RV Insurance
Comprehensive RV insurance coverage, including liability, collision, and comprehensive options, is a smart way to safeguard your recreational vehicle on the road and at campgrounds.
RV insurance: what to know
Recreational vehicle insurance comprises many of the same aspects as renters and auto insurance, but it comes with its own quirks. Typically, insurance companies won’t allow RV owners to add their recreational vehicles to personal auto policies. To get complete coverage, you should purchase a separate policy for your RV.
What does RV insurance include?
Most RV insurance policies include liability, comprehensive and collision, and under/uninsured motorist coverage.Â
Liability coverage ensures that any damage you cause to someone else’s property or vehicle is covered. For simplicity, it's broken down into bodily injury and property damage limits, just like your auto. Bodily injury limits are specified on a per-person and per-accident basis, whereas property damage coverage is on a per-accident level only. For instance, if your policy has limits of 30/60/25, you would be covered up to $30,000 per person for bodily injury damages and $60,000 maximum if you injure multiple people in an accident. The final 25 refers to the $25,000 of coverage for damage you cause to someone else's property.
Just like your auto insurance, minimum RV insurance matches the auto insurance requirement for each state. Check out our RV limits table to find the minimum insurance required in your state.
Like your car, collision and comprehensive insurance pay for physical damage to your RV. Collision refers to damages that occur when your RV hits another vehicle or a fixed object. Comprehensive, sometimes called "other than collision," covers incidents like theft, animal collision, falling objects and vandalism.
Collision and comprehensive coverage also feature a deductible, which is your portion of financial responsibility for claiming damage to your RV. The deductible for comprehensive or collision coverage varies depending on your choice, but can range from $250 to $2,500. A helpful hint if you're trying to lower your insurance premium by changing your deductible is the inverse relationship between the two — meaning that if you increase your deductible, you decrease your premium (AKA your bill).
This extends to your RV in the event of an accident where the other party either does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage to pay for all of the injuries they caused in an accident. Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is broken down similarly to liability, using a split-limit format where the coverage amounts correspond to a per-person/per-accident limit. Some states require you to have uninsured or underinsured coverage, while others do not.
Check our state-by-state breakdown below to see if it's required in your state.
Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance Coverage
What's the difference between collision and comprehensive insurance? Our insurance experts dive into the details of each.
Additional coverage options for RVs
While the above coverage provides a basic level of coverage for your RV, if you live in your RV full-time or have expensive upgrades or features, you should consider the following insurance add-ons.
This coverage extends to personal effects like furniture, satellite dishes, sporting equipment, or camping supplies that you might have in your RV. This is unique to your RV policy, as auto insurance usually doesn’t extend to personal property. The exact deductibles and limits for personal property vary by policy and individual.
Considering the amount of time you spend with your RV on the road, having a towing service can be vital. While it varies per insurance company, roadside service for RVs typically has high-limit coverage to account for the large vehicle size.
If you’re using your RV as your full-time residence, this is the type of coverage you need. It works like homeowners insurance in that it offers higher personal liability and medical payments for injured visitors, in addition to coverage for any items you keep in storage while you’re traveling. See more about insurance for full-time RV'ers below.
What's not covered by RV insurance?
The exclusions for your RV vary per insurance carrier. Typically, however, travel trailers or other towed vehicles would require a separate policy — didn’t we warn that insurance was specific? Moreover, if you plan on taking your RV out of the US and into Canada or Mexico, you should consult your insurance company.
While coverage in Canada varies, typically, Mexico is not a covered location for insurance companies. Coverage for RVs in Mexico can sometimes be added to your policy for an additional premium increase.
Does coverage vary for different types of RVs and trailers?Â
In general, whether you are driving a 40-foot motorhome or hauling a pop-up camper, you will want to make sure that you are covered. Motorhomes will require a special policy all their own, while travel trailers or campers pulled behind a vehicle may not. However, trailers or campers can oftentimes still be covered with a policy to protect against damage to the trailer or personal belongings inside.
For a better breakdown of the different types of RVs and the coverage that they require, review the list below:
- Class AÂ motorhome: The largest of the motorhomes, these vehicles can range in length from 21 feet to 40 feet.Â
- Class B motorhome: The smallest motorhome category, commonly known as camper vans.Â
- Class CÂ motorhome: Mid-sized motorhomes that measure up to 33 feet in length.Â
- Conventional/Fifth-wheel trailers: These often have larger living spaces and are pulled behind a vehicle. Separate coverage may not be required if you have a robust auto policy, though it should still be considered.Â
- Pop-up campers: These contain expandable living spaces and are hauled behind another vehicle. Coverage may not be required, though it's worth considering as a way to protect the camper and the personal belongings therein.Â
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In recent years, Class B motorhomes (commonly known as camper vans) have grown more popular. These are the smallest vehicles in the motorhome category and are valued for their smaller size, making them more maneuverable without sacrificing comfort.
How to insure a DIY camper
If you’re customizing an RV or camper with new amenities like cabinetry, plumbing, or appliances, insuring it differs from a standard RV policy. Before making modifications, insure the vehicle as-is to stay covered during the build.
Keep detailed records—receipts, photos, and order numbers—of all supplies used. These documents help your insurer determine the camper’s updated value and ensure proper coverage once renovations are complete.
Not all insurers cover DIY camper builds. It’s best to speak directly with local agents, as some may have experience writing these policies. Depending on the extent of your upgrades, you might need to reclassify the vehicle as a motorhome and switch to motorhome insurance. Always be honest about the camper’s condition—misrepresentation can jeopardize claims. Review your policy carefully once issued.
Keep in mind that RV or camper insurance often doesn’t cover personal belongings. If you live in your camper full-time, consider personal articles coverage. You can either choose a blanket policy or schedule specific high-value items for added protection.
Full-time vs. recreational RV insurance
When you get an RV insurance quote, your insurer will likely ask how many months per year you plan to travel. Your premium is based on how often you use your RV, whether you’re full-time or part-time on the road.
Full-time RV'ers (those who live in their RV as a primary residence) need broader protection that combines elements of homeowners or renters insurance with auto coverage. This includes coverage for personal property and personal liability for injuries in or around your RV. Consider adding replacement cost coverage (instead of actual cash value) to avoid depreciation losses if your RV is totaled.
Part-time or recreational RV'ers may benefit from vacation liability coverage, which extends liability protection to accidents that occur while your RV is parked during trips.
State insurance minimums for RVs
Keep these limits in mind when getting RV insurance quotes. Review the minimum required coverage limits for your respective state, found below:
RV insurance FAQs:
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.