The popularity of motorhome holidays continues to grow across the UK, with more and more people choosing flexible road trips over flying abroad. If you’re interested in the motorhome holiday lifestyle, but aren’t quite ready to commit to buying one yourself, borrowing a motorhome from a friend or family member can be the perfect way to try before you buy.
Whilst borrowing a campervan or motorhome has some great advantages, it also comes with responsibilities, especially with driving rules and insurance. So, it’s important you’re fully clued up before you get behind the wheel. In this guide, we’ll cover the pros and cons of borrowing a motorhome, UK driving rules, as well as what insurance you need to drive someone else’s motorhome.
Why borrow a motorhome?
If you’ve been exploring the idea of borrowing a motorhome from a friend or family member, knowing the benefits can help you make an informed decision on your next steps. Borrowing a motorhome offers a low-commitment way to experience van life without the upfront investment of buying a motorhome yourself.
Try before you buy
Motorhomes are a significant financial commitment. Depending on age, size, and specification, they can cost tens of thousands of pounds. There are many smaller options under £50,000, with the larger, higher-end models costing anywhere up to £280,000 and above.
On top of the initial purchase price, there are also ongoing maintenance costs, such as:
- Annual insurance
- Regular maintenance and servicing
- Road tax
- Storage
- MOTs
As well as this, you also need to factor in price depreciation of the vehicle. If you’re considering ownership but aren’t fully convinced, borrowing a motorhome will allow you to test how you feel behind the wheel first. You’ll quickly be able to learn whether you enjoy the different elements of van life, including:
- Driving a larger vehicle
- Staying on campsites
- Managing water tanks and hook-ups
- Travelling with all your possessions rather than leaving things behind at a hotel
For many people, one short road trip is enough to decide whether motorhome ownership is right for them.
A flexible, home away from home holiday
One of the biggest advantages of a motorhome staycation is freedom and flexibility with the advantage of home comforts. With a motorhome holiday, you have:
- Your own kitchen accessible whenever you need it
- A handy bathroom on board
- Your own, familiar comfortable sleeping space
- Storage for your clothes and equipment
- The ability to bring pets
There’s no airport stress, no baggage restrictions, and no fixed check-in and check-out times. You can change plans last minute or stay longer somewhere you love without the hassle of finding hotel space. For remote workers, it can even mean a temporary office with a different view every morning.
Potentially cheaper than hotels and flights
Depending on where you choose to holiday, a motorhome trip can often be cheaper than travelling abroad, particularly if you’re borrowing a friend or family member’s motorhome rather than hiring one. You’ll likely be able to save on:
- Flights
- Hotel accommodation
- Eating out
- Car hire
- Public transport
- Airport parking/transfer
However, you should remember to factor in motorhome specific costs to your trip, such as:
- Fuel
- Campsite fees
- Hook-up charges
- Ferry costs
Ideal for families
Motorhomes can make travelling with children much easier. They provide you with the flexibility to stop off if you need to give the driver or kids a break, or even alter your plans depending on how you or the kids are feeling.
Some of the benefits of a travelling in a motorhome for families include:
- Built-in bathroom access whenever you need it – no need to plan your trip around service stations.
- Space to relax – the kids don’t need to be restricted in space when travelling and there’s plenty of room to relax during stops.
- Easier snack and meal preparation – an onboard fridge and freezer gives you access to endless snack opportunities
Instead of being confined to a car for long stretches, children often find motorhomes more comfortable and enjoyable to travel in.
Freedom and flexibility
Whether you’re exploring the Lake District, touring the Scottish Highlands, or planning a European road trip, a motorhome gives you complete control over your itinerary. There’s no worrying about peak-season hotel prices, no last minute flight availability issues, and no rigid schedules you have to stick to. You can simply go where the road takes you and plan enroute.
Why you might not want to borrow a motorhome
Borrowing a motorhome from a friend or family member isn’t without risk. It’s important to understand the responsibilities involved before you get behind the wheel.
You’re responsible for an expensive asset
Motorhomes are valuable vehicles, some with very high price tags. Even minor damage can be costly to repair, so you should ensure you treat it carefully and as you would your own.
Before borrowing a motorhome, you should agree the following with the owner:
- Fuel – note how much is in the tank when you borrow it and ensure you bring it back with the same amount.
- Cleaning – lay out expectations for the cleaning of the vehicle, inside and out. If you pick it up in a spotless condition, you should return it this way.
- Mileage – the person you are borrowing the motorhome off may have expectations on how far you will be driving their motorhome. Any limits should be agreed before you set off.
- Return date – make sure you agree a return date with the person you are borrowing the motorhome off before you leave so that they don’t have any surprises.
Driving is very different from a car
Driving a motorhome vs a car can feel very different, especially if you haven’t driven one before. Motorhomes are longer, taller, and wider than standard cars, which means:
- Limited rear visibility
- Wider turning circles
- Height restrictions to consider
- More awareness needed on narrow roads
‘Can I drive a motorhome on a normal UK licence’ is a common question. You should always confirm the vehicles weight before travelling and follow the requirements laid out for driving licence categories.
In most cases:
- With a Category B UK driving licence, you can drive vehicles with up to 8 passenger seats with a maximum weight of up to 3,500kg for petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles, and up to 4,250g for electric or hydrogen vehicles.
- To drive a vehicle with a weight between 3,500 and 7,500kg, you need a category C1 licence.
- To drive a vehicle with a weight of over 3,500kg, you need a category C ‘large vehicles’ licence.
For the full requirements, make sure to check the government website.
Running costs still apply
Even if you’re not paying hire fees or the day-to-day running costs that come with owning your own motorhome, it’s important to know there are still expenses to consider, such as:
- Fuel
- Campsite bookings
- Road tolls
- Ferry crossings
- European travel documentation if travelling abroad
- Insurance
What insurance do you need to borrow a motorhome?
When borrowing a motorhome, one of the most common questions is ‘do I need special insurance to drive a borrowed motorhome?’. In almost all cases, the answer is yes.
Your standard car insurance will not cover you to drive a motorhome as they are significantly larger and heavier vehicles with a dual-purpose (vehicle and living space) which means they fall outside the scope of regular policies.
You will need a specialised motorhome insurance policy to ensure you have the correct coverage when driving. Driving without appropriate cover could leave you personally liable for damage, repairs, and third-party costs and you could face legal consequences for driving without appropriate insurance.
Short-term motorhome insurance explained
Short-term motorhome insurance is designed specifically for situations when you want to get insured on a motorhome for a temporary period (typically up to 30 days.) With Dayinsure’s short-term motorhome insurance, you can:
- Get cover from 1 hour up to 30 days
- Be insured to drive in the UK and EU
- Get full, comprehensive cover
- Arrange cover quickly online
Our short-term motorhome insurance is great for borrowing a motorhome from a friend or family member, or sharing the driving duties on your motorhome road trip. It provides peace of mind for both the motorhome owner and borrower, protecting the vehicle as well as your relationship.
Practical checklist before you borrow a motorhome
Before setting off, it’s helpful to get familiar with the vehicle you will be borrowing. You can use this handy checklist to ensure you’re ready before you hit the road:
✔ Confirm your driving licence covers the vehicle weight
✔ Ensure you have arranged appropriate short-term motorhome insurance
✔ Take photos of any existing damage to the vehicle
✔ Get a full demonstration of appliances and controls
✔ Check height and weight restrictions
✔ Confirm you have breakdown cover
✔ Plan routes to avoid narrow or impassable roads
✔ Understand any campsite requirements
Frequently asked questions
Can I borrow a motorhome from a friend?
Yes, with their permission, but you must have the correct driving licence and appropriate motorhome insurance before driving.
Do I need temporary motorhome insurance to borrow a motorhome?
If you’re not named on the owner’s annual policy, you’ll typically need short-term motorhome insurance to drive legally.
Is motorhome insurance different from car insurance?
Yes, motorhomes require specialist insurance due to their size, value and dual usage.
Is borrowing cheaper than hiring a motorhome?
Often borrowing is cheaper than hiring a motorhome, depending on the agreement you have with the person you’re borrowing the vehicle from. If you arrange flexible, temporary insurance rather than paying commercial rental rates you will likely be able to save money on your motorhome trip.
Insure the motorhome and protect your friendship
Borrowing a motorhome can be an incredible way to explore the UK, experience van life, and enjoy a flexible getaway without committing to ownership. But with motorhomes being valuable vehicles with different driving requirements, making sure you have the right cover is essential.
Give you, and the motorhome owner, peace of mind with Dayinsure’s short-term motorhome insurance. With flexible, comprehensive cover available in minutes, you can protect yourself, the motorhome, and your relationship with the owner. Get a quote today and you can be on the road in minutes.
