RV Insurance Guide: Coverages, Costs & Carriers
This is EVERYTHING you need to know about RV Insurance! Because if you plan on buying an RV you will also need to purchase RV Insurance. And whether you’re an RV beginner buying an RV for the first time, or just getting into a different one. With each new or used RV you buy you’ll have to go through this process of purchasing RV insurance every time. Plus, it is a good idea to review your RV Insurance Policies every year to make sure you are covered for your RV lifestyle needs. So, you’re probably wondering: What does RV Insurance cover? How is RV Insurance different from Auto Insurance? What carriers provide RV Insurance? How much does RV Insurance cost? etc… Don’t worry this guide is designed to answer all your burning questions about RV insurance!
FAQ about RV Insurance:
- What basic RV Insurance Covers?
- RV Insurance vs Auto Insurance
- RV Insurance Providers
- How does cost differ between RV Insurance Providers?
If you didn’t know…
I’ve had 6 RVs (two currently) but My very 1st Brand new RV Travel Trailer was totaled along with the SUV I purchased to tow it when a driver clipped me on the interstate! It all happened a few months after purchasing the RV and SUV. I’ve also had someone STEAL my Smart Car Trailer off the back of my RV Van. And many other issues including RV Breakdowns! But, all of those things taught me A LOT about RV insurance and Auto Insurance, in all of my RVs from motorhomes, to travel trailers and van life in between!
WHAT BASIC RV INSURANCE COVERS?
Keep in mind every RV Insurance Carrier has its own rules and policies. Though there are legal requirements they must meet. So what does Basic RV Insurance Cover?
LIABILITY INSURANCE
To legally operate your RV, you’ll need at least the same amount of liability coverage that your state requires for car insurance. If you ever cause a crash, liability covers others’ injury and property damage costs, up to your limit.
COLLISION & COMPREHENSIVE
Collision coverage helps pay for repairs to your RV if you cause a crash or run into objects such as a tree or street sign. Comprehensive covers a variety of issues, including theft of your RV, animal collisions, falling objects, vandalism, and more.
Note that collision and comprehensive come with a deductible, which is the amount your insurer subtracts from claim payments. If you file a claim for $2,000 to repair damage from a fallen tree branch, for instance, and you have a $500 deductible, your settlement would be $1,500.
UNINSURED MOTORIST
Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage helps cover your and your passengers’ injury treatment if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, or who has some insurance but not enough to cover your bills. Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage kicks in at the same time but goes toward repairing your damaged RV.
MEDICAL PAYMENTS
If you crash your RV, this coverage pays for injury treatment for you and your passengers, no matter who was at fault in the incident.
RV INSURANCE VS AUTO INSURANCE
RV insurance is a little different than buying car insurance. Even though your auto insurance provider may offer RV insurance, you might want to know whether they’re a great option for you because you want to be covered properly for the way that you use your RV. Remember that you have a lot more expensive things in the RV, you might have dishes, towels, a computer, or your TV. All of these things you will need to replace if something happens.
HIGHER LIMITS
RV Insurance is going to cover your personal belongings that are inside of the RV with higher payout limits. In a car you might only have a couple hundred dollars for personal belongings, but in an RV you might have several thousand dollars ($10k, $20k etc…) worth of stuff inside of your RV.
Which is why it’s important to have proper insurance coverage to help you cover things in case something happens to your RV. All of those little things: a coffee maker, towels, cups, bed sheets, dishes, etc… — all those little things add up when they’re inside of your RV and if those are disrupted you will want to have the funds to replace them.
FULL TIMER INSURANCE
If you’re a full-timer you might have to look at full-time insurance. Full-timer insurance can differ from carrier to carrier. One company might require you to be in your RV for nine months out of the year consecutively, but others might have a different qualification. It is going to be more expensive than part-time RV insurance.
These types of policies have higher coverages, covers more for your personal belongings and gives you more money towards unexpected travel expenses. For instance, if something happened to your RV or you got into an accident then you might need more funds allotted to cover accommodations, food, and other expenses during the repairs.
REPLACEMENT COST
One of the perks of some RV insurance policies is they might provide full replacement cost which means they’ll actually pay for a brand new RV if something happens to yours. Or, they may pay off the balance of your loan. Now, this can differ from carrier and some might only offer on a new RV. At which point you will want to consider things like gap coverage. If you’re RV is over $100k gap coverage may or may not be an option. If you own a house, then you might be able to purchase an umbrella policy to help cover any additional losses.
STORAGE DISCOUNT OPTIONS
If you’re not going to be using your RV full time, you’re gonna be storing it part of the time. If it’s in storage and going to be there for a month, or a couple weeks you might be able to “turn off” the full time coverage. Every policy is different, but some will offer the option to say, “hey it’s in storage”. Which then turns off that full-coverage.
But, it won’t cover things like a collision since the RV is suppose to remain parked. It would only cover if some type of natural disaster or something happens to it on the storage property because it’s not supposed to be moving. so if you decide to move the unit it would not be covered if you actually move the unit and get into an accident.
TRAVEL / TRIP INSURANCE
Special RV insurance will offer things like travel arrangements which is something I’ve kind of mentioned with the full-timers but even the part-timers will offer some type of travel arrangements typically.
You have to think this is for a house not a car. you’re actually traveling. if you’re on the road and something happens they’ll help cover some of those expenses. Usually it’s just a certain dollar amount that they’ll cover. You would first be responsible for paying any of those covered expenses and then turn in your receipts for reimbursement.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Roadside assistance may be covered. This is going to be a special policy rider that will help fix a flat tire, tow you should you break down or help with other types of issues while your on the road. You can also buy roadside assistance outside of your policy or in addition to. Such as AAA who has a Premier RV policy specially made for RVs!
HITCH COVERAGE
If you have a towable RV, they’ll cover the hitch that attaches the trailer to the RV. Another thing to keep in mind about towing is the cost of the RV you are towing since some auto policies allow for the trailer being towed to be claimed as an attachment of the vehicle. What this means is that the trailer becomes an extension of the automobile towing it, so it falls under one policy. But, this is something you have to check with your auto policy.
RV ATTACHMENTS
Attachments are another thing you don’t really think about. These are things like antennas, awnings, ladders, tires, air-conditioned unit, and other items that are on the outside of your RV. All of those things you would hope they’d replace should anything happen to your trailer. This doesn’t have to be an accident, maybe a storm comes by and damages your RV. there can be a lot of things that happen you just want to make sure what’s covered under your insurance policy when you’re buying your RV insurance.
PAID IN FULL DISCOUNTS
Some carriers and policies may offer a paid-in-full discount or monthly rates. Paying the policy up front for say six months might next you a cheaper premium. It’s always wise to ask what type of discounts you can apply.
TOW VEHICLE
Sometimes if you have a tow vehicle, there are special policies just for your tow vehicle. but, it has to specifically be used for towing your RV trailer. Although this policy rider is more for the vehicle that will be doing the towing, you might also be able to get a cheaper rate on that policy if it is only used for recreational or business etc…
But, something to keep in mind when you are buying your insurance policy both for your RV and any other vehicles you might have.first some policies they’ll actually let you specify hey this is actually just for towing.
RV INSURANCE PROVIDERS
RV insurance is available through several well-known companies that offer a wide range of insurance products, including:
- Good Sam Club
- Progressive
- Geico
- Nationwide
- Farmers
- Blue Sky
- Foremost
- Explorer RV
- Twin Peaks Insurance
- Allstate
- RV America
RV insurance rates are hard to estimate given all the ways you can customize and use your vehicle. It’s worthwhile to explore companies both big and small, as shopping around and comparing a variety of quotes is the best way to learn who has the coverage options you’re looking for at the most competitive prices. Some companies like Good Sam will shop around the carriers for you to get you the best rate through the companies they do business with.
HOW DOES COST DIFFER BETWEEN RV INSURANCE CARRIERS?
These are the basic things that insurers look at when they’re insuring your RV and what kind of makes the price fluctuate.
LOCATION
The state in which your policy is issued. Location plays a role in RV insurance cost as some areas are more prone to vandalism, natural disasters, and more traffic means more likely there could be an accident in your future.
RV TYPES & SIZES
A bigger RV is going to cost more to insure because it’s going to cost more to replace or fix should something happen. The more expensive the RV, the more expensive the insurance. That’s just hand in hand.
MULTIPLE VEHICLES
If you have other vehicles in your household, you might be eligible for a multiple policy discount (depending on if the company insures both RVs and automobiles, or possible homeowners insurance etc.. all purchased thought the same carrier). Keep in mind that not all auto insurance carriers insure RV’s and vice versa.
DRIVING HISTORY
They are going to look at the driving history of anybody that’s going to be driving an RV. This is a massive ton vehicle that could kill somebody. So, you’d better have a good driving history if you want to get the best rate. And, they will also ask your experience level of RVing.
AMOUNT OF COVERAGE
The amount of coverage that you’re trying to get insured for will play a role in cost.. If you are trying to get $10k trailer covered vs a $100k motorhome aka bus covered you can expect to pay more. The more expensive the RV, the more expensive the coverage.
FULL TIME VS PART TIME
If you’re going to be full time or recreational. And like I said, you really got to talk to the insurer and what they consider full time because you’re a full time and they’re full time may not be the same and plus they just up the limits in the coverage a little bit. You may not get what you pay for depending on what you’re expecting out of that, you may just be paying to pay and I’ve heard it’s really expensive.
I know when I got a quote, it was probably like three, four, five times as much as what pay. Completely different!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO INSURE A RV?
On average, full time RV insurance costs $1500 per year ($125 per month). RV insurance costs range from $1000 to $2000 for most RVs in the US in 2019. However, RV insurance policies and the costs can vary.
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