RV Insurance

Archive for October, 2009

There are some important distinctions that your insurance provider makes regarding your type of recreational vehicle.  This will affect both the type and amount of coverage that you may buy.  It’s important to know how your RV insurance company covers your type of vehicle.

One of the first distinctions your insurance company will make is what type of RV you have.  Typically RVs fall into one of three categories:  motor homes, travel trailers and campers.  Like their name implies, motor homes are vehicles that provide you with temporary housing.  They are permanently attached to a chassis or van.  Motor homes are probably the most commonly known RV, but there are several classes under this term.  For example, class A conventional motor homes are generally the biggest and most expensive.  They can be equipped with a washer and dryer, a TV satellite and a number of other amenities that make it like a home on wheels.  A class B camper van, on the other hand, more closely resembles a standard van even though it can have a sleeping area and facilities like a toilet and kitchen.  There are also other types of motor homes, so make sure to know the classification of the vehicle you have.

Travel trailers and campers are more closely related to each other.  They are both portable units that must be attached to another motorized vehicle in order to travel, and they are generally only used for short-term living, such as in a campsite.  Like motor homes, these vehicles are also divided into certain categories.  Fifth wheel trailers are unique because they have a raised forward edge that hangs above whatever vehicle is towing it.  There are also pop-up tent trailers, which have collapsible sidewalls for easier storage and towing.

The many types of RVs each have characteristics that make them unique.  Some vehicles have a body or specialized parts that can only be made by the RV manufacturer while others have conversions that are made by the owner after purchase.  Some are made for short-term living whereas others are equipped to meet your needs for long periods of time.  The insurance policy for your RV will take into account all the characteristics of your vehicle.

When you’re purchasing your RV insurance, be sure that your policy adequately covers your needs.  It should reflect your needs based on the type of RV you buy as well as provide for you in case you make your own changes.  If you make a new purchase or an incident occurs, make sure you’re not left wondering if your insurance covers that.

An RV is a road vehicle just like a car or truck, so can you insure it with your standard auto insurance?  Depending on the insurance provider, the answer is yes.  However, to make sure you are fully protected, it’s probably best to buy coverage that is specifically designed for your RV.  Here are some of the reasons why you need quality RV insurance.

If you’ve just bought a new RV, it’s important to make sure you have coverage for total loss replacement.  If you need to replace a model within the first five years of purchase, this coverage allows you to get a similar unit or even a unit that costs more than your original purchase.  Since RVs have a high depreciation, it’s great to have protection in case of a complete loss of use of your vehicle.

Because many people use their RVs for housing, an important aspect of RV coverage is that it protects your vehicle even when it’s not being driven.  Insurance benefits like liability for full-time drivers allows you to insure your vehicle for incidents that may happen when it’s being used as a residence or is temporarily parked.  Often this aspect of coverage also provides for medical treatment in case anyone is hurt while in or near the RV.  Similarly, a type of coverage sometimes called campsite liability provides insurance for those who use their RV as a home for short-term vacationing.

Recreational vehicles are much larger than standard automobiles, so it’s important that coverage for RVs has higher liability limits.  Higher limits allow greater compensation in case your RV is involved in an auto accident or other incident.  An RV can potentially cause a great amount of damage, and it’s important to be covered in case a significant incident occurs.

Your auto insurance provider may have the option for you to cover your RV as well, but it’s important to note the benefits that are specific to specialized RV coverage.  RV insurance generally provides you with greater protection.  Insurance coverage specific to RVs financially protects you from natural disasters and man-made incidents as well as situations when your vehicle is on the road and when it’s parked.  It’s full insurance coverage for almost any situation.

When shopping for RV insurance, it’s no doubt you want to find the company that provides the most affordable coverage that meets all your needs.  There are a number of issues that you must consider such as the amount of coverage that you want, the availability of certain companies where you live and the type of RV that you own.  It’s not easy to say which company is the best, but here are 4 top companies who offer good deals and often have specialized coverage.

The Good Sam Club Vehicle Insurance Plan was created especially to meet the insurance needs of RV owners.  The VIP plan provides coverage for 5^th wheel vehicles, travel trailers and motor homes.  You have the choice of buying coverage that protects the permanent attachments you buy for your vehicle as well as to protect your personal belongings and replacement cost coverage.  Good Sam Club proudly states that it was designed by people who are familiar with the RV lifestyle specifically to meet your unique needs.

Another well-known provider is Explore RV, another company that says it was created with you in mind.  It covers the usual types of vehicles as well as medium duty tow vehicles.  Other notable aspects of this insurance coverage include special coverage for people who live in their RVs full-time, coverage for custom equipment and towing and roadside assistance benefits.

Progressive is one of the most popular car insurance companies on the market, but it also offers to insure your RV.  The types of benefits that Progressive offers include vacation liability coverage, coverage for full-time travelers and coverage for your emergency expenses.  With its 24/7 online and phone support system, you can get insurance quotes any time.

Finally, RV America researches the top insurance carriers to find the best coverage for your recreational vehicle.  It covers medium duty trucks in addition to travel trailers and motor homes.  RV America looks at the 6 top-rated companies that it represents to find you the best coverage at what it believes are the lowest premiums.

It may take a little research, but it’s possible to find quality RV insurance that’s right for you.  Coverage for recreational vehicles is a specialized area, so it’s important that your company has a reputation for offering practical coverage with high value.  Wondering if you’re covered for emergency circumstances is the last thing you should worry about when you’re traveling out on the road.