Whether you live in your RV or camper or use it for one vacation per year, you probably need RV/camper insurance. RV/camper insurance is an insurance policy that blends coverage for things that happen while you’re driving with things that happen to your home away from home while you’re parked.
Does Wisconsin Require RV/Camper Insurance?
If you drive your RV or camper on public roads, you need to have the same minimum bodily injury and property damage liability coverages as any other driver. Some RV parks and campgrounds may require you to provide proof of insurance and possibly even in an amount above the legal minimums.
If you used a loan to buy your RV or camper, your lender would usually require you to carry insurance until you pay off the loan.
What Types of Vehicles Does RV/Camper Insurance Cover?
You can get RV/Camper insurance for the following types of vehicles. Some insurance companies may sell policies named for each type of vehicle. Others may call all of their policies RV/Camper insurance but customize the policy based on the type of vehicle.
- Class A, B, and C Motorhomes: These are the classic, self-powered RVs that you see driving around. Class A is the largest, Class C is mid-sized, and Class B is the size of a large van.
- Conventional and fifth-wheel trailers: These are large trailers similar in size to a motorhome that you tow with a truck.
- Pop-up campers: Pop-up campers are smaller trailers that are easier to tow with a truck or SUV and have collapsible walls that expand when you park at your destination.
- Truck campers: These sit on the bed of your truck instead of having your own wheels.
- Cargo, horse, and utility trailers: If you’re towing gear rather than living space, maybe because you plan to pitch a tent, you can still insure your trailer.
Doesn’t Your Car Insurance Cover Trailers?
Your car insurance may provide some coverage for your trailer. Some policies will cover your accident liability while towing, but the limits on coverage for your trailer and belongings are rarely high enough to provide adequate coverage.
What Does RV/Camper Insurance Cover?
There are many different types of coverages that you can add to your RV/Camper policy. Some work like your car insurance and others add special protections for your camping.
- Bodily Injury Liability: If you injure someone while driving, bodily injury liability provides your legal defense and covers any settlement up to your chosen limit.
- Property Damage Liability: Property damage liability covers accident damage you cause to other vehicles.
- Collision Coverage: Collision coverage covers accident damage to your RV or camper.
- Comprehensive Coverage: If a tree falls on your RV or you have other non-accident damage, comprehensive coverage is what you need.
- Full Replacement Cost Coverage: When your RV or belongings stored inside are damaged or destroyed, you’re only reimbursed up to their current value. Adding full replacement cost coverage boosts that coverage to allow you to buy new replacements instead.
- Medical Payments Coverage: Your health insurance may provide some coverage if you’re injured in an accident, but you may still have deductibles and co-pays that your medical payments coverage can cover. In addition, if you’re camping in a remote location and have a medical emergency, you may have excess evacuation expenses that you need coverage for.
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If a driver who doesn’t have insurance or who didn’t buy enough insurance causes an accident, you may be stuck paying your bills if they don’t have any money when you try to sue them. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage replaces the coverage they should have had.
- Personal Property Coverage:Your RV is probably filled with appliances, electronics, clothes, recreational gear, and other expensive items. Personal property coverage protects them against damage and theft while they’re in your RV.
- Vacation liability: Vacation liability provides protection for accidents and injuries that you may cause to others while at your campsite. It works similarly to the liability portion of your homeowner’s insurance.
What is Storage Coverage?
Storage coverage is an option that allows you to pay less for insurance if you only use your RV part-time. During the offseason, you can reduce your coverage to only theft and damage while in storage. You won’t have coverage if you use your RV or camper during the designated storage period.
Should You Add Roadside Assistance?
Many drivers decline roadside assistance on their cars. They feel comfortable changing a flat or jump-starting their car on their own, and they feel that the low probability of needing to find a tow truck in an emergency means it isn’t worth carrying insurance. RVs are difficult to repair on your own, and emergency service can be much more expensive. In addition to needing a heavy-duty tow truck, there are fewer places that can repair an RV, so you may need a longer tow as well.
How is RV/Camper Insurance Priced?
RV/camper insurance prices work similarly to car insurance. More expensive RVs typically cost more to insure. Larger RVs are often at greater risk of an accident or causing greater injuries, so larger RVs can also cost more. Your location, driving record, and claims history also come into play. You may be eligible for discounts such as being a safe driver or bundling with your other insurance.
Get a Quote
Feldbruegge Insurance can help you find the right coverage for your RV or camper and quickly get quotes from multiple insurance companies. Contact us now to get started.
