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RV ownership has increased dramatically in the past decade, with more than 11 million households in the United States owning RVs, according to the RV Industry Association. Whether you use your RV for camping trips close to home or travel across the country, nearly every state requires you to carry adequate insurance for it.
The insurance you need depends on the type of RV you have, where you live and whether you're financing the purchase of your RV. Here's what you need to know.
Will Your Auto Insurance Policy Cover Your RV?
Your auto insurance policy typically provides liability coverage for your RV if it's towable, but it won't pay for repairs or a replacement if it's damaged. You'd need to purchase additional coverage for that.
However, if you have a motor home—in other words, a motorized RV—your standard auto insurance policy won't cover it. You need to buy a separate policy specifically for that.
RV insurance provides many of the same types of coverage as a standard auto insurance policy, plus add-ons designed for the unique needs of RV owners. It's best to check with your auto insurer to find out what type of coverage you need and learn about available options.
What Type of Insurance Is Required for RVs?
If your RV isn't motorized, you may not be required to purchase additional insurance if the liability coverage on your standard auto policy covers it. But if you want protection from damage and theft, you'll need to buy extra coverage.
If your RV has a motor, you must purchase a separate policy that meets the minimum insurance requirements for your state. The policy limits and types of coverage you need vary by state. Below is a list of common coverages your state may require you to purchase, depending on where you live.
- Bodily injury liability: Nearly every state requires drivers to maintain at least this type of coverage, which pays for other people's medical bills if they get hurt in an accident you cause.
- Property damage liability: This type of coverage pays to repair or replace other people's property after an at-fault crash, but it doesn't cover damage your vehicle sustains. It's also required in nearly every state.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UI/UIM): Some drivers either lack insurance or have policy limits that are too low to cover the damage they cause. UI/UIM coverage pays for your injuries and vehicle damage if you're hit by a driver who is uninsured or doesn't have adequate coverage to pay for accident-related expenses. Some states require this type of coverage.
- Medical payments or personal injury protection: These coverages are required in some states and optional in others. They help pay for injuries to the policyholder and their passengers after an accident—no matter who is at fault.
- Comprehensive: No states require drivers to maintain comprehensive coverage, but lenders usually require it if you're financing your RV. It covers damage from incidents other than crashes, such as theft, severe weather and more. Even though it's not required by law, comprehensive may be worth considering since RVs are typically much more expensive than traditional vehicles. Adding comprehensive coverage to your policy is relatively inexpensive and may be wise, given the potential cost to repair or replace your RV.
- Collision: This type of coverage pays for damage to your vehicle after a crash, rollover or driving over a pothole. It's not required by law, but lenders usually require it if you have an RV loan.
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What Other Coverage Might You Want for Your RV?
The standard coverage types listed above outline most of what's included in a typical RV policy. However, you may want to consider adding other types of specialized coverage to your policy for greater protection, including:
- Custom equipment: Standard policy limits for custom equipment are typically low. Adding custom equipment coverage provides greater protection for repairs and replacement of aftermarket modifications like new appliances, solar panels or custom wheels.
- Safety glass replacement: When you add this type of coverage to your policy, your insurer pays to repair or replace the windshield if it's damaged.
- Awning replacement: Depending on your insurer, collision and comprehensive coverage may pay to replace your awning. If it doesn't, this add-on will.
- Gap: Like traditional automobiles, RVs depreciate quickly. Gap coverage protects you if your insurer declares your RV a total loss and you owe more on your RV loan than what it's worth.
- Vacation liability: This add-on provides liability coverage if someone gets hurt in or near your RV while you're on vacation.
- Personal effects replacement cost: If your personal belongings are damaged or stolen from your RV, this type of coverage pays to replace them.
The Bottom Line
Whether you're living in your RV for months at a time or using it for weekend jaunts, maintaining adequate insurance coverage is a must to avoid fines and other penalties for not complying with your state's insurance laws. Plus, it helps protect your financial health by reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket expenses after a covered loss. The type of insurance and policy limits you need vary by state and the kind of RV you have. Check out Experian's auto insurance comparison tool to find affordable coverage in your area.