Ripe Motorhome Insurance Claims Index 2026

Windscreen damage accounts for half of claims, but theft costs the most

Analysis of 980 motorhome claims reveals the biggest financial risks facing owners.

Motorhomes give us the freedom to explore new places and travel at our own pace. But whether yours is on the road, parked at a campsite or stored between trips, it can still be vulnerable to windscreen damage, accidents, theft and fire.

Ripe analysed 980 motorhome claims recorded by its claims handlers between November 2023 and July 2026 to identify the most common financial risks facing motorhome owners, and the incidents that tend to have the greatest financial impact.

Summer and autumn together accounted for around two-thirds of claims, reflecting the times of year when motorhomes are used most frequently.

The analysis found:

• Windscreen damage accounted for half of all claims

• Road accidents represented 43% of claims

• Accidents, theft and fire generated 90% of payments made to date

• Theft was the costliest claim type on average

• Theft claims more than doubled in the comparable 2026 period

• Winter produced the fewest claims but the costliest claims on average

So, would you be financially protected if something unexpected happened to your motorhome? Here are some more of the findings.

Half of motorhome claims involved windscreen damage

Windscreen damage was the most reported issue by a significant margin.

There were 495 glass claims, representing just over 50% of all motorhome claims included in the index. Almost all of these relate specifically to windscreen damage.

A chip or crack can worsen over time, while damage that restricts the driver’s view may make a motorhome unsafe to drive. Under DVSA MOT guidance, serious windscreen damage affecting visibility may be classified as a major or dangerous defect.

Accidents generated the greatest overall claims cost

Accidents accounted for 43% of motorhome claims, and generated the greatest overall cost of claims.

The most common circumstances were:

• The motorhome hitting another vehicle

• Another vehicle hitting the motorhome

• The motorhome hitting a fixed or non-vehicle object

A motorhome can be wider, longer and heavier than other vehicles its owner is used to driving. This can make reversing, manoeuvring on campsites, navigating narrow roads and judging clearances more challenging.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring their motorhome remains roadworthy, even when it has a valid MOT. The DVLA recommends regularly checking the vehicle’s tyres, brakes, lights, windows, mirrors and windscreen.

Theft was the costliest claim type

Theft accounted for just under 5% of claims, but it was the costliest claim type on average.

It also represented almost a quarter of payments made to date, showing how a relatively small number of thefts can have a significant financial impact.

Motorhome owners may therefore wish to consider how they would meet the cost of a theft and whether they could afford to repair or replace their vehicle without insurance.

To help deter motorhome theft, Police guidance recommends using several physical and electronic security measures together. These may include steering-wheel locks, wheel clamps, alarms and tracking devices.

Insurance policies may also contain specific security requirements, so owners should check the conditions applying to their own policy.

Fire claims were rare but financially serious

Fire represented only 1% of motorhome claims, but it was one of the costliest claim types on average.

Motorhomes contain batteries, wiring, cooking appliances, heating systems and fuel or gas supplies. A serious fire can therefore affect the vehicle, its contents and nearby property.

Fire and rescue services recommend fitting and testing smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, keeping ventilation openings clear and never leave food cooking unattended.

Summer and autumn have the highest claim frequency

Looking at the two complete years in the data (2024 and 2025), summer and autumn accounted for around two-thirds of motorhome claims.

The seasonal breakdown was:

• Autumn: 33%

• Summer: 33%

• Spring: 23%

• Winter: 11%

The higher volume during summer and autumn may reflect the amount of time motorhomes spend on the road. Longer journeys, more frequent use and driving on unfamiliar routes can create more opportunities for windscreen damage and accidents.

Winter claims cost the most

Winter produced the fewest claims but had the highest average payment made to date.

The seasonal ranking by average claim cost was:

• Winter

• Autumn

• Spring

• Summer

This suggests that winter incidents happen less frequently but can have a greater financial impact, costing 60% more on average than summer claims.

Windscreen damage was the most common winter claim, while accidents generated the greatest overall cost. Fire claims were costliest on average, although this finding was based on only two winter fire claims.

The Highway Code’s adverse-weather guidance warns that stopping distances can be at least twice as long in wet weather. It also highlights that high-sided vehicles can be particularly affected by strong winds.

How can motorhome owners reduce some of these risks?

Not every incident can be prevented, but a few practical steps may help reduce some of the risks highlighted in the claims data:

• Check the windscreen, tyres, lights, brakes and mirrors before travelling

• Know the vehicle’s height, width and weight, and plan suitable routes

• Take extra care when manoeuvring and secure equipment before setting off

• Use layered security and remove keys, documents and valuables when unattended

• Test smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms regularly

• Check weather warnings and inspect the vehicle during extended storage

Owners should also check their insurance documents for any conditions relating to security, maintenance and storage.

Could you afford to repair or replace your motorhome?

The findings highlight the range of incidents motorhome owners may experience, from relatively common windscreen damage to less frequent but potentially more financially significant events such as theft, fire and road accidents.

The key question is whether you could cover the cost of repairing or replacing your motorhome, and any insured belongings or equipment inside it, if something unexpected happened.

Can motorhome insurance cover these risks?

Motor insurance is a legal requirement if you use a motorhome on UK roads or in public places. Third-party insurance is the legal minimum, but it will not cover the cost of repairing your own motorhome following an accident.

Depending on the policy selected and its terms, motorhome insurance through Ripe can provide cover for risks such as:

• Theft

• Accidental damage

• Fire and flood damage

• Windscreen and window-glass damage

• Equipment and accessories

• Third-party injury or property damage

Cover limits, excesses, exclusions, eligibility criteria and security requirements apply. Owners should read the relevant policy documents to understand what is and is not covered and check that the policy meets their needs.

Find out more about motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe.

About the Ripe Motorhome Claims Index

The Ripe Motorhome Claims Index is based on 980 claims recorded by Ripe’s claims handlers with loss dates between 30th November 2023 and 9th July 2026.

The 2023 figures cover only a partial period, while the 2026 figures are year-to-date.

The data includes closed, open and re-opened claims. It did not contain separate rejected or withdrawn claim statuses.

Statements about the costliest claim types and seasons are based on gross payments made to date. No specific customer claim values or payout amounts have been published.

Many 2026 claims remain open, meaning claim outcomes and cost rankings may change as those cases develop.

The information in this article is provided for general information and should not be treated as personal insurance advice. Cover is subject to the relevant policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.