Here’s a quick guide to protecting your motorhome from theft and damage, to help you enjoy the vanlife in safety. In this guide we’ll effective security measures, essential security upgrades, and the importance of appropriate insurance coverage.
Setting out on a vanlife adventure can offer unparalleled freedom, but sadly the increasing popularity of motorhomes and campers has led to a rise in thefts and security concerns. There’s plenty you can do to help keep your motorhome safe, including some robust security measures and understanding the insurance implications, both of which can be crucial steps in safeguarding your vehicle and belongings.
How Common are Motorhome Thefts?
According to a report by AX Track, motorhome theft has become a significant issue in recent years, with thefts of caravans and motorhomes rising by 13.8% in 2022 compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing need for enhanced security measures. Here are some of the quick and easy things you can do to help reduce the risks to your vehicle.
Vehicle Theft Visual Deterrents
Opportunistic thieves can be put off by obvious anti-theft devices on your motorhome, which will signal that your vehicle is well protected.
Here are a few simple and effective theft deterrents which can help safeguard your motorhome without being expensive.
Steering Wheel Locks: Although they’re not as commonly seen these days as they once were, a motorhome steering wheel lock stops your vehicle’s steering wheel from being turned. This can make your motorhome incredibly difficult to steal, especially if you’re able to park it in such a way that it can’t be moved from your driveway or parking space without turning the wheels.
Cab Pedal Locks: Similar to steering wheel locks, many motorhomes can be fitted with a lock which covers the pedals which can only be removed with a key. Anyone hoping to break into your motorhome, get it started, and drive it away will be unable to do so without being able to access the accelerator, brakes, or clutch! Pedal locks like the Safe-T-Pedal are widely available and highly visible at a glance, to further help put people off.
Wheel Locks: A third type of lock, wheel clamps or wheel locks, prevent your motorhome’s wheels from moving, and can’t be easily or quickly removed without the correct key. Wheel clamps are highly effective in deterring vehicle thefts, as removing them without the key is challenging and time-consuming.
Window Etching: Etching your motorhome’s vehicle identification number (VIN) onto the windows can also help to discourage thieves, as this makes the vehicle harder to sell on. There are a number of ways that this can be done, and it’s a service which is readily available around the UK at affordable prices.
Reducing the Chances of Vehicle Theft by Parking Tactically
Where you park your motorhome significantly impacts its security, and choosing a parking location which provides extra challenges to would-be thieves is a great way to improve your motorhome’s security without spending a penny.
Here’s a few tips on picking a good location to park your motorhome, and things you should be on the lookout for whenever possible:
Secure Parking Areas: This is a pretty obvious suggestion, but whenever possible you should aim to park in a well-lit, secure area with surveillance cameras and where it’s easy to see or check on your motorhome. Parking under a street light or in a very visible location will make it less likely for opportunistic thieves to try and steal your motorhome, especially if they know it’s going to take an especially long time because you’ve put some of the above security measures in place.
Home Parking: If parking at home, consider installing retractable bollards or gates to prevent unauthorized access to your driveway. This can be a hassle and an added expense, but in the long run it’ll be less hassle than having your motorhome stolen, and cost less than replacing it! Some owners have successfully installed DIY retractable bollards to secure their driveways, significantly reducing the risk of theft.
Less Obvious Vehicle Theft Deterrents
There are a few other ways that you can help protect your motorhome from thieves, which aren’t as obvious as big yellow wheel clamps or etched glass windows. These deterrents can be just as effective, but may only work if someone has already broken into your vehicle or made away with it, so you’ll likely want to invest in some visible theft deterrents as well.
Motorhome Immobilisers: A vehicle immobiliser prevents your motorhome’s engine from starting without the correct key or fob. Modern motorhomes often come equipped with factory-installed immobilisers, but aftermarket options are available for older models, or if you want to double up on immobilisers!
Trackers: Installing a GPS tracking device increases the chances of recovering your motorhome if it is stolen, and signs or stickers on your vehicle declaring that it has a tracker could deter potential thieves as well. Having said that, if someone does steal your motorhome and you’ve got stickers on it saying that it’s fitted with a tracker, then they’ll be even more likely to spend time trying to find and remove that tracker.
According to an article from House Grail, RVs fitted with trackers have a 95% chance of being recovered, yet only 10% of RVs have them installed.
Vehicle Alarms on Motorhomes: A proper alarm system can alert you and others if someone tries to enter, start, or move your vehicle without the correct keys and alarm fobs, which can cause vehicle thieves to abandon their attempt as soon as the alarm starts to sound!
There are a few different options for security alarms on your motorhome, including:
- Perimeter Alarms which are triggered when doors or windows are opened,
- Motion Sensors which detect movement inside the vehicle and sound an alarm, and
- Tilt Sensors that alert you if the vehicle is being towed or lifted, which is a common way for vehicles to be stolen by organised groups.
Advice on Motorhome Contents Security
It’s often just as important to protect the contents inside your motorhome as it is to ensure that the vehicle itself is secured, especially if you’re a vanlifer living inside their motorhome or campervan full time, and have things in your vehicle that you need to live and work.
Here are a few tips that can help to keep your belongings safe and secure inside your motorhome.
Motorhome Curtains: Fitting curtains to your vehicle’s windows and keeping them closed when you’re not with your vehicle will prevent anyone from peering inside and seeing something they think might be worth trying to steal.
Window Locks for Motorhomes: You can also ensure that all the windows in your motorhome have secure locks to prevent forced entry. While your windows could still be smashed, this can’t be done very quietly and so if you’ve parked in a tactical location as discussed above, it’s less likely to be an appealing option.
Motorhome Door Locks: There’s loads of options for upgrading the locks on your motorhome’s door to high-security locks to deter break-ins or forced entry. Whether you’re looking to secure your vehicle’s cab doors, rear doors or the side entrance, there’ll be plenty of different options which are easy to install. It might mean you need to carry extra keys with you, but it’s better than having your stuff stolen!
Internal Safes and Lock Boxes for Motorhomes: Installing a bolted-down safe or a lockbox is a great way to store valuables like passports, cash, and electronics. It’s important to strike a balance between accessibility and visibility, though, as you’ll want to make sure it’s not too obvious to anyone peering into your motorhome from the outside.
Motorhome Contents Insurance
It’s really important to verify that your vehicle insurance policy covers personal belongings inside your motorhome. This is especially important if you’re living in your vehicle full time as a vanlifer. Some policies may have limited coverage for contents, so additional coverage might be necessary.
All of our policies at Just Kampers Insurance can include contents insurance of up to £2,000, and we also have specialist vanlife insurance policies which are tailored to those of you who live in your motorhome or campervan full time.
Motorhome Fire and Gas Safety
A motorhome can have a lot equipment inside which can lead to an increased fire risk, and it’s important to manage these risks as well as installing safety equipment to tackle a fire if one should occur. There’s also the risk of gas leaks and carbon monoxide building up, which you’ll need to manage as you enjoy your motorhome.
Here’s a few of the simple steps you can take to manage the risks of fire and gas in your motorhome or camper:
Fire Extinguishers: It’s vital to keep a suitable fire extinguisher accessible and ensure it’s regularly inspected. You may want to keep one by your kitchen, and one in easy reach in or near your motorhome’s cab in case a fire breaks out in your engine bay.
Motorhome Smoke Detectors: You should install a smoke detector (or several, if you’ve got a particularly large motorhome) to give you an early warning of fires.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors for Motorhomes: Carbon Monoxide, or CO, is a silent killer and can be released in the event of a gas leak from gas-powered devices or appliances. Installing a CO detector and alarm in your motorhome is a quick, easy, and affordable step toward keeping you and your family safe while living and sleeping in your vehicle.
Gas Lockers and Motorhome Safety: It’s really important that you store gas cylinders in a dedicated gas locker which is properly ventilated, and regularly checked for leaks. Your gas locker should have a drainage hole at the bottom which will allow any gas which leaks out of your gas bottle to ‘fall’ out of this drainage hole and vent into the outside air.
Safety, Security, and Motorhome Insurance Implications
Putting proper security upgrades in place can positively impact your motorhome insurance premiums, as it shows that you’re aware of potential risks and are investing time and money into dealing with them.
Premium Reductions: You may find that insurers offer discounts for vehicles equipped with approved security devices, and you can get in touch with our friendly team of experts here at Just Kampers Insurance to find out more about this.
Policy Requirements: Some insurance policies may require specific security measures as a condition of coverage. If this is the case with one of the policies we find for you when you get a motorhome insurance quote from Just Kampers Insurance, then we’ll be able to talk you through the details.
Contents Coverage: Ensure your policy adequately covers personal belongings and consider additional coverage if necessary. Contents cover can be added to policies from Just Kampers Insurance as an optional benefit, as well as many other great options.
A Quick Summary
As we’ve seen, securing your motorhome is best done with a combination of physical deterrents, technological devices, and taking the time to think about where and how you park.
By implementing a few of these measures, such as visual deterrents, strategic parking, immobilisers, trackers, and alarms, you can significantly reduce the risk of motorhome theft and damage. As well as this, maintaining fire safety equipment and understanding your motorhome insurance policy’s implications are crucial steps in protecting your investment and ensuring peace of mind during your travels.
Investing time and resources into enhancing your motorhome’s security is essential for a worry-free vanlife experience. By staying informed about potential risks and proactively implementing the recommended security measures, you can enjoy the freedom of the open road with confidence, knowing that your home on wheels is well-protected.
If you’re looking to take the hassle out of getting vehicle insurance for your motorhome, then you’re in the right place! We’ve been offering specialist vehicle insurance since 1998, and can get you a great deal on cover for your motorhome or camper, with prices starting from just £225 per year.
