When my transmission failed in Montana (a covered claim), the shop said: “Parts are backordered. It will be 6 weeks.” I lived in the van. Suddenly, I had no home. I checked my policy for “Rental Reimbursement” and found I had $30/day coverage—enough for a compact car, but nowhere near enough for a hotel room or an Airbnb for 45 days. I burned through $4,000 of savings just to have a roof over my head.
Key Takeaways
- Standard “Rental Reimbursement” is for Cars: The standard
30/30/900 limit (30 dollars a day, 900 max) is designed to get you a Ford Focus while your car is fixed. It is NOT designed to replace your home. - You Need “Emergency Expense” Coverage: This is the RV-specific rider you must have. It covers hotels, food, and transport if the RV is uninhabitable.
- Distance Matters: Emergency Expense usually only kicks in if you are more than 50 or 100 miles from your “primary residence.” (Another reason why the Full-Timer definition matters).
- Parts Delays are Not Covered: If the shop takes 2 months because they are waiting for a part, insurance often stops paying the rental/hotel after a set limit (e.g., 30 days).
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Daily Limits vs. Real Costs.”
In 2026, a cheap motel is $120/night. An Airbnb is $150. If your policy gives you $40/day for “Loss of Use,” you are bleeding money every night.
Furthermore, most policies have a hard cap (e.g., $1,500 total). Once you hit that cap—about 10 days in a hotel—you are on your own, even if the van is still in pieces.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Carriers)
Who keeps you off the street when the rig is broken?
Good Sam / National General
- The Winner: They offer “Emergency Expense Allowance” that can go up to $750 or more per incident (check limits).
- The Perk: They cover lodging and meals. They understand that if your RV is broken, you are homeless.
Progressive
- The Option: You can buy higher limits, but you have to ask. The default is low. On a Full-Timer policy, the “Emergency Expense” is much better (up to $2,500 or $5,000 depending on the plan) than on a recreational policy.
AAA
- The Failure: Their “Trip Interruption” benefit is usually small (maybe $1,000) and requires you to be on a “trip.” If you are a full-timer, proving you are on a “trip” (and not just at home) can be tricky without the right policy language.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a hotel bill totaling $2,500 next to an insurance check for $600]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Standard Auto Rental | RV Emergency Expense |
| Covers | Car Rental Only | Hotel, Food, Transport |
| Daily Limit | Low ( 30−30− 50) | Higher ($150+) |
| Requirement | Claim must be covered | >50 Miles from Home |
| Max Payout | ~$900 – $1,500 | ~$2,000 – $7,500 (Full-Timer) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Upgrade “Emergency Expense”: Look at your policy. If it says “$750 limit,” call and increase it to $2,500 or $5,000. It costs very little extra premium.
- Save an Emergency Fund: Insurance will reimburse you. You have to pay the hotel bill upfront. Have $3,000 accessible cash/credit.
- Keep Receipts for EVERYTHING: Food, Uber, Hotel. The adjuster needs itemized receipts, not just credit card statements.
- Ask for “Loss of Use” Extension: If the parts are backordered, plead with the adjuster. Sometimes they can extend the rental coverage if the delay is out of your control, though this is rare.
FAQ
Does this cover me if the van breaks down mechanically?
Generally, NO. Emergency Expense kicks in for a covered loss (Collision, Fire, Theft). If your transmission blows up (mechanical failure), standard insurance pays $0 for the repair AND $0 for the hotel. Exceptions: Some premium Roadside Assistance plans (like Coach-Net) offer trip interruption for mechanical breakdowns.
Can I rent another RV?
Usually no. They pay for a hotel + a rental car. Finding a rental RV is expensive and insurance daily limits rarely cover the $250/day cost of an RV rental.
What if I stay with friends?
You don’t get the money. It is an “incurred cost” coverage. If you spend $0, they pay $0.