Breakdown Cover for Campervans

When your campervan conks out halfway through Cornwall, it is not just inconvenient; it can derail your whole trip. Campervans are a different breed from regular cars. Bigger, heavier, sometimes older, and filled with gear, which means breakdown cover needs to go the extra mile.

What Makes Campervan Breakdown Cover Different?

Not all recovery plans are created equal. Some policies won’t touch vehicles over a certain weight or length. Others might refuse to recover you if you're towing a trailer or parked on a muddy field at a festival.

Things a solid campervan policy should include:

• Recovery for larger vehicles (typically over 3.5 tonnes or 6 metres long)
• Cover for converted vans, not just factory-made motorhomes
• European cover if you're heading across the Channel
• Onward travel or accommodation if the van can’t be fixed immediately
• Unlimited callouts – because breakdowns don’t care about quotas

Just Imagine...

You’re heading for a long weekend in the Lakes. The sun’s out, spirits are high. Then halfway up the M6, the engine warning light joins the party. Without proper cover, you could be facing hours on the hard shoulder, a massive recovery bill, or even a cancelled holiday. With it? A quick tow, a hire car, and your trip (mostly) back on track.

What to Check Before Buying

Before you take out cover, ask a few key questions:

• Does it cover your van’s size and weight? Not all vans are lightweights. Check your gross vehicle weight and dimensions.
• Is your conversion recognised? DIY builds or self-converted vans can be a grey area with some insurers.
• Where does it cover? Some policies exclude remote areas, ferry crossings, or even parts of Scotland.
• Are you covered abroad? If you’re off to France, Spain, or beyond, look for European breakdown options with repatriation cover.
• What happens if it can’t be fixed on the roadside? Will they tow you to a garage? Cover a hotel stay? Supply a replacement vehicle?

Why It Matters

Unlike a car, a broken-down campervan often carries everything – your bed, food, clothes, dog bowls and coffee stash. You can’t just leave it by the roadside and jump in a taxi. It’s your rolling home. That means recovery needs to be fast, practical, and considerate of your setup.

Top Tips to Keep Breakdowns at Bay

• Regular servicing is the deciding factor – especially before a long journey
• Check tyre pressures and tread depth before setting off
• Keep a charged mobile and power bank in the cab
• Know your dimensions – avoid narrow country lanes where recovery might be trickier

Watch Out For The Small Print

Some policies have mileage limits, delay periods before activation, or sneaky clauses about where you must be parked. Read carefully - and if it feels too cheap, it probably cuts corners where it hurts most.

When a Breakdown Becomes a Disaster

It’s one thing to have a flat battery in your driveway. It’s another to be stuck at 2am on a French motorway with a dead starter, no loo, and two grumpy kids. Proper cover can turn chaos into inconvenience. And that’s a big difference.

In Summary

Breakdown cover isn’t just a tick-box for your campervan; it’s your safety net. Whether you’re going full-time, weekend wandering or just heading out for summer adventures, it’s worth having the right cover in place before the warning lights start flashing.

Looking at insurance options? It's also the perfect time to get quotes for breakdown cover tailored to campervans. Don’t wait until you’re stranded to find out your current plan doesn’t fit.