Renting out your RV requires two distinct types of insurance coverage that most traditional policies don't provide. You need rental-period coverage (like Outdoorsy's $1 million protection) and "between-rentals" personal insurance that explicitly allows renting — because most standard RV policies include commercial exclusions that could deny claims if they discover you're renting. With peer-to-peer RV rentals growing 6.95% annually and platforms like Outdoorsy surpassing $3 billion in lifetime bookings, understanding these coverage gaps isn't just smart — it's essential for protecting your investment.
Here's the straight talk: most RV owners jump into the rental game without realizing their current insurance could leave them high and dry. We've walked countless owners through exactly what you need, when you need it, and how to get covered without the runaround. Let's get you sorted.
You need two separate insurance coverages: rental-period protection through platforms like Outdoorsy, and personal RV insurance that allows renting between bookings.
Most RV owners think their traditional policy covers everything — but that's where things get tricky. Traditional insurance policies are written specifically to not allow you to rent, with what insurance folks call a "commercial exclusion" that could deny claims if they learn you've been renting.
During Rentals: Outdoorsy provides up to $1 million in liability insurance and up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision protection at no cost to owners. This covers your RV while renters have the keys, but only if you meet their requirements.
Between Rentals: You need personal RV insurance that explicitly allows renting. Most traditional companies will cancel or choose not to renew your policy if they discover you're renting, even if you're covered during the actual rental period. If you're living in your RV full-time while also renting it out occasionally, you'll need specialized full-time RV insurance that accounts for both lifestyle choices.
Outdoorsy's insurance provides $1 million liability and up to $300,000 comprehensive/collision coverage automatically with every rental, but requires three specific conditions.
For Outdoorsy's coverage to kick in, you need: a qualifying vehicle, Outdoorsy approval for each RV you add to their site, and each renter must pass their driver verification process. Miss any of these, and you're not covered.
Liability Protection: Up to $1 million in liability protection covers you if found at fault for an incident during the rental period.
Physical Damage: Up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision protection covers the repair or replacement of your RV up to its cash value. Renters pay all deductibles if your rig is damaged.
What's Special: Outdoorsy is the only platform that extends coverage to rental deliveries and pick-ups, giving you protection even during those handoff moments.
Outdoorsy also covers vehicles older than 15 years for both Physical Damage and Liability — something most other platforms won't touch.
Most personal RV policies include commercial exclusion clauses that prevent you from renting out your vehicle, and insurers may deny claims if they discover you're renting.
Think about it from their perspective: when you rent your RV, the risk profile changes completely. Different drivers, different usage patterns, different exposure. Insurance companies often deny claims related to rentals and may even drop your coverage entirely if they learn you've been renting.
Here's what most owners discover the hard way: insurance folks call it a commercial exclusion — to normal people, it means your claims could be denied if they learn you've been renting. Even worse, if you rent out only one RV, you won't need a commercial insurance policy, but most personal policies don't cover the RV when you rent it out.
Commercial RV rental insurance is specifically designed for those who own a fleet of RVs — typically five or more, while rental-friendly personal policies work for individual owners.
If any of these apply to you, commercial RV rental insurance is probably a good idea: you rent out five or more RVs on a regular basis, you have an RV rental business website, or you store your RV at your business location.
Commercial Coverage Includes:
For single-RV owners, specialty RV insurance that not only lets you rent your RV, but that also makes renting hassle-free — no telling us each time you rent and no additional daily fees is what you need. Understanding the various personal RV insurance coverage options available can help you choose the right protection for your specific situation and usage patterns.
RV insurance costs vary widely based on vehicle type, with motorhome full coverage that allows you to rent typically costing between $600 and $1,200 annually, while small camper insurance may be as little as $150 a year. The exact cost depends heavily on your RV class — Class B RV insurance costs differ significantly from larger motorhomes, with travel trailers typically being the most affordable option.
Personal Rental-Friendly Insurance: Renter-friendly policies typically cost around 25% less than other RV insurance companies, since the insurer factors in a discount for projected rental periods during which the owner will not be driving.
Commercial Insurance: Commercial rates are typically 25% (or more) less expensive by charging you for less personal coverage and by not making you pay for insurance during rentals when renters are already covered.
Platform Insurance: Outdoorsy's insurance is included at no cost to owners — your renter selects an insurance package and pays for it as part of their rental fee.
Compare Personal vs Commercial Options
Outdoorsy is the only major RV rental platform that covers vehicles older than 15 years for both Physical Damage and Liability, though vehicles registered in New York do not qualify.
For Outdoorsy Coverage:
Unlike other platforms, if you have an older vehicle, Outdoorsy is the only major RV rental platform that covers vehicles older than 15 years. This opens up opportunities for owners of vintage rigs who've been shut out by other rental platforms.
No — if you get RV insurance through rental-friendly providers, you don't need to keep your traditional insurance since most traditional policies specifically exclude rental activities.
Here's the deal: you can switch to rental-friendly coverage any day of the year, and your existing insurance provider will be required to reimburse you for any days you've already paid for.
Renters are responsible for paying all deductibles if your rig is damaged, and the platform's claims team will help collect these fees and get your camper back on the road ASAP.
Outdoorsy's insurance covers the cost of repair and parts up to the cash value of your vehicle, not to exceed $300,000, with the renter responsible for paying their deductible.
Claims Process:
This is where rental-friendly personal insurance becomes critical — standard policies could deny claims if they discover you're in the rental business.
Talk to a Licensed Agent
The peer-to-peer RV rental market is experiencing explosive growth, with individual owners recording the fastest projected CAGR at 6.95% through 2030. Outdoorsy alone surpassed $3 billion in lifetime bookings in 2024 and targets $8 billion by 2029.
About 11.2 million households in the U.S. own an RV, with RV ownership increasing by 62% since 2001. According to the RV Industry Association's 2024 Industry Profile, 14% of RV owners purchased their recreational vehicle specifically to rent, with 20% beginning to rent due to the pandemic.
The regulatory landscape is also evolving to address these market changes. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners issued a December 2023 model bulletin providing updated guidance on AI use in insurance and fair practices, emphasizing the importance of clear disclosure when personal policies don't cover rental activities.
Don't let insurance gaps turn your RV rental dreams into a nightmare.
Whether you're listing your first RV or managing a growing fleet, we've got the coverage that fits your journey.
Roamly Insurance Group, LLC ("Roamly") is a licensed general agent for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance companies. Roamly is licensed as an agency in all states in which products are offered. Availability and qualification for coverage, terms, rates, and discounts may vary by jurisdiction. We do not in any way imply that the materials on the site or products are available in jurisdictions in which we are not licensed to do business or that we are soliciting business in any such jurisdiction. Coverage under your insurance policy is subject to the terms and conditions of that policy and is ultimately the decision of the buyer.
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