Why do I need RV insurance?
Is RV insurance worth the cost? Is it really necessary? Why do I need it? If you’re skeptical about what RV insurance offers you or you’re wondering why you shouldn’t just add your RV to your home insurance you’ve come to the right place. This article will walk you through the five reasons RV insurance benefits you:
- It protects your recreation time and financial investment.
- It offers better coverage than that provided through your home and/or car insurance for your RV.
- You’ll receive specialized service with staff that understands RVs which is particularly important if you need to make a claim.
- It’s cheaper in the long run.
- You’re required to have certain types of insurance.
Protect Your Recreation Time and Financial Investment
The whole purpose of insurance is to help you recover from a loss. RV insurance specifically helps you protect your recreation time and financial investment by offering specialized coverage that fits the lifestyle and risks that come with RVing. Coverage includes:
- Physical damage or loss to your RV its contents and its detached structures
- Liability coverage if someone gets hurt on your property
- Emergency roadside assistance
- Emergency vacation expenses (trip interruption)
- Travel discounts and advice
There are generally specified causes of physical damage or loss that will be covered. For example, theft, fire, storms and driving accidents are commonly included. Your RV is also protected whether you’re out camping parked on a rented lot or if your RV is in storage.
If your RV is a driveable vehicle, you’ll also be required to carry third party liability (to cover legal and third party medical expenses), accident benefits and direct compensation for property damage (covers repairs if you’re not at fault or partially fault for a collision).
You can also add on the following optional coverage:
- Outdoorsy RV-sharing
- Earthquake
- Golf cart
- Full-timer
- Additional liability
- Additional physical damage perils
- Extended policy limits for contents
- Extended policy limits for outbuildings
These options give you additional coverage. You may need these add-ons if you’re travelling to certain destinations or have high-value contents in your RV. A knowledgeable broker can help you determine what you need.
RV Insurance Offers Better Coverage
Many RVers add their trailer to their home insurance to protect their RV. However this not always the best option for these reasons:
- Lower policy limits (meaning you may need to pay more out of pocket to repair or replace your RV).
- Fewer causes of damage are covered
- Contents and outbuildings are not included.
- No emergency vacation expense/trip interruption coverage if you’re camping and something happens to your RV.
- No roadside assistance.
- You may not have liability coverage.
- Your RV may not be covered if in storage or while you’re camping.
- If you travel to the US your RV may not be covered.
Keep in mind that for your home insurance to cover an RV you will likely have to notify your broker or insurance company.
Relying on your car insurance may also not be the best option as car insurance will only offer liability coverage while your trailer is being towed. That means you’ll be on the hook to cover the costs of repairs or replacement of your RV and its contents.
RV insurance will offer you more protection and coverage in the event of an accident, damage or theft.
Specialized Service for RVs
Our staff specializes in RVs which is very helpful when dealing with a claim. We work with RV insurance providers who also specialize in RVs, making your claims process smoother as you’ll work with adjusters who actually know what a fifth wheel is!
The coverage itself is also tailored to RVs, meaning the protection and perks you have on your policy actually make sense and come in handy when you’re on the road. For example, most of our travel trailer policies include roadside assistance and trip planning services. We also include emergency vacation expenses in case something happens while you’re travelling.
It’s cheaper in the long run.
RV insurance is very affordable and offers great value. Going without insurance can mean you need to pay for repairs or even to replace your RV entirely out of pocket. Given the cost of labour, materials or a new RV these days, this can be unattainable for many people. Insurance helps reduce those costs so you can get back to camping.
You’re required to have certain types of insurance.
If your RV is financed, your lender may require you to have insurance coverage. This allows them to protect their investment and recoup their costs if something happens and the RV is damaged.
If you own a motorhome, you’ll also be required by the government to carry third-party liability, accident benefits and direct compensation for property damage. The exact requirements vary by province, but essentially it is to cover costs if there’s a collision.
Speak to one of our brokers for more information or contact us to get a quote today.