Having your own RV is the ultimate dream. Going wherever you want with your own little house on wheels. But let’s face it, that freedom is often parked in the garage for a large part of the year. A waste of time and money. It is therefore not surprising that more and more people are sharing their passion. Whether you buy a bus with a friend, give your brother a weekend away or explore the world of rental: it can save you a lot of money. But how do you do it the right way?
Joint ownership: the smart start
Buying an RV with a good friend or family member is the way to split the costs of purchase, maintenance and storage. You immediately have a bigger budget for that one quirky dream van, but it requires a good foundation.
Finance and the road tax
How do you practically arrange that? Road tax and insurance are always billed in one person’s name. It is therefore smart to open a joint bank account. Here both owners deposit a fixed monthly amount for fixed expenses and a buffer for maintenance. That way you never have to argue afterwards about who pays for that new set of tires or the MOT. Agree in advance what will happen if one of you wants to sell the van after a few years. A simple document recording this will ensure that the friendship continues to run as smoothly as the motorhome’s engine.
One bus, different travel needs
When you share an RV, you often have to deal with different parties or types of trips. One may go hiking as a couple, while the other wants to bring the grandchildren. With our motorhomes, this is not a problem. Thanks to our modular system, you can adapt the motorhome to whoever is traveling at the time.
Some modules can be easily taken out or moved for more living space. Need extra seating for a specific trip? Then you can put extra belt seats in rails in the floor. Bike racks are also often easy to take off. So together, you make choices for an interior that works for both parties, without having to compromise on your own travel style.
The insurance puzzle: who’s behind the wheel?
Once you hand over the keys, things get technically interesting for the insurer. With most policies, it’s simple: it’s fine to lend your RV to family members in the first or second degree. But be careful as soon as a neighbor or close friend goes on the road; as many insurers consider this a “rental,” even if no money is involved.
Dealing with damages and disagreements
The trickiest part of sharing is damage. If a borrower makes damage, it often has a direct impact on your no-claim. Make crystal clear agreements about this in advance: who pays the excess and who compensates for any increase in the monthly premium? A temporary insurance for the loan period can prevent a lot of fuss and scandal.
Recovering costs through platforms
Want to make the van really profitable while you’re not on the road yourself? Platforms like Goboony are ideal because they often have the insurance covered for you through their own daily insurance. This keeps your own no-claims out of harm’s way. It’s a smart way to increase your return; on average, a campervan is rented out via such a platform for about 10 weeks a year. You can pay for a lot of great road trips yourself from that!
Checklist: how to get it right?
Before handing over the keys, you should be able to answer these questions:
- Is the rental module on? Check if your policy allows “rental to third parties. If not, add this module.
- What about roadside assistance? Is roadside assistance also valid for the renter/borrower? And is there a right to replacement transportation?
- Is the layout ready to go? Do any modules need to be swapped or extra chairs placed for the borrower?
- Who pays the deductible? Record how you deal with claims not covered by insurance.
Still have questions about how best to approach your joint RV plans? We’re happy to think with you, so all you have to worry about is the next destination.
