RV Living Made Better with Full-Timers RV Insurance in September 2023

TLTR: RVs aren’t just for recreational purposes. This article discusses why your full-time RV needs insurance, what kind of coverage to purchase, and how to cut costs by living in your RV full-time.

RV living is cheap, definitely cheaper than the life you were living in a wheel-less house. You can save on quite a few expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments and landscaping your property. Follow Your Detour claims that the monthly cost of living the RV life is about $3,033. Comparing this to the high rent and living expenses of, say, living in New York, you’re saving thousands of dollars.

But one thing you shouldn’t cut corners on is insurance. Think about the many times you’ve tossed and turned in bed, wondering whether you’ll be okay if your RV is totaled. Having the security of full-time RV insurance not only saves your bank account but also relieves your sleepless nights.

This article will look at five ways you can cut costs on your full-time RV insurance without having to compromise on coverage. But first, let’s talk about the basics.

What is Full-Time RV Insurance?

Full-time RV insurance is a special type of RV insurance that covers your motorhome.

Of course, full-time RV insurance is not mandatory and you can get away with only purchasing part-timer RV insurance, but you will want it if you’re considering living in an RV. If your RV is your home, you’ll want to make sure that no unnecessary expenses come out of your pocket. If you live in a motorhome for more than six months out of the year, your RV is considered your permanent residence for insurance purposes.

Regular Auto Insurance Vs. Full-Time RV Insurance?

People usually assume that their personal auto policy will cover their new motorhome as well. That simply isn’t the case. Car insurance policies can cover the basics like collision and comprehensive insurance, liabilities, and property damage, but they fail to protect your RV in case of additional living expenses (ALE), personal effects coverage, or towing insurance.

Insurance companies designed RV insurance to cover RV residents against standard liabilities and injuries as well as other niche perils. Usually, RV insurance includes vacation liability coverage, because people use their RVs for road trips. However, RV insurance for full-timers will cover a broader spectrum of potential losses over a longer period of time.

By the way, RV rental insurance is available for families who want to travel in an RV without owning one. Standard RV rental insurance covers tire blowouts, explosions, theft, vandalism, windstorms, thunder, rain, and hailstorms, among other things. But it won’t cover depreciation liability since there is no need for it.

7 Ways Full-Time RV Insurance Can Make Your Life Better

RV insurance, just like car insurance, is mandatory. Usually, you need only abide by one state’s requirements with car insurance. But RVs are motorhomes, meaning you could be in one state for a day and in another the next week.
For instance, let’s say you decide to take a road trip from Missouri to Arkansas.

The Missouri Department of Revenue states that every resident should carry insurance of up to:

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injuries
• $25,000 per accident for property damage
• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist

However, non-residents should maintain insurance according to the requirements of the state they’re from.

If you’re not familiar with insurance and how to maintain it while you’re living on the road, we’ll go in-depth about how full-time RV insurance can prepare you for seven perils you may face…

Natural Disasters Protection with Full-Time RV Insurance

Hailstorms, thunder, and lightning can be romantic when you’re near a fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate in your hands. But when your home is a vehicle, inclement weather can mean serious damage.
Rapid City Journal reports that about 500 motorhomes and travel trailers in a South Dakota parking lot suffered damage and needed extensive repairs due to hailstorms.

Fulltime RV insurance protects you against damage caused to you and your RV due to these sorts of natural disasters. Another name for this protection is comprehensive coverage for full-time RV owners.

Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

Imagine you’re driving along Cape Cod in your RV with your family. You’re driving responsibly, but suddenly a car veers out of its lane and crashes into you. The family is fine, but there’s serious damage to the driver’s-side door. In most states, driving without insurance is illegal. And sadly, for you, the other driver hasn’t gotten around to purchasing general liability insurance.

Uninsured motorist liability coverage would cover you even if you didn’t cause the crash. Moreover, some drivers do purchase insurance, but sometimes it’s not enough to cover all the damage they caused. Underinsured motorist coverage kicks in when that happens.

Contact with Wild Animals Protection with Full-Time RV Insurance

While camping in a national park or driving on some remote country road, you can often enjoy experiencing the magnificence of wildlife. Other times, the wildlife may attack you or your RV. The National Park Service keeps records of the many times that campers have been injured or killed in grizzly bear attacks in Yellowstone.

Full RV insurance protects you in case of these “other than collision” damages. You can count on comprehensive coverage for compensation.

Note: Some insurance companies don’t provide protection against damage due to animal attacks. Talk to your insurance agent regarding coverage options.

Your Personal Effects Protection with Full-Time RV Insurance

A typical auto insurance policy won’t cover your clothing, camera equipment, or other personal belongings when you’re on the road in a car or an RV. Full-time RV insurance reimburses you if an accidental fire destroys your belongings. If you ask us, we’d say personal effects coverage is one of the most important types of coverage to own.

Awning and Windshield Damage Protection with Full-Time RV Insurance

Unsurprisingly, a standard auto insurance policy doesn’t cover awning replacement. Awnings and windshields are important attachments to an RV, and trying to cut costs by not covering them with insurance isn’t the smartest.

Camper Report states that an average windshield replacement costs anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. With full-time RV insurance, that’s a possible expense you won’t have to worry about.

Emergency Vacation Expenses

Accidental fires, flat tires, repair issues, and other troubles can prevent you from using your RV as your living quarters. Staying at hotels can be expensive. While your insurance is taking care of the repairs on your RV, it will also take care of any additional living expenses (ALE) incurred while you’re not staying in your RV.

The coverage can be optional for part-time RV owners, but we recommend that full-time RV owners make a point of purchasing it.

Medical Payments Protection with Full-Time RV Insurance

For part-time RV users, their homeowners insurance will reimburse them for any medical bills due to accidents at home or in the RV. That policy won’t protect full-timers. But full-time RV insurance will provide reimbursement when you need medical attention when your RV is your residence.

There are two types of medical payments coverage available:

• RV Medical Payments Coverage: This coverage will pay the cost of any medical expenses while your RV is parked and being used as your living quarters.
• Medical Payments Coverage: Regardless of who is at fault, this coverage will reimburse the cost of any medical attention required due to an RV accident.

In addition to all the above-mentioned protection, you can also purchase roadside assistance coverage. Imagine your RV is in need of roadside assistance due to a flat tire, running out of gas, or anything else. Of course, roadside assistance service is a godsend, but they can charge you up to $300 per hour. Insurance can seem expensive, but it’s nothing compared to miscellaneous expenses such as these.

How Much Does Full Time RV Insurance Cost?

Agency Height believes that insurance is quite personal and that each insurance policy is different from the other. Many factors determine your full-time RV insurance costs. Let’s take a peek at some of them:

Class of Your RV

RVs come in three classes: A, B, and C. Each class has a different build and amenities. The more expensive the features and amenities, the more expensive your insurance premium will be.

Driving History

Have you been a responsible driver? If you’ve garnered several unpaid speeding tickets, suspensions, and accidents in the past five years, insurance companies will view you as a high-risk customer. High-risk insurance customers pay higher premiums.

Claims

If you’ve filed for multiple claims in the last few years, your insurance premiums will be higher. Don’t count on your insurance to pay for every little repair or claim. These reimbursement slips will pile up and result in higher insurance premiums in the long run.

Deductibles and Limits

You should prepare for a higher premium on your RV insurance policy when you decide on lower deductibles and higher coverage limits.

Progressive says that an average RV insurance policy premium was $848 in 2020. Talk to your insurance agent before you purchase insurance so you can qualify for discounts.

Full-Time RV Insurance Companies You Should Consider

According to Money, here are the best RV insurance companies that provide RV insurance for full-timers.

Good Sam

Good Sam insurance agency provides the best RV insurance for full-timers with multiple coverage options. Online quotes aren’t available, but their policies are quite affordable. The company doesn’t, however, include roadside assistance coverage with your standard policy.

Geico

With years of insurance expertise under their belt, Geico is a top RV insurance provider. The best part of purchasing from them is that they forgive the first at-fault accident, meaning your insurance premiums won’t suffer due to your first collision. If you have a commercial driver’s license, you can qualify for an exclusive discount as well.

However, the policies’ costs will vary according to the state you’re in. Make sure to talk to an agent before you settle for Geico.

Progressive

Progressive offers coverage for a vast number of RVs, travel trailers, and motorhomes. The policies are very customizable, and you can qualify for multiple discounts. However, your costs can vary depending on how you approach them. We recommend talking to an agent before purchasing from Progressive.

Do I Need an RV Insurance Agent Near Me?

Are you asking yourself, “Do I need an RV insurance agent near me?”

Yes, RV insurance agents are critical to helping you find the right policy, especially if you are looking for full-timers RV insurance. When it comes to insurance for full-time RV living, there are many options available. Knowing which type of coverage best meets your needs and budget can be confusing.

An RV insurance broker is a professional who specializes in providing the right policy for recreational vehicles and their owners like you. A well-qualified agent can help you find the right coverage for your vehicle at a competitive price. If you want to reduce the RV insurance rates you need to pay; there is no one better to consult than a local agent.

A motor home agent can provide insurance for full-time RV living, covering risks specific to your lifestyle. When deciding whether or not you need an RV insurance broker near you, consider the level of service and personal attention required to protect your RV. Overall, you need to take extra care if your RV is your primary home.

By finding an agent, you can find the best RV insurance for full-timers to be safe and secure on the road. With a qualified insurance broker helping you along the way, you can rest assured that your RV is well protected.

In Conclusion

In light of the resurgence of RV living, Kamgrounds of America, Inc. claims that 13,025,668 Americans are living in an RV as of 2020. If you’re one of them or thinking of joining them, you need insurance. RV insurance for full-timers is like homeowners insurance; not mandatory, but still important.

If you’re not sure what policies you need or which company to purchase from, simply talk to an insurance agent. Our insurance directory lists local experts that can help you find the right coverage.

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