Does RV insurance cover theft?

How your RV insurance policy covers theft

Comprehensive coverage on an RV insurance policy may cover theft of your motorhome or travel trailer, minus your deductible, up to the fair market value of your RV. With comprehensive coverage, your RV is covered against theft wherever you park it, including your home, storage facility, campground, RV park, and repair shop.

For motorhomes: If you aren’t financing or leasing your motorhome, then comprehensive becomes optional but you won’t be protected against theft without adding the coverage.

For travel trailers: Comprehensive coverage is standard on all travel trailer policies. Liability coverage applies to the motor vehicle that you use to tow your travel trailer, while the insurance policy for your travel trailer is built to protect the trailer only. That means you can’t purchase a travel trailer policy without protection against theft.

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 effects coverage can pay to replace them up to a specified amount.

Where do most RV thefts occur?

Theft of a motorhome or travel trailer can happen anytime and anywhere, but, surprisingly, rvtravel.com indicates that RVs are more likely to be stolen from storage facilities than at campgrounds, repair shops, or residences.

Which RVs are most likely to be stolen

While Class A motorhomes are often more luxurious and may seem more appealing than travel trailer, rvtravel.com reports that 82% of stolen RVs were travel trailers.

RV theft prevention tips

Whether you're driving across the country or your RV is parked at your home awaiting your next adventure, here are some things you can do for RV theft protection.

• Change the locks: When you purchase a motorhome or trailer, the keys you get can sometimes unlock others from the same manufacturer. Install new locks on your doors, cargo box, and hitch, so you are the only one with the key.
• Lock up: Lock windows, doors, and the cargo box when you leave your RV unattended.
• Review security: When you're traveling, ask about campground security before making a reservation.
• 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: Most trailers and motorhomes come in only a handful of colors. Finding a way to make yours stand out (e.g., adding decals, painting the back or sides, etc.) may deter thieves from stealing it.
• Install a security system: A security system with cameras, motion detectors, and door and window alarms can alert you to potential intruders and scare off thieves.
• 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 if someone does drive off with it. Learn more about how car GPS trackers work.

How to lock a trailer so it can't be stolen

If you have a travel trailer rather than a motorhome, there are some extra steps you may want to take to prevent it from being stolen. While nothing is 100% foolproof, implementing these strategies may deter thieves or arouse suspicion before they have a chance to get away with your trailer:

Keep it out of sight

When you’re home, park your trailer in a garage or backyard away from the street, so passersby can't see it.

Get a hitch lock

Use ball and pin locks for maximum RV security. The ball lock can help prevent someone from attaching an unhitched trailer to their truck, and the pin lock helps deter thieves from unhooking an attached trailer from the owner's truck.

Use a tire boot lock

This type of lock wraps around the tire and through the wheel, so the wheel can't turn. You can use these on motorhomes as well. For added RV security, consider getting one for each wheel.

What to do if someone steals your RV

If someone drives off with your RV, the first thing you should do is file a police report, so they can be on the lookout for your RV and the people who may have taken it. After notifying the police, you should contact your insurer to file a claim if your RV policy includes comprehensive coverage. Progressive customers can file a claim digitally.

Protect your RV with insurance from Progressive