An RV (Recreational Vehicle) is a huge investment that a lot of Americans make, so understanding what insurance you need to cover your investment is very important. It is required by every state that you have a minimum amount of liability insurance if you can drive your RV. That being said, if you have a camper or travel trailer that you tow behind another vehicle, liability insurance is not required as the tow vehicle is required to have insurance.
It is important to understand what type of RV insurance you need and to know exactly what your policy includes to know if you are covered or not. You also don’t want to have extra policies you don’t need and be spending extra money.
Coverage You Need
Collision Coverage. This coverage pays for damage if you were to get in an accident with another vehicle or object (pole, wall, fence, etc.). Collision coverage, along with comprehensive coverage is required if the unit has a loan.
Comprehensive Coverage. This covers damages that are not covered in a collision, including fire, vandalism, theft, any broken glass, and weather. Comprehensive coverage is required on RVs that carry a loan.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist. Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) covers damage done by another individual to you or your property if they do not carry or have sufficient insurance to pay.
Optional Coverage
Full-Timer Coverage. If you live in your RV full-time and use it as your place of residence, then you will need full-timer’s coverage. This type of coverage is similar to homeowner’s insurance and provides comprehensive personal liability.
Vacation Liability. On the other hand, if you vacation casually in your RV then this is the coverage for you. It provides liability while you are parked, using the RV as a temporary residence.
Custom Equipment. If you have customized your RV in any way, inside or out, then you will want extra coverage. Keep track of how much you invest in customizing your rig and insure it appropriately.
Total Loss Replacement. This policy is for new RVs or RVs that are only a few years old as all the other RVs are insured for an agreed value or actual cash value. This coverage will replace the RV with a similar unit in the first five model years if the insured RV is determined a total loss as a part of a claim.
Roadside Assistance. When an emergency or breakdown happens, this coverage provides towing to the nearest qualified repair shop and will pay for labor. Typically they cover flat tires, lock-out, dead batteries, and being stuck in the snow, mud, water, or sand within 100 feet of the road.
Personal Effects. You might agree that insuring your RV is a good idea, but what about your personal belongings inside of your RV? Personal Effects covers items in your unit while you use it as a residence. This usually includes items like pots, pans, bedding & clothing.
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