Travel insurance can sometimes cover campervan hire, but usually only in a very specific way. Most policies do not insure the campervan itself. Instead, they may reimburse the rental vehicle excess if the campervan is damaged, stolen, or involved in an accident during your trip.
Because travel insurance policies vary widely, it is important to check whether campervans are included under rental vehicle excess cover and whether the reimbursement limit is high enough to cover the excess required by the rental company.
When planning a road trip through Western Australia, understanding how travel insurance and campervan rental insurance work together can help you choose the right level of protection before you set off.
Quick Summary
- Travel insurance usually does not insure the campervan itself
- Some policies include rental vehicle excess reimbursement
- Campervans are sometimes excluded from standard rental vehicle cover
- The rental company’s insurance is the primary protection for the vehicle
- Choosing the right excess option can reduce your financial risk during a trip
What Travel Insurance Typically Covers
Travel insurance is designed to protect travellers from unexpected costs that occur before or during a trip. While coverage varies between providers, most policies focus on personal travel risks rather than vehicle protection.
Common things travel insurance may cover include:
- emergency medical treatment overseas
- trip cancellation or interruption
- lost or delayed luggage
- travel delays
- personal liability
Some travel insurance policies also include rental vehicle excess cover. This is the feature that may apply when hiring a campervan.
Rather than covering repairs to the vehicle itself, this protection usually reimburses the excess charged by the rental company if the vehicle is damaged during the rental period.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Campervans?
Some travel insurance policies include rental vehicle excess cover, but campervans are not always included automatically.
Many policies are written primarily for standard rental cars. Because campervans and motorhomes are larger recreational vehicles, they may fall outside the policy’s definition of a rental vehicle unless they are specifically listed.
For travellers planning a campervan road trip, it is important to confirm:
- whether campervans are included in the policy
- the maximum excess reimbursement limit
- any exclusions that apply to larger vehicles
Checking this before your trip helps avoid unexpected surprises if something happens during your journey. Some travellers also choose to purchase separate rental vehicle excess insurance from a third-party provider, which is different from standard travel insurance.
What Travel Insurance Often Does Not Cover With Campervan Hire
Even when a policy includes rental vehicle excess cover, there may still be situations where a claim is not approved.
Travel insurance providers set their own rules, but some common exclusions may include:
Vehicles outside the policy definition
Some policies only apply to standard passenger vehicles. Campervans or motorhomes may not be covered unless they are specifically included.
Certain types of vehicle damage
Some travel insurance policies exclude specific types of vehicle damage, such as:
- roof damage
- underbody damage
- tyre damage
- windscreen damage
These incidents can occur during long road trips, especially when travelling through unfamiliar areas.
Breaching the rental agreement
Travel insurance claims can also be declined if the rental agreement is breached. This might include situations such as:
- driving on restricted roads
- travelling in prohibited areas
- allowing an unauthorised driver to operate the vehicle
Following the rental agreement is essential for both the rental company’s insurance and any travel insurance claim.
Campervan Rental Insurance Options Explained
When you hire a campervan, the rental company provides the primary insurance that protects the vehicle during your trip. This insurance includes a security deposit and excess, which represents the maximum amount you may need to pay if the vehicle is damaged.
With our campervan hire in Perth, travellers can choose from several protection options depending on the level of financial risk they are comfortable with.
“The Gambler” – Standard excess option
Our standard option, known as The Gambler, is included at $0 per day and carries a $3,500 security and excess deposit.
This option keeps the daily rental cost lower and is often chosen by travellers who already have travel insurance that includes rental vehicle excess cover.
“On the Fence” – Reduced excess option
The On the Fence option reduces the excess to $1,750 for an additional daily cost.
This option also includes tyre cover, which can be helpful during longer road trips where tyre damage may occur due to road debris or rougher surfaces.
“Sure Thing” – Maximum protection option
The Sure Thing option lowers the excess further to $750 and includes both windscreen and tyre protection.
For travellers planning to explore multiple regions of Western Australia, this option offers the highest level of peace of mind.
Optional protection add-ons
Additional protection can also be added depending on your travel plans, including:
- windscreen protection
- tyre damage cover
These options allow travellers to tailor their protection depending on their trip.
Example: How Travel Insurance and Campervan Insurance Work Together
Understanding how these two types of protection interact can help make the insurance process clearer.
Imagine you hire a campervan with a $3,500 excess under the standard insurance option.
If an accident occurs during your trip:
- The rental company repairs the vehicle
- The $3,500 excess is charged according to the rental agreement
- You submit a claim to your travel insurance provider
- If your policy includes rental vehicle excess cover, the insurer may reimburse that cost
This is why some travellers are comfortable selecting a higher excess when their travel insurance policy includes this type of protection.
However, others prefer to reduce their excess through the rental company to minimise their upfront financial exposure.
How to Choose the Right Campervan Insurance
Choosing the right insurance option depends on your travel style, budget, and level of comfort with risk.
Review your travel insurance policy
If you already have travel insurance, it is worth checking whether the policy includes rental vehicle excess cover and whether campervans are included.
Consider the length of your trip
Longer road trips often involve more driving and a wider range of road conditions. Some travellers prefer a lower excess for added peace of mind during extended journeys.
If you are planning a multi-day adventure, guides such as the Perth to Exmouth road trip itinerary can help you plan your route and understand the distances involved.
Think about your comfort with risk
Some travellers are comfortable managing a higher excess in exchange for a lower daily rental price. Others prefer reducing their maximum liability before beginning their trip.
There is no single “right” option. The best choice depends on the type of journey you are planning and how much protection you want while exploring Western Australia.
Do You Need Travel Insurance When Hiring a Campervan?
Travel insurance is not always required when hiring a campervan, but many travellers choose to have it for additional protection during their trip.
The insurance included with the campervan hire protects the vehicle itself, while travel insurance may cover other parts of your journey such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.
For international visitors travelling in Australia, this additional protection can be helpful because it covers risks that fall outside the campervan rental agreement.
Travellers booking one of our Toyota campervans for hire benefit from reliable vehicles designed for long road trips across Western Australia, along with flexible insurance options that allow you to choose the level of protection that suits your trip.
Understanding Campervan Insurance Before You Travel
Travel insurance can sometimes help cover the rental vehicle excess, but it does not replace the insurance provided by the campervan hire company.
The rental company’s insurance is always the primary protection for the vehicle, while travel insurance may act as a secondary layer of protection depending on the policy.
Before beginning your trip, it is worth reviewing both:
- the excess and protection included with your campervan hire
- any rental vehicle cover included in your travel insurance policy
Taking a few minutes to understand these options helps ensure you start your road trip with confidence.
Once your insurance is sorted, all that’s left is to lock in your dates and get ready to hit the open road.
