Full Time RV Insurance Is A Little Different from Regular Coverage
Most homeowners and tenants are well aware of the necessity of having insurance coverage. Having insurance not only helps you recover replacement expenses if your home gets broken into or damaged by events (like a fire or a natural disaster). Insurance coverages on our “sticks and bricks” home usually include liability coverage in case someone is hurt on our property too. Insurance coverage doesn’t eliminate the devastation of a break-in or other disaster. But, it can buy peace of mind by making it a little easier to go on with life after such an event. But what if you live full-time in your RV? Luckily, RVers who use their RVs as permanent residences for more than six months of the year can get full time RV insurance policies.
Know this before you buy RV insurance
It’s important to know that if you buy a part-time insurance policy but live in your RV full time, your insurance provider may refuse coverage in the event of a claim. Let your insurance broker know if you live in your RV full-time, so you get the right policy for your needs.
Most insurance providers only provide policy coverage in the US and Canada. If you plan to travel to Mexico, you will probably need to look for insurance that specifically covers travel there. You should always read your policy exclusions, which will tell you specifically what is not covered by your insurance policy. Below are some of the coverages a full time RV insurance policy should include:
Full Time RV Insurance Policy Coverages
Full time RV insurance policies offer a variety of coverages that will help out in the event of a natural disaster, fire, or break-in. Coverages can include contents coverage, third-party liability coverage, and emergency expense coverage. In addition, available coverage for full timers includes comprehensive liability and even travel-medical coverage. There is no doubt any of these coverages can be a lifesaver in the event of an unexpected disaster. Let’s take a look at each of these types of coverage.
1. Comprehensive Personal Liability Coverage
Comprehensive personal liability helps cover expenses related to someone accidentally hurt by your actions. It also covers property damage due to your actions.
2. Contents Coverage
If your RV’s contents are damaged or destroyed by an insured peril like fire or theft, contents coverage will help you replace your belongings. It’s important to make sure you get the right amount of coverage for your belongings. You may need to upgrade your policy protection for your particular needs. It’s always wise to keep an itemized list and photos of your belongings, along with any serial numbers.
3. Third-Party Liability, Accident Benefits, and Direct Compensation for Property Damage
These coverages are for motorhomes and are essential in most areas. If you are at fault in an accident, third-party liability insurance will cover medical and legal expenses for others. Accident benefits are coverage for your own medical and related expenses related to an accident. Direct compensation for property damage will cover your repair costs if you aren’t at fault or partially at fault for an accident. You may need physical damages and full-time RV insurance with one provider and third-party liability insurance from another provider.
4. Emergency Vacation Expense Coverage
You’ll still need to live somewhere when your full-time domicile RV is damaged or if you are in an accident. Emergency vacation expense coverage will cover the cost of accommodation while your RV is out for repair.
5. Travel Medical Coverage
When you travel outside of the US, you’ll need to be sure to have travel medical coverage. Uninsured medical expenses in a foreign country can add up to leave you with massive carnage to your bank account. Depending on your policy, travel medical coverage will cover at least most of your expenses in the event you need to get medical care or, worse, a hospital stay when you’re in a foreign country.
In Conclusion:
Everyone who lives in an RV for more than six months of the year should have full time RV insurance. You can get full time RV insurance through independent insurance brokers or find a policy through sites like RVerInsurance.com and let them find the best policy for you. It’s also important to understand your current policy or speak with your insurance broker to make sure you have the policy with the right coverage for your needs. Check out the video below for even more full time RV insurance info.
Lynne Fedorick is a freelance writer with 35 years of RVing experience. She specializes in topics such as fulltime RV life, great destinations for RVers, RV organization, RV News, RV tech, and dog behavior/training.
I had a progressive policy but they kept asking for a “garaging addresses”. They were very aware that I am a full time rv’er but still insisted on an address. After the second year renewal notice insisting on an address I switched to National General. About the same price too. Great article.