RV Insurance Secrets: Covering Your Rig AND Your $10k Worth of Belongings Inside
My RV Was Robbed, But My Policy Paid for My Stolen Laptop
My friend was on a hiking trip when someone broke into his parked travel trailer. They didn’t do much damage to the RV itself, but they stole his work laptop, his girlfriend’s expensive camera, and all their camping gear—a loss of over $10,000. He was devastated until he called his insurance agent. His specialty RV policy included “Personal Effects Coverage.” After his deductible, it paid to replace all his stolen belongings. A standard auto policy would have covered none of it. It’s a crucial protection for your life on the road.
Is Your RV Covered Like a Car or a Home? RV Insurance Explained
The Ultimate Hybrid: Part Auto Policy, Part Homeowners Policy
My aunt and uncle’s RV experience perfectly illustrates their unique insurance. On a road trip, my uncle misjudged a turn and clipped a guardrail. The “auto” part of his RV policy covered the collision damage. A month later, while parked at a campsite, a water line to the shower burst, damaging the interior wall and floor. The “home” part of the policy covered that water damage. A proper RV policy is a hybrid that protects you both while you’re driving down the highway and while you’re living in it at a campground.
Full-Timer RV Insurance vs. Recreational Use Policies: Big Differences!
My Address is My RV: Why a “Vacation” Policy Wasn’t Enough
When my friends sold their house to live in their new fifth-wheel full-time, they almost bought a cheaper “recreational” policy. Their agent stopped them. He explained that if someone got seriously hurt at their campsite, a recreational policy could deny the liability claim because they weren’t just vacationing. They needed a full-timer policy. It gave them broader liability coverage similar to a homeowners policy, higher limits for their personal belongings, and a sense of security, knowing their insurance matched their new, permanent lifestyle.
Personal Effects Coverage: Protecting Your Stuff Inside the RV
My Laptops and Camping Gear Were Stolen; My RV Policy Saved Me
My wife and I came back to our camper after a day of hiking to find the door pried open. The thieves had ignored the RV itself but had taken our two laptops, my drone, and about $2,000 worth of rock-climbing gear. The total loss was over $7,000. I was sick to my stomach. Luckily, when we bought our RV policy, we opted for $10,000 in “Personal Effects Coverage.” After our deductible, our insurance sent us a check to replace everything. It protected not just our vehicle, but our valuables inside it.
Campsite Liability / Vacation Liability: Accidents Outside Your RV Door
My Friend Tripped at My Campsite; My RV Insurance Paid the Bill
During a weekend camping trip, I was hosting a few friends around the campfire outside my RV. One of them tripped over my camping chair in the dark and badly twisted her ankle. Her urgent care visit and follow-up appointments cost over $2,000. I was worried it would become a huge issue between us. But the “Campsite Liability” portion of my RV policy took care of everything. It works just like homeowners liability, covering accidental injuries on your site. It paid her medical bills directly, saving our friendship.
Total Loss Replacement Cost Coverage for Newer RVs: Worth It?
Getting a Brand-New RV After My New RV Burned Down
My colleague bought a brand-new $150,000 motorhome. In its second year, an electrical fire destroyed it completely. A standard policy would have paid the “Actual Cash Value,” which after depreciation was only about $120,000—not enough to buy a new one. But he had paid extra for “Total Loss Replacement” coverage. As promised, the insurance company cut him a check for the full cost of a brand-new, current-model-year equivalent. That rider was the only thing that allowed him to get back on the road without a massive financial hit.
Emergency Expense Coverage: Hotel/Rental Car if Your RV Breaks Down Far From Home
Broken Down 1,000 Miles From Home; Our Policy Paid for a Hotel
My family was on a cross-country trip when our RV’s transmission failed in rural Wyoming, 1,000 miles from home. The local mechanic said the repairs would take four days. I envisioned us stuck in a dingy motel, our vacation ruined. Then I remembered our RV policy had “Emergency Expense” coverage. It reimbursed us up to $1,000 for a hotel and a rental car. We were able to stay in a comfortable place and still explore the area, turning a trip-ending disaster into a manageable detour.
Comparing RV Insurance Quotes: Specialized RV Insurers Often Win
My Car Insurer Quoted $1,200; The RV Specialist Quoted $800
When I bought my first travel trailer, my first call was to the company that insures my cars. They quoted me $1,200 a year. It seemed high, so I took a friend’s advice and got quotes from companies that specialize in RVs, like Good Sam and National General. I was amazed. A specialist insurer offered a policy with better, more tailored coverage—like vacation liability and personal effects—for just $800 a year. They understand the risks and usage better, which often translates to big savings.
Roadside Assistance Tailored for RVs (Towing a Big Rig!)
You Can’t Tow a 40-Foot RV with a Regular Tow Truck
My dad’s 40-foot motorhome blew a tire on the interstate. He called the roadside assistance number from his RV insurance policy. He was relieved when the dispatcher immediately asked for the length and weight of his rig and said, “We’re sending a heavy-duty tow truck that can handle that.” A standard auto club tow truck would have been useless. The specialized RV roadside assistance ensures they send the right equipment to handle a massive vehicle, which is a critical piece of mind for anyone driving a big rig.
Storing Your RV? Ask About Storage-Only Insurance Options (Suspended Collision)
My RV is in Storage; My Premium Is Too
My family only uses our travel trailer from May to September. For the other seven months, it sits in a secure storage facility. I called my agent and asked if there was a way to save money during the off-season. He switched us to a “storage-only” policy. This suspended the expensive liability and collision coverages but kept comprehensive active to protect against fire, theft, or a tree falling on it. Our premium dropped from $70 a month to just $20 a month, saving us hundreds every year.
Does RV Insurance Cover Attached Accessories (Awnings, Satellite Dishes)?
My Awning Ripped Off; My RV Policy Covered It
A sudden, violent windstorm whipped through our campsite overnight. We woke up to find our large, expensive automatic awning had been ripped clean off the side of our fifth wheel. The replacement cost was over $3,000. I was worried it wouldn’t be covered, but my RV policy treated it as part of the vehicle. It specifically covers permanently attached accessories like awnings, satellite dishes, and leveling jacks. After our deductible, our insurance paid for the full replacement.
Towing a Car Behind Your RV: Insurance Implications
My Towed Jeep Got Hit; Whose Insurance Paid?
My parents were driving their motorhome, towing their Jeep behind it. Someone rear-ended the Jeep at a stoplight. It was confusing trying to figure out whose insurance would pay. Their agent clarified it perfectly. The motorhome’s liability coverage extends to the Jeep while it’s being towed, so if they had caused an accident, their RV policy would respond. However, since someone else hit them, the physical damage to the Jeep itself was covered by the Jeep’s own collision policy.
Getting Insurance for an Older or Custom-Built RV / Skoolie
Insuring Our Skoolie Was Harder Than Building It
My partner and I spent a year converting a retired school bus into our dream “skoolie” home. We were so proud, but then we tried to insure it. Every major company rejected us online. We finally found an independent agent who specialized in unique vehicles. He had us provide a full list of receipts, detailed photos of the build, and a certified weight slip. With that documentation, he was able to get us a “custom-build” policy from a specialty insurer. It took work, but it was the only way to protect our one-of-a-kind home.
My RV Trip Nightmare: How Insurance Handled a Major Breakdown
One Phone Call Saved Our Vacation
We were two states from home when our RV’s slide-out mechanism broke, trapping us inside. I made one call to our RV insurer’s 24/7 line. The agent was amazing. She used our policy’s roadside assistance to find a mobile RV mechanic to come to our site. She authorized our “Emergency Expense” coverage so we could get a hotel room for the night. And she started the claim for the repair itself. One policy feature didn’t save us; the combination of all of them working together did.
RV Insurance for Renting Out Your Rig (Peer-to-Peer RV Rentals)
My Side Hustle Needed Its Own Insurance
I thought I could make some extra money by renting out my travel trailer on a site like Outdoorsy. I almost did it, but then I called my insurance agent just in case. He stopped me cold. “Your personal RV policy has zero coverage the second a renter drives away with it,” he warned. He explained that renting it out is a commercial use, and I would need a special commercial rental policy. It was a critical warning that saved me from making a potentially disastrous, uninsured mistake.