Security is part theft prevention, part “claim-proofing”
Security equipment should help deter theft and satisfy the conditions written into the policy. Those two aims often overlap, but a device is only useful for insurance purposes if it meets the stated requirement and is used correctly.
If your motorhome disappears overnight, you want it back. If it doesn’t come back, you want the claim to go smoothly. So the best security setup is the one that discourages thieves and matches the policy conditions you’ve agreed to.
What insurers usually mean by “security requirements”
Insurers don’t all ask for the same kit, but most security requirements fall into three areas: what’s fitted to the vehicle, how it’s stored, and how you behave day-to-day (keys, locking, valuables).
- Physical security such as steering locks, wheel clamps, and locks on doors or hatches
- Electronic security such as alarms, immobilisers, and trackers
- Storage security such as driveway, locked compound, gated access, or approved storage
There’s also the “small print” side: if your policy says a tracker must be active, that usually means an active subscription too. A tracker fitted but not monitored is a bit like having a guard dog that’s asleep at your mate’s house.
The basics that matter most (even if you buy nothing new)
People love gadgets. Thieves love easy wins. The low-tech stuff still does a lot of the heavy lifting.
- Lock it properly, doors, windows, rooflights, lockers, the lot
- Don’t leave keys near the door, especially at home
- Keep valuables out of sight, even on a campsite at lunchtime
- Use the same storage location you told the insurer about (or update them)
- Take photos of the motorhome and key security items, handy for claims and police reports
A lot of theft claims get messy because of something boring. A window left cracked open. Keys left in a jacket. No sign of forced entry. Nobody plans that. It just happens.
Steering locks and wheel clamps: do they still help?
Yes. They’re not perfect, but they’re visible and they slow things down. That’s the point. Most theft is about speed and low hassle, not a dramatic heist with a clipboard and a high-vis jacket.
Steering locks are easy to use, and a decent one is often a good “daily habit” choice. Wheel clamps can be more awkward, especially when it’s cold and wet and you’re trying to wrestle it on in a muddy storage field. But they can be a strong deterrent, particularly when the motorhome is left for longer periods.
- Best for regular use: steering lock and sensible parking position
- Best for longer storage: wheel clamp plus a second layer (alarm or tracker)
- Best for high value motorhomes: multiple layers, because a single device is rarely the full answer
If you’re choosing one physical device, pick the one you’ll actually use every time. The fanciest clamp in the world is useless if it lives in the garage “for next time”.
Motorhome alarms: what insurers typically expect
An alarm can help in two ways. It can deter theft, and it can support the claim story if there’s clear evidence of an attempted break-in or forced entry.
Some policies expect an alarm as standard for higher value motorhomes. Others don’t insist, but they may price more keenly if one is fitted.
One practical point people miss: alarms need to be used. If it’s fitted but switched off because it’s “too sensitive” on a windy night, it’s not doing much for you. If yours is going off every time a cat walks past, get it adjusted rather than giving up on it.
Immobilisers: factory, aftermarket, and what counts
Most base vehicles have factory security, including an immobiliser. That’s good, but insurers don’t always treat factory systems as enough on their own, especially for popular base vehicles used for conversions.
Some owners add extra immobilisers. Others rely on a tracker and physical locks instead. The key is making sure the security you declare matches what’s actually there. If you tick “immobiliser” on a form, the insurer may assume a certain type of system is fitted, and mismatched declarations are where problems start.
Trackers: when insurers ask for them, and what to watch for
Trackers are commonly expected on higher value motorhomes, or on certain models that are seen as higher theft risk. Not always, but often enough that it’s worth being ready for the question.
A tracker is mostly about recovery. If your motorhome is moved, a tracked location gives police a fighting chance of finding it quickly. Some policies also offer different terms if a tracker is fitted and active.
- Check if it must be monitored rather than just fitted
- Check subscription requirements and renewal costs
- Check you can prove it’s active if asked during a claim
- Check what happens if it fails (battery, signal, app issues)
A tracker that’s stopped working without you knowing can be a nasty surprise. It’s worth checking it now and then, like you’d check a smoke alarm.
Security for motorhome doors, lockers, and external hatches
Motorhomes have more access points than cars. Habitation door, cab doors, lockers, garage hatches, windows, rooflights. A thief doesn’t need to smash a windscreen when there are easier options.
Extra locks on habitation doors and lockers can help when the motorhome is left unattended or occupied overnight. Check that emergency exits can still be opened safely from inside.
Just be careful with anything that affects emergency exit routes. Security should never turn your motorhome into a trap.
Storage location: the thing that often matters most to insurers
If you’re wondering why one quote is much higher than another, storage is often the reason. Where the motorhome is kept overnight has a big influence on theft risk.
- Driveway can be viewed differently depending on gates, lighting, and visibility
- On-street parking may attract higher premiums in some areas
- Locked compounds can be seen as lower risk, especially with controlled access
- Approved storage sites (such as CaSSOA) may be preferred by some insurers
Not every insurer gives a discount for CaSSOA, but plenty ask the question. If you use a storage site, it’s worth knowing what rating it has, because it comes up on quote forms.
What insurers expect you to do with keys
Keys are a big deal on theft claims. Insurers often take a firm view if keys were left in the motorhome, left in an obvious place at home, or stolen without forced entry.
Good habits make a difference here. Not dramatic stuff, just sensible routines.
- Keep keys away from the front door and out of view
- Don’t leave spare keys inside, even “hidden” in a cupboard
- Be careful with keyless systems and consider storage that blocks signal if needed
- Know how many sets exist, because insurers may ask after a theft
If you’ve got a spare set somewhere “safe”, make sure it really is safe. Under a plant pot doesn’t count. Neither does the kitchen drawer everyone knows about.
Security when you’re touring: campsites, aires, and stopovers
Touring life is different from home life. You park in new places, sometimes late, sometimes in busy areas, sometimes in spots where you don’t have a great view of the vehicle. The best approach is to make security a routine rather than a big ritual.
- Park with a plan, backing up close to a wall can help protect doors and lockers
- Use internal deadlocks or additional locks at night if you have them
- Don’t leave high-value kit on display, even if you’re “only popping in for a coffee”
- Keep paperwork out of sight, documents can be as useful to thieves as gadgets
The safest motorhome is often the one that looks annoying to steal from. Not impossible. Just annoying.
What to check in the policy wording before you rely on it
Two policies can both say “theft cover included” and behave completely differently once you read the terms. That’s where security requirements really live.
- Does the policy require specific security devices? Alarm, immobiliser, tracker, clamp
- Do devices need to be used at all times? Not just fitted
- Are there storage conditions? Such as “kept at the declared location when not in use”
- Are there exclusions for keys theft? Especially if there’s no forced entry
- Does contents cover have extra security requirements? Locking rules and evidence
If you’re honest about security on the quote form and you stick to the conditions, theft claims tend to be simpler. If the policy says “tracker must be active” and it’s not, things get harder.
A sensible security setup that suits most owners
You can spend a fortune on security, but most people just want a setup that’s realistic, insurable, and easy to live with.
- One visible physical deterrent (steering lock or wheel clamp)
- Good storage habits (gates, lights, and consistency with the declared location)
- A clear routine for locking doors, windows, and rooflights
- Valuables managed sensibly, out of sight and not left loose on seats
- Tracker or alarm if your motorhome value or insurer expects it
If you’ve got a high value motorhome, the layered approach is usually the one that makes sense. Not because you’re panicking, but because it’s the only way to cover the obvious weak points without relying on one gadget to be the hero.
The best security is the stuff you use every day, without thinking too hard about it.