Key Takeaways
- RV insurance can cost about $125 per month on average depending on your RV and situation.
- Motorhome insurance for full-timers is typically more expensive than standard policies and can be as expensive as $3,000 per year.
- RV insurance cost depends on your RV, driving history, RV experience, credit score, location, and more.
- You can save money by bundling insurance policies, establishing a storage period, completing a safety course and more.
Without getting actual quotes for your recreational vehicle (RV), finding precise information about the cost of RV insurance can be difficult. While a commonly quoted figure is that camper insurance costs around $1,500 per year on average, the truth is that the cost of your RV policy will likely vary — perhaps by a lot.
In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides Team explore what goes into the cost of RV insurance and how you might be able to get lower premiums. We’ve also included a few of the best RV insurance companies to start your search with.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Answer a few simple questions to save money on your policy
Check Availability With our comparison partner,
×
Compare RV Insurance Policies
Answer a few simple questions and we’ll take care of the rest.
With our comparison partner,
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
How Much Is RV Insurance?
According to Progressive, one of our recommended RV insurance providers, the average RV policy costs around $1,500 per year, or about $125 per month. However, this average doesn’t necessarily reflect the true range of the cost of RV insurance. Campers themselves can range in cost from just a few thousand dollars to well over a million. That means you’re going to see a wide range of insurance costs based on that factor alone.
RV Insurance Cost Factors
Beyond the cost of your RV, several other variables play a role in your premiums. These are the ones that have the greatest impact:
Type of RV
Different types of RVs have varying features and amenities that can factor into the cost of your coverage. For example, Class A motorhomes aren’t just generally more expensive than other types of RVs — they also tend to have a higher number of motorized and electrical parts that can cause problems.
Driving History
Whether you tow your RV or drive it, you have to pilot it to get it from one place to the next. That means your driving record will be an important factor in the cost of your coverage.
As you’d expect, drivers with a clean record will have access to the lowest RV premiums. If you have any violations or at-fault accidents on your record, you can expect to pay more.
Usage
How much time you spend in your RV factors into the cost of your premium. Insurance for full-time RVers is typically more expensive than coverage for part-time campers.
RV Driving Experience
When it comes to your RV insurance premiums, insurance agencies consider not only your experience behind the wheel of a car but also your experience piloting an RV. That’s because driving a motorcoach or towing a camper are fundamentally different from driving a car. Typically, insurers offer lower rates to drivers who have a history of driving or towing RVs.
Credit Score
California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, Utah and Washington all have laws that restrict insurance companies’ ability to use your credit score as a factor in your premiums to varying degrees. However, in every other state, your credit score could play a role in what you pay.
As you might expect, people with good credit scores get access to lower rates for RV insurance. Depending on where you live and your insurer, it could have a major impact.
Deductible
Just like with other forms of insurance, you’ll have some choice over your RV policy deductible. The lower you set your out-of-pocket expenses, the higher you can expect your premiums to be.
Location
Where you consider your RV’s home base to be contributes to your insurance premium. Insurers adjust rates between states to account for different regulations and risk factors. Rates can also vary within the same state based on variables such as population density and crime rates.
Reimbursem*nt Model
Some RV insurance companies offer different loss reimbursem*nt models. Actual cash value coverage, for example, only pays out the amount the RV is worth at the time of the loss, depreciation included. This is typically the more affordable option.
Agreed value coverage reimburses you based on an amount you set with your insurer at the beginning of your policy. You may also be able to get total loss replacement coverage, which pays out based on the cost to replace your camper.
Coverage
The types of insurance coverage you include in your policy and the coverage limits you set impact your premiums. In general, the cheapest RV insurance policies are ones that meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements. Adding coverage and raising your limits will make your policy more expensive. If you financed your RV, your lender will usually require you to add comprehensive and collision coverage to your policy.
Types of RVs
A big part of the cost of RV insurance is the type of camper you want to insure. Each type of RV has its own unique features, amenities and price range, all of which contribute to your premium. Most RVs fall into one of two major categories.
Towables
Towable campers require a vehicle to pull them and can’t move on their own, meaning they have fewer mechanical systems than motorhomes. For that reason, they’re typically cheaper to insure on average. On Progressive’s website, for example, the company states that its average towable RV policy cost was $502 per year in 2020.
These are the main types of towable campers you can insure:
- Teardrop campers: Typically the smallest and least expensive RVs, teardrops can range in the amenities they offer. Some are little more than a bed that converts to a seating area, while others may have built-in bathrooms.
- Pop-up campers: These RVs get their name from their functionality. While they pack down for easy, aerodynamic towing, they “pop up” to offer the experience of a full-size camper when you reach your destination.
- Travel trailers: One of the most popular types of RVs, travel trailers range from minimally outfitted campers to luxury suites on wheels.
- Toy haulers: These campers are meant for people who like to include outdoor sports as part of their camping trips. They feature plenty of space to store items like surfboards, fishing gear or even a motorcycle or ATV.
- Fifth-wheel RVs: Named for their need to be connected to the bed of a truck, fifth-wheelers are the largest and typically most well-appointed towables.
Motorhomes
Motorized RVs are typically more expensive to insure than towables. Progressive says on its website that its average motorhome insurance policy cost was $848 per year in 2020, 69% more expensive than its average towable policy.
Self-propelled RVs generally fall into one of three categories:
- Class A motorhomes: The largest and usually most luxurious motorhomes, Class A RVs are often built onto a bus chassis and can cost well over a million dollars to purchase. According to data from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the average Class A RV insurance policy costs between $1,000 and $1,300 per year, based on 140 days of usage.
- Class B motorhomes: Usually built on a van chassis, Class B RVs tend to be the smallest of the three classes. These highly maneuverable camper vans have become more popular in recent years. Insurance for a Class B RV typically costs between $300 and $1,000 per year.
- Class C motorhomes: Larger than Class B but smaller than Class A, Class C RVs are a popular choice for families who need more space but still want a vehicle that maneuvers easily. According to NADA data, the average premium for these RVs is between $600 and $1,000 per year.
Compare RV Insurance Policies
Answer a few simple questions and we’ll take care of the rest.
With our comparison partner,
Types of RV Insurance
The types of coverage and limits you choose for your RV insurance policy are among the key factors that determine your rates. Just as with top car insurance providers, most reputable insurers offer both standard coverages and add-ons tailored to the needs of RV owners.
Standard RV Coverage
The standard coverage types you’ll find for RV insurance are practically identical to those offered for car insurance. Here’s what standard RV insurance covers:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: Covers medical costs and lost wages for other parties injured in an accident for which you are found at fault.
- Property damage liability insurance: Covers the cost of damages to other vehicles and personal property resulting from an accident you cause.
- Collision coverage: Covers damages to your RV regardless of who is found at fault for an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers damages to your RV from sources other than accidents, such as fire, vandalism or weather.
- Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist: Covers your medical expenses and property damages if an at-fault driver doesn’t have sufficient coverage.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers your and your party’s medical expenses and lost wages if you’re injured in an accident, no matter who is found at fault.
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay): Covers your and your party’s medical bills but not lost wages if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Optional RV Coverage
Policy add-ons can help you cover some of the other costs associated with RVing. These coverages vary by provider and sometimes by area. The most common additional coverage options for RV insurance include:
- Rental reimbursem*nt: Covers the cost of renting a car or, in some cases, an RV if your camper breaks down.
- Full-timer liability: Covers damages or injuries caused by your RV similar to a homeowners insurance policy.
- Towing and labor: Covers the cost of on-site repair work and towing if your RV breaks down.
- Safety glass: Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield, which is typically not included in most standard policies.
- International coverage: Covers your RV while you’re taking it to another country.
- Roadside assistance: Covers some or all of the cost of emergency roadside services like fuel delivery, tire repair and towing.
- Vacation liability: Covers liability claims against your RV while it’s parked when you are using it on vacation. This kind of liability is typically not covered by a standard policy.
- Pet injury coverage: Covers your pet’s medical bills if they are injured in a covered accident.
- Emergency expense coverage: Covers food, lodging and other travel expenses if your RV breaks down and takes time to be repaired.
- Sound system: Covers the audio equipment in your camper if it’s damaged or stolen.
RV Insurance Discounts
Discounts are also a factor in your camper insurance rates as they lower the cost of coverage. The actual discounts offered vary between companies. They sometimes depend on where you live and what kind of RV you have.
These are some of the more common discounts you’ll find on RV insurance:
- Association: You can get a discount from some insurers if you’re a member of certain RV or camping organizations.
- Military: Some insurance companies offer discounts to active-duty service members, veterans and their families.
- Multi-policy: You can often get a discount on your RV policy if you combine it with other policies like homeowners insurance, renters insurance or life insurance.
- Private passenger: Slightly different from a multi-policy discount, some insurers lower your premium if you combine your RV policy with your auto policy specifically.
- Multi-vehicle: If you insure multiple campers under the same policy, some insurers will give you a discount.
- Storage: Similar to a discount for boat insurance, some companies allow you to establish a storage period when your RV is not in use. This will lower your overall premium, but your RV won’t be covered in most cases during this time.
- Claim-free: If you go an extended amount of time without filing an insurance claim, some companies offer a discount.
- Responsible driver: You can get a discount from some insurers if you don’t get into any accidents or have any violations for a certain period of time.
- Paid in full: Some insurers offer a discount if you pay for your policy up front rather than by monthly payments.
- Safety course: Many insurers will lower your premium if you complete an approved RV safety course.
How To Lower the Cost of RV Insurance
While many of the factors that influence the cost of insurance for your RV are out of your control, there are some things you can do to find cheaper rates.
Compare RV Insurance Policies
Answer a few simple questions and we’ll take care of the rest.
With our comparison partner,
Look For Discounts
One of the easiest ways to save is to take advantage of RV insurance discounts. Some discounts are similar to those you might find for auto insurance, like bundling, while others are specific to RVs — like a discount for taking an RV safety course. You can look for discounts that apply to you on an insurer’s website or find them listed in our reviews. However, insurance companies often offer discounts that aren’t listed on their websites. An insurance agent may be able to tell you about additional savings opportunities.
Bundle Your RV Policy
Your current auto insurer is a good place to start your search because most companies offer a bundling discount. However, not all insurers offer auto and homeowners insurance in addition to RV insurance, and some may not allow you to bundle RV coverage.
If your current insurer doesn’t allow you to bundle your RV coverage, find an insurance company that does. Ask for a combined quote for all the insurance policies you need and use that as a comparison.
Establish a Storage Period
Some insurance providers offer a lower rate if you agree to store your camper for an established period of time during the year. If there are times you know you’re unlikely to use your RV, you may be able to get cheaper coverage by establishing a storage period with your insurer.
Complete an RV Safety Course
Most of the insurers in our study offer a discount for completing an approved safety course. These courses can help you learn to be a safer RV driver and learn how to avoid common sources of damage.
Raise Your Deductible
Being on the hook for more money when you need a repair isn’t ideal, but it can help lower your premiums. If you need to save a little money on your RV insurance and can accept the risk of having to pay more out of pocket, lowering your deductible can help.
Shop Around
Shopping around can potentially net you big savings on your RV coverage. You may have already compared auto insurance when you insured your car, and this works the same way. Since companies weigh certain risk factors and variables differently, you may see substantially different quotes from each insurer, even based on the same camper, policies, limits and drivers.
Cost of RV Insurance: The Bottom Line
There are many variables that go into the cost of RV insurance coverage. That’s why even though the average premium for RVs is around $1,500 per year, actual costs can vary greatly. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars per year to several thousand.
While you only technically need RV insurance for a motorhome and not for a towable, you probably want it in both cases. In addition to traffic accidents, campers combine the risks of both automobiles and homes, meaning there are several ways things can go wrong. Full coverage RV insurance can protect your investment and keep you out on the road and exploring.
RV Insurance Quotes
Using our tool below, you can get personalized RV insurance quotes for your vehicle.
Compare RV Insurance Policies
Answer a few simple questions and we’ll take care of the rest.
With our comparison partner,
Recommended RV Insurance Providers
The only way to know your actual cost of RV insurance is to get a quote. We at the Guides Auto Team recommend getting several RV insurance quotes to compare your options and find the best combination of cost and coverage for your needs. The following providers are good places to get started.
Nationwide: Top Choice for Full-Timers
Nationwide offers a portfolio of coverage options that make it a good choice for full-time RV insurance. People who call their RVs home can get the personal liability coverage they need to protect themselves as well as options like replacement cost coverage for personal belongings. Recreational campers can find options that work well for them, too.
Progressive: Editor’s Choice
In our industry-wide study of the best RV insurance companies, Progressive earned the highest score and took home our Editor’s Choice award. That’s mainly because, as an RV insurance provider, the company offers an unrivaled combination of coverage options and discount opportunities. People can get just about any kind of insurance coverage they need at affordable rates at Progressive.
Keep reading: Progressive RV insurance review
Cost of RV Insurance: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about rv insurance costs:
Generally speaking, the average cost of an RV insurance policy is around $1,500 per year. However, the cost of RV insurance varies greatly depending on a number of factors, including the value of your camper, your driving record and more.
If you have a motorized RV, you need to carry at least your state’s minimum required auto insurance. You are typically not required to have insurance on a towable RV.
Your RV insurance could be cheaper than your regular auto insurance depending on the type of camper you have and other factors. Insurance for most towable RVs, for example, is typically much cheaper than auto insurance for similar types and amounts of coverage. However, insurance for something like a luxury-level Class A RV may cost far more than standard auto insurance.
Maine, New Hampshire and Ohio typically have the cheapest rates for auto insurance in the country. While that doesn’t necessarily mean they have the lowest average RV insurance rates, you can expect camper coverage to be relatively cheap in these states.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.com.