Life from your RV or camper is always an adventure. Your temporary home away from home can take you nearly anywhere you want to go, giving you a different view from your window each morning when you wake up. What’s more is it’s a space to make your own – not just another rented room at a vanilla hotel. Of course, it also comes with unique risks that make having the right insurance paramount to your travels. If you are thinking about hitting the road in an RV or camper for your next big trip, we here at Giuffre Insurance want to help you find comprehensive coverage that meets your needs.
Who Needs RV Insurance?
If you drive an RV here in Wisconsin, insurance is not only important – it’s required. Likewise, lenders often require certain types and amounts of coverage until an RV loan is paid in full. Keep in mind, however, that while you may be subject to certain standards of coverage, there is much more to choosing a policy than just meeting the basic requirements. Whether you live out of your RV several months of the year or only take it out for a long weekend here and there, there are risks involved year-round, from the garage to the campsite and back again.
For example, you could be at risk of financial loss if:
- Your camper or trailer burns in a garage fire
- Someone vandalizes or steals your RV
- A tree falls on your trailer at a campsite
- A guest is injured in your RV at a campsite
- You cause a highway pileup in your RV while traveling
- Your RV is robbed at a campsite
- A storm destroys your awnings and antenna
- And more
Types of RV Insurance Coverage
RV, camper, and trailer insurance is usually made up of multiple coverage types that protect you, your recreational vehicle, and others against unexpected accidents and loss. Your policy may include protection against:
Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
Liability insurance helps shield your household finances against lawsuits costs if you are sued for third-party injuries or property damages related to an RV-related accident. This type of coverage can pay for court fees and the cost of hiring legal representation to defend yourself against claims. It can also cover the total of any settlements or judgments against you up to the limits of your policy. Since medical bills, vehicle repair and replacement costs, and other collision-related damages can total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars; we typically recommend purchasing high-limit coverage so you can avoid paying out-of-pocket.
Collision
When your camper, trailer or RV is damaged or destroyed in a roadway collision or rollover, this type of coverage can help reimburse you for physical damages minus the cost of your deductible.
Comprehensive
This coverage also reimburses you for damage or loss of your RV, camper, or trailer; only it is limited to non-collision incidents. For example, if some teenagers vandalize your RV while it is parked one night or high winds and hail blow your rig over and damage the exterior, comprehensive coverage can help pay for repairs or reimburse you for a total loss minus the cost of your deductible.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
When other motorists do not properly insure themselves, it can affect your ability to recover compensation for your own injuries after an accident. If you are injured by an uninsured motorist or a driver who has too little coverage to pay for your losses, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages allow you to collect damages from your own insurer.
Medical Payments
If you or one of your passengers is injured in an RV accident, getting the right medical attention is essential. Medical payments coverage helps pay limited benefits for necessary medical expenses regardless of who is at-fault for the accident.
Vacation Liability
This is another type of coverage that pays for third-party damages, only this section of your policy relates to incidents that occur while your RV is parked and being used as a temporary residence, such as at a campsite. For example, if a guest falls off a broken step on your RV and breaks her leg, vacation liability insurance may help cover the cost of her injuries.
RV Awning
Your camper or RV probably has at least one awning – and maybe more. These can be very expensive to replace. Talk to your agent about coverage that helps pay for the installation and replacement of a new awning if yours is damaged or destroyed due to a covered event.
Personal Belongings
The things you bring with you on your trip are at risk, too. If a fire consumes your rig at a campsite, you could lose your clothing, small appliances, phone, cash, electronics, and more. Personal belongings coverage helps reimburse you for items that are damaged, destroyed, or stolen due to a covered event.
Trip Interruption
When a mechanical failure or an accident throws a wrench in your plans, trip interruption insurance can help provide you with basic needs when you are far from home. This may include the cost of staying in a hotel, purchasing food for your family, and finding alternative transportation to get home safely.
How to Save on RV, Camper, and Trailer Insurance
The less money you have to spend on insurance, the more you have to spend on your open-road journeys. To maximize your savings on RV insurance, always work with an independent agent here at Giuffre Insurance when shopping for coverage. As an independent agency, we can help you compare rates and coverage from several leading Wisconsin insurers, as well as point out available discounts you may qualify for. Though discounts vary from insurer to insurer, they often include additional savings for:
- Having no prior claims history
- Having a clean driving record
- Completing an approved RV safety course
- Installing anti-theft and safety equipment in your rig
- Purchasing multiple lines of coverage
- Paying premiums in full
- And more
We can also assist you in selecting your coverage amounts based on individual variables, such as how often you travel, where you travel, where you store your RV or camper when it’s not in use, and more.
To find out more about Wisconsin RV insurance or to request your free quotes, contact our office today. We look forward to serving you soon.
