A Complete Guide to Insuring Your RV

Here is some important information you need to know when insuring your RV

By: Vincent Stokes

Our homes can be a sanctuary, and being able to take that sanctuary with us as a traveler can be a gift from the adventure gods. Motorhomes and RVs can be a wonderful investment for glampers (campers who well, enjoy camping just minus the dirt), for those who want to save a little on lodging but maybe most importantly they are a great investment for travel addicts the world over. Motorhomes are also often a popular traveling vehicle, especially with families and older couples. 

But unlike other vehicles, your RV or motorhome nearly combines your car and your home into one, which is why there is a separate category for RV insurance entirely. With an RV or motorhome, you need things covered in your insurance that wouldn’t generally be covered on just a car, and you need things covered that aren’t generally covered on a home. Thankfully, insurance companies know this and have stepped up the game in insuring the fine points of your car + home.

What Does RV Insurance Cover?

RV Insurance covers anything from a motorhome to camper vans or even bus conversions and is organized in classes (A, B, or C). Unlike car insurance, RV insurance depends upon the class, whether you live in it full time, how much you use it, and more.

Generally, RV insurance will include collision, comprehensive and liability coverage just as auto insurance does. On top of this, you can add on protection for any personal items on board and attached accessories and equipment (awnings, satellite dishes, etc.). Other additional coverage can include emergency expenses, towing and roadside coverage, campsite and vacation coverage, total loss replacement, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and full-time coverage — this is if your motorhome is your full time residence.

How Does RV Insurance Work?

Similar to auto insurance, RV insurance will protect you from out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident. It can also provide protection in the event of natural damage — such as an animal or hail storm — or if your RV is stolen. Also like auto insurance, if you invest in uninsured/underinsured coverage, if a driver crashes into you but isn’t insured or their insurance won’t cover all expenses your insurance company with pay for the damages. This is the same for liability coverage.

Similar to comprehensive insurance with an automobile or home, if you get comprehensive coverage for your recreational vehicle, this will provide coverage for any losses due to animal damage or theft. The campsite and vacation coverage can provide coverage for lodging expenses if your motorhome is damaged while traveling and you need a place to stay. It is important to cover all situations and possibilities with your insurance company so that you are aware of any instances where you aren’t covered where you thought were.

How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

RV insurance policies will vary just as homeowner’s insurance or auto insurance. Generally speaking, a Class A policy may cost around $2,000 a year. This if for a luxury or motor coach, or even a converted bus. These Class A vehicles can be up to 75 feet long and generally the most expensive coverage. For a Class B vehicle, the policy can be almost half of this ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. But again, this depends upon the coverage, additional protection and so many more factors (just like auto insurance how well you drive can even affect your policy). Some places will even allow you to suspend your insurance coverage during the months you may not be using your motorhome.

The best way to gauge just how much you will be spending on RV insurance a year is to get a good comparison quote and do your research.

How Much RV Insurance Do I Need?

Again, like auto insurance, there are state requirements for RV insurances so be sure to check there first. After the requirements it will depend on what class of vehicle you have, if it is leased or financed, and how often you use it. If you only use your vehicle for half of the year, it would be wise to get an auto insurance quote comparison between companies that offer the possibility to suspend the coverage during the other half of the year.

If you own a larger recreational vehicle, you may want to get a larger policy as your vehicle could cause some very high damages to other vehicles. As with any insurance policy, be sure to take the time to do some research and use a good auto insurance quote comparison tool to make sure you’re spending the right amount for the right amount of coverage.

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