

Getting a Free Campervan Insurance Quote (Why Quotezone Makes Sense)

Many mainstream comparison sites are built for cars and standard vans, not campervans or self-builds.

Quotezone specialises in niche insurance markets and connects you with UK insurers that actively offer campervan and self-build campervan cover.

Quotezone vs other ways people try to buy campervan insurance

Method	What usually happens	Ideal if…	Not great if…
Phoning insurers	Slow, repetitive, frequent refusals	You love admin	You have a self-build or high-value conversion
Mainstream comparison sites	Limited campervan options	Very basic setups	You need agreed value or full-time cover
Quotezone	Compares insurers that actually quote campervans	You want fast, relevant quotes	You enjoy wasting time

A proper campervan insurance quote through Quotezone will:

• Reflect the true value of your campervan

• Match how you actually use it

• Reduce nasty surprises at claim time

👉 Get a free campervan insurance quote with Quotezone and compare specialist UK insurers in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I insure a campervan I built myself? Yes. Many UK insurers now offer self-build campervan insurance with the right documentation.

Can I live in my campervan full-time? Some policies allow it, but you must declare it.

Do I need motorhome insurance instead? Not necessarily, it depends on classification and build.

Is European cover included? Often yes, but limits vary by policy.

Final Thoughts: Campervan Insurance That Actually Works

Campervan insurance isn’t just a legal requirement, it protects your freedom, your investment, and your lifestyle.

Whether your campervan is professionally converted or a carefully built self-build, the right insurance matters.

👉 Get a free campervan insurance quote with Quotezone and protect your campervan properly in 2026.

Fast, free, and built for real UK campervan owners, including self-builds.