Auto Insurance vs. RV Insurance: Why a Standard Car Policy Isn't Enough

Is Auto Insurance Enough for RVs?

RVs can be a way to vacation every summer or a cozy permanent residence. If a storm rips your RV awning off while it’s parked, you’d expect insurance to cover it. But it doesn’t. Auto insurance has a lot of gaps when it comes to RVs. You need specialized RV insurance to really be protected from expensive risks.

In this guide, we will go over the weaknesses of auto insurance, the best RV insurance options, and specific coverage you might need based on your situation.

RV vs Auto Insurance Coverage

Many people believe their auto insurance policy automatically extends full coverage to their travel trailer. It doesn’t. It won’t. Auto insurance policy doesn’t cover anything that happens to the trailer while it isn’t on the road driving, which means if you have your RV parked by your campsite and something breaks it, you will have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs.

RV insurance covers the main financial risks of motorhomes and travel trailers, from liability to collision. It’s a lot like regular auto insurance, but let’s face it: if you have an RV, it’s not the same as driving a sedan or SUV. There are special risks you need covered, no matter if you have a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome.

Auto insurance, if it covers RVs, essentially only covers collisions and personal injury liability if you accidentally hit someone while driving. That isn’t actually all that much coverage if you think about it. RVs get parked at campsites. They hold valuables and living essentials, from clothes to electronics. For many people, it’s a second home. For many people, it’s a first home. You need proper insurance to protect all of that, because auto insurance companies do not want to cover the risks of RVs.

Major Gap 1: Attached Structures & Custom Gear

RVs tend to have a lot of expensive modifications and exterior attachments. Something happen to them? You file a claim for RV mod repair and replacement. A day later you get a denial from your auto insurance company: they only cover factory-standard bodies of vehicles.

If you want your entire RV covered by insurance, mods and accessories and all, then you really want to have real RV insurance. Common RV attached structures and custom gear that are not usually covered by auto insurance include:

• Rooftop solar arrays and panels
• Custom wheels
• Detachable accessories
• Suspension alterations
• Any mods and tweaks

So if a storm tears your awning or solar array off, you’re out of luck with only regular auto insurance. You need RV insurance for your RV to actually be covered if you have made any modifications to it.

Best RV insurance for customized RVs

Check the insurance deductible to see whether the customized gear coverage makes sense for your specific situation. The type of gear and trailer can make a difference to what insurance you need.

If you have made any special modifications to your RV, or even mods that you think are common, make sure to check that against your RV insurance policy to see if it’s covered before purchase. That way you can find the best coverage for your RV.

National General: Has Specialized Equipment Coverage for owners who tweak their RV rigs with custom solar panels, suspension alterations, custom wheels, and more.

Good Sam: Offers dedicated Permanent Attachments Coverage, which specifically protects awnings, antennas, and satellite dishes at replacement cost without applying heavy depreciation.

Major Gap 2: Campsite Protection with Vacation Liability

Going with your family on vacation, or a solo adventure? RVs are fantastic for vacation. You can prop up a table and barbecue at an RV campsite anytime, as long as the weather permits. You can invite neighbors and friends to hang out together. Can you smell the barbecue now? Except. Oh no. Someone just slipped and got injured.

Does auto insurance cover this personal liability injury?

No… unfortunately not. This gap is because auto insurance doesn’t cover things that go wrong at the campsite. Auto insurance, if it covers liability, only covers things that go wrong when people get injured while you’re driving, like medical expenses you may be liable for following collisions.

You need Vacation Liability coverage, a special type of RV insurance. It is definitely something you should consider if you are going on trips with your RV and going to park it in a camping area.

Once you park, unhitch, and set up camp, your auto liability essentially deactivates, leaving you (and your RV) exposed. Auto insurance only handles liability while the vehicle is in motion on public roads… which is a big hole in coverage.

Why you need Vacation Liability Protection

If a guest slips on your wet RV steps or a neighbor trips over your campfire setup and breaks their leg, auto insurance won’t help out. After all, you’re technically not actively driving the RV at the time.

Good Sam and National General both offer Vacation Liability and Campsite Liability options. Liability insurance is extremely important because personal injuries can come with extremely high medical expenses. If you are responsible to pay for either a portion or the entirety of those medical expenses, you could get into hundreds of thousands dollars worth of debt. Protect yourself using RV insurance so you can feel confident and secure spending time around other people who visit your RV, like friends and family.

This type of coverage functions similarly to homeowners or renter’s insurance, protecting you against bodily injury and property damage claims that happen in and around your parked RV.

Major Gap 3: The Stuff Inside Your RV

Theft is one of the perils that auto insurance does cover. Because of that, the misconception actually gets worse. The theft that gets covered is if your car is stolen. A comprehensive auto insurance policy may help replace an eligible type of RV if it gets stolen, but not the possessions inside the vehicle.

If you want the personal property within your motorhome or trailer to get covered, you probably need specific property insurance. This coverage is so important because many people.

Some RV insurance policies cover personal belongings within the RV, such as laptops, beds, electronics, clothes, and other items that get stolen from your RV. Some of the best brands for RV insurance include:

National General: Features Personal Belongings coverage that replaces items for their original cost up to $3,000 automatically, with add-on options available

Good Sam: Personal effects coverage that protects contents inside your RV, such as electronics, appliances, clothes, and more. Great if you have various expensive electronics and tools. Offers discounts and savings, such as their multi-product discount and paid-in-full discount.

Roamly: Offers robust Personal Effects Coverage specifically tailored to safeguard the high-value contents of your mobile home against theft or disaster.

An alternative to RV insurance with personal belongings coverage is to look at a homeowners insurance policy.

Homeowners Insurance: Usually covers personal property that can get stolen or destroyed, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing. Note that homeowners insurance typically is subject to high deductibles. So not every homeowners insurance policy will suit the needs of an RV owner.

When the RV is Your Actual Home: Full-Timer Risks

Motorhomes give you a lot of freedom. Some people make their RV their permanent residence, a lifestyle that is becoming more common as younger people realize they can work remotely. Full-timers make up around 1% of all RV owners, and they need to know about full-time RV insurance.

If your RV is your home and you live a trailer or nomadic life, then your risks are suddenly much higher. You absolutely need more insurance, prioritizing it as an essential. Obviously, if you don’t have a house or apartment or other physical real estate, you won’t have a homeowners insurance policy to help you with personal liability or property claims.

It is highly advised to carry specialized RV insurance for full-time RV enjoyers. Of course, it is understandable that some people hesitate. Full-time RV insurance can be expensive, so you obviously want the best coverage for the price. The quotes you get may scare you off, but it’s important to get it as soon as you can afford it since you don’t want to be exposed in case of an incident.

Roamly: Offers full-time RV insurance that includes residential-style coverage options, such as personal property coverage, scheduled medical payments, emergency expenses, diminishing deductibles, and adjacent structures coverage. The adjacent structure coverage is useful if you have porches, decks, or other structures at your RV site.

Good Sam: Has RV insurance options for travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes. You can customize your policy to be better suited for your specific RV.

National General: Their RV insurance for full-timers includes medical payment, personal liability loss assessment, and other options.

All three of the above RV insurance companies offer specialized Full-Timer’s Coverage options. This can replace a traditional homeowners policy by providing massive personal liability limits, medical payments for campsite guests, and Emergency Expense Allowances (paying for hotels and food if your home-on-wheels is stuck in a repair shop).

Roamly stands out because they have a special allowance if you rent out your RV on the marketplace. Roamly does allow you to rent out your rigs on platforms like Outdoorsy without breaking the terms of their RV insurance policy. This can be a massive perk for part-time nomads looking to offset costs by renting out their RV.

Requirements for Full-time RV Insurance

You may have to meet an insurer’s criteria to qualify for this full-time RV insurance, since the coverage should only be for those who use an RV as a permanent residence. RV insurance for motorhomes can cost upwards of $4,000 a year, with some policies costing more or less depending on what coverage you need.

Conclusion

On top of all the typical road risks, RVs can also get into rough scenarios while resting in place. Thieves can break in, guests can get injured, and any uninsured peril can break the bank, especially if you live in the RV as your home.

Don’t wait for an auto insurance claim denial to get RV insurance. Reach out to an RV-specific agency to transition your rig to a specialized policy before your next road trip.

Do I absolutely need RV insurance if I have auto insurance?

It is highly recommended to get auto insurance. Too much risk of RVs is excluded from standard auto insurance, making it useless most of the time for RVs.

What kind of RV insurance do I need?

Depends on your situation. In general, you want:

• Custom RV gear insurance
• Campsite liability
• Vacation liability
• Full-time RV insurance (if applicable)

What is the best RV insurance company?

You should get an RV insurance quote from the top RV insurance brands before making a choice. Top insurance companies for travel trailers, motorhomes, and fifth wheels include:

• Roamly
• Good Sam
• National General