It was a breezy evening. A stray ember from my campfire floated twenty feet and landed on my neighbor’s awning. Within minutes, his awning was ablaze. We put it out, but the damage was $4,000. He expected me to pay. I called my auto insurer, confident in my liability coverage. They denied it. “Your auto liability covers you while driving. You weren’t driving.”
Key Takeaways
- Auto Liability ≠ Campsite Liability: Standard auto liability ends when the vehicle is parked. It covers accidents on the road.
- “Vacation Liability” is Mandatory: This endorsement fills the gap. It covers you for negligence while the RV is parked as a temporary residence (e.g., fires, dog bites, trip-and-falls).
- Full-Timers need “CPL”: If you live in the RV, Vacation Liability isn’t enough. You need Comprehensive Personal Liability (CPL), which acts like home insurance for your life, anywhere in the world.
- The Risk is High: If you burn down a $200,000 Prevost next to you, you are personally bankrupt without this coverage.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Use of Auto” Clause.
Standard auto policies state they cover damages arising from the “ownership, maintenance, or use” of the vehicle. A campfire is not “using” the vehicle. A dog biting a neighbor is not “using” the vehicle. Therefore, the standard policy denies the claim.
Homeowners usually rely on their home insurance for this liability. But if you are a full-timer without a home, or if your home insurance has an exclusion for “recreational vehicles owned by the insured,” you have a massive gap.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Carriers)
I checked specifically for “Campsite Liability.”
Progressive
- The Option: They offer “Vacation Liability” for recreational users (limits usually $10,000 to $500,000).
- The Full-Timer Upgrade: If you are a full-timer, they convert this to CPL, with limits up to $500,000. This is the gold standard.
Geico
- The Limit: I found their online quoting system rarely highlights this. You often have to dig or call to add “Campsite Liability.” If you don’t ask, you might not have it.
Good Sam
- The Feature: They include a basic level of campsite liability in most Premier packages, but verify the limit. $10,000 isn’t enough if you burn down a neighbor’s rig.
[IMAGE: Illustration of a campfire with sparks drifting toward a nearby RV awning]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Auto Liability | Vacation Liability | Full-Timer (CPL) Liability |
| When Driving | Active | Inactive | Inactive |
| When Parked (Campsite) | Inactive | Active (Short term) | Active (365 days) |
| Covers Dog Bites? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Covers Fire Negligence? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | Included | + 20−20− 40/year | + 100−100− 200/year |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Audit Your Limits: Check your Declarations page for “Vacation Liability” or “Campsite Liability.” If it is missing, add it TODAY.
- Increase the Limit: Default is often $10,000. Increase it to $100,000 or $300,000. The price difference is the cost of a coffee.
- Check Umbrella Policies: If you have an Umbrella policy, ensure it extends to your RV liability. Often, the Umbrella requires the underlying RV policy to have a minimum limit (e.g., $300k) to kick in.
- Full-Timers: Confirm you have CPL. If you don’t own a house, CPL is the only thing standing between you and a lawsuit if you accidentally injure someone.
FAQ
Does this cover me if I back into a campsite pole?
No. That is “Collision” (you driving the vehicle). Liability covers damage to others that isn’t a crash.
What if a guest slips on my RV steps?
This is exactly what Vacation/CPL Liability is for. It covers their medical bills and your legal defense if they sue.
Is this covered by the campground’s insurance?
No. The campground has insurance for their negligence (e.g., a tree falls on you). They do not cover your negligence (you starting a fire).