If you are in the process of purchasing a new trailer, looking for a trailer to rent, or if you’ve owned a trailer for a while but haven’t thought to purchase insurance yet, here’s the lowdown: trailer insurance in Ontario isn’t technically mandatory, but it is almost always needed. Why?
Because the average trailer in Ontario will put you out between $10,000 and $300,000, varying depending on the exact amenities, features, and style. Self-propelled RVs – are typically more expensive than towed trailers. Rentals aren’t cheap, either. A rental might put you an average of $60 a day, where larger vehicles can cost up to $250 per night. Moreover, most rental companies won’t let you walk away without purchasing insurance for your trailer first.
So, if you’re asking yourself: do I need insurance for a utility trailer in Ontario? Do I need insurance for a boat trailer? – The answer is always yes, no matter what type of trailer it is that you tow. We’ll break down the importance of trailer insurance for you below.
Non-motorized vs. motorized trailers
By definition, travel trailers are non-motorized trailers that are towed behind a car or truck. Travel trailers are one of the most popular trailer makes in Ontario and, by-law, do not require insurance. However, it’s important to note that if you have an RV which can be driven or is “motorized” then it’s a legal requirement that you carry insurance. If your recreational vehicle is motorized and not being towed, note that it will require a separate auto policy and must meet provincial regulations for an automobile being driven on public roads.
Can my trailer be insured under my auto insurance policy?
If the trailer you own is being towed, it can technically have some coverage by virtue of your other policies – i.e, your home and/or auto. As an example, your trailer’s contents may be insurable as part of your home policy but know that due to the expensive nature of trailers your contents coverage can be quickly depleted if you need to make a claim. If you own a high-value trailer, it’s worth considering a separate policy to cover your trailer’s third-party liability, contents, and even collision and comprehensive to protect it from damages.
If your non-motorized trailer is not currently hitched up to your vehicle or parked, your auto policy won’t cover it. This is where it comes in clutch to have separate liability coverage for your trailer. If someone is injured in or around the premises of your trailer, your auto policy wouldn’t cover a liability claim. Given the pricey nature of law expenses and compensation costs, it’s important to consider purchasing liability insurance through a travel trailer policy.
Is it mandatory to insure your travel trailer in Ontario?
The short answer: no, it isn’t mandatory to insure a non-motorized trailer that is being towed by a camper or other vehicle in Ontario.
The right answer? No, it isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly necessary. You are not obligated to insure a travel trailer, which includes any makes on the following list:
- Fifth-wheel trailers
- Hybrid travel trailers
- Pop-up trailers
- Toy trailers
- Travel trailers
- Truck campers
Again, your car insurance policy may partly cover your travel trailer, but this coverage won’t extend to when your trailer is no longer hitched up or parked. Moreover, due to the expensive nature and the value of trailers, it’s worth purchasing a separate policy so as not to deplete your auto or home policy’s coverage. If you’re still left wondering, ‘what kind of insurance do I need for a park model travel trailer?’ or any other type of travel trailer, we’ve got answers for you.
Travel trailer insurance protects you from liability claims if any accidents happen and someone is injured in/around your trailer and files a claim against you. Medical bills, lost income, and other compensation costs can rack up quickly, and you wouldn’t want to be paying for these out-of-pocket.
Travel trailer insurance may also be tailored to protecting your trailer from physical damages, including collision coverage and comprehensive coverage (similar to the options that would be provided in an auto insurance policy.) It can cover damages due to collisions with other vehicles, guard rails, the ground, and even unexpected damages not associated with collisions, like water and weather damage, fire, falling objects, and calamities. Trailers are expensive by nature, and it can be costly to have to repair or replace yours if it was damaged unexpectedly.
Trailer insurance is necessary for peace-of-mind when travelling
More than anything, having trailer insurance in Ontario is critical to preserving you and your family’s peace of mind while you’re out and about on vacation;
checking out the many features of our beautiful province. Having trailer insurance for any type of trailer – utility, boat, or otherwise – is not mandatory, but absolutely necessary to protecting you from the many risks if something should go awry. Discuss with RecProtect’s trailer insurance brokers about the necessity of trailer insurance today or start with a free trailer insurance quote.
