What type of insurance does an RV need?
Motorized RVs and campers require a separate RV insurance policy that includes, at a minimum, liability and any other coverage your state mandates, equivalent to what is required for a car or truck. A standard RV insurance policy can also include collision, comprehensive, roadside assistance and personal property coverage. Adding a motorhome to a homeowners policy provides a small amount of coverage only while parked or stored at your home address and does not satisfy state liability requirements for road use.
A standard RV insurance policy can include:
- Liability coverage for injuries or property damage you cause to others
- Collision coverage for damage to your RV after an accident
- Comprehensive coverage for theft, vandalism, fire, hail and other non-collision losses
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP)
- Roadside assistance and towing coverage
- Vacation liability coverage when the RV is parked at a campsite
- Personal property coverage for belongings kept inside the RV
The table below shows when an RV is covered by your auto policy and when a separate RV insurance policy is required.
| RV type | Auto policy covers? | Separate RV policy needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Motorized RV / motorhome | No | Yes, liability required in most states, full coverage if financed |
| Travel trailer (towed) | Yes, liability only | Yes, for collision and comprehensive |
| Truck camper | Yes, liability only when on truck | Yes, for damage coverage and off-truck coverage |
What kind of insurance do travel trailers need?
Travel trailers do not require a separate insurance policy by law, but your auto liability policy covers only injuries and damage you cause to others when towing, not damage to the trailer itself. To cover the trailer against collision, theft, weather damage or glass breakage, you must purchase a separate RV insurance policy. Without that separate policy, any damage to the trailer is not covered.
Here's how coverage responsibilities are divided between your auto policy and a separate RV policy for a travel trailer.
| Coverage type | Covered by auto policy? | Requires a separate RV policy? |
|---|---|---|
| Liability for damage to others | Yes | No |
| Damage to the trailer itself | No | Yes |
| Contents inside the trailer | No | Yes |
If you want to protect the trailer from dings, glass breakage, water damage, etc., you should purchase a separate RV insurance policy that includes comprehensive and collision coverage. Your auto insurance doesn’t cover damage to the trailer. So, while there are no legal travel trailer insurance requirements, you may want to buy RV insurance coverage to protect your investment.
People ask
Does my car insurance cover my travel trailer?
Yes, but only for liability. It won't cover any damage to your trailer or anything in it.
What's the difference between motorhome and travel trailer insurance?
The key difference between motorhome and travel trailer insurance is that motorhomes require a standalone RV insurance policy with at least liability coverage to meet state requirements. Collision and comprehensive coverage are optional unless the RV is financed or leased. Travel trailers are covered by your auto liability policy when towing, but need a separate RV policy if you want coverage for damage to the trailer itself. Camper vans are treated as motorhomes and require their own RV insurance policy.
The differences below explain why motorhomes require broader insurance coverage than travel trailers.
| Feature | Motorhome insurance | Travel trailer insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Separate policy required by law | Yes, in most states | No |
| Liability coverage | Standalone RV policy | Auto liability policy when towing |
| Collision and comprehensive | Standalone RV policy | Separate RV policy required |
| Coverage when parked away from home | Standalone RV policy | Separate RV policy required |
For both types of RVs, additional coverage is a good idea. The liability minimums only cover damage to another person or their property – not your RV. You can add more options to the basic RV policy, such as collision and comprehensive coverage for your motorhome. For your trailer, you need to purchase an RV policy for the additional coverage.
How much does RV insurance cost?
RV insurance costs range from $125 a year for a liability-only policy to $1,052 a year for a full coverage policy on a motorhome, according to Progressive. Travel trailer insurance averages about $594 a year. Sheri Fuller of Fuller RV in West Boylston, Massachusetts, notes that coverage typically runs between $300 and $1,200 a year, depending on the size of the RV, coverage level and whether it is used full-time or for vacations.
Average RV insurance costs vary significantly depending on whether the RV is motorized and how much coverage you purchase.
| RV type | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
| Motorhome, liability-only | $125 |
| Travel trailer | $594 |
| Motorhome, full coverage | $1,052 |
RV insurance costs more for motorhomes than travel trailers because motorhomes are motorized vehicles that require their own liability coverage. Key cost factors include the RV's value and type, the chosen coverage level, whether the RV is used full-time or seasonally, and the insurer. Carriers that specialize in RV insurance, including Good Sam, Foremost and Progressive, may offer lower rates than standard auto insurers.
“It's smart to shop around after your insurance company gives you a quote because the companies that specialize in RV insurance could be less expensive,” says Sheri Fuller of Fuller RV in West Boylston, Massachusetts. "Some examples of these companies are Good Sam, Foremost, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, A-Affordable, GEICO, American Adventure Insurance."
Is insurance required for a travel trailer or RV?
Yes, RV insurance is required for motorhomes in most states, with the same minimum liability requirements as a car or truck. Travel trailers do not require their own insurance policy by law, but your auto liability policy must be active when towing. When a travel trailer is parked or stored and not being towed, no insurance is legally required, though comprehensive coverage is still advisable to protect against theft or weather damage. If you have a loan on your RV, the lender will require comprehensive and collision coverageCollision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault and is subject to a deductible..
The amount of coverage you need to carry will depend on a combination of your state’s minimum liability laws, lender requirements, and the added protections you want for your RV.
You can add these RVs to your homeowners policy, but keep in mind they will only be covered when parked or stored at home – and they aren’t covered 100%. They are often listed as “other structures” on your homeowners policy.
Once you take the RV on the road, you will need additional insurance. Living in an RV full-time has added considerations and additional coverage might be necessary.
Insurance requirements differ depending on whether the RV is self-powered or towed.
What do travel trailer and RV insurance cover?
A full coverage motorhome policy covers liability for bodily injury and property damage and any other state-mandated coverage, collision damage, and damage from non-collision events under comprehensive coverage. Standalone travel trailer coverage includes collision and comprehensive, but not liability.
RV insurance doesn't usually include personal effects coverage; instead, your personal property is covered by your home insurance.
The table below compares what is covered under a motorhome policy versus a separate travel trailer RV policy.
| Coverage type | Motorhome full coverage policy | Travel trailer RV policy |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury and property damage liability | Yes | No (covered by auto policy when towing) |
| State-required coverages (PIP, etc.) | Yes | No |
| Collision damage | Yes | Yes |
| Comprehensive (non-collision) | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Optional |
| Personal property inside RV | Optional add-on coverage available; some belongings may also be covered by homeowners insurance | Optional add-on coverage available; some belongings may also be covered by homeowners insurance |
Insurance for living in an RV full-time
Full-time RV residents who live in their RV for six months or more a year need specialized full-timer RV insurance that includes personal property coverage for valuables inside the RV, loss of use coverage for alternative accommodations if the RV is out of commission, and vacation liability coverage for incidents in or around the RV when parked. Standard auto or homeowners policies do not provide adequate protection for full-time RV living.
True full-timers should consider specialized RV insurance for:
- Personal property (the contents inside the RV) to protect any valuables you bring on the road.
- Loss of use coverage, so you have a place to stay if your RV is out of commission.
- Vacation liability to protect from anything that happens in or around your RV when parked.
How does insurance work with a rental RV?
RV owners who rent their vehicle to others on a peer-to-peer basis must notify their insurance company and switch to commercial RV insurance, as personal RV policies do not cover vehicles used for commercial rental purposes. Renting an RV without disclosing it to your insurer can result in a denied claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing. and personal liability for both the owner and renter. According to Sheri Fuller of Fuller RV, commercial RV insurance can cost significantly more than a personal policy, and failing to make the switch puts both parties at financial risk.
Frequently asked questions: RV insurance
What kind of insurance does a truck camper need?
A truck camper requires an auto liability policy when mounted on the truck, which covers liability for injuries and property damage to others. To cover damage to the camper itself, or to protect it when it is removed from the truck, you need a separate RV insurance policy with collision and comprehensive coverage.
What company insures RVs with rebuilt titles?
Progressive, State Farm and GEICO are among the carriers that insure RVs with rebuilt titles, though availability varies by state and vehicle. Rebuilt title RVs may face higher premiums or coverage restrictions compared to clean title vehicles. Contact each carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims. directly and disclose the rebuilt title status before purchasing a policy.
Do pull-behind campers need insurance?
Pull-behind campers, which are travel trailers, do not require a separate liability insurance policy. Your auto liability policy covers liability when towing. However, to protect the trailer against damage, theft or weather, you should purchase a separate RV policy with comprehensive and collision coverage. If your trailer is financed, your lender will require comprehensive and collision coverage.
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