Do you need to insure your motorhome all year round?

Do you need to insure your motorhome all year round? It’s a reasonable question, particularly if yours spends much of the winter sitting on the driveway while you wait for warmer weather.

Many motorhome owners use their vehicles mainly between spring and autumn. So, if you’re not planning to go anywhere for several months, you might wonder whether you’re paying for motorhome insurance you don’t actually need. The answer depends on where you keep your motorhome, whether you intend to use it and how much financial protection you want while it’s parked.

What does the law say?

In the UK, you must have appropriate motor insurance to drive your motorhome on public roads. Third-party insurance is the legal minimum.

But there’s another rule worth knowing about, called Continuous Insurance Enforcement. In England, Scotland and Wales, this generally means that your vehicle must remain insured even when you’re not driving it, unless you’ve officially declared it off the road.

Simply leaving your motorhome unused for the winter doesn’t remove the legal requirement for insuring it. The Government’s vehicle insurance guidance explains the rules in more detail.

What is SORN and how does it work?

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. It’s a declaration you make to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) confirming that your vehicle is being kept off public roads.

If you decide to take your motorhome out of use for several months, SORN may be an option.

There are a few important points to remember:

  • Your motorhome must be kept off public roads, perhaps on your driveway, in a garage or at a suitable private storage facility.
  • You won’t need to pay vehicle tax while the SORN is in force.
  • You won’t be legally required to maintain ordinary road insurance while it’s declared off road.
  • You cannot use it on public roads until you’ve taxed it again, apart from limited exceptions such as travelling to a pre-booked MOT test. You must still be appropriately insured for that journey.

You can register your motorhome as SORN online, free of charge.

What happens if your motorhome is damaged while it’s off the road?

A motorhome can represent a considerable investment, and being safely parked doesn’t necessarily mean it’s protected from damage. Even when it’s not being used, it may still be exposed to:

  • Theft or attempted theft
  • Fire or vandalism
  • Storm damage and falling branches
  • Accidental damage while in storage

Why annual insurance may be a better option?

There are practical advantages to keeping your motorhome insured throughout the year, even if you only use it occasionally.

For one thing, British weather has a habit of surprising us. A mild weekend in February might tempt you to take an unexpected trip.

If your motorhome remains taxed, insured and roadworthy, you can be ready to go without arranging another insurance policy or reversing a SORN.

Annual insurance may also be more convenient and cost-effective than repeatedly cancelling and restarting policies. You avoid potential gaps in protection and the administrative work (and potential fees) involved.

Our comprehensive motorhome insurance includes several useful benefits as standard. These include windscreen insurance, with a £90 excess when using an approved repairer, and up to £500 over for audio equipment, £500 cover for Sat Navs, cover for awnings and up to £5000 personal accident cover.

For anyone tempted to travel further afield, there’s also up to 180 days of European insurance included as standard. And with an annual mileage allowance of up to 10,000 miles, you have considerable flexibility if you decide to make more use of your motorhome than originally planned.

Of course, you should still check that your particular policy provides the protection you need while your motorhome is stored.

A few things worth checking before winter

Whether you’re planning to keep travelling or store your motorhome until spring, a little preparation can help.

You may want to consider:

  • Storage: Does your insurer need to know where your motorhome will be kept?
  • Security: Are there requirements for alarms, immobilisers or tracking devices? With Park Home Assist, a tracker is required for motorhomes valued above £40,000.
  • Maintenance: Have you drained the water system and taken precautions against frost?
  • Personal belongings: Are possessions left inside the vehicle included in your insurance?
  • Policy conditions: Are there restrictions relating to long periods of non-use?

If you’re taking your motorhome completely off the road, you may not legally need ordinary motor insurance, provided you’ve made a valid SORN. However, there’s a difference between not needing insurance by law and not needing financial protection. For many owners, the value of their motorhome and the risks associated with winter storage make year-round insurance worthwhile.

If you’re unsure which arrangement best suits your circumstances, our team at Park Home Assist will be happy to discuss your options. Call us on 01604 946796.

This article is intended as general guidance. Insurance benefits, exclusions and conditions vary between policies. Please refer to your policy documents for full details.

Please note that all insurance cover is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions.

This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi award-winning providers of park home insurance, mobile home insurance, insurance for static caravans,  insurance for holiday homes and holiday lodges, as well as boat insurance and touring caravan insurance. If you have any questions about your insurance, then please call our office on 01604 946 796 and one of our insurance advisers will be happy to help.

Published – 06/11/26