Campervan and motorhome rentals usually come with a security deposit that matches the excess, so the amount blocked on your card can be high.
- Damage to the roof, awning, habitation area and underbody can fall outside the standard cover, and a roof scrape from a low barrier or branch is easy to cause.
- A slow, documented handover at pick-up and return is your best protection.
- Check the licence category you need, the exact height of the vehicle, and what the contract says about cleaning, the toilet and the gas.
A campervan holiday means freedom: no hotel bookings, a kitchen on board, a bed with a view. It also means renting a vehicle that is bigger, heavier and more complex than any car you have hired before. With a campervan, the deposit, the excess and the number of parts that can be damaged are all larger, so the handover check matters even more than with a car. Here is how the money side works and what to check.
How the deposit works
For most rentals, the deposit is linked to the excess. ECC Malta explains that a deposit equivalent to the excess is secured on your credit card, and that you should check your credit limit covers it. ECC France describes the deposit in the same way, and warns that high excess charges can apply even to a scratch.
For a campervan, that matters more, because repairs to a larger vehicle and its living area cost more. A high excess means a high deposit, and that amount is blocked on your card for the whole trip. Our guide on how a deposit hold works explains when it should be released.
What can be damaged on a campervan
A campervan is a vehicle and a small house in one. Damage claims can cover both parts:
| Area | Typical issues | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Roof and top corners | Scrapes from branches, barriers, petrol station roofs | Often hard to see from the ground |
| Awning and roof hatches | Torn fabric, broken arms, cracked hatches | Not always part of the vehicle cover |
| Habitation area | Cupboard doors, worktops, upholstery, fridge | Can be treated as interior damage |
| Water, gas and toilet | Frost damage, broken taps, toilet cassette | Rules on emptying and refilling |
| Underbody and rear | Grounding on ramps and ferries, rear overhang | Long overhang scrapes at exits |
ECC-Net points out that the contract should detail what is and is not covered, along with any excess. Read the exclusions for the roof, the awning and the interior before you leave.
Height: the most avoidable claim
Height-related damage is among the easiest campervan problems to avoid. Many drivers are used to a car that fits under anything. A campervan does not.
- Find the exact height on the vehicle documents or ask the desk, and write it on a note on the dashboard.
- Watch for height barriers at car parks, drive-throughs, petrol stations and old town gates.
- Look up when passing under trees and balconies in narrow streets.
- Let a passenger guide you when reversing or manoeuvring under something low.
What to check at handover
Allow time
A campervan handover takes longer than a car. Plan for it, and do not let it be rushed at the end of a busy day.
Walk around, and look up
Check the body, the bumpers and the wheels as you would on a car. Then check the roof edges, the awning and the roof hatches; ask for a ladder or a photo from above if you cannot see them. ECC Malta advises checking the vehicle with the representative and making sure they sign the checklist before you leave.
Check the living area
Open every cupboard, test the fridge, the hob, the heating, the taps and the toilet. Photograph the upholstery and the worktops. Note any marks on the condition report. Our article on checking the vehicle condition report explains what to look for.
Photograph and film everything
Take photos of each side, the roof edges, the interior and the dashboard with the mileage and fuel level. Our pick-up checklist and evidence mode help you cover each angle.
Ask about the return rules
Ask how full the fuel, fresh water and gas should be, whether the toilet cassette and grey water need emptying, and what cleaning is expected. ECC France advises asking about possible cleaning costs when you book.
Licence and weight
Check that your licence covers the vehicle before you book. The answer depends on the vehicle's maximum authorised mass, which is on the registration document, and on the category and date of your licence. Ask the rental company if you are unsure, and do not rely on the vehicle looking like a large van.
At the return
ECC Malta advises taking photos or videos again at the return and making sure both parties sign off on the vehicle's condition. Repeat your handover routine: roof edges, awning, living area, underbody at the rear. Keep the signed return report. Read our guide to photos when returning a rental car for the details.
If a damage claim follows
A claim for a campervan can be larger and more detailed than for a car. Konsumentverket, the Swedish consumer agency, explains that the burden of proof rests with the hire company, and that you can ask for evidence such as photos, records and repair receipts. Ask for an itemised invoice that separates vehicle damage from interior items and cleaning. Our guide on disputing a damage claim walks you through the steps.
A short example
A couple rents a motorhome for ten days with a high excess. At pick-up, they photograph the roof edges from a stepladder and find a scrape on the rear corner, which the agent adds to the report. At the return, the company points to the same scrape. The couple shows their pick-up photo and the signed report, and the item is removed from the return check.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the deposit for a campervan so high?
The deposit usually matches the excess, the part of a damage claim you pay yourself. ECC Malta and ECC France both describe the deposit as corresponding to the excess. Because campervans are expensive to repair, the excess and so the deposit can be higher than for a car.
Is roof damage covered on a rented campervan?
It depends on the contract. Roof, awning and overhead damage can be treated separately or excluded, as they usually come from misjudging the height. Read the exclusions and ask the desk before you leave.
Can I drive a campervan on a normal car licence?
Often, but not always. It depends on the vehicle's maximum authorised mass and your licence category. Check the weight on the registration document and compare it with what your licence allows, and ask the rental company before you book.