Do You Need to Have Insurance on a Travel Trailer?
If you own a camper and love to take it on the road, make sure you know the law regarding insurance in your state. Even if your state doesn't require insurance on a camper, you may still want to buy this protection. Here, we review details about the coverage offered by major insurers so you can learn relevant information.
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Camping is one of the great American pastimes. With 60 national parks, thousands of state and local campgrounds, and many other sightseeing opportunities throughout the country, the number of campers in the United States continues to grow, even among millennials. Now, 77 million households reportedly include someone who “camps at least occasionally.”
For many Americans, a camping trip means using a camper instead of a tent. Whether your preference is a fifth-wheel, pop-up, or even a full RV, chances are good that you’ll need some kind of insurance. After all, insurance is usually required when you put others at risk.
For example, auto insurance is required when you drive a vehicle. Insurance coverage is essential in many cases. While some states don’t require camper Insurance, you should be aware that you may be expected to carry insurance on your camper. There are varying levels of insurance including liability insurance, bodily injury insurance, and property damage insurance.
Companies That Offer Travel Trailer Insurance
Several insurance companies offer travel trailer insurance.
Progressive Insurance
Progressive offers policies to insure Class A, B, and C motorhomes of all sizes, from a camper van to a 40-foot RV. The company also has insurance for toy haulers, fifth-wheel, pop-up, and mounted truck campers as well.
Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide insures RVs, motorhome, travel trailers, pop-ups, and other types of campers. They don’t publish their rates. Instead, customers should call them to inquire. Each policy is different, based on the features of the individual camper to be insured. Getting an insurance quote can provide you with more details as to what you might expect to pay.
The Hartford Company
The Hartford insures all types of campers, and while they don’t publish their rates, they do publish their benefits. The company offers roadside assistance, lifetime repair after an accident, towing and labor costs, medical costs, and many other benefits. In addition, you may be eligible for discounts if you are a member of an RV club, have taken a defensive driving course, or only use your camper on a seasonal basis.
National General Insurance
National General, which bills itself as “America’s RV Insurance Specialist,” has a full-featured RV policy many campers might find appealing. One of the biggest benefits they offer is Optional Full Replacement Cost Coverage, which will replace your RV with a comparable model if yours is totaled or stolen in its first five model years — whether you’re the first owner or not. They also offer multiple vehicle discounts if you insure your other vehicles with National General.
Good Sam Insurance
Good Sam has personalized policies for a variety of RV and camper owners, including personal effects coverage and permanent attachments coverage, for those who have awnings, antennas, or satellite dishes on their RVs. Good Sam is a multi-carrier agency, specializing in insuring those who live in their RV full-time. Some of their rates can actually be less expensive than going through the individual agencies.
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Why Is Camper Insurance Usually a Requirement?
When you transfer a camper via roads, it’s a risk, much like driving the truck that pulls it. Those who have a fully contained RV often need a special kind of insurance that covers the vehicle but also has some of the same features as homeowners insurance.
>> Read More: Best RV Insurance
To get the right policy, first, you’ll need to check the regulations for your state. Each state has its own laws regarding camper insurance that can vary depending on your type of camper. A full, self-propelled RV, for instance, always needs insurance as a vehicle. A pop-up or fifth-wheel camper that is towed by an insured vehicle may not require its own policy.
>> Read More: Best fifth wheel insurance
Even in states that require insurance on all campers, generally, only liability coverage is required. Usually, it’s about the same as is expected on regular automobiles, making it fairly affordable for most drivers.
Bundling Camper and Car Insurance
Most people who own a camper also own a car or truck; even in the cases where someone lives in an RV, they generally have another vehicle that they use for driving while their RV is parked and set up. Most insurance companies offer bundles that insure both your camper and your car with generous discounts.
In some cases, you can also bundle with other insurance products, such as homeowners insurance or even a policy on other recreational vehicles, boats, or life insurance policies. To find out what’s available through bundling, talk to several different insurance providers.
Bottom Line
It’s a good idea to look at your state insurance laws before buying a camper. Once you’re aware of what kind of insurance you’ll need, if any, you can start comparison shopping among insurance companies to find the deal that offers the best coverage for the least impact on your budget.
Having a camper can serve as a gateway to many fun adventures all over the country. Before buying, however, make sure that you’re informed — and, if you need to be, insured.