Continuously updated overview of the procedures with the respective legal basis for tenants and buyers.
The camping industry is experiencing a series of insolvencies affecting both rental companies and retailers. For those affected, it is crucial to determine which category their contract falls under, as this dictates against whom claims can be made. Rogert & Ulbrich categorizes the procedures and outlines the most effective course of action in each case. This overview is current as of October 7, 2026.
Two problematic situations that must not be confused
The media often lumps landlords and retailers together. Legally, however, these are two completely different situations that lead to different claims.
- Landlord's insolvencyThis affects holidaymakers who have prepaid for car rentals. The service is unavailable, and the trip is cancelled. The focus is on refunds, claims through the booking portal, and the question of whether the booking was a package holiday with insolvency protection.
- Bankruptcy of a retailerThis affects buyers who have paid the purchase price in full or in part. The central question is whether ownership has already been transferred, and in the case of financing, access to the bank.
In addition, there is a third group that is often overlooked: users of subscription, leasing, and hire-purchase models. They own a vehicle while the provider fails and must clarify who the owner is, who is entitled to repossess the vehicle, and whether the insurance coverage is still valid.
Therefore, first assign your contract to one of these groups. Only then is it worthwhile to consider the specific claim.
The procedures in detail
The following cases characterize the current situation. The information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the proceedings progress.
FreeVenture GmbH, Vanever brand
FreeVenture GmbH, operator of the rental platform Vanever, filed for insolvency in early August 2026. On August 12, 2026, the Munich District Court ordered preliminary insolvency proceedings under file number 1501 IN 3042/26 and appointed attorney Rolf G. Pohlmann as the preliminary administrator. Operations ceased on August 16, 2026; vehicles scheduled for pickup from that date onward were no longer handed over, and subsequent bookings were canceled. According to reports, the trigger was the termination of a contract with a major supplier at the end of July 2026 due to payment default, affecting approximately half of the roughly 430 vehicles.
Special note for affected customers: Bookings made through Check24 have been explicitly referred back to the platform by the administrator, as there are outstanding booking fees held there. For payments made by credit card or payment service provider, immediate chargebacks have been recommended.
CamperBoys GmbH, brand Off or Off Campers
CamperBoys GmbH, most recently operating under the Off brand, became insolvent in October 2024. Attorney Dr. Alexander Fridgen was appointed as the provisional insolvency administrator. At the beginning of 2025, Vanever acquired the brand, location, and software from the proceedings.
ROADfans GmbH
ROADfans GmbH filed for insolvency in October 2024; attorney Nikolaos Antoniadis was appointed provisional insolvency administrator. The rental business was suspended, while sales and the workshop initially continued. This affected both groups simultaneously: renters with down payments and buyers in the process of completing their purchases.
Camper Base Rhein-Main
The dealer filed for insolvency at the end of July 2024, but according to the findings of the proceedings, he was already insolvent before then. Nevertheless, customer payments continued to be accepted, in some cases just days before the insolvency proceedings began. Affected customers had paid in full and never received a vehicle; some even had vehicle registration documents. The Darmstadt public prosecutor's office investigated on suspicion of delaying insolvency proceedings, and criminal charges for fraud were also filed.
CMS Reisemobile GmbH, Röthenbach
This motorhome dealer also entered insolvency proceedings. Reliable details regarding the status of the proceedings are only partially available to the public, which is why we are refraining from providing further details here.
Is your provider not listed? The categories of cases and legal remedies below apply regardless of the company name.
Which legal basis is appropriate for which case group?
Regardless of the specific company, claims can be categorized according to the contractual situation. This categorization is the core of every audit.
- Rent paid in advance, vehicle never picked up.The focus is on refunds depending on the payment method, as well as claims against a booking portal where funds are still held. If a package tour was involved, insolvency protection applies according to § 651r of the German Civil Code (BGB) via the insolvency protection certificate.
- The lease is already in effect, and the vehicle is owned.This concerns returns, deposits, claims processing, and who the contact person is after proceedings have been initiated. Additional costs incurred due to a demonstrably necessary replacement booking may be reimbursable.
- Purchase fully paid, vehicle not received.The decisive factor is whether ownership has already been transferred. If so, a right of segregation exists under Section 47 of the German Insolvency Code (InsO), and the vehicle does not form part of the insolvency estate. Otherwise, it initially remains an insolvency claim under Section 38 of the German Insolvency Code (InsO).
- Purchase financedIf the purchase and loan form a linked contract, revocation and objections according to §§ 358, 359 BGB are directed against the financing bank instead of against the insolvent dealer.
- Subscription, leasing or hire purchaseDepending on the type of contract, Section 107 of the German Insolvency Code (InsO) in the case of retention of title and Section 108 InsO in the case of refinanced leases can ensure that the contractual relationship does not simply terminate. Liability insurance coverage urgently needs to be clarified.
- Vehicle defective, dealer insolventSubsequent performance is practically impossible, which may render setting a deadline unnecessary. The most economically viable approach is primarily through financing or warranty claims against the manufacturer.
We have explained the basics of recovery after a provider's insolvency in our article. Camping provider insolvent compiled.
Why acquiring an insolvent brand offers no protection
The Vanever case illustrates a pattern that customers should be aware of. At the beginning of 2025, Vanever acquired the brand, location, and software of the insolvent CamperBoys GmbH, thus acting as the successor to a failed provider. Around a year and a half later, the operating company itself became insolvent. Customers who switched to the successor after the first insolvency were affected twice within a short period.
Legally, this leads to an important point: Anyone acquiring a brand and operating assets from insolvency proceedings does not typically assume the liabilities of the insolvent company. Claims arising from the initial insolvency remain directed against the original company and its assets, not against the acquiring party. An exception may arise if the acquiring party purchases a commercial business while continuing to use the existing company name, as liability under Section 25 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) may then be considered. This examination is worthwhile in individual cases, but it does not automatically guarantee success.
In practical terms, this means:
- Old vouchersVouchers or credit balances from the period prior to the first insolvency are not validated by the takeover. Redemptions by the successor company are voluntary.
- Distinguishing between two proceduresClaims must be filed in the proceedings in which the contractual partner was the debtor. Filing a claim in the wrong proceedings is ineffective.
- Review company continuationIf the acquirer operates under the same company name, liability under Section 25 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) must be examined. This is generally not the case with a mere trademark acquisition.
Therefore, carefully check which company you have entered into the contract with, not just the brand name. The name on the booking confirmation and the debtor in insolvency proceedings often differ.
The solvent third parties: those who pay outside the insolvency estate
All of the aforementioned proceedings are subject to the same fundamental economic problem. Registration in the insolvency schedule pursuant to Section 174 of the German Insolvency Code (InsO) is necessary, but rarely results in any significant repayment. In the Vanever case, it was publicly stated that only a small portion of the vehicles were owned by the company and that even these were financed. The recovery rate therefore depends on a limited number of realizable assets.
Therefore, it is important to consider defendants outside the general public:
- Payment service providerChargebacks via direct debit, credit card, or buyer protection. The deadlines vary considerably and are independent of the insolvency proceedings.
- Booking portalsIf a portal is holding unpaid booking fees, it is the first point of contact for claims arising from these bookings. In the Vanever case, the administrator pointed this out precisely.
- Financing bankIn the case of a linked contract, the bank handles the reversal and must accept objections arising from the vehicle contract.
- Package tour insurerIf a package tour was involved, the insurer will reimburse the paid travel price if services are cancelled and will cover the necessary return transport.
- People involvedIf payment was demanded even though insolvency had already occurred, claims against management may be considered. In the Camper Base case, this was precisely the subject of a public prosecutor's investigation.
Pursue these options simultaneously, not sequentially. We will address questions regarding the bank and financing in the section below. banking law, claims in case of fraudulent activity on our side Online fraud.
Your schedule for the first few days
The first few days after insolvency is announced determine which claims can later be enforced. The shortest relevant deadline is eight weeks, calculated from the date of the direct debit.
- Determine debtorsObtain the company name from the booking confirmation or purchase agreement, not just the brand. Then determine the applicable procedure.
- Secure documentsContract with attachments, booking confirmation, proof of payment, bank statements, correspondence, and, in the case of purchases, the vehicle documents. Access to customer portals is often deactivated at short notice.
- Check for chargebackDetermine the payment method and clarify the applicable deadline, starting with direct debit.
- Contact the portalIf booking through a platform, request a refund in writing and with a deadline.
- Register claim: After the commencement of proceedings, register in due time in accordance with Section 174 of the Insolvency Code (InsO) for inclusion in the schedule of claims, even if other avenues are being pursued in parallel.
- clarify insuranceIf you own a vehicle, ask your insurer in writing until when liability coverage expires.
- Do not sign anything.No cancellation agreements or return protocols with waiver clauses until the legal situation is clarified.
Don't sign anything until you know what you're giving up. You can find more articles about vehicles in our section. Automotive, experiences from return and billing disputes on our site Lease and rental car return, We will address general questions about the vehicle in the traffic law.
Rogert & Ulbrich – Your lawyers for insolvencies in the camping industry
Rogert & Ulbrich represents consumers nationwide at the intersection of travel law, sales law, banking law, and insolvency law. Attorneys Dr. Marco Rogert and Tobias Ulbrich and their team monitor proceedings in the camping and motorhome industry and are familiar with rental companies' sales models, dealers' inventory financing, and insolvency proceedings.
We classify your contract under the correct category, identify your debtor company, and ensure compliance with all applicable deadlines. Simultaneously, we pursue claims against payment service providers, booking platforms, financing banks, insurers, and other parties involved, and register your claim with the insolvency administrator. If an out-of-court settlement cannot be reached, we will also represent you in court proceedings.
Is your campervan provider insolvent and your payment is tied up? Contact us for a free consultation and let us check the outstanding deadlines.
