What’s the Best Insurance for Your RV?

Experienced RV’ers are likely to tell you it’s not possible to make a definitive recommendation on the “best” insurance for your RV. Many issues come into play: your RV model; other vehicles in your household; your driving record; the state in which you buy the insurance; the specific coverages you need for your RV … and more.

Here you’ll find help that leads you to the best insurance for your particular needs.

·         Does my auto insurance cover an RV?

·         What does an RV policy cover?

·         What discounts can I get?

Does My Auto Insurance Cover an RV?

Not really.

While some insurance carriers can provide a special endorsement to your auto policy that gives some protection for your RV, the endorsement usually offers only “market value” replacement of your RV in the event of a total loss. In that unhappy situation you could find yourself paying the loan balance still due, perhaps for many years, on the RV you no longer own.

You can get far better protection with an RV insurance policy. These are available for virtually every kind of RV: Class A, B, C as well as fifth-wheel trailers, bus conversions and even pop-up campers. These policies offer “replacement value” reimbursement in the event of a total loss.

What Does an RV Policy Cover?

Specific coverage varies depending upon the type of RV you drive and with the insurance carrier. However, the following coverages are the most common.

·         Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability – This pays for medical expenses of people injured or killed in an accident for which you are found liable. It also pays for damage to the other person’s property. As with auto insurance, state mandated liability limits are not sufficient to protect you. Your insurance professional can advise on limits for this important – and required-by-law – coverage.

·         Uninsured/Under-insured Motorist – Nearly one in three drivers on the roads today are either uninsured or under-insured. This pays you for bodily injuries or death of your passengers, or you, when another motorist at fault does not carry liability coverage (and is therefore driving illegally). It also pays when the at-fault driver’s liability coverage is not sufficient to pay your medical expenses. Finally, it pays for damage to your RV and property when the at-fault driver’s coverage is not adequate.

·         Medical Payments – This is completely optional. It pays for your medical expenses as the result of an accident, regardless of who is at fault – or even if no one is at fault, as in the case of a trip and fall inside your RV. If you already have health insurance, you’re already covered for those eventualities.

·         Collision – Collision insurance pays to repair or replace your RV if it is stolen or damaged, no matter who is at fault. You can choose a deductible that you pay out-of-pocket, with all remaining damage paid by your insurance company. In the event of a total loss you can choose an “agreed upon” value, the current market value of your RV or “total loss replacement” coverage. Collision coverage applies when you crash with another vehicle, a tree or other object.

·         Comprehensive – This covers damages to your RV not resulting from a crash that is already covered by your collision insurance. If you hit an animal, your RV is stolen or suffers fire damage, broken glass or other covered perils, comprehensive coverage pays after your deductible is satisfied.

·         Roadside Assistance – This coverage offers far more than towing service typical on auto insurance policies. It can pay the towing bill and the labor cost at the location where you are disabled, even including helping you get out of snow, water or mud if you’re stuck. Again, specific coverages vary with each carrier. Be sure to talk with your insurance professional to understand your policy’s provisions.

·         Mexico Physical Damage pays for damages that occur in Mexico. However, if you plan to travel in Mexico, you must also buy Mexican Liability insurance from a Mexican insurance company.

·         Full Timer’s Insurance – If you have chosen to make your RV your full-time home, this coverage offers many of the same protections as conventional homeowner’s insurance.

o    Liability pays for bodily injury and property damage to the other party when you are at fault in an accident. In most cases the liability coverage extends to people who are injured while you are stationary, for instance, if an accidental injury occurs while you’re at an RV park.

o    Medical Payments to Others pays in addition to your liability coverage for people injured on your property.

o    Loss Assessment. If you join a homeowner’s association and “settle down” for a portion of the year, this coverage pays for certain assessments charged to you when common area property (swimming pools, clubhouses, etc.) are damaged.

o    Storage Shed Contents coverage protects your possessions placed into storage.

What Discounts Can I Get?

Each insurance carrier offers a range of discounts. Our Quoteasy insurance professionals represent many carriers and it’s our specialty to find the best array of discounts and coverages for your RV. We’ll begin with several common discounts listed below … then look for more that fit your situation.

·         Multi-policy discounts apply when you have your RV and other properties insured by the same carrier.

·         Multi-vehicle discounts – including cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATV’s and boats – can often save five to eight percent on your premium.

·         RV safety course discounts are often available when you complete a training program such as those offered by the RV Safety and Education Foundation. [1]

·         RV association discounts become available to members of RV clubs, such as those listed here. [2] This discount alone can save up to five percent.

·         Anti-theft discounts are frequently available for RV’ers who have GPS trackers or similar equipment professionally installed. This alone can save up to 20 percent with some carriers. [3]

Need More Help?

Call Quoteasy at 305-587-2410 or click to get help. We’re here to help with your RV insurance needs and commit to finding the best policy and the greatest discounts available among our many carriers. Whether you’re towing a pop-up camper, a fifth-wheel trailer or driving a Class A motor home, we’re here to help.

Source

(1) http://rvsafety.com/rv-driving-safety-program/ (2) http://www.rv-clubs.us/rv-clubs.html (3) http://www.nationwide.com/rv-insurance-discounts.jsp