How To Get the Best RV Insurance Coverage for Your Next Road Trip

Hitting the road in a recreational vehicle (RV) can be a great way to travel the country without skipping out on many of the comforts of home, but depending on the type of RV you have, you’ll still need to meet your state's liability coverage requirements. Even if you don’t need it, RV insurance may be worth considering as it can offer additional coverage options that take into account the needs of your mobile home-away-from-home.

Keep reading to learn when you’ll need RV coverage, what benefits it offers and how to get the best RV insurance.

On This Page

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  What Is RV Insurance?

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  How Does RV Insurance Work?

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  Do I Need RV Insurance?

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  What Does RV Insurance Cover?

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  How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

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  How Do I Get the Best RV Insurance?

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  FAQs

What Is RV Insurance?

RV insurance, also known as camper insurance or travel trailer insurance, is an insurance product specifically designed to provide liability protection and often physical damage coverage for recreational vehicles (RVs). Essentially, an RV is any vehicle with a single chassis that can be used as a temporary or primary residence, which can include:

• Motorhomes
• Housecars
• Travel trailers (fifth-wheelers)
• Truck campers
• Camp trailers

How Does RV Insurance Work?

The primary function of RV insurance is to provide liability protection while driving on the road. Like standard car insurance, RV insurance will pay for the other party’s repair or medical bills if you’re responsible for causing an accident. In addition, you can buy extra coverage that covers physical damages to your RV or your medical bills if you’re injured.

Much like regular car insurance, RV coverage may have a deductible for claims involving physical damages to your vehicle. However, deductibles generally do not apply to liability claims when you’re responsible for another party’s losses.

For an extra cost, you can add vacation liability coverage for when your RV is parked at a campsite. Comparable to a renters or homeowners policy, you’re covered for any accidents inside your RV or around the campsite. For example, if a sunshade accessory is knocked loose and lands on somebody’s head, your RV insurance policy may cover their medical bills.

Do I Need RV Insurance?

As with driving a standard passenger car, insurance is legally required if you want to drive your RV on a public road. Similarly, the insurance requirements are generally the same, with liability coverage required in nearly every state. However, if your RV doesn’t have a motor, such as a trailer pulled by a truck, it may not require a separate policy and could be added to your existing car insurance policy.

Keep in mind that some states may require you to purchase types of coverage on top of liability insurance, such as personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (more on these later). If you already have existing car insurance, you can typically add your RV to your policy to cover those minimums. However, standard auto insurance may give you less coverage than dedicated RV insurance.

What if I Live in My RV Full Time?

Anyone living in their RV should consider full-time RV insurance coverage, which functions similarly to a homeowners policy for a tiny home (except it’s on wheels). A base RV policy will cover you for liability only while driving, but a full-time RV policy can cover accidents when guests visit your RV. For example, you may be covered if a guest trips while climbing the stairs into your RV and breaks their elbow.

A full-time RV insurance policy can also cover structures adjacent to your RV, such as sheds, porches or decks and carports. If your RV is parked in a formal RV park, you may be able to buy extra coverage if you’re responsible for damages in common-use areas.

What if I’m Only Renting My RV?

Insurance requirements will still apply, even if you only rent an RV. Additionally, an RV lessor usually requires comprehensive and collision coverage on top of the state’s minimum requirements. Some RV rental companies may offer temporary insurance coverage for the length of your rental.

What if I Only Use My RV a Few Times a Year?

You’ll still need the minimum liability coverage for your RV, even if you only drive it during the occasional holiday or vacation period. If you only use your RV a few times a year, it may be worth adding it to your existing policy or getting dedicated insurance, depending on your needs. However, if you plan to store your RV for the majority of the year, ask your insurance company if you can buy stored vehicle coverage at a reduced price.

What Does RV Insurance Cover?

Several RV insurance coverages are available to protect your motorhome, camper or travel trailer. The specific coverage options may vary among insurance providers, but here are some common types of insurance for RVs (that you drive and do not live in full-time):

• Liability coverage: This is the most basic and essential coverage that protects you financially if you cause an accident while driving that injures someone or damages their property. If your RV is drivable with a motor, you’ll need to have the minimum amount of this coverage required by your state to take it on public roads.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This coverage helps pay for damages and injuries caused by a driver without insurance or insufficient coverage. Depending on your state, this type of coverage may be required.
• Medical payments coverage (Medpay): Medpay covers medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured in an accident, regardless of fault.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Offered only in certain states, PIP functions similarly to Medpay and provides medical compensation to you and your passengers when injured in a car accident. In addition, it may cover costs like lost wages, rehabilitation and other related expenses.

Optional Coverages

Similar to auto insurance, there are additional coverages you can add to your policy to bolster your protection, such as:

• Collision coverage: This coverage pays to repair or replace your RV if it's damaged or totaled in a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault. This may be required if you’re renting, leasing or financing your RV.
• Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive insurance protects against non-collision incidents, such as theft, vandalism, fire or damage from natural disasters like storms or floods. This may be required if you’re renting, leasing or financing your RV.
• Personal belongings coverage: As the name would suggest, any valuables you have in your RV will be covered if they’re stolen, vandalized or damaged by a covered peril.
• Vacation liability coverage: This type of insurance provides personal liability protection when your RV is stationary and off the road. It covers bodily injury and property damage at your campsite or temporary location.
• Roadside assistance: Get coverage for towing, fuel delivery, flat tire assistance and locksmith services.

Below are additional optional coverages that may be more useful if you live in your RV full-time:

• Specialized equipment coverage: Certain modifications added to your trailer (e.g., solar panels, suspension alterations) will be protected if a covered peril damages them.
• Loss assessment coverage: This coverage pays for damages you caused to common-use areas, such as a formal RV community.
• Medical payments coverage: Pays for hospital and doctor bills for somebody who was injured inside or around the RV while it is parked.
• Adjacent structures coverage: Insures structures by your RV including carports, sheds, porches and decks.
• Loss of use coverage: Pays for temporary housing expenses if your RV is uninhabitable and is being repaired or replaced. This coverage may also be called emergency expense coverage.

What Isn’t Covered?

RV insurance won’t cover every risk your motorhome or trailer might face, including normal wear and tear or damage caused by mold and fungus. Regular maintenance and cleaning are the owner’s responsibility and are recommended if you want to keep your RV in good condition for as long as possible.

Using your RV for commercial use will often exempt you from coverage under traditional RV insurance and claims made over intentional damages will typically be rejected. If you tow an additional vehicle behind your RV, you typically need a separate auto insurance policy to cover it.

How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

RV insurance costs will range largely based on what type of RV you have. For example, Class A RVs that are the largest types can cost $83 to $109 per month on average to insure, while Class C RVs, which usually include mid-size RVs, can cost $67 to $83 per month to insure. Meanwhile, if you have a fifth-wheel trailer that is attached to the back of your truck, then the cost of insuring it will usually range from $17 to $83.^[1]

Other factors that will affect your RV insurance premium include the vehicle's age, location, your driving history and how often you drive your RV.

How Do I Get the Best RV Insurance?

While many national carriers offer RV insurance, you should research each company’s customer satisfaction ratings before deciding on who to insure your RV. Below are the NAIC codes for some national carriers, with a complaint index of 1.00 being the standard. An index of 2.0 suggests that the number of complaints it receives is twice as high as what is expected for a company its size.

In addition, you’ll want to check with three to five different RV insurance companies to find the best deal, as some may offer better rates, so you’ll want to shop around. Each insurer will need to know your type of RV, home state, driving history and other personal information, such as your age. Keep in mind that this method requires going through each insurance company one by one to gather RV insurance quotes and make comparisons.

Consider using an insurance comparison platform like SmartFinacial to quickly get the best recreational vehicle insurance quotes. By filling out a short questionnaire, we can help streamline this process and connect you with a licensed insurance agent who can help narrow down the best RV insurance deal to meet your needs. Click here to get a cost-free quote today.