Most renters don't need separate insurance for non-motorized camper trailers since they're typically covered by your vehicle's auto insurance for liability. However, coverage varies significantly depending on whether you're renting through peer-to-peer platforms like Outdoorsy (which includes embedded protection), borrowing from friends, or renting commercially. Smart renters should verify their auto policy covers towed trailers, understand what peer-to-peer platforms provide, and consider comprehensive coverage for expensive rentals. For trailer owners renting out their rigs, specialized insurance that allows rentals is essential—most traditional RV insurers will drop coverage if they discover rental activity.
In most states, you don't need separate insurance for non-motorized camper trailers since they're covered by your towing vehicle's auto insurance policy for liability requirements.
Here's the deal: 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. Legally, you don't need additional insurance for a non-motorized trailer hooked up to your car.
Your regular auto insurance typically extends liability coverage to trailers you're towing, but there are important caveats. Different states have varying requirements, so check the rules for every state you'll drive through during your trip. Some rental companies may have their own insurance requirements beyond what's legally mandated.
The key insight: While you might not legally need it, that doesn't mean you're fully protected. Your auto policy likely won't cover physical damage to the rented trailer itself—only liability if you cause damage to others.
Platforms like Outdoorsy include comprehensive insurance packages that cover both renters and owners, with up to $1 million in liability and $300,000 in physical damage protection automatically embedded in every rental.
Outdoorsy requires all renters to purchase one of three tiers of insurance packages for every day of their trip. Each package includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Outdoorsy offers up to $1 million in liability coverage in the US, which no other RV sharing platform offers.
This is actually fantastic news for renters. Instead of wondering whether your auto policy covers the trailer or shopping for temporary coverage, Outdoorsy handles everything. The insurance is conveniently embedded into Outdoorsy's rental process to save you the trouble. Owners like you aren't charged additional premiums or monthly fees for this trip insurance for renters.
What's covered specifically:
The coverage kicks in the moment you receive the keys and ends when you return them.
Smart renters should understand four key coverage types: liability (usually covered by your auto policy), collision and comprehensive (for trailer damage), and personal effects coverage (for your belongings inside the trailer).
Let's break down what each one actually does for you:
Liability Coverage: This is the most basic form of coverage. It ensures that you'll be covered for any damages caused by your trailer to another person (under bodily injury liability) or another person's property (under property damage liability) if you are at fault for the accident. Your auto insurance likely covers this already.
Collision Coverage: Pays to repair or replace the rented trailer if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who's at fault. This is where many renters get caught off guard—your auto policy probably doesn't cover damage to the trailer you're towing.
Comprehensive Coverage: Personal property coverage (also known as personal effects coverage) on an RV insurance policy protects your belongings, such as laptops or camping equipment, from theft, loss, or damage while using your RV. Think about everything you'll pack—electronics, outdoor gear, clothes, food. Standard coverage doesn't protect these items.
Personal Effects Coverage: Standard policies are typically limited to the RV itself—its structure, engine, and built-in systems—leaving your personal belongings unprotected. Without Personal Effects Coverage, if anything happens to those items, you'd be on the hook for replacement costs.
If you're renting an expensive trailer or packing valuable gear, comprehensive and personal effects coverage becomes much more important. The type of trailer you're renting also matters—luxury fifth wheels have different risk profiles than basic pop-ups. For insights on different trailer values and features, check out our analysis of the best travel trailers for your money, which can help you understand what you're actually insuring.
Traditional RV insurance companies prohibit renting out your trailer and will drop your coverage entirely if they discover rental activity, making specialized rental-friendly insurance essential for owners wanting to generate income from their rigs.
This catches a lot of owners by surprise. It's also important to keep in mind that many RV insurance companies will not insure your RV if you are renting it out. Roamly is an exception. Designed for the RV owner who wants to generate extra income with their rig, Roamly offers personal and commercial RV insurance that allows you to rent your RV out to others.
Here's what owners renting out their trailers actually need:
Two types of coverage:
Lender requirements: You'll also have to insure your trailer if you're still financing it. Lenders often want to see that you have some kind of coverage for physical damage before they'll loan you money, so be sure to check what they require.
The rental income opportunity: Since many owners aren't aware they can legally rent out their trailers, this represents a significant income opportunity. But you absolutely need the right insurance foundation first. Our comprehensive guide to insurance for renting out your RV covers everything owners need to know about the two types of coverage required.
At Roamly, we understand this challenge because we've lived it. That's why we specifically designed coverage that lets you rent out your trailer while maintaining protection during your personal use.
Rental insurance costs vary from included (peer-to-peer platforms) to $15-30 per day for commercial rentals, with comprehensive coverage for towable trailers generally costing less than motorized RV rentals.
Money.com reports that RV rental insurance costs $15-$30 per day. Your price will be based on the vehicle's size, model, and coverage limits you choose. In general, towable trailers and campervan rental insurance costs less than RV rental insurance for standalone vehicles.
Cost factors that affect your rate:
The platform advantage: One reason peer-to-peer rentals through Outdoorsy can be attractive is that the insurance is bundled into the daily rental rate, so you're not hit with surprise daily insurance fees that commercial rental companies sometimes tack on.
For owners: Roamly offers a full suite of camper trailer insurance policies and is known for saving RV lovers up to 25%. Furthermore, Roamly offers what's known as a disappearing deductible. The longer you take your camper trailer out on the road without an accident, the lower your deductible payment will be.
Get a personalized Roamly quote for your trailer or rental needs and see exactly what you'll pay based on your location and rig. Our policies are designed by adventurers who understand the RV lifestyle—because great journeys deserve great protection.
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.
Policies provided by Roamly are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, Progressive Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance, Foremost Insurance Company, National General Insurance, Allstate Insurance Company, Mobilitas Insurance Company, Lyndon Southern Insurance Company and others.