Your RV isn’t a vehicle or a home. At the same time, it’s both. As a result, insuring an RV could be a little more challenging that insuring a house or a car. You need some hybrid of car and home insurance to fully protect it. Fortunately, insurance providers offer RV insurance for your specific recreational vehicle and the way you use it.
Whether you need RV insurance — and, if so, how much you need — depends on factors unique to you like the type of RV you drive, how you use it and the state in which you live. You can use this guide to determine the right level of protection for you and your recreational vehicle.
How to determine if you need RV insurance
Do you need RV insurance? There isn’t a straightforward yes or no answer. RV insurance requirements vary from state to state. Look up your state’s requirements to be sure.
Generally, though, the only instance in which you don’t need RV insurance is when you can tow your RV behind your car and you own it outright. If your RV can travel on its own or you have a loan, you at least need liability insurance.
In most cases, the liability insurance required is the same as what your state requires for cars. When you’re researching to figure out how much RV insurance you need to legally take to the road with your recreational vehicle, look up requirements for both bodily injury and property damage liability.
RV insurance coverage types
Insurers break RVs into four different categories and the insurance for each — along with its cost — varies. Here’s a quick peek at each RV insurance coverage type:
Class A motorhomes
If your motorhome is more than 20 feet long, you’re probably driving a Class A RV. Because the vehicle has the ability to travel the road on its own, it’s beholden to your state’s liability requirements for vehicles. In other words, motorhome insurance is required before you take to the open road.
Class B motorhomes
If you drive a camper van, you drive a Class B motorhome. Because your camper van is motorized, these smaller RVs need camper insurance. Make sure you’re covering your state’s liability minimums at the least.
Class C motorhomes
Also called cabover motorhomes or campers, Class C motorhomes are built on the chassis of a van or truck. If the lower-front portion of your RV looks like a truck or van, you’re probably driving a Class C motorhome. Because it’s drivable, it needs RV insurance too.
Towables
If you have a towable travel trailer, things get a little murkier. Your reports the following averages for each type of RV insurance:
- Class A: $ 1,000–$ 1,300 for 140 annual usage days
- Class B: Comparable to auto insurance rates in your area
- Class C: $ 800–$ 1,000+
- Travel trailers: $ 200–$ 1,000
Best RV insurance companies
To ensure you’re getting the best coverage at the lowest RV insurance cost possible, we recommend gathering quotes from at least a few insurance providers. Here are a handful of our favorites:
- Progressive RV insurance: Want affordable coverage? Check with Progressive. Thanks to its extensive discounts, the basic liability policies start at as low as $ 125 a year.
- Good Sam RV insurance: This company specializes in RV insurance, working with Progressive, National General, Safeco and Foremost to offer affordable policies. Good Sam can also insure your RV in Mexico.
- Geico RV insurance: Geico offers a broad range of coverage for both motorized RVs and travel trailers.
- The Hartford RV insurance: The Hartford partners with AARP for its auto and RV insurance. If you’re an AARP member, your membership can score you discounts on your recreational vehicle coverage.
- National General RV Insurance: National General pairs good customer reviews with broad-spectrum coverage and plenty of discount options.
Bottom line
RV insurance varies based on the type of RV you drive, your state requirements and a host of other factors. Regardless, if you drive a recreational vehicle, it’s worth asking an insurance agent about the right level of coverage for your vehicle. That way, you can enjoy the freedom it offers without the stress of unanticipated expenses if the road ahead takes an unexpected turn.
