What insurance do I need for a rented motorhome? Usually none of your own: liability and comprehensive cover come with the rental price. The gap is the excess, often EUR 1,000 to 1,500 per claim, plus a deposit of about EUR 1,500. You can reduce it with the rental company's add-on or your own excess policy from EUR 14.90 per rental day.
Published amounts for deposit, excess and add-ons when renting a motorhome in Germany.
Example
Typical range
Usual deposit
about EUR 1,500
Comprehensive excess with the renter
about EUR 1,000 to 1,500 per claim
Partial cover excess, for example hitting an animal
about EUR 500 per claim
Rental company add-on
about EUR 5 to 18 a day, your share then about EUR 250 to 300
Own excess policy for rented motorhomes
EUR 14.90 per rental day for EUR 4,000, EUR 16.90 for EUR 6,000, EUR 19.90 for EUR 8,000
Daily rent for a motorhome
about EUR 80 to 190
As of October 2026, from guides by a motoring club, an insurer, a travel insurer,
a rental platform and a trade magazine.
Amounts vary by renter, vehicle and season; your rental contract and the policy terms decide.
We are happy to get the exact quote for your own excess policy.
Worked example
Two weeks in Scandinavia, motorhome under 3.5 tonnes
14 rental days, excess in the contract EUR 1,500, deposit EUR 1,500. On the way the rear scrapes a bollard.
Without add-on: your share
EUR 1,500
Rental add-on, 14 × EUR 5 to 18
EUR 70 to 252, your share then EUR 250 to 300
Own excess policy, 14 × EUR 14.90
EUR 208.60, your share is refunded
Deposit while the claim is settled
stays blocked at first
With cover the damage costs you about EUR 210 to 550 instead of EUR 1,500. Without a claim you paid EUR 70 to 252 for peace of mind.
What is already insured on a rented motorhome
If you rent from a commercial company or through a rental platform, motor liability and comprehensive cover are normally included in the price. Liability pays for damage you cause to others, comprehensive cover pays for damage to the motorhome itself, even if the accident was your fault.
Your own German motor policy is not needed and does not pay. The upside: a claim with the rented motorhome does not affect your own no claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse), because the renter's insurance pays.
It is different if you rent privately from a person without a platform. Then the vehicle must be registered and insured as a self-drive rental vehicle (Selbstfahrervermietfahrzeug). If it is not, you may have no cover at all. Ask in writing about the insurance before you book.
The real gap: excess and deposit
Even with comprehensive cover you pay part yourself. EUR 1,000 to 1,500 per comprehensive claim is common, and about EUR 500 for partial cover claims such as hitting an animal. With two claims on one trip you pay it twice.
The deposit is usually about the same as the excess, around EUR 1,500, and is blocked on your credit card. You get it back once both sides have signed the return report without damage.
Option
Cost
What stays with you
Nothing extra
EUR 0
up to EUR 1,500 per claim, deposit blocked
Rental company add-on
about EUR 5 to 18 a day
usually EUR 250 to 300 per claim
Own excess policy
EUR 14.90 to 19.90 per rental day
you pay first, then get refunded up to the sum insured
Rental add-on or your own policy?
The rental company's add-on is convenient: after a claim you only pay the reduced share, with no refund paperwork. Some packages also include wear damage inside the vehicle that comprehensive cover does not pay.
Your own excess policy costs about the same on short rentals, is often cheaper with a high excess and applies worldwide. In return you pay the excess first and claim it back later. It also only pays if the renter's comprehensive cover accepts the claim.
Taking out both is usually wasted money. Decide before pick up, because there is no time to compare at the counter.
What none of the insurances pay
Flat tyres are covered by neither partial nor full comprehensive cover. Interior damage from improper use, slowly entering moisture and accessories such as awning or bike rack are often excluded unless the contract names them.
If you ignore a height limit or drive with gross negligence, the insurer can cut the payment and you pay more than the excess. Luggage in the motorhome is not covered by comprehensive cover, and neither are costs if you have to cancel the trip.
Licence, drivers and travel abroad
With a class B licence you may drive vehicles up to 3,500 kg permissible total weight, above that you need at least class C1. If someone drives without the right licence, cover can be lost. Only drivers named in the rental contract are insured.
The rental contract says which countries you may enter. Countries outside the EU are often excluded or cost extra. Liability cover should be at least EUR 1 million; abroad the legal minimum sums are sometimes much lower. Whether a Mallorca-Police in your own German motor policy also covers rented motorhomes is in your policy terms.
Step by step
Check the excess per claim and the deposit in the rental contract.
Check which countries are allowed and whether all drivers can be added.
Compare the permissible total weight with your driving licence.
Compare the rental add-on and your own excess policy for the rental period.
Record existing damage with photos in the handover report.
Have a joint report signed on return.
Checklist
Liability cover of at least EUR 1 million
Excess per claim known
Credit card limit free for the deposit
All drivers named in the rental contract
Licence fits the permissible total weight
Travel countries allowed in the contract
For private rentals: registration as self-drive rental vehicle or platform cover
Common mistakes
Believing your own motor policy pays for damage to the rented motorhome
Taking out the rental add-on and your own excess policy twice over
Underestimating height limits and risking roof damage
Handover without photos and report
Renting privately without asking about insurance
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does my own car insurance pay for the rented motorhome?
No.
Damage to the motorhome is paid by its comprehensive cover, damage to others by its liability.
Your own no claims class is not affected.
Do I pay the excess for every claim?
Yes, it applies per claim.
Two claims on one trip mean paying your share twice unless you have covered it.
Is my own excess policy worth it?
With a high excess and a longer rental often yes.
Make sure the refund sum is at least as high as your excess, and expect to pay the amount first.
Does my credit card cover the rented motorhome?
Some credit cards include cover for rental vehicles, often with limits on vehicle type or weight.
Read the terms before relying on it.
Which driving licence do I need for a motorhome?
Up to 3,500 kg permissible total weight class B is enough.
Heavier motorhomes up to 7,500 kg need class C1.
Is my luggage in the rented motorhome insured?
Not through the renter's comprehensive cover, loose items are not included there.
