What is RV Insurance?

You recently purchased an RV or travel trailer and you’ll need RV insurance. But you have questions, First is, what is RV insurance? What makes it different from your auto insurance? Well, like your car insurance, RV insurance is an agreement between you and your insurance company to protect your motorhome, travel trailer, camper, fifth wheel, for a premium. Also like your car insurance, your RV insurance will provide you the state required liability insurance as well as coverage for your RV or travel trailer. But RV insurance also allows you to select from a variety of coverages meant to protect your vehicle and provide peace of mind on while on trips and vacations, or if you use your RV as a permanent residence.

Let’s take help you answer that question, “what is RV insurance”?

How does RV insurance work?

Similar to when you shop or buy other insurance, when you buy RV insurance, your insurance agent will ask you a set of simple questions about you, your RV or trailer, and how often you use it. At that time, you’ll then select your limits and review and select available, optional coverages.

Like your car insurance, liability insurance will be mandatory if you’re insuring a motorhome. However, if you’re insuring a travel trailer it will not be a requirement. Typically, trailers get their liability protection from the car insurance policy that covers the vehicle pulling it.  Additionally, you will have a set of coverages like collision coverage or comprehensive, and medical payments that are familiar to anyone who has purchase car insurance. However, what makes an RV insurance policy different will be the specific coverages available to protect you based on the way you use your RV or trailer.

Learn more about RV insurance coverage.

After you purchase your policy, if you damage your vehicle or you’re responsible for someone else’s damages or injuries, you’ll file a “claim” with your insurer. If your claim is covered, they’ll pay for the losses or injuries up to your coverage limits.

Learn more about RV insurance coverage.

Do you need RV insurance?

As you start to get answers to “what is RV insurance,” you may now want to know if you actually need to buy it. The simple answer is, Yes. Like any other motor vehicle, if you intend to drive it, you must have at least the state minimum for liability. Travel trailers are towed, so they don’t have this same requirement, but make sure the vehicle that tows it has liability insurance before you take it on the road.

If you’re not sure what the minimum standards for liability insurance are in your state, don’t worry. When quoting RV insurance, all insurers will let you know the minimum requirements in your state. Note: failure to have liability insurance could result in your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles revoking your license, assessing fines, or even jail time.

If you have borrowed money to purchase your RV, your lender may also have requirements that you have insurance.

Do your have to carry travel trailer insurance?

Because you don’t drive your travel trailer, it is not compelled to have liability insurance like a motorhome. However, your travel trailer is often a valuable asset, and should be protected to avoid financial loss in the event of an accident.

Most travel trailer policies include comprehensive coverage. It’s up to you if you want to add collision. If you have a loan to purchase your travel trailer, financers may require you to carry both.

How do I buy RV insurance

Many insurance carriers offer RV insurance. In some cases you can quote and buy RV insurance online. This may be convenient of you’re at the dealer and need to have coverage to drive the vehicle off the lot. However, it may be more beneficial to contact your car or home insurance agent as many insurance companies offer RV insurance and can offer multi-policy discounts.

The bottom line

RV and travel trailer insurance is a unique form of vehicle insurance, specialized for the RV lifestyle. Some insurance carriers may offer an endorsement to add your RV or travel trailer to your car insurance policy. However, that may only offer the basic coverages. If you want to fully protect your RV lifestyle, get protection for the unique ways you use your RV, then you should consider an RV insurance policy.

If you are still unsure, or want to get more answers, one of our insurance agents are available to help at (877) 334-7646 or request a quote online.