Guide to Motorhome Insurance

Every RV owner should consider motorhome insurance or ensure they have it depending on their RV type. However, the world of RV insurance can be challenging to understand and navigate. That’s why our team of covered RV storage experts at I-10 RV Storage has shared what you need to know about motorhome insurance. 

This guide to motorhome insurance will discuss RV insurance coverage options, motorhome insurance rates, and how motorized and non-motorized RVs influence insurance. So, let’s look at what you need to know when choosing motorhome insurance. 

Liability Insurance is a Must-have

If you have a motorhome or plan on renting one, you must ensure it is covered by liability insurance. This type of insurance covers any legal responsibility for property damage or bodily injury you accidentally cause to others while using your motorhome. However, you need to know that this insurance policy doesn’t cover all scenarios, including:

  • Fire damage.
  • Theft.
  • Damage to your motorhome because of an accident. 
  • Vandalism.
  • Damage to your motorhome because of weather conditions. 

Since RVs are a significant investment, most choose to get collision and liability coverage. 

Insurance Coverage is Based on State

It might come as a surprise, but insurance coverage in the US is based on state. This means individual state laws govern insurance regulations, so you could encounter different coverage requirements and availability across states. 

To give you an example, some states require liability insurance– or no insurance –  for specific types of motorhomes, while others do not. That’s why it’s essential to research the insurance coverage requirements for RVs in your state to ensure you are legally covered. 

The Different Types of Motorhome Coverage Available and Choosing the Best Coverage for Your Needs

Before we look at the different types of motorhome coverage available, you should remember that each type usually has a limit. This limit is the maximum amount the policy will pay for a covered loss. 

In most instances, you’ll have a deductible to pay before the coverage comes into effect. It’s also important to know that certain insurers offer additional protections, like coverage for emergency travel expenses or roadside assistance. With this in mind, let’s look at the different motorhome insurance types to better understand which best suits your needs. 

Comprehensive coverage

Not all damage to an RV is caused by a collision. If you choose comprehensive coverage, you’ll have more coverage to help pay for repairs on a motorhome because of scenarios like fire or hail, for example. Depending on your comprehensive coverage, you might also be able to claim insurance for things like theft, vandalism, animal impact, and water damage. 

Contents coverage

Some motorhome insurance policies offer content coverage. This type of coverage is usually limited and only covers specific belongings you bring when traveling. In addition, if you have homeowners’ or renters’ insurance, some of your belongings might be covered while they are in your motorhome, so just be aware before you get contents coverage. 

Medical payments coverage

Medical payments coverage is a special type of coverage you can get if you want protection for medical or funeral expenses that are incurred because of a motorhome accident. Usually, medical payments provide coverage for you and your passengers. 

Collision coverage

Often, the most popular type of motorhome insurance, barring liability insurance, is collision insurance. With this type of insurance, your RV will have coverage up to a specific threshold for repairs or replacements if damaged in an accident with another object or vehicle. Depending on your policy, your collision insurance might extend to built-in features inside your motorhome, like televisions and sinks, or the physical structure of your RV. 

Personal injury protection

You can apply for personal injury protection if you live in a no-fault state – Arizona is a fault state. This type of insurance coverage for motorhomes makes it possible for you to cover expenses like lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses, and other costs that occur because of an accident. 

Average Costs and How to Lower Premiums

Is insurance on an RV expensive? The average costs of motorhome insurance can differ by state and type of coverage. However, on average, a Class A motorhome’s insurance typically costs between $1,000 and $4,000 annually because it is the largest RV type. 

In comparison, a Class B motorhome costs about $500 to $1,000 a year or more, making it the least expensive to insure. This is because it is the smallest type of motorhome. Then there are Class C motorhomes with an estimated insurance coverage cost of between $800 and $3,000 per annum. 

As you can see, these prices can be expensive, and not everyone has thousands to spend on motorhome insurance. Fortunately, there are ways to lower premiums. Below, we’ve shared a few of the best ways to reduce your insurance coverage costs: 

  • Raise your deductible: You can enjoy significant savings on motorhome insurance premiums by raising your deductible. However, before you raise your deductible, ensure you have the funds to do so, as you might have to cover the higher deductible amount if you ever need to file a claim.   
  • Consider combining your insurance policies: If you have a few insurance policies, like auto or home insurance, you might want to consider bundling them with your RV insurance. This could help you get a substantial discount. 
  • Lower coverage during the off-season: It’s possible to lower insurance coverage costs by reducing your coverage in the off-season when you are not using your motorhome. You are allowed only to use your coverage during certain seasons. You must just remember to ensure it’s active when you hit the road again. 
  • Improve security: You can lower your insurance premiums by installing security devices in your RV, like GPS trackers and anti-theft systems. This is because these improved security features help reduce the likelihood that your motorhome will be stolen or not found if it is. 

How Motorhome and Travel Trailer Insurance Are Different

Motorhome and travel insurance differ significantly. Because motorhomes have engines, they have to meet the same insurance requirements as other road vehicles like cars and trucks. 

On the other hand, travel trailers and other towables, such as fifth wheels and toy haulers, require different insurance because they don’t have engines. 

You often aren’t legally required to have liability insurance or any other type of insurance for a towable motorhome, but the same cannot be said for motorized Class As, Bs, and Cs. 

How to Keep Your RV in Good Condition to Promote Safe Travel and Safely

If you want to ensure safe travel and safety while out on the road to avoid insurance dealings or higher premiums, starting with motorhome storage is a good idea. Storing your RV at I-10 RV will help ensure it is safe and sound without damage when you don’t use it. 

This, in turn, will ensure that when you do take your motorhome out of storage, it will be safe enough to drive, thus helping you avoid pesky insurance problems. So, if you want to learn more about RV storage with us, you can contact us here, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know. 

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