The Eight Most Relevant Insurance Concerns for RV Owners

Owning an RV can be rewarding, but first you've got to take the necessary steps to ensure it's a positive experience for everyone. Without the right coverage on hand, your RV could end up being more of a liability than it's worth.

Fortunately, an independent insurance agent can help you get equipped with the right type of coverage for your RV. But up first, here's an overview of some of the top insurance concerns for RV owners. Review them before you decide to hit the road.

The Eight Most Relevant Insurance Concerns for RV Owners

Before you insure your RV, you may want to work with an independent insurance agent who can tell you exactly which areas you should be most concerned about. An independent insurance agent can help you build an RV insurance policy that includes all the coverages you need the most. However, you can start getting an idea of what to look for in a policy by reviewing these top insurance concerns.

1. What's the Right Type of Liability Coverage for Your RV?

RV insurance operates similarly to auto insurance. Its liability coverage includes both personal property damage and bodily injury components. Property damage liability insurance can reimburse for incidents of third-party property damage that occurs on, in, or because of your RV in some way.

Bodily injury liability can help reimburse for incidents of third-party injuries that happen on, in, or because of your RV, and the required medical treatment. Ask your independent insurance agent to help you build a policy that has enough liability coverage in each category. That way you'll be prepared against unexpected, potentially costly disasters related to your RV.

2. What Happens if Someone Breaks into Your RV?

You likely have limited coverage for your personal belongings kept in your RV under your homeowners insurance, which may be capped at 10% of your contents coverage limit because the items aren't kept at home. But many RV insurance policies allow you to add optional personal property coverage for the belongings you store in your RV, such as kitchen equipment, clothing, bedding, TVs, etc.

If you're concerned about break-ins to your RV, make sure to ask your independent insurance agent to help you find or build an RV insurance policy that includes personal property coverage. Since RV insurance policies can vary, you'll need to look for this coverage specifically. Don't risk relying on the contents coverage offered by your homeowners insurance if you'll be taking a lot of personal property with you, or keep valuable property with you on the road.

3. Without Insurance, How Would You Pay for Damage in an Accident?

Accidents are one of the main concerns on every RV owner's mind, especially in terms of potential costs and insurance claims. Accidents can be expensive from a property damage standpoint alone, but factoring in medical costs if someone gets injured can make the cost astronomical. Without the proper insurance, you could wind up destroying your financial future if a major accident involving your RV occurred.

RV insurance can be customized to include medical payments coverage, which can help reimburse for medical treatment to yourself or your family and passengers if you cause an accident. Your policy can also include collision coverage, which would help reimburse for physical damage to your RV if you caused the accident. Your property damage liability coverage would reimburse for physical damage you caused to another RV, vehicle, or piece of property with your RV.

4. What if Someone Gets Injured at Your RV’s Campsite?

While your RV is parked or stationary, your regular RV insurance policy might not cover incidents such as third-party injuries. You may need to add a separate coverage known as vacation liability insurance, which can help reimburse for the costs of third-party injuries that occur at your campsite while your RV is parked. This coverage can be critical for folks who travel with dogs, because vacation liability can cover injuries your pet causes a third party at your campsite, as well.

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5. What if You Like Your RV So Much That You Decide to Make It Your Permanent Home?

According to insurance expert Jeffery Green, if you live in your RV year-round, you can usually add liability coverage that will cover you in the same manner as your homeowners insurance does. If you're planning to make your RV into your full-time home, talk with your independent insurance agent first. They'll make sure you add any extra liability or other coverages required to your RV insurance beforehand.

6. RVs Can Be Difficult to Steer, So What Happens after an Accident?

If you have a motorized RV, your state's RV insurance requirements are the same as they are for auto insurance. So you'll need a policy with at least your state's minimum coverage requirements included. But you can customize your policy to add more coverages to give you a fuller picture of protection in case an accident or other disaster occurs.

RV insurance can include:

• Property damage and bodily injury liability: These coverages can help reimburse you for the costs of causing property damage or bodily injury to third parties with your RV.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: This coverage can help reimburse you for another driver's financial responsibility if they caused an accident with your RV, but lacked any or enough of their own insurance to cover their portion of the damage.
• Collision coverage: This coverage can reimburse you for the costs of physical damage to your RV after an accident that you caused.
• Comprehensive coverage: This coverage can reimburse you for threats beyond collision, including theft of your RV, windshield breakage, damage caused by storms, and more.
• Medical payments coverage: This coverage can reimburse you for injuries to you or your family members and passengers after an accident that you caused.

You can also add protection for your personal belongings kept in your RV, equipment, and even attached accessories like awnings and satellite dishes. When you work with an independent insurance agent, they can help you identify your own unique needs and get the RV insurance coverage that's best for you. 

7. Does Existing Car Insurance Cover RV Rentals or Does That Require Separate Insurance?

According to Green, your auto insurance may provide coverage if you rent an RV, however, there are exceptions. For example, if the RV has more than four wheels. You should review your coverage based on the type of RV that you plan to rent. Before you hit the road, you may want to learn more about how your car insurance covers RV rentals, or speak to your independent insurance agent to find out if you need additional protection in any area.

8. How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

The cost of RV insurance varies depending on several factors, like the specific Class of RV you have, the amount of time you'll spend on the road, and your personal driving history. The types of coverage you select and how much of each you need will also influence your policy's cost. Your independent insurance agent can help you find exact RV insurance costs for your area and needs, but you can also start by using our handy RV insurance calculator. 

Considering these major concerns before insuring your RV can help you prepare for any potential incidents that can happen on or off the road. Working together with an independent insurance agent is the best way to ensure you'll get matched to a policy that addresses all of your fears when it comes to RV life. 

Why Choose an Independent Insurance Agent?

Independent insurance agents simplify the process by shopping and comparing insurance quotes for you. Not only that, but they’ll cut through the jargon and clarify the fine print so you'll know exactly what you’re getting.

Independent insurance agents also have access to multiple insurance companies, ultimately finding you the best RV insurance coverage, accessibility, and competitive pricing while working for you.