Wonder How RV and Auto Insurance Differ?
Why would you bother talking with an RV insurance expert? Why not just buy a policy from an auto insurance agent or general insurance agent? Well, as an agency that specializes in adventure vehicles, we can tell you why.
You should know that some insurance companies won’t allow you to add your RV to your auto insurance policy. And towables usually must be insured separately. Also, if you choose an auto policy, you may be missing out on important coverage options.
How are RV and Auto Insurance Similar?
Let’s start with the ways a policy for your motorhome, travel trailer or camper will resemble an auto policy. First, almost all policies include liability, comprehensive and collision, and under/uninsured motorist coverage.
Liability
Liability protects you when you damage someone else’s property. There are separate limits for bodily injury and property damage. Bodily injury limits apply per person and per accident. While property damage limits apply to each accident only.
RV minimum insurance requirements are the same as the auto insurance minimums in each state. Just visit your state insurance commissioner’s website to find these limits. You can use this list: 2019 National Insurance Commissioner’s Member List
Deciphering Liability Coverage
Your liability coverage is often expressed as a series of numbers, for example, 100/300/100. This would mean:
100,000 per person for bodily injury
300,000 per accident for bodily injury
100,000 per accident for property damage
Comprehensive and collision insurance
Comprehensive and collision insurance pays for damage to your vehicle. Collision covers damage costs when your RV hits another vehicle or fixed object. Then comprehensive basically covers everything else. So it covers unpredictable damage like theft, falling objects, fire, and vandalism.
Comprehensive and collision coverages include a deductible. A deductible is an amount you pay for damages. Then your insurance company pays the rest. This amount can vary widely. So, to control your costs, increase your deductible. Then this should decrease your premium. And to increase your protection, decrease the deductible. But be aware that this may increase your premium.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
The other party in an accident might not have insurance. Or they might not have enough insurance to cover injuries they caused in the accident. In those cases, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage makes up the difference. As with liability insurance, there are per person/per accident limits.
Some states required uninsured or underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage, but not all. Again, you can check your state insurance commissioner’s website.
How RV and Auto Insurance Differ
Higher Limits
Your RV generally has a higher value and can also cause more damage than a car. And related expenses will be higher. For that reason, RV policies typically have higher thresholds than an auto policy. So that’s another reason to choose an RV policy.
Save During Storage
Don’t use your RV year-round? Some insurers allow you to lower your coverage while your adventure vehicle is stored. As a result, you save money.
Your RV is More Than a Car
Your RV is more than a car, it’s also a home on wheels. For that reason, consider additional coverage for your RV. Many specialized coverages are not included in an auto policy.
Personal property
When you hit the road, you’re going to take a lot of personal belongings with you. Personal property coverage helps protects those belongings.
Vacation
This coverage protects you if someone is hurt in or around your RV while you’re on vacation. It will compensate you for related expenses.
Full-Timer’s Liability
This coverage is for people who plan to live in their RV full-time. This insurance will protect you if you are liable for any injuries in or around your RV.
Roadside Assistance
Don’t get stuck. If you have a flat tire, dead battery, empty gas tank, or mechanical breakdown, roadside assistance gets your RV back on the highway. And with this coverage, you can also have your vehicle towed to the nearest repair facility.
Emergency Expenses
If your RV breaks down while you’re on vacation, you’ll be happy to have this coverage. Because it will cover your transportation and hotel costs up to a set limit.
Total Loss Replacement
This is the highest quality coverage you can get for your RV investment. Total Loss Replacement kicks in if your motorhome or travel trailer is totaled. When you have this coverage, your insurance company will pay to replace it. Best of all, the insurer does not pay you the vehicle’s value at the time of loss. In fact, it pays to replace the vehicle with a new RV of the same model year or later. Also, the replacement will have the same trim level or better. (There’s a deductible, and a limit on the number of years total loss replacement applies.)
More Reading: Total Loss Replacement Coverage Provides Full Protection for Your RV
We’re Here to Help
Our adventure vehicle insurance experts love to answer questions. We’re here to help. And we’re happy to review your current policy or recommend a new policy. So we invite you to submit a quote request or just give us a call: 888-930-3680, option 2.
Looking forward to meeting you!
