Personal RV insurance combines auto and homeowners coverage to protect your recreational vehicle, personal belongings, and liability on the road and at campsites. For motorhomes, you'll need liability coverage (required by law), plus optional comprehensive and collision protection. Travel trailers typically use your tow vehicle's liability coverage but need separate physical damage protection. Full-timer coverage adds homeowners-like protection when your RV becomes your primary residence.

Whether you're a weekend warrior hitting the campgrounds or a full-timer calling the road home, getting the right RV insurance shouldn't feel like navigating a maze. Let's break down everything you need to know about personal RV insurance so you can focus on the fun stuff.

What is Personal RV Insurance and How Does It Work?

Personal RV insurance is specialized coverage that protects recreational vehicle owners from financial loss due to accidents, theft, weather damage, and liability claims both on the road and at campsites. Unlike regular auto insurance, RV policies blend vehicle and property protection because your RV serves as both transportation and temporary (or permanent) housing.

Traditional auto insurance does not provide coverage for RVs that are motorized and self-powered, so RV insurance is a legal requirement for motorhomes in all states except New Hampshire. For towable RVs like travel trailers and fifth wheels, your tow vehicle's liability coverage typically extends to the trailer while it's attached.

The key difference from regular car insurance? RV policies recognize that your rig isn't just a vehicle—it's your home on wheels, complete with personal belongings, appliances, and sometimes expensive modifications.

Get your free personal RV insurance quote at Roamly.com/quote and see how much you could save.

What Types of Coverage Does Personal RV Insurance Include?

Personal RV insurance typically includes six core coverages: liability (bodily injury and property damage), comprehensive, collision, medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, and personal property coverage for belongings inside your RV.

The specific coverage types you'll need depend largely on your RV class and usage patterns. For detailed guidance on coverage requirements for Class A, B, and C motorhomes versus travel trailers, check out our comprehensive guide on choosing the right RV insurance for your rig type.

Required Liability Coverage

All motorized RVs need liability insurance. In 22 states and the District of Columbia, RV owners are also required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. This covers damages and medical bills if you're at fault in an accident.

Physical Damage Protection

• Comprehensive coverage protects against theft, vandalism, weather damage, fire, and animal strikes
• Collision coverage pays for accident damage regardless of fault
• Total loss replacement (for newer RVs) provides a brand-new replacement rather than the depreciated value

Personal Property & Belongings

Replacement Cost Personal Effects coverage pays for the replacement of your personal items in your RV that resulted from a covered loss, with coverage available up to $100,000.

Specialty RV Coverages

• Vacation liability provides protection when parked at campgrounds
• Emergency expense coverage helps with lodging costs if your RV becomes uninhabitable
• Roadside assistance for breakdowns, flat tires, and towing
• Full-timer coverage for those living in their RV year-round

How Much Does Personal RV Insurance Cost These Days?

Personal RV insurance costs range from $500 to $4,000 annually, depending on RV type, with travel trailers averaging $180-$600 per year and Class A motorhomes averaging $1,000-$4,000 per year.

According to data published by Progressive, an annual policy for a travel trailer costs $600. This includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. The same coverage for a motorhome costs a little over $1,000.

Here's the breakdown by RV type:

• Travel trailers: $180-$600 annually
• Truck campers: $150-$500 annually
• Class B camper vans: $504-$1,500 annually
• Class C motorhomes: $800-$2,500 annually
• Class A motorhomes: $1,000-$4,000 annually

If you don't use your RV full-time, you could find a liability-only policy at a highly affordable rate of just $125 annually.

What Affects Your RV Insurance Rates?

Your premium depends on factors like RV value, how often you use it, your driving record, where you live, and coverage levels. Full-timers typically pay more than occasional campers because they're on the road more often.

Do I Need RV Liability Insurance in My State?

Yes, liability coverage is required by law for all motorized RVs in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception), with minimum coverage amounts varying by state but typically requiring at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury.

Most states require liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for trailers that have a motor and are self-powered, except for New Hampshire and Virginia. Each state sets its own auto insurance laws, and you can find specific requirements for your state through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

For towable RVs, the rules are different. Your auto insurance might pay for accidents you cause while pulling the trailer. But you probably need a separate RV policy or endorsement to cover damage to the travel trailer itself.

State minimum requirements typically include:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000-$50,000 per person
• Total bodily injury: $50,000-$100,000 per accident
• Property damage: $10,000-$25,000 per accident

Many experts recommend higher limits—especially for expensive motorhomes where you could face significant financial exposure. To see specific requirements and find comprehensive coverage options for your location, explore our state-by-state RV insurance guide.

What's the Difference Between Comprehensive vs Collision RV Insurance?

Comprehensive covers damage from events beyond your control (theft, weather, vandalism, animal strikes), while collision covers damage from accidents with other vehicles or objects, regardless of who's at fault.

Think of it this way: if you hit something, that's a collision. If something hits you (like a tree branch in a storm), that's comprehensive.

Comprehensive covers your RV for events beyond your control: theft, vandalism, fire, glass breakage, weather-related incidents, and collisions with animals.

Both coverages come with deductibles—the amount you pay before insurance kicks in. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums, but make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket cost if you need to file a claim.

If you're financing your RV, your lender will likely require both comprehensive and collision coverage to protect their investment.

When Do I Need Full-Time RV Insurance Coverage?

You need full-time RV insurance if your RV serves as your primary residence for more than six months per year, providing homeowners-like liability and personal property protection when parked.

Designed for RVers who treat their RV as a permanent residence, Good Sam's full-time coverage mirrors many elements of a homeowner's policy. It includes personal liability, emergency expense allowance, medical payments, and loss assessment.

Full-timer coverage includes:

• Personal liability for injuries that occur in or around your parked RV
• Higher personal property limits to cover all your belongings
• Loss assessment coverage for fees at RV parks or communities
• Emergency expense coverage for temporary housing during repairs

If you live in your RV full-time, this coverage provides Personal Liability similar to a homeowners policy. So, if you park your motor home and use it as a full-time residence, you can have peace of mind knowing you're protected.

Even if you're not a full-timer, you might want vacation liability coverage if you spend extended periods camping in one location.

How is Personal RV Insurance Different from Commercial Coverage?

Personal RV insurance covers recreational use and occasional rentals (with rental-friendly policies), while commercial coverage is required for business operations like rental fleets of three or more RVs or formal rental businesses.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the property/casualty insurance industry is divided into two main segments: personal lines and commercial lines, each designed for different risk profiles and usage patterns.

Here's where it gets tricky for RV owners who want to rent out their rigs. Most personal policies don't cover the RV when you rent it out. That means when you rent out your RV or camper on a peer-to-peer website such as Outdoorsy without additional rental insurance coverage, you are probably violating your personal RV insurance policy.

Personal vs Commercial: The Key Differences

Personal RV insurance works for:

• Recreational use and family trips
• Occasional rentals with rental-friendly policies
• Single RV ownership

Commercial RV insurance is needed when:

• You own three or more RVs for rental
• You have a formal rental business website
• You hire employees or have business partners
• You store RVs at commercial locations

The good news? Some specialty insurers like Roamly offer personal policies that allow rentals, giving you the best of both worlds. For businesses that need full commercial coverage, explore our detailed guide on commercial RV rental insurance to understand the requirements and cost-saving opportunities.

Can I Rent Out My RV with Personal Insurance?

Yes, but only with rental-friendly personal RV insurance policies—most traditional insurers prohibit rentals and may deny claims or cancel coverage if they discover rental activity.

Most traditional insurance policies are written specifically not to allow you to rent. Insurance folks call it a commercial exclusion.

If you want to make extra income renting your RV on platforms like Outdoorsy, you need:

1. Rental-friendly personal insurance that allows rentals during your personal use periods
2. Platform-provided coverage that protects you during the actual rental period

Some RV insurance policies don't allow you to rent your rig even if you're covered by us during the rental period. This means they could deny a claim for damage that occurred during personal use simply because you rent out your rig at other times!

Outdoorsy was the first platform to offer up to $1 million in liability coverage and up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision protection during rentals.

What's the Average Cost of Personal RV Insurance by State?

RV insurance costs vary significantly by state, with Florida averaging $700-$1,400 annually due to hurricane risks, while states with milder weather, like Georgia, average $600-$1,200 per year.

In California, the average cost of RV insurance ranges from $800 to $1,500 per year. Factors such as the high cost of living and frequent natural disasters like wildfires can drive up insurance premiums in this state.

Regional factors affecting your rates:

• Weather risks: Hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfire-prone areas cost more
• Crime rates: Higher theft and vandalism areas increase premiums
• Population density: Urban areas typically have higher rates
• State regulations: Some states restrict credit score usage in pricing

As with auto insurance, RV insurance rates depend on your state, region, and ZIP code. Highly populated areas mean more risk for motor vehicle accidents, which increases your RV insurance cost.

How Can I Save Money on Personal RV Insurance?

You can reduce personal RV insurance costs by bundling policies, choosing higher deductibles, storing your RV securely, maintaining a clean driving record, and taking advantage of specialty discounts like safe driver and multi-vehicle savings.

Money-saving strategies include:

Common Discounts Available

• Multi-policy bundling with home or auto insurance (up to 20% savings)
• Safe driver discounts for clean driving records
• Storage discounts when RV is not in use (up to 53% savings)
• Anti-theft device discounts
• Original owner discounts
• Paid-in-full discounts

Discounts: The Multi-Vehicle Discount (up to 20%), The Multi-Policy Discount (up to 10%), The Paid-in-Full Discount, Storage Option, among others.

Smart Cost-Cutting Tips

• Raise your deductibles: Higher out-of-pocket costs mean lower premiums
• Choose appropriate coverage levels: Don't over-insure an older, lower-value RV
• Shop around annually: RV insurance rates change frequently
• Consider usage-based programs: Pay based on actual miles driven

Ready to hit the road with confidence? Personal RV insurance doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're protecting a weekend camper or a luxury Class A motorhome, the right coverage lets you focus on making memories instead of worrying about what-ifs.

Get a personalized quote for personal RV insurance that actually fits your lifestyle. Our coverage options are built by RVers, for RVers—and we'll help you find the protection you need at a price that makes sense.