Insurance probably isn’t the first thing you’re thinking about when planning a motorhome holiday. But before you collect the keys, it is worth understanding what would happen if the motorhome was damaged while you were away.
One of the terms you’ll come across is the insurance excess. It sounds more complicated than it really is. Put simply, if something happens to the motorhome and an insurance claim needs to be made, the excess is the amount you may have to pay towards the cost.
Exactly how much the excess is, when it applies and what is covered will depend on the insurance and hire agreement for your particular booking. That’s why it is worth checking the details before setting off rather than trying to work them out after something has happened.
What Is a Motorhome Insurance Excess?
An insurance excess is the amount you may be responsible for paying towards an insurance claim.
As a simple example, if a hire agreement had an excess of £1,000 and there was £1,800 of insured damage, the hirer could be responsible for up to the £1,000 excess, depending on the terms of the policy and the circumstances of the claim. If the repair cost was only £400, the amount payable may instead be limited to the cost of the repair.
The important figure is the excess stated in your own hire agreement, as this can vary between providers, vehicles and insurance arrangements.
It is also important to remember that an excess isn’t an additional charge automatically added to your holiday. It only becomes relevant if something happens that results in a claim or charge covered by the terms of your agreement.
Is the Insurance Excess the Same as the Security Deposit?
Not necessarily, and this is an easy area to get confused about when hiring for the first time.
A security deposit is an amount held or authorised when you hire the motorhome. The insurance excess relates specifically to the amount you may need to contribute if an eligible insurance claim is made.
Depending on the hire company and its arrangements, the two amounts may be the same or they may be different.
Before your holiday, check:
- How much the insurance excess is
- How much the security deposit is
- How the deposit is taken or authorised
- When the deposit is released
- What could result in money being deducted from it
You don’t need to understand pages of insurance terminology. You just want to know what you’re agreeing to and what could happen if the motorhome comes back with damage.
What Happens If the Motorhome Is Damaged?
Motorhomes are larger than most cars, so occasionally something can happen even when you’re being careful.
A campsite bollard might be closer than you thought. Another vehicle could catch the motorhome while it’s parked. A stone could hit the windscreen. You might notice damage after returning from a day out.
If anything does happen, don’t panic or try to sort it out yourself.
Once everyone is safe, contact the hire company and explain what has happened. They can tell you what information they need and what to do next.
It is normally useful to take clear photographs of the damage and the surrounding area. If another vehicle is involved, make sure you have the relevant driver’s and vehicle details too.
Avoid arranging your own repairs unless the hire company has specifically told you to do so. Something that looks like a straightforward repair may need to be handled in a particular way under the insurance or hire agreement.
When Could the Excess Apply?
There isn’t one answer that covers every motorhome hire because insurance policies and hire agreements differ.
This is why it is better to check your actual booking terms rather than rely on a general list online.
Ask what happens if the motorhome is damaged:
- While you’re driving
- While it’s parked
- By another vehicle
- To the windscreen or windows
- To a tyre or wheel
- Around the roof or upper bodywork
- While manoeuvring on a campsite
Some types of damage may be dealt with differently from others, and certain situations may not fall under the standard insurance excess at all.
The important thing is simply to know where you stand before you leave.
Can You Reduce the Insurance Excess?
Some motorhome hire arrangements provide an option to reduce the standard excess for an additional charge.
If an excess reduction is available for your booking, check exactly what it changes before deciding whether you want it. Reducing an excess does not necessarily mean every possible type of damage becomes covered or that there is nothing to pay following an incident.
Whether an excess reduction is worthwhile is a personal decision. Some people are comfortable with the standard arrangement, while others prefer the reassurance of reducing the amount they could potentially have to pay.
The important thing is having the figures explained clearly enough to make that decision yourself.
A Few Sensible Checks Before You Leave
Your collection handover is a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with the motorhome and check its condition.
Walk around the vehicle with the hire team and make sure any existing marks or damage have been recorded. If something catches your eye, mention it rather than assuming somebody already knows about it.
It’s also worth paying particular attention to the parts of the motorhome that feel different from driving your own car.
The vehicle will probably be longer, wider and taller than you’re used to. Allow extra room around bollards, gateposts, parked cars and campsite service points. Look upwards too, particularly around trees, signs and height restrictions.
Take your time with turning, reversing and parking. If you’re travelling with somebody else, having them step outside and guide you can make a tight campsite pitch much easier.
And if you’re not happy with the position of the motorhome, pull forwards and try again. Nobody expects you to reverse a larger vehicle perfectly in one movement.
What Should You Ask Before Hiring?
Insurance doesn’t need to become a major part of choosing your motorhome, but there are a few things worth knowing before you pay your deposit.
Ask the hire company what the standard excess is and whether there are circumstances where a different amount could apply. Find out how the security deposit works and whether there is an option to reduce the excess.
You should also know who is insured to drive. If two people intend to share the driving, make sure both are approved before setting off rather than assuming either person can take over whenever they like.
Finally, ask what you should do if something happens while you’re away. Save the appropriate contact number somewhere easy to find so you aren’t searching through emails at the roadside.
A good hire company should be able to explain all of this without making it feel complicated.
Don’t Let the Excess Put You Off
Reading about insurance, deposits and potential damage can make motorhome hire sound much more daunting than it is.
Most holidays pass without any insurance issue at all.
Understanding the excess is simply part of knowing what you’ve agreed to before taking responsibility for the motorhome. Once you know the amount, what the security deposit is for and who to contact if something happens, there isn’t much more you need to think about.
At Driveaway Holiday, the handover is also your chance to ask questions before heading off. If there’s something in the hire arrangements you don’t understand, ask. It’s much better to have it explained before the holiday than spend the first few days wondering about it.
Then you can concentrate on the part you actually hired the motorhome for — getting out on the road, finding somewhere good to stay and enjoying your time away.