Planning to make your RV your home sweet home? You're not alone; over 486,000 Americans now live full-time in RVs, more than double since 2021.

Most folks don't realize until it's too late: your standard RV policy won't cut it when your motorhome becomes your primary residence. You need coverage that protects you like a homeowner, not just a weekend camper.

Full-time RV insurance covers personal liability when guests visit your parked rig, emergency lodging if your home becomes uninhabitable, and risks you face living on the road year-round.

Let's break down what full-time coverage really means for your lifestyle.

TL;DR

Full-time RV insurance is designed for owners who reside in their RV as their primary residence for six months or more annually, offering homeowner-style protections such as personal liability, property coverage, and emergency lodging. Standard policies cover road risks only, while full-timer coverage protects you whether driving or parked. You need this if your motorhome serves as your primary residence, especially when renting it out or living in an HOA community.

What Is Full-Time RV Insurance?

Full-time RV insurance is designed to protect owners who use their RV as either a primary residence or live in it for six months out of the year. Full-time insurance is similar to home insurance—it covers you for personal liability, injuries, property damage, and other losses that may happen while the RV is parked.

Standard RV insurance treats your motorhome like a vehicle. It covers you while you're driving and handles basic road risks. Full-time coverage goes way beyond that. It recognizes that your RV is more than just a means of transportation. It's your home, your sanctuary, your base of operations for life on the road.

How Does Full-time Coverage Differ from Short-term Coverage?

The difference between full-time RV insurance and short-term RV insurance lies in the unique risks of living in an RV full-time. If you're considering living in your RV full-time, it's important to make sure you have a comprehensive RV insurance policy that includes coverages specifically crafted for full-timers. Let’s break it down.

Short-term Coverage

Short-term RV insurance typically comes with basic protections, similar to an auto insurance policy. You can expect to find motorhome coverages like:

• Bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) liability, which covers the other driver if you’re at fault in the accident. It’s required in every state, except New Hampshire.
• Comprehensive and collision, which covers your motorhome against auto crashes, vandalism, theft, etc., regardless of fault.
• Medical payments coverage pays for expenses such as hospital bills if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.
• Underinsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UMC) steps in if you’re hit by a driver with not enough insurance or no insurance at all. Hit-and-runs are a perfect example.

Full-time RV Insurance

Full-time RV insurance includes all the above and more. Remember that as a full-time RV owner, you’re assuming virtually all the risks of being a homeowner. That’s why full-time insurance not only covers you against risks on the road but also against risks when the RV is parked. The coverage for full-timers includes:

Vacation Liability

Say a guest slips and falls in your RV, and then sues. Or an overshot throw while tossing the pigskin smashes into a nearby camper’s window (yikes!). Personal liability can, respectively, cover medical and legal costs if you’re held liable for said guest’s injuries, and pay for that cracked window.

Personal Property Coverage

This coverage helps pay to replace or repair personal belongings. Plus, it includes pet coverage in most states.

Scheduled Medical Payments

Mentioned above, medical payments coverage would help pay for an injured passenger’s hospital bills, regardless of fault. Full-time coverage would extend this coverage to someone who is injured inside or around the RV while it’s parked. It helps cover hospital fees related to stitches, ambulance rides, X-rays, and other medical expenses.

Loss Assessment

If you live in an RV community, there might be an HOA. Loss assessment would help reimburse you for fees that an HOA would charge to repair damaged property in common areas.

Emergency Expense Coverage

If your RV is damaged to the point of being uninhabitable, this coverage can be a lifesaver. It helps cover the cost of temporary lodging while your RV is being repaired or replaced.

Adjacent Structures Coverage

This covers standalone structures you might have on your motorhome site. Think sheds, decks, porches, or carports.

Diminishing Deductibles

This isn’t coverage so much as it is a benefit. For every consecutive year you don’t file a claim, we’ll reduce the deductible on certain coverages by a whopping 25%. A deductible is what you pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in.

Additionally, if you opt for a higher deductible when purchasing a policy, your premium will typically be lower. If you remain claim-free, your deductible will decrease, and your premium will remain at that lower rate.

Who Needs Full-Time RV Insurance?

The six-month threshold is your key marker. If you're spending more than half the year in your RV as your main residence, you need full-timer coverage. But time isn't the only factor.

Think about your living situation. Do you own or rent another house? If not, your RV is your primary residence by default. Do you receive mail at your RV or use it as your driver's license address? These are clear signs that you're a full-time RVer.

Some full-time RV residents report spending between $2,000 and $3,000 monthly per two adults on expenses, including food and clothing. When you're investing this much in the lifestyle, proper insurance becomes essential.

You should consider your risk exposure even before hitting six months. If you're hosting guests regularly, parking in HOA communities, or carrying valuable property in your rig, full-timer coverage might make sense sooner.

What About Renting Out Your RV on Marketplaces?

Traditional RV insurers get tricky the moment you list your rig on Outdoorsy or similar platforms. Most policies either exclude coverage entirely or require a separate commercial insurance policy. That creates dangerous gaps where you're completely uninsured during rental periods.

Roamly takes a different approach. We're one of the few online RV insurers that cover peer-to-peer rentals without a separate policy. Your coverage stays active whether you're living in your RV or renting it out for extra income.

If you combine Roamly's coverage with Outdoorsy's rental-period insurance for verified rigs, you can eliminate coverage gaps completely. Your RV stays protected 24/7 while you generate income from your home on wheels.

How Much Does Full-Time RV Insurance Cost?

Several factors affect your rate. Your RV's value, age, and type are the most important factors. A luxury Class A motorhome costs more to insure than a modest travel trailer. Your location and state's liability requirements also impact pricing.

Your driving record and claims history play a role, too. Clean records mean lower costs. The coverage limits you choose also matter. Higher liability limits and lower deductibles increase premiums but provide better protection.

The good news? Full-timer coverage is often more affordable than you think. When you compare the premium to your potential exposure, especially temporary housing costs after a major incident. The value becomes crystal clear.

What Should You Look for When Comparing Full-Timer Policies?

Don't just shop on price alone. Coverage quality matters more when your RV is your only home. Here's what to evaluate:

Coverage Essentials:

• Vacation liability limits: Ensure they're high enough to protect your assets if someone gets injured at your parked RV
• Emergency expense daily rates: Verify they cover actual hotel costs in areas where you typically stay
• Personal property coverage: Add up everything in your RV and match that replacement value
• Pet coverage: Confirm it's included if you travel with pets.

Insurer Quality Factors:

• Claims processing speed: You can't afford delays when your RV is your only home. Look for insurers with reputations for fast, fair claims handling
• Full-timer reviews: Read feedback from actual full-time RVers, not just weekend campers
• US-based support: Check if you'll get knowledgeable agents who understand your lifestyle

Policy Exclusions to Check:

• Boondocking and workamping: Make sure these common activities stay covered
• Rental platform usage: Ask about coverage if you plan to rent your rig on Outdoorsy or similar sites
• Extended stays: Check if there are restrictions on how long you can stay in one location

Do You Need Full-Time RV Insurance if You Own Another Home?

It depends on how you actually use your RV. Where you spend your time and face the most risk matters more than what you own. If you live in your RV for extended periods while maintaining a house, you may still need full-time protection. So ask yourself: Are you hosting guests? Parking in HOA communities? Storing valuables in your rig?

Standard policies assume your RV is recreational, not residential. When your usage blurs that line, coverage gaps emerge. Talk to your agent to determine whether full-timer endorsements fit your lifestyle.

Get Protected Before You Hit the Road

Whether it’s full-time, part-time, commercial RV insurance—or anything in between—Roamly has got you covered with quality protection at affordable rates.