Everyone likes to get away from the grind of daily life in their recreational vehicle or trailer. While the great outdoors can truly reinvigorate us, your vacation won’t be the same if you are worrying about your RV investment with every minor near miss. Knowing that your motor home or trailer is properly insured will give you that peace of mind so that you can enjoy your leisure time the way you intended.
As with all types of insurance, the policies between the different insurance companies are not all the same. It is important to know that you are getting the coverage you need, and that you are staying within the parameters of the policy to ensure your property is protected.
We hope that with the help of this article, and our brokers advice, that you can enjoy your vacations the way you deserve.
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Are All Recreational Vehicle & Trailer Policies the Same?
No. There are several different ways an insurance company will insure your RV or trailer. The most important aspect of your policy is how the insurance company will compensate you when you have a claim.
There are a few different ways that your motor home or travel trailer might be insured. You could have any of the following types of coverage:
- Guaranteed Replacement Cost
- May be offered on motor homes and trailers newer than 5 years with supporting bill of sales & ownership. This coverage will replace your motor home or trailer with another similar or same brand-new model even if it costs more than what you paid for yours.
- May be offered on motor homes and trailers newer than 5 years with supporting bill of sales & ownership. This coverage will replace your motor home or trailer with another similar or same brand-new model even if it costs more than what you paid for yours.
- Replacement Cost
- Similar to the guaranteed replacement cost above, but there is no guarantee of replacement if the value is greater than the coverage purchased. The insurance companies will replace portions or the RV entirely depending on the loss without considering depreciation.
- Similar to the guaranteed replacement cost above, but there is no guarantee of replacement if the value is greater than the coverage purchased. The insurance companies will replace portions or the RV entirely depending on the loss without considering depreciation.
- Actual Cash Value
- Actual cash value is deemed to be the new or replacement cost of the RV at the time of the loss, less depreciation. The insurance company will look at similar models being sold on the market and determine the value to be paid. They will consider the condition, resale value, and the normal life expectancy of the asset.
- This coverage can be placed on your RV on a “Named Perils” form which will explicitly list the perils that are covered (example, fire, wind, etc.). It can also be on your RV on a “All Risks” coverage form which will cover everything except what is excluded in the wordings. There is a large difference between the two coverages, so it’s important to know what your policy coverage includes.
As you can see from the different coverage options, it’s not as simple as just “getting insurance”. It is important to know how you are covering your recreational vehicle.
Is There Coverage in America?
Every insurance policy is different, so it’s important to ask your insurance broker what your specific policy covers and where it covers you.
Some insurers will provide you with up to 180 days of coverage while you are in the continental United States. Some companies will also offer endorsements for you to extend this time further. Ask your broker for more details about your policy as not every policy has the 180 days in the continental United States without an additional endorsement.
Can I Get Coverage for Myself While Driving My Motorhome?
Yes! The majority of insurance companies will offer Driver Record Protection that will protect your driver rating in the event you have your first an at-fault accident (protected only with that insurer).
A lot of the insurance companies will also offer coverage for Emergency Roadside Service. The roadside coverage will usually cover things such as towing, battery boost, flat tire, fuel delivery, and lockout service.
Knowing Your Coverage
From the information you have read thus far, you should come to the conclusion that knowing how your RV or trailer is insured is very important. Have your broker explain your policy to you or if you don’t already have a broker, contact us for a quote.