RV insurance 101 Everything you need to know about your RV Insurance

What is RV Insurance?

​RV insurance is an agreement between you and your insurance company that protects your motorhome, travel trailer, camper, fifth wheel, etc. You'll choose from a variety of coverages meant to protect your vehicle and provide peace of mind on trips and vacations or if you use your RV as a permanent residence. If you're "driving" a motorhome, you'll also need liability coverage to stay legal on the road. But if you're "pulling" a travel trailer, your state won't require you to insure the RV, as you're already covered for liability on your auto insurance policy.

Generally, more coverage means a higher price

How does RV Insurance work?

​When you buy RV insurance, your insurer or agent will ask simple questions about you, your RV, and how often you use it. You'll then select coverages that will best protect you and your vehicle. Generally, more coverage means a higher price. If you damage your vehicle or you're responsible for someone else's damages or injuries, you'll file a "claim" with your insurer. If your claim is covered, they'll pay for the losses or injuries up to your coverage limits.

Do I need motorhome insurance?

​Yes. You must have at least the state minimum for liability, since motorhomes are driven and not towed. When quoting motorhome insurance, all insurers will let you know the minimum requirements in your state. Failure to carry liability insurance could result in a revoked license, fines, or even jail time.

Do I need travel trailer insurance?

​Because you're not actually driving your travel trailer, you aren't required by law to have insurance on a vehicle that you tow with a car or truck. However, your travel trailer is often a valuable asset, and should be protected the same way you insure your home, car, etc.
Most travel trailer policies include comprehensive coverage. It's up to you if you want to add collision, but most financers will require you to carry both.

Recreational vs. Full-timer's

RV insurance is generally divided into two categories: recreational and full-timer's. Recreational is for you if you aren't living in your RV full time and will cover your RV inside and out while on the road or parked at a campsite. Full-timer's insurance is meant for those using a motorhome or travel trailer as their primary residence. Many of the coverages will match up with a recreational policy, but you'll be able to add additional coverages that are similar to homeowners insurance, like personal liability and loss assessment.

What's covered

Standard RV coverages

Damages to your RV
Comprehensive and collision: Comprehensive protects your RV from theft, vandalism, windshield damage, acts of nature, rocks and debris kicked up by other vehicles, and accidents/impact with animals. A deductible applies.
Collision covers damage to your RV if you're in an accident and hit another vehicle or object, regardless of fault. Note that you won't be able to purchase collision without also purchasing comprehensive. A deductible also applies.

Damages/injuries you cause

Bodily injury and property damage liability: Pays for damage or injuries you cause while driving your motorhome. It also covers legal fees that may result from the accident. In most states, this is the only required coverage. Coverage does not apply to travel trailer policies.

Damages to your RV and injuries from uninsured drivers

Uninsured/underinsured property damage and bodily injury: If your motorhome is hit and damaged by a driver who isn't carrying insurance or doesn't have enough to cover the damage they've caused, uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage will pay to repair or replace it (up to your policy's limits). Same goes for injuries you suffer at the hands of an uninsured or underinsured driver—we'll cover your injuries up to the limits of your policy. Coverage does not apply to travel trailer policies.

Your injuries

Medical payments: Covers medical bills, up to the limits you choose, for you and your passengers if you're in an accident, regardless of fault. Coverage does not apply to travel trailer policies.

Extra RV coverages

Roadside assistance

Sterling Peaks Insurance offers 24/7 roadside help by towing you to the nearest repair facility if your motorhome or travel trailer is disabled within 100 feet of a road or highway. You're covered for a mechanical or electrical breakdown, dead battery, flat tire, fuel delivery, or if you're just stuck on the side of the road in snow, mud or sand.

Total loss replacement

If your RV is totaled in a covered accident, we'll pay for a brand new motorhome or travel trailer, minus your deductible.
For instance, if you paid $50,000 for your RV three years ago, it may only be worth $30,000 today. But Insurance could pay you $55,000 on your claim, minus your deductible, as we guarantee the same model year or later. You can also choose not to replace your damaged vehicle and instead get reimbursed for the original purchase price.
If your motorhome is more than five years old, we'll pay you the amount specified on your insurance policy—minus your deductible.

Replacement cost/personal effects

Provides up to $99,000 in coverage for your personal property inside your RV. Certain items outside your motorhome or travel trailer may be covered.
Emergency expenseIf your motorhome or travel trailer is disabled more than 50 miles away from your home, we'll give you up to $750 for transportation and hotel expenses. You'll also have the option of upgrading to $2,000 in coverage for an extra cost.

Pet injury coverage

We'll pay up to $1,000 if your cat or dog is injured during a covered accident. There is no deductible!

Vacation liability

If you're on vacation and someone is hurt in or around your RV, you're covered up to $10,000. For only a few dollars more, you can upgrade to $100,000 or more in coverage.
Vacation liability can also cover property damage. For instance, if your ice-fishing travel trailer sinks in a lake, you're covered for the costs of removing the sunken trailer.

Full-timer's personal liability

If you use your motorhome or travel trailer as a permanent residence, this enhanced coverage works similarly to vacation liability. You're covered up to $500,000 if you're responsible (also called liable) for injuries in or around your RV.


Loss assessment

Insurance pays up to $5,000 in charges that you could potentially face from your RV association. For example, your RV association may require all members to chip in and pay for damages to common areas (swing set, deck, trails, bathroom facilities, etc.) caused by a hurricane or major storm. We'd then cover whatever amount you owe up to the $5,000 limit.


Disappearing deductibles

For every claim-free policy period you have with Progressive, we will lower your deductible by 25%. For example, if your collision deductible is $1,000, we'll lower it to $750 if you haven't filed a claim by your first policy renewal. If you're still claim-free at your next renewal, your deductible will drop to $562.50. And so on...all the way down to $0.
If you file a claim and use the disappearing deductible you earned, you'll go back to your original deductible. Starting with your next claim-free policy, your deductible will start lowering again.

How is RV/motorhome insurance priced?

​Like with other types of insurance, RV insurance pricing comes down to risk. How likely are you to file a claim and what will it cost to repair or replace your motorhome or trailer? Here are some factors that will help determine what you'll pay:

Type: A large, state-of-the-art motorhome will typically cost more to insure than a smaller, used RV. Typically Class A motorhomes are more expensive to insure than Class C motorhomes simply because they're bigger and more expensive. Similarly, a conventional travel trailer will usually cost more to insure than a truck camper.

Use: Usually, the more you use your RV, the more you'll pay to insure it. If you live in your RV, you are more of a risk to your insurer than someone who uses their RV recreationally, a few weekends per year.
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Driving experience: It's a whole new ballgame when driving a motorhome compared to a car. Adjusting to a bigger vehicle, different blind spots, and challenging turns takes time, so RV drivers with more experience will pay less for insurance than newer drivers.