If you’ve been struck with wanderlust, an RV or motorhome is a great investment as it lets you take your life on the road. But with so much time spent in one vehicle, it’s important to have the right insurance to protect yourself. Learn what RV insurance looks like, how much it costs, and how to find an affordable policy with this guide.
Key Takeaways
- While all motorhomes are RVs, not all RVs are motorhomes—motorhomes are self-propelled, while RVs can include towable trailers and camper vans.
- RV insurance can include liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and medical coverage, similar to car insurance.
- RV insurance averages $125 a month, but full-time motorhome insurance can reach $3,000/year—factors like vehicle type, usage, and driving record impact costs, and bundling policies or adding safety features can help lower premiums.
Are RVs and Motorhomes the Same?
While often used interchangeably, RVs and motorhomes aren’t the same. RV stands for “recreational vehicle”—a vehicle designed for travel and leisure that usually includes a sleeping and living area. While motorhomes are a type of RV, the umbrella term also encompasses camper vans, fifth-wheel trailers, and travel trailers.
A motorhome is a self-propelled vehicle, meaning it doesn’t require any type of towing, and is designed to be a home on wheels. It usually includes living quarters equipped with beds, in addition to other amenities like a kitchen, bathroom, and additional storage.
How Are RVs and Motorhomes Insured?
Like typical car insurance, RV and motorhome insurance protects you against financial loss should your vehicle cause or incur any damage. In general, RV insurance covers, or can be designed to cover, the following:
- Liability coverage: If you get into an accident with your RV and someone is injured or their property is damaged, liability RV insurance will pay for medical bills and property damage up to your coverage limit. Like liability car insurance, most states require liability insurance on RVs and motorhomes.
- Collision coverage: If you get into an accident with another vehicle, even if you’re found at fault, collision coverage pays for the damage done to your vehicle. If you’re financing your RV or motorhome, your lender may require collision insurance as part of your agreement.
- Comprehensive coverage: Collision insurance’s counterpart, comprehensive coverage, pays for non-collision-related damage done to your RV, whether it’s theft, vandalism, natural disasters, falling objects, or an accident involving an animal. For example, if a natural disaster damages your RV while you’re parked in a campground or if malicious campers vandalize your motorhome, comprehensive coverage could pay for the damages.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist: If your motorhome or RV is damaged by a driver without insurance or with insufficient insurance to pay for the damages they caused, uninsured motorist insurance steps in to cover the difference between the cost of the damages and the amount they’re able to cover.
- Medical bills: Regardless of who is at fault, if you or your passengers are injured during an accident and need medical assistance, RV insurance could cover the costs of your medical bills.
The Cost of RV and Motorhome Insurance
The average cost of RV insurance is currently $125 per month or $1,500 a year. Motorhome insurance for individuals who live in their motorhome full-time is usually more expensive, costing up to $3,000 a year. Certain factors affect the price of your RV and motorhome insurance rates, including:
- Type of RV
- Usage
- Driving record
- Credit score
- Driving experience
- Age
- Location
- Level of coverage
- Deductible
How to Get Affordable RV/Motorhome Insurance
Keep your RV and motorhome insurance rates low with these tips:
- Bundle your policies: Getting different types of insurance from the same carrier, like home, auto, and RV insurance, can help you secure a discount.
- Prioritize safety and security features: RVs with high-quality safety features are usually cheaper to insure as they present a lower risk to insurance companies.
- Drive safely: Drivers with clean records usually pay less for insurance overall.
- Raise your deductible: Raising your deductible results in lower monthly payments. However, make sure you can afford to pay your deductible out of pocket if needed.
- Compare quotes: Each insurance company calculates rates differently, so one insurer may offer you a better deal. Compare at least three quotes to ensure you’re getting a decent rate.
Looking for an affordable policy? Get a free RV insurance quote in under two minutes from The General’s partners.
