RV Insurance: What It Is, What It Costs and How To Save

RV insurance provides necessary liability coverage before hitting the road in your motorhome or travel trailer, alongside additional coverage options that address the unique risks of your mobile home-away-from-home. While not all types of recreational vehicles are required to have RV insurance, this coverage can expand your financial protection with optional RV insurance coverage for comprehensive, collision and personal property stored inside your RV.

RV insurance provides liability protection for motorized recreational vehicles and trailers, along with optional RV insurance coverage such as comprehensive, collision and personal property protection.

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

On This Page

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  What Is RV Insurance?

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  Is RV Insurance Required?

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  What Does RV Insurance Cover?

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  What Doesn’t RV Insurance Cover?

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  How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

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  Ways To Save on RV Insurance

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  Full-Time RV Insurance Explained

• 

  RV Insurance vs. Car Insurance

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  RV Insurance at a Glance

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  How To Get RV Insurance

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  Frequently Asked Questions

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). RVs are typically broken down into two categories:^[1]

• Towable RVs: These RVs lack their own engine and must be towed behind another vehicle. These include travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers and pop-up campers.
• Motorized RVs: Also called motorhomes, these motorized RVs don’t require another vehicle to move and are classified by their chassis — Class A, B and C.

RVs typically aren’t fully covered by standard car or home insurance, so you’ll need specialized RV insurance coverage based on the type of motorhome or trailer you own for more complete protection.^[2]

Class A Motorhomes

Class A motorhomes are designed for luxurious travel, much like a celebrity tour bus. They typically feature high-quality furniture and onboard generators. Ideal for large groups or big families, they range from 20 to 45 feet and typically sleep up to eight people.^[3]

Class B Camper Vans

Class B motorhomes, also called camper vans, are smaller than Class A motorhomes while still featuring amenities such as kitchens, beds, storage and bathroom facilities. These motorhomes are ideal for couples and small families, ranging from 16 to 24 feet long and accommodating up to four people comfortably.^[3]

Class C Motorhomes

Class C motorhomes serve as a middle ground between Class A and Class B motorhomes, providing a medium-sized recreational vehicle that’s more fuel-efficient and easier to maneuver while still offering plenty of space for passengers. These motorhomes range from 20 to 32 feet in length and can accommodate up to eight people for sleeping.^[3]

Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels

Both travel trailers and fifth wheels are non-motorized RVs that are towed behind another vehicle. Travel trailers hitch directly to the back of a truck and come in various lengths and layouts based on the model. They typically range from 12 to 35 feet and can hold between two and eight people.^[3]

Fifth-wheel trailers are typically much more spacious and luxurious, making them among the largest RVs available to consumers. However, due to their size, they typically require a specific type of hitch and a minimum three-quarter-ton or one-ton pickup truck to tow them. Fifth-wheel trailers range from 25 to 40 feet long and typically hold between four and eight people.^[3]

Is RV Insurance Required?

RV insurance is required to drive a motorhome on public roads, similar to standard car insurance for personal vehicles. State insurance requirements are generally similar to those for passenger vehicles, with liability coverage required in nearly every state.^[4] If you already have existing car insurance, you may be able to insure your motorhome through the same insurance company, although it may provide less coverage than a specialized RV insurance policy.^[5]

If your RV doesn’t have a motor, such as a trailer pulled by a truck, it typically doesn’t require its own insurance policy because liability coverage generally extends from your existing car insurance policy, although only in a limited capacity.^[4] You can typically get more substantial RV insurance coverage by purchasing travel trailer insurance, which covers non-motorized RVs like pop-up campers and fifth-wheel trailers.

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 RV insurance coverage:^[6]

• 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 motorized, you’ll need the minimum amount of liability coverage required by your state to drive it on public roads.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This coverage helps pay for damages and injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. 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 after a car accident. It may cover 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:^[6]

• 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: Protects any valuables you have in your RV if they’re stolen, vandalized or damaged by a covered peril.
• Vacation liability coverage: This type of insurance provides personal liability protection when someone is injured in or around your RV while on vacation.
• Roadside assistance: Get coverage for towing, fuel delivery, flat-tire assistance and locksmith services.
• Full-time RV insurance: Provides liability coverage similar to homeowners insurance while your RV serves as your full-time residence for at least six months per year.
• Emergency expense: Covers certain travel expenses, like hotel stays and other transportation, if your RV becomes disabled due to a covered loss at least 50 miles away from your primary residence.
• Pet coverage: Covers injuries to your cat or dog while traveling in your RV.

What Doesn’t RV Insurance Cover?

RV insurance won’t cover every risk your motorhome or trailer might face, including:^[7]

• Normal wear and tear, such as rust or engine failure due to age. Regular maintenance and cleaning are the owner’s responsibility and are recommended to keep your RV in good condition for as long as possible.
• Protection for your personal property kept in your RV. Your homeowners or renters insurance may cover personal property in your RV up to a certain amount, or you could consider optional personal property coverage with your RV policy.
• Using your RV for commercial use.
• Intentional damage.

If you tow an additional vehicle behind your RV, you may need a separate travel trailer insurance policy or endorsement to cover it.^[8]

How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

The average cost for RV insurance is roughly $125 per month for comprehensive coverage on a mid-range RV. However, costs can vary heavily between the type of RV you’re driving:^[9]

Other factors that can influence your RV insurance costs include:^[10]

• Your driving location
• RV usage
• Upgrades to your RV and its value
• Driving history
• Coverage limits
• Deductible choice
• Available discounts

Ways To Save on RV Insurance

There are a few ways to help you save on RV insurance and reduce your monthly premium through various discounts, although discounts vary by insurer and state:^[11]

• Look for multi-policy discounts when you bundle home or renters insurance with your RV coverage.
• Completing a safety course to demonstrate your reliability behind the wheel can lower your premium.
• Consider paying your policy in full up front rather than month-to-month, as this can potentially get you a discount.
• RVs with anti-lock braking systems may help you earn a discount.
• Adding your spouse to your policy may help lower costs.
• Discounts may be available for drivers with a clean driving record over the last three to five years.^[12]
• Opting for digital communications, such as receiving documents by email, can help lower your insurance costs.

Full-Time RV Insurance Explained

Full-time RV insurance, also called full-timers coverage, provides more comprehensive protection for people who live in their RV for months at a time. These policies typically offer broader liability protection compared to standard RV insurance, with common coverages including:^[13]

• Medical payments: Covers medical expenses for those injured in and around your RV.
• Personal liability: Covers injuries and property damage you’re liable for due to accidents when your RV is parked.
• Loss assessment: Covers association fees to pay for repairs on a property you’re parked at.
• Personal property: Covers losses to your personal property kept inside your RV.

Full-time RV insurance may be available only to those who live in their RV for at least six months per year, depending on your insurance carrier.^[13]

RV Insurance vs. Car Insurance

While many of the coverages for RV insurance and car insurance on the road are similar, with both featuring liability protection and the option for physical damage coverage, they differ in scope:

RV Insurance at a Glance

Below, we’ll briefly cover the essential information you should know about RV insurance:

• RV insurance provides liability and other state-mandated coverages for vehicles on the road. It may also include other coverages not normally included with standard auto insurance, such as personal property coverage and emergency expenses coverage.
• RV insurance is mandatory to meet state liability and other insurance requirements, but only if the vehicle is motorized. Towable RVs may qualify for optional RV insurance coverage, although liability protection generally extends from the towing vehicle.
• RV insurance typically won’t cover additional trailers or vehicles that are towed behind a motorhome unless they’re added to your policy through an endorsement or they have their own separate policy.
• Full-time RV insurance may be available for those who live in their RV for at least six months of the year and want broader coverage than standard RV insurance provides.
• You can frequently bundle RV insurance with homeowners or auto insurance to earn discounts on your monthly premiums.

How To Get RV Insurance

The best way to get RV insurance is to shop around among different providers, which can help you find the most affordable rates. Try to gather quotes from three to five insurers to understand your options, and ensure you request quotes using the same coverage and deductibles for an accurate comparison. You’ll typically need to provide information about your RV, your driving history, location and other factors for each quote, which can make the process tedious.

Speed things up by using an insurance marketplace like SmartFinancial. After answering a brief questionnaire, we'll connect you with a licensed insurance agent who can discuss your RV insurance needs, explain whether your RV coverage may be bundled with your auto or homeowners insurance policy and help you explore your insurance options.