Does RV insurance cover theft?
Yes, if you carry comprehensive coverage, your RV insurance policy can cover the fair market value of your motorhome or travel trailer against theft, minus your policy's deductible. If your policy doesn't include comprehensive coverage, you won't be covered if your RV is stolen.
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How common is RV theft?
Worldmetrics.org estimates that 17,000 RVs are stolen annually in the United States. RV Travel compiled its own RV theft statistics based on its database of reported stolen RVs. According to their data taken over two years, owners of travel trailers should be on high alert – nearly 82% of stolen RVs were travel trailers. The next highest percentage of stolen RVs were Class C motorhomes at just under 7% of all thefts.
RV Travel's data also revealed that the most common place of RV theft were storage facilities, where nearly 41% of all thefts occurred according to its report. Businesses and homes were other common places of theft. While storage facilities are often secured, they're easy targets for skilled thieves familiar with the facilities.
How does insurance cover a stolen RV?
Comprehensive coverage on an RV policy may pay to replace a stolen motorhome or travel trailer, up to the actual cash value of your RV and minus your policy's comprehensive deductible. If the stolen RV is recovered, comprehensive coverage can pay for damages resulting from the theft.
If you're financing or leasing your motorhome or travel trailer, it's likely that your lender requires RV comprehensive coverage, which covers RV theft. If you own your RV outright, comprehensive coverage is optional, but could be a valuable option in protecting against a stolen RV.
Pro tip:
Some RV insurers, including Progressive, may offer optional replacement cost coverage for personal effects. If items are stolen from inside your RV, such as a smartphone or camping gear, personal property coverage on your RV, also known as personal effects coverage, can pay to replace them up to a specified amount.
How to prevent RV and trailer theft
Whether you're driving across the country or your RV is parked at your home awaiting your next adventure, here are the best ways to secure your trailer from theft and strategies for RV theft protection.
Change the locks: Install door locks, hitch, and cargo box, so you are the only one with the key.
Lock up: Lock windows, doors, and the cargo box when you leave your RV unattended.
Get a safe: It's best to travel with as few valuables as possible, but for items like money and credit cards, keep them in a safe.
Stand out from the crowd: Find a way to make your motorhome or trailer stand out by adding decals, painting the back or sides to deter theft.
Install a security system: Adding a security system with cameras, motion detectors, and door and window alarms can alert you to potential intruders.
Install a GPS tracker: Installing a GPS tracker on your RV may not prevent someone from stealing it, but it will make it easier to recover.
Add a hitch lock: For the best travel trailer security, use a ball lock to prevent someone from attaching an unhitched trailer to their truck, and adding a pin lock hel
Add a wheel lock: This type of lock wraps around the tire and through the wheel, so the wheel can't turn. To protect your trailer or motorhome, consider getting one for each wheel.
What to do if your RV is stolen
File a police report: Report the theft, and provide details about your RV, including its make, model, color, license plate, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Contact your insurer: Provide the police report number and any other necessary information.
Monitor online listings: Thieves sometimes sell stolen RVs or parts online. Monitor Craigslist, eBay, and other selling platforms for listings that match your RV.
Alert RV dealerships, repair shops, and campgrounds: Provide them with a description of your stolen RV. Thieves may try to sell the RV to a dealership or take it to a repair shop.
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