RV Insurance: 3 Facts About Coverage

Owning an RV, (recreational vehicle) can be a fun and exciting way to see the country, but it can also represent a sizable investment and should be recognized as such. Besides the initial buying  and ongoing maintenance costs, you need to consider your RV insurance needs and costs. Here are some factors you should weigh when considering the purchase of RV insurance.

1. There are a variety of different RVs types which are required to be covered by RV insurance and can change from state to state. In North Carolina, basically all types of RVs are required by state law to be covered by at least minimum amounts of insurance protection. These include:

• Class A and Class C motor homes
• Class B camper vans
• Bus conversions
• Truck trailers
• Travel trailers
• Tent trailers
• Fifth wheel trailers
• Toy hauler trailers

2. Similar to car insurance in NC, RVs are required to have a minimum amount of liability protection. This is coverage “for the other guy,” in that it provides benefits to a third party involved in an accident for which you are held responsible. It pays nothing, however, toward your own injuries or property damages. Liability coverage minimum amounts in NC are $30K bodily injury per individual (per accident), $60K total bodily injury for all third party injuries per accident and $25K for property damage per accident. These are mandated minimums. Most experts agree that actual coverage amounts should be several times more than the minimums.

One other type of RV insurance required in the state of NC is uninsured motorist coverage. This is protection for you should you be involved in an accident deemed to be another driver's fault but they don't have the proper amount/type of coverage in force to cover your loss.

Other RV Insurance Options

3. Just as with car insurance, there's a list of additional insurance options available to RV owners, plus some that car owners don't have.

Collision coverage protects you from the financial loss accompanying an accident where your RV is damaged or destroyed, regardless of who is deemed to be at fault.

Comprehensive coverage adds protection against losses without being involved in a collision. This could include things like hail damage, vandalism, theft or fire damage.

Other special RV coverage can protect you from loss of your personal possessions and equipment both inside and outside your RV, such as a satellite dish or bicycle.