What is RV Insurance?
Recreational vehicles, or RVs, include a wide range of motorhomes, from camper vans to bus conversions, organized by classes: Class A, B and C. Your RV insurance will depend on the class of your vehicle, how much you use it, whether you live in it full time and other factors.
The classes of RV include:
- Class A: This class includes models such as the luxury coach, converted bus and motor coach. These vehicles can be up to 75 feet long.
- Class B: This is the smallest class of recreational vehicles. These vehicles do not have a cab-over, and can also include cargo van type designs, travel trailers and camper vans.
- Class C: This group includes vehicles that use a standard cargo van as the driving portion of the RV and the camper portion extends over the cab area. This class covers fifth wheel vehicles.
What Does RV Insurance Cover?
RV insurance covers many of the similar risks that auto insurance does, including collision, comprehensive and liability coverage. You can also get additional protection for your personal belongings on board, equipment and attached accessories such as awnings and satellite dishes.
Depending on the insurance company you choose, your additional coverage options may include:
- Total loss replacement coverage
- Campsite and vacation coverage
- Emergency expenses
- Towing and roadside coverage
- Full-timer coverage if your RV is your full time residence
- Uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage
How Does RV Insurance Work?
RV insurance protects you, as a recreational vehicle owner, from excessive out of pocket costs in the event of a loss or if you are at fault in an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage. It can also provide compensation for your costs if you have a roadside breakdown.
As an example of how RV insurance works, let’s consider some accidents or trouble you could encounter with your motorhome on a vacation. Your RV insurance would potentially cover you in the following ways:
- If you have uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage and another driver collides with you but is not insured, your insurance company will pay for your damages. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the amount of damage, your deductible amount, and the limits set on your policy.
- If you are at fault for an accident, the other driver will file a claim with your insurance company. Your insurer will pay the claim up to the limits of your liability policy. You will pay the costs of any damages, injuries, legal fees or judgments out of pocket beyond the limits set on your policy.
- If your RV is disabled after a crash and has to be towed, your insurance will cover some or all of the costs of towing.
- If your RV is stolen, an animal causes damage to your RV, or it is damaged in a hail storm, your comprehensive insurance would provide coverage for your losses, after your deductible and up to the limits you’ve selected in your policy.
How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?
The cost of RV insurance will vary widely, depending on several key factors:
- Whether your RV is a Class A, B or C model – Class A is the most expensive coverage followed by Class C, while Class B RVs are the least costly to insure
- Whether you use your RV occasionally or if you are living in the RV full-time
- Your driving history and record of accidents or past claims
- The limits you set on your policy, as well as the deductible amounts – for example, your overall costs will be lower if you choose high deductibles, but you will also have higher costs to pay out of pocket in the event that you need to file a claim
- The additional riders or added coverage you want to add, such as coverage for your personal belongings, towing and roadside assistance coverage, etc.
Am I covered, if my RV is my home all or part of the year?
In general, there are 3 usage groups and our carriers insure them all.
- Recreational – The RV is occupied less than 5 months throughout the year (150 days).
- Seasonal Full Timer – The RV is occupied more than 5 months, but still a homeowner.
- Full Timer – The RV is your home.
Is RV Insurance Required?
Like car insurance, RV insurance is required in every state. All states require a minimum amount of liability insurance; in addition, some require uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage.
Collision and comprehensive insurance limits are determined by you, the consumer. Be sure to consider how you will cover your costs if you are in an accident and do not have adequate coverage.
Under the following circumstances, you will experience additional requirements:
- If you rent an RV
- If you live in your RV full time – in this case, you will need full-timers insurance which has some similarities to homeowners insurance
- If you finance the purchase of an RV – when you borrow money to buy your motorhome, your lender will most likely require you to buy RV coverage before your financing can be approved
How Much RV Insurance Do I Need?
The amount of RV insurance you need will depend on several factors, such as:
- The requirements of the state in which you reside
- The class of motorhome you own
- Where you will be traveling, and whether you will cross state and country borders
- Whether you are using it part time or living in it full time
- Whether you have custom features on your motorhome, which can result in higher repair costs
Additionally, the amount of RV coverage you need will depend upon the assets you want to protect in the event of a liability claim or lawsuit.
We help our clients in determining how much RV insurance is needed..
