RV insurance companies, like Roamly, offer great coverage at affordable prices. Plus, they'll actually pick up the phone when you need to make a claim.
Choosing from the myriad of best RV insurance companies can be a challenge—and many RV owners don't know where to start. Since a camper also serves as a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and more, it requires a very specific type of policy to ensure proper coverage.
When choosing which RV insurance company you'll trust with your beloved camper, it's important to consider a few things:
What exactly is the difference between auto and RV insurance? Who is the best RV insurance provider? Will you need full time RV insurance or just part-time vacation liability? Should I find an independent insurance agent that specializes in RVs or choose a nationwide company?
I'll help you compare five different insurance companies, break down RV insurance, and understand everything it entails!
RV insurance is coverage that protects you against theft, loss, and accidents related to your RV.
Think of it as a hybrid between auto and homeowners insurance. You still need to choose your deductible and coverage limits and create a policy that works for you and your needs.
Most RV insurance policies include liability, comprehensive, collision coverage, and under or uninsured motorist coverage. More extensive coverage takes care of the engine, wheels, automotive parts, and all home belongings within the RV.
RV insurance doesn't just cover the average RV. It also covers truck campers, teardrop trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and more. Basically, it can be broken down into two sections: motorized and towable.
Motorized RV insurance covers class A, B, and C vehicles, while towable RV insurance covers travel trailers, teardrop trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and pop-up campers.
Usually, yes. If an RV has an engine it is likely required to have its own policy. If you're using a trailer or a separately attached RV, it's not as likely required. A towable RV may also be covered under your existing auto insurance policy for the vehicle that you use to tow the RV.
What will determine your requirement is the state you plan to register your RV in. In fact, every state, except Virginia and New Hampshire, requires minimum liability coverage if the vehicle is driven on the road. Over half the states require uninsured or underinsured insurance.
According to CarInsurance.com, "Almost every state requires you to have bodily injury liability insurance to pay for the treatment of anyone you injure; other states operating under no-fault laws will require that you carry personal injury protection to pay for your own injuries. You usually will be required to buy property damage liability to repair the vehicles of anyone you hit."
A great rule of thumb is: if it's motorized, it needs insurance. If you tow, insurance is optional (depending on your state.)
Let's look at some more factors. If you live and travel in your RV full-time, then the answer is yes. Absolutely. You need RV insurance.
If purchasing through a lender, they may require you to have coverage. In fact, most banks giving you a loan will require you to have some sort of coverage.
What isn't usually required and is considered optional is comprehensive coverage (theft, windshield damage, vandalism), personal belongings coverage, and medical payment coverage.
Overall, if you only use your RV for one or two trips per year, it may be more cost-efficient to purchase vacation liability or short-term insurance instead. You may even be able to add it to your regular auto insurance temporarily. Plainly put, it doesn't make sense to pay for insurance year-round if your RV is spending most of its time in storage.
RV insurance is similar to car insurance but has a few more aspects. It requires a bit more detailed coverage options and is definitely more of a specialty.
RV insurance tends to be more comprehensive than auto insurance. It offers specific protection to RV drivers that might not be covered under regular car insurance.
Not only does it cover the actual mechanical needs of a vehicle, but it will also cover things you may lose if damage occurs while the vehicle is mobile, such as personal items, emergency expenses, and replacement costs.
RV insurance policies tend to look like a mix between auto and home insurance, or maybe even boat insurance!
Car insurance is for any car on the road. It just covers the basics of a moving vehicle.
It merely focuses on mostly just that: the car. It covers the engine, bodywork, paint, etc. It simply focuses on the V (vehicle) part of RV (recreational vehicle).
It's worth noting that you can add RV coverage to most car insurance policies. While this may not be as comprehensive as you'd like or need, it is an option. You can also just have an auto insurance policy for your RV if you'd like, but it will only cover the vehicle, not any of the build or items inside the vehicle.
One major factor that plays heavily into what kind of insurance policy you should get is if you use your RV full-time or part-time. Your policy coverage needs and the cost of your annual premium will definitely vary based on your usage.
If you are on the road full-time, you are statistically more likely to have an accident or damage occur to your vehicle. In this sense, it's important to consider complete personal liability coverage. It's similar to liability for a home since your RV is technically your house.
What this coverage does is takes care of you 24/7. The policy is enough to cover personal belongings in the case of damage or theft (expensive items such as electronics, computers, cameras, etc.)
This is a scenario where emergency expenses coverage may be more important than a part-timer. If you live in your RV and something happens or you need mechanical work, or it takes a while for parts to arrive, you can have policy add-ons that cover hotel or food expenses while you're out of your RV.
For full-time recreational vehicle insurance coverage, it is generally recommended to have:
Personal property coverage is really important since break-ins on full-time dwelled vehicles are more likely. If you're full-time, you also likely keep all of your personal belongings in your RV, so you can be reimbursed if anything were to happen to them.
If you have a pet that lives with you in the RV full-time as well, it is highly recommended to get pet injury coverage.
Part-time insurance can be much simpler than full-time. Generally speaking, it is recommended to have a policy that includes vacation liability coverage and various discounts, such as a storage option or low mileage add-on.
Vacation liability insurance is basically the same as personal liability coverage recommended for full-timers, except the coverage is only for a temporary time frame. This protects you from legal liability of injuries but is only accessible if you're in the RV part-time.
(Tip: please check with your insurance agency to figure out what they consider "part-time" as it will vary from company to company.)
Storage coverage options offer a discounted rate if you plan to stow away your RV during the off-season. In fact, this policy add-on can actually reduce your premium by up to 53%.
Another great applicable discount is diminishing deductibles! If you drive less, you're less likely to have to file a claim and after a certain number of years with clean driving history, many RV insurance companies will lower your deductible.
With RV insurance, there is an abundance of options that allow you to build a policy that perfectly suits your needs.
It can generally be broken down into two sections - standard coverage, and premium add-ons.
Standard coverage includes:
Premium add-ons include:
Most insurance agencies will have some sort of basic RV insurance package that is a great starting point. From there, you can add extra options and discounts to customize your policy.
On average, RV insurance costs between $1,000-$2,000 per year. However, this really varies depending on your age, state, vehicle, driving records, type of coverage, deductible, discounts, and whether you're full-time or not.
Typically, part-time RV insurance costs less than auto insurance since they aren't driven as much, around $1,000 per year. But if you're full-time, the cost will mirror the price of home insurance, up to $2,000-$3,000 per year.
A great place to start researching prices is by looking at the average policy prices in your state of residence. In some states, the bare minimum for RV insurance starts as low as $200 per year. In other states, it can cost thousands of dollars per year.
Areas with extreme weather usually have higher insurance premiums. More mild-weather areas will be less expensive.
Another telltale is considering your RV's make, model, mileage, and year. Class As are usually the most expensive to cover since they're the largest type of motored RV. The bigger the RV, the higher the premium.
Newer vehicles may be less expensive because of potential warranties and are less prone to heavy mechanical work. Older models may be more expensive because they can require more work, be more prone to breakdowns, and have higher mileage.
Don't forget about premium add-ons! The more add-ons you choose for your RV insurance policy, the more expensive it will be. For example, adding roadside assistance could increase your monthly cost by $20 or more. If your RV has slide-outs or other extra accessories, this can also cost more.
The more discounts you qualify for, the cheaper your policy will be. See if you're eligible for any of the following discounts: bundling, good driver, original owner, no smoking, paperless, homeowner, pay-in-full, safety features, storage option, or military/government profession.
Additionally, make sure your policy is particular to your financial situation. You can tweak deductible and limit amounts, which will affect your premium. You can pay less per month but you'll be responsible for more if an accident or damage occurs.
The amount of insurance you'll need is going to be very dependent on your particular situation. To start, the minimum insurance required is based on your state of residency. For a few states, insurance isn't required at all.
Beyond the legal minimum, insurance is all about risk. The more you're willing to risk, the less you'll have to pay toward a premium.
It's important to consider your financial situation, how often you use your RV and the total value of your RV. Build a policy around your budget, your particular vehicle, and the way you use your vehicle.
Think about the type of RV you have, where you plan to travel, how often you plan to travel, extra custom features of the RV, and what you really want to protect. For example, if you have an older camper but a great build-out, it may be worth focusing more on build coverage.
My best advice: make sure you have sufficient insurance to the point that you're not screwed financially if an accident or large damage occurs.
Beyond the normal liability and comprehensive coverage that is recommended for insurance on a motorized vehicle, there are optional policy add-ons that make sense, particularly for RV insurance.
Personal property coverage takes care of just that: all your personal belongings and effects. This includes laptops, TVs, cell phones, etc. Basically, any valuable, personal item that you own and travel with is covered.
Personal attachments coverage is anything externally attached to your vehicle: satellite, TV antenna, awnings, rear box storage, etc. This is especially useful if you have anything large attached to the top section of your van, such as a kayak. If you were to drive under a bridge or parking garage that is too low and caused damage, insurance would cover the costs.
Roadside assistance is a great way to relieve the stress of any incidents that occur roadside. You can simply call your insurance company and they will take care of you during an otherwise stressful occurrence.
This additional insurance coverage takes care of multiple costs beyond just towing.
Roadside assistance can also cover:
Keep in mind that most roadside assistance services are only available if you are a specific distance away from home. (The average company states 50 miles or more.)
We hold ourselves to a rigorous standard. Financial incentives don’t sway our recommendations — real-world field tests, thousands of travel hours, and authentic wanderlust do.
As a Manchester City fan, he made it his mission to catch matches at legendary stadiums from Camp Nou to the Etihad. But Nick's travels go beyond football. He's explored 20+ countries across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, always chasing authentic experiences over tourist traps. Nick lives by a simple rule: the best stories come from saying yes to the unexpected. And TravelFreak is his biggest yes yet.
Before you set out on your dream RV trip, you need to find the right rental company, pick a suitable RV, budget your expenses, and drive it safely.
Thinking of renting out your RV to make some extra cash? Here are 20 tips I've compiled from renting out my van and talking to industry experts along the way. Let's d(r)ive in!
Renting out your RV is a great way to make some side money. It's definitely worth it as long as you understand the effort involved.