How does RV insurance work?

Q: What does travel trailer insurance cover/not cover?

Travel trailer policies can cover physical damage to your travel trailer, as well as theft, vandalism, and other incidents both in and out of your control . If you finance or lease your travel trailer, your lender will typically mandate comprehensive and collision coverage. If your trailer is paid in full, you may have the option to carry comprehensive coverage without collision.

RV insurance can provide protection if you cause injuries or property damage to others and may also cover the cost of damage to your motorhome or travel trailer if a covered incident occurs. You can choose from a variety of coverages that may differ depending on how you use your vehicle — recreationally or as a full-time residence. You can typically customize an RV insurance policy based on your own needs as well as what's required by your state and lender, if you finance or lease your camper or motorhome.

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What is RV insurance?

RV insurance is built to safeguard your motorhome or travel trailer against damage from incidents both in and out of your control. An RV insurance policy also offers liability coverage if you're responsible for injuries or property damage when operating your motorhome as well as when your motorhome or trailer is parked at a campsite or RV park.

Need a quick rundown on RV insurance? Watch this brief overview to find out what's required and how an RV policy can protect your motorhome or trailer.

Is RV insurance required?

In nearly every state, you're required to carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage on your motorhome. Travel trailers are a different story. Because they're not motorized, insurance is optional. However, if you're financing your motorhome or travel trailer, your lender will typically require you to carry comprehensive and collision coverage. Learn more about RV insurance requirements and find out the minimum liability limits in your state.

What does RV insurance cover?

Here are some of the most common coverages on a motorhome or travel trailer insurance policy:

Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage protects your RV against events beyond your control: theft, vandalism, windshield damage, acts of nature, fire, and accidents with animals.
Collision
Collision coverage covers damage to your RV if you collide with another vehicle or object, such as a fence, tree, or guardrail, regardless of fault.

Learn more about RV comprehensive and collision coverages.
Liability
Since nearly all states require liability coverage on a motor vehicle, you need RV bodily injury and property damage liability coverage before you can get behind the wheel of your motorhome. This coverage can pay for damage or injuries you cause while driving your motorhome and may cover legal fees resulting from the accident, up to your coverage limit.
Medical payments
Medical payments coverage may cover medical bills for you and your passengers if you're in an accident, regardless of fault and up to your coverage limit.
Uninsured/underinsured property damage and bodily injury
If your motorhome is damaged by a driver who isn't carrying insurance or doesn't have enough to cover the damage or injuries they've caused, uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage and bodily injury coverage may pay to repair or replace it and for injuries you and your passengers suffer, up to your coverage limits.

See more RV insurance coverages, including coverage for emergency expenses, personal items inside your RV, pet injuries, and roadside assistance.

What if you live in your RV full-time?

A full-time RV insurance policy is for those who use a motorhome or travel trailer as their primary residence and may include coverages like full-timer's liability and loss assessment.

What does RV insurance not cover?

Motorhome and travel trailer policies won't cover:

General wear and tear
Damage from mold
Delamination repairs
Fungi or rot

What does travel trailer insurance cover/not cover?

Travel trailer policies can cover physical damage to your travel trailer, as well as theft, vandalism, and other incidents both in and out of your control. If you finance or lease your travel trailer, your lender will typically mandate comprehensive and collision coverage. If your trailer is paid in full, you may have the option to carry comprehensive coverage without collision.

A travel trailer policy won't cover you for property damage or injuries you cause while pulling your trailer on the road. Liability coverage isn't available for travel trailers, as nearly every state mandates that you carry it on the vehicle that tows your trailer instead. You can typically purchase vacation liability coverage for your travel trailer, in case you're liable for property damage or injuries to others while your trailer is parked at a campsite.

How is RV insurance priced?

Several factors can impact the cost of RV insurance, including vehicle type, usage, coverage selection, location, driving experience, and claims history.