How to Insure a New RV

By Sam Lemna | June 3, 2021

Congratulations on your new RV! We hope you have many years ahead of enjoying the great outdoors in your new trailer or motorhome. As RV insurance experts, we’re here to help walk you through how to insure a new RV. This includes what type of coverage you need…

What type of insurance do I need for an RV?

Many people think that their RV is covered by their car or home insurance. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case:

Your auto insurance only covers third party liability while you’re towing a trailer.
Some home insurance companies do not insure trailers or may offer only limited coverage.
Your motorhome cannot be insured under your home insurance and a separate policy must be purchased.
Traditional auto insurance often won’t cover motorhomes properly.

You’ll likely have limited coverage for your RV if you try to insure it through a home or auto policy (if it’s possible at all).

The type of insurance you’ll require will depend on your RV and individual situation. For example, if you own a motorhome you’ll be required to carry third party liability, accidents benefits and direct compensation for property damage coverage. Our policies would also include physical damage coverage for your motorhome, its contents and outbuildings that would cover you for things like fire, theft and hail damage. We can also include additional liability protection and coverage for renting out your RV on Outdoorsy.

We recommend purchasing RV insurance because:

It’s affordable
It offers better coverage (both for liability and property protection)
Your contents and outbuildings can be covered
Temporary travel to the US is covered
There are perks like emergency roadside assistance and emergency vacation expenses available
You’ll deal with an insurance company that understands RVs

How much does RV insurance cost for a new RV?

The cost of RV insurance starts at $200 per year for trailers and around $400 per year for motorhomes. A brand new motorhome will be more expensive to insure. Your RV insurance rates will depend on:

Your insurance options (loss settlement, deductible, coverages, et cetera)
Your insurance history
How you plan to use your RV
The make, model and year of your RV
The market value of your RV
The “new” or MRSP value of your RV
The length of your RV
Available discounts

You can contact us for an RV insurance quote or get a motorhome insurance quote here.

How much insurance do I need for an RV?

The amount of insurance depends on your personal preference, budget, your RV and how you use it. We recommend having coverage for hail and theft, as well as adequate protection for your RV’s contents. You should also find out if you need any personal liability protection as part of your RV insurance.

For example, you can find out how much insurance you need for your contents by making an inventory list and pricing out how much it would cost to replace everything.

If your RV is new, we recommend getting guaranteed replacement cost coverage as you’ll get a brand new current year model (or equivalent) if your RV is a write-off. However, you can opt for actual cash value coverage as well (you’ll receive the market value of your RV in the event of a total loss).

If you’re not sure how much insurance you need, you should talk to one of our brokers.

I already own an RV, does my RV insurance cover my new RV?

Yes, your current RV insurance policy would carry over. However, you should inform your insurance company within 14 days of your RV purchase. It’s also important to note that your new RV is only insured to the same level as your old RV.

Final Points on Insuring a New RV

When insuring your RV, make sure you understand your coverage. We recommend all RVers have coverage for hail, theft and their belongings. You may also need premises liability (such as if you have a seasonal or permanent lot). You should also consider looking at RV memberships for towing/roadside assistance programs and insurance discounts.