How Much Does It Cost to Insure an RV?
In the age of travel restrictions and social distancing rules, Americans are becoming increasingly reliant on the relative solitude of RVs. And while these studio apartments on wheels aren’t exactly ideal for travel rewards, they offer a safe mode of transportation and lodging.
But just like with any travel experience, something can always go wrong. So before hitting the road, travelers often ask one fundamental question: how much does it cost to insure an RV?
Investing in RV insurance coverage is a little like investing in business insurance - there are different types of coverage options, and the cost depends on a variety of factors.
Everything Counts
By buying RV insurance, you’re protecting yourself from potential financial losses that arise when your vehicle is involved in an accident, which results in property damage or bodily harm. But providers also offer a range of additional insurance options that cover everything from your accessories to roadside assistance.
A lot of reputable car insurance companies also sell RV coverage. Your RV insurance rates are ultimately determined by a broad range of components, including what type of RV you own and your place of residence.
Classifications
Your average RV is both a vehicle and a home on wheels. And in the RV world, size matters. That’s because the cost of your insurance is partly determined by how big and luxurious your mobile home is.
RV vehicles are divided into three categories or classes: A, B, and C. The biggest and most luxurious motorhomes are class A. The average RV insurance cost per year for class A motorhomes is around $1,000 to $1,300, but it can go up to $2,000.
Type B encompasses the smallest RVs, including travel trailers and conversion vans. Some of these are small enough to be covered by standard vehicle insurance policies, and the rates vary widely depending on multiple other factors. As such, it’s difficult to pinpoint an average price.
Class C are all the vehicles in between. The average annual insurance cost for this type of RV starts from $800 to $1,000 but can go higher. The model of the vehicle and its age will undoubtedly play a role in the overall RV insurance cost.
Transportation and a Home
How often you use your RV definitely affects the price of your insurance. People who use RVs as a permanent home have to get additional coverages to get the same level of protection as homeowners. That includes medical, personal liability, or loss assessment coverage. Anyone who uses an RV as a place of residence for six months or longer every year fits this bill.
Drivers who rely on RVs primarily for transportation purposes might have to report how many days a year they use their motorhomes. The standard rule is that the more you use an RV, the higher the cost of RV insurance.
Where You’re From Matters
Your place of residence is instrumental in determining your travel trailer insurance rate, or to be more precise, insurance costs are unique to individual states. States define how much insurance RV owners need to have. Insuring companies also take property crime rates and weather conditions into account.
That means that states with a higher frequency of tornadoes or snowstorms constitute a higher risk of weather-related damage claims. Therefore, RV coverage rates, just like car insurances, are higher in such states.
So how much does it cost to insure an RV in a place like North Carolina, for example? Here the average rate is $860 annually. On the other hand, California’s insurance rates range from $800 for class C motorhomes to more than $4,000 for class A RVs. Texas residents have to pay $1,425 for annual insurance, while Michigan has the most expensive RV insurance average at around $4,490 per year.
Steady Behind the Wheel
In general, good drivers who have experience with RVs pay less for insurance than those with short driving histories. RV insurance companies avoid risk by driving up costs when it comes to individuals with little to no driving experience. More favorable RV insurance prices are reserved for those that spent many years behind the wheel and have a good record free from any accidents and fines. Other factors that are taken into consideration include the driver’s gender, age, and marital status.
It’s Not the Age; It’s the Mileage
Having a spotless driving record helps reduce insurance costs. However, the amount of time you spend behind the wheel can also cause the price to spike. Simply put, the more time your RV spends on the road, the higher the chances of you filing a claim. Of course, if you have too many claims, your insurance rates will go up. Regular RV drivers will have to get more than a standard RV insurance policy, which costs extra. If you’re using your RV as a home and as a vehicle, you’ll pay more.
Safe From Harm
An RV parked outdoors is a lot more vulnerable to damage than one that’s safely tucked away in a garage. So, if you want more favorable insurance rates, you should think about getting a secure closed space for your RV. Not to mention that leaving an RV parked in the driveway in areas with high crime rates won’t do you any favors with RV insurance companies.
The Type of RV Insurance
Lastly, one of the most significant RV insurance factors is what type of motorhome insurance you apply for. The more comprehensive the insurance policy, the greater the cost.
- Liability coverage is essential as it covers the property damage and injuries you cause to others. It can also cover legal fees if you’re sued.
- Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle in case you crash into a pole or a tree or collide with another vehicle.
- Underinsured and uninsured drivers’ coverage pays for damages that your RV suffers if a driver with insufficient or no insurance causes an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage helps with non-accident damage costs, such as vandalism, theft, or natural disasters.
- Valuables coverage covers the cost or re-purchase of stolen or damaged goods inside the RV.
Different RV insurance agencies have different rates, and this will ultimately play an important part in determining the total RV insurance cost. Some also offer specialized packages, so pick wisely.
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Even if you’re in a state that doesn’t require RV insurance coverage, it’s always a good idea to have it. After all, the benefits of different types of insurance cannot be overstated. But the insurance costs can easily stack up, so be sure to check if the providers you’re considering offer any discounts.
Some agencies offer an original owner discount if you are the first owner of the RV or multi-policy discounts if you select specific insurance policies. The RV insurance cost for drivers with no accidents for three years or longer may also be lower.
Q&A
Is insurance on a RV expensive?
Since RVs can serve as both vehicles and homes, RV insurance is typically more expensive than the rates you pay for your automobile. But this is still a more affordable option than accumulating debt through car loans.
What kind of insurance do you need for an RV?
RV insurance is required in every state except New Hampshire and Virginia. But even in those places, you’ll need to pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee. Everywhere else, you’re required to carry standard liability insurance, while those residing in no-fault states also need personal injury protection. So, how much does it cost to insure an RV in these states? The prices range anywhere from $800 to $2,000.
Why is RV insurance so expensive?
RV insurance rates are determined by the state you live in, the weather conditions, crime rates, and things like the population density that play a role in the number of motor vehicle accidents. If most of these factors are considered high risk, your RV insurance will be expensive.
How much is RV insurance per day?
Daily insurance prices can be anywhere between $15 and $70.
For years, the clients I worked for were banks. That gave me an insider’s view of how banks and other institutions create financial products and services. Then I entered the world of journalism. Fortunly is the result of our fantastic team’s hard work. I use the knowledge I acquired as a bank copywriter to create valuable content that will help you make the best possible financial decisions.
