Motorhome Insurance Costs: What You Should Expect

• Typical motorhome insurance costs range from $500 to $1,500 per year, but some pay more or less depending on key factors.
• Factors like the model, your location, usage, and coverage choices all make a big difference in how much you pay.
• Discounts, bundling, and your driving history can lower your price, but every insurer works a bit differently.
• Shopping around and understanding what impacts your rate helps you avoid paying extra for extras you do not need.

A basic policy for a motorhome usually costs between $500 and $1,500 per year in the United States. This wide range is because companies look at what you drive, where you keep it, how often you use it, and what type of insurance you want. Some people pay less, especially if they have a small camper or just want state-minimum coverage. Others pay well over $2,000, mostly if they own a big, expensive RV or travel full-time. The details matter. I think you can get close to the lower end if you play your cards right, but not everyone will end up there.

What is Motorhome Insurance and Why Is It Needed?

Motorhome insurance works a lot like regular car insurance, but with some twists. A typical policy covers damage to your vehicle, harm you might cause others, and theft. It can also protect your belongings inside the RV, pay hotel costs if you cannot use it, and handle injuries. The bigger or newer the motorhome, the more you probably need this. In some states, you are required to carry minimum liability insurance.

If you do not have insurance and get in an accident, you will pay out of pocket for repairs, medical bills, or even lawsuits. Motorhome repairs are expensive, and slip-ups happen even to careful drivers.

Basic liability only pays for damage or injury you cause to other people. Comprehensive and collision can repair your own vehicle if there is hail, vandalism, fire, or you hit something. Some also cover personal effects, or offer roadside help. Many providers treat full-timers differently from those who use their RV just for the summer.

Main Factors That Affect Your Motorhome Insurance Costs

Insurance companies do not just look at one thing. They add up a bunch of details to decide what you should pay. Here are the main things that usually move your price up or down.

1. Type and Value of Your Motorhome

More expensive vehicles cost more to insure. Insuring a new Class A motorhome is not going to be cheap. Compact Class C or small Class B units usually cost less.

Custom-built or heavily upgraded rigs? Those usually push costs even higher. If your motorhome has special appliances or custom paint, expect a bump.

2. How You Use Your Motorhome

Insurers want to know if you use your RV for the occasional weekend, a month in the summer, or if you are on the road year-round. The more often you use it, or the longer your trips, the more risk they take on.

• Full-timers: Your policy almost always costs most. You live on the road; your risks are higher. Your insurance acts more like homeowners insurance, since you must cover personal items, extra liability, and loss-of-use.
• Occasional use: Many people pay less, since the RV spends most of its time parked. Less risk, lower cost. If you only travel a couple of weekends a year, ask for a “storage” or “occasional use” discount.

If you only drive a few thousand miles per year, some insurers will give you major discounts. Not everyone asks, so sometimes you have to bring it up.

3. Your Driving Record

Just like with cars, clean records get better rates. DUI, at-fault accidents, or too many tickets can cost you hundreds more per year. Sometimes it helps to call and explain any old mistakes.

4. Where You Live or Store Your Motorhome

Rates change by state. Rural areas are usually cheaper, since there is less traffic and theft. Big cities, or places with lots of claims, cost more. Some insurers check where your RV is stored when not in use. Indoor storage or secure lots can bring your bill down.

5. Your Chosen Coverage Limits

If you pick higher liability, lower deductibles, or more extras (like roadside help or replacement cost coverage), your rates go up. Stripped-down policies are usually hundreds of dollars cheaper, but you might pay more later if you do need coverage.

• Liability-only is the minimum required in most states.
• Comprehensive/collision pays for fire, theft, or damage to your RV, it usually adds a lot to the premium.
• Extras like campsite/vacation coverage, personal belongings, and emergency lodging often cost more, but might save you a headache.

6. Deductible Amount

Higher deductibles can save you money every month, sometimes $100-$200 per year. Just remember if you pick a $1,000 deductible to lower your bill, you will pay that much on any claim.

Pick a deductible you could actually pay someday. I think some people lowball their deductible target and regret it when they have their first claim.

7. Discounts or Bundled Policies

Insurers offer all kinds of discounts if you know to ask for them. Try asking about:

• Safe driver or accident-free history
• Paying the yearly premium in full
• Taking RV safety courses
• Having extra anti-theft devices
• Bundling RV, car, and home insurance together
• Belonging to RV clubs or associations

Typical Pricing Examples

To give you a sense of how much you might pay, here are some sample situations I have come across.

Your quotes may end up different. Every insurer looks at the details just a bit differently, so I never take these numbers as absolute. But it is a decent jump-off point.

Ways to Lower Your Motorhome Insurance

It is possible to keep your costs under control, but not every strategy works for everyone. Sometimes you have to weigh the savings against the risk. Skipping certain extras, or raising your deductible, leaves you exposed if something goes wrong.

• Shop around yearly. Every year, compare at least three companies. Rates swing more than you expect. I have seen savings of $300 per year just by quoting again.
• Adjust your coverage for storage months. If you put the RV away for winter and do not drive it, ask about a storage-only policy.
• Ask about usage-based insurance. Some new companies track how much you drive through an app or device, and lower your price if your RV mostly sits still.
• Take safety and driving courses. Most big insurers knock off a fair chunk for safety course completion, but they do not advertise it much.
• Keep your claims low. Too many small claims make your rate jump. Sometimes it makes sense to pay out of pocket for tiny repairs.
• Bundle other insurance. Home, car, and RV often get grouped for a small discount. Not always worth it, though. Sometimes splitting them is still cheaper.

If you go several years without claims, your loyalty discount can actually be pretty decent. Just do not let it blind you to possible overcharges from staying too long with one company.

Motorhome Insurance vs. Regular Auto Insurance

Some new RV owners want to know why they cannot just insure a motorhome under their regular auto policy. It comes up a lot. The short answer is, basic car insurance will not cover most RV hazards.

• Personal items: Car insurance rarely covers what you carry inside, but RV insurance usually does.
• Full-timer’s needs: You sometimes need liability to match what a homeowner would need, which far exceeds what a car policy offers.
• Special equipment: RVs often have appliances, awnings, or custom interiors; traditional car policies do not handle these.

If you cause a fire in the kitchen, or damage your built-in generator, you really want proper RV coverage.

Key Terms in Motorhome Insurance

Sometimes the lingo can be confusing. Here are several terms you are likely to see in a policy quote:

• Bodily Injury Liability: Pays for medical costs for others if you are responsible for an accident.
• Property Damage Liability: Pays for damage you cause to another person’s property.
• Comprehensive: Pays out if your RV is damaged by something other than a collision (weather, theft, vandalism).
• Collision: Pays if your RV hits another vehicle or object.
• Personal Effects Coverage: Covers your personal items inside the motorhome.
• Full-Timer Coverage: Higher liability and personal property coverage for those living full-time in their motorhome.
• Roadside Assistance: Tows, tire changes, and emergency service.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few things I see people overlook:

• Forgetting to update coverage when switching between storage and travel seasons
• Guessing about the value of custom upgrades, sometimes they are not covered unless you document them
• Missing available discounts by forgetting to mention storage location, club membership, or claims-free years
• Overinsuring by buying more extras than you need for a rarely used camper van
• Underinsuring and getting burned after a theft or accident

It is tempting to buy the cheapest policy you can, but make sure it covers at least the basics. Getting burned by an uncovered loss is way more expensive than paying $100 more a year in premium.

Does My Credit Score Affect Motorhome Insurance?

In nearly every state except a few, yes. Insurance companies use a version of your credit history to predict if you will file claims. Lower scores sometimes mean a 10%-30% higher bill. I wish this part were simpler, but it is standard in the industry. The better your credit picture, the more you might save.

• Paying on time can help keep your rate low.
• Some companies ignore minor credit issues, but others do not.

Full-Timer Policies: What Changes?

If you live on the road year-round, you need a different kind of motorhome insurance. Standard “recreational” policies do not give as much protection for personal belongings or liability.

You may need higher personal liability, since your RV is now your home. If you have expensive gear, or travel with pets, check for those coverages, too. Some people skip them and regret it.

Which Companies Offer Motorhome Insurance?

Most big auto insurance companies offer RV coverage now, though a few specialize in it. Many drivers stick with familiar names, but getting a quote from at least one specialist does not hurt. Typical providers include:

• Progressive
• GEICO
• Nationwide
• Good Sam
• Foremost
• Allstate
• National General

Not all cover every type of RV, so make sure you check before starting a quote.

Extra Coverages to Think About

You might see these extra options and wonder if they are worth it. Sometimes they are, sometimes not.

• Replacement cost coverage: Replaces your RV with a brand new one if it is totaled early in its life, instead of paying current value.
• Total loss deductible waiver: Waives your out-of-pocket deductible if the RV is a complete loss.
• Vacation liability: Covers you at campsites and RV parks if someone is hurt on your lot.
• Custom parts and equipment: Important if you have solar panels, custom cabinetry, or other upgrades.
• Pet injury: Helps with vet bills if your pet is hurt in a covered loss.

Some of these push your total premium up by $100 or more per year. Run the numbers and think about your own travel habits and what you really need.

What About Teardrop Campers or Pop-Up Trailers?

Insurance for non-motorized campers works differently. Most states do not require liability coverage for a trailer (your tow vehicle’s insurance often extends to it while driving). But you might want to insure it for theft, weather, or damage. Costs are often low. Usually under $250 per year even for new pop-ups. Vintage trailers can be even less, though you must check for exclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can my car insurance cover my motorhome? Not fully. Some very basic coverage may extend when pulling a trailer, but true motorhomes need their own policy.
• Can I get temporary insurance for a rental motorhome? Yes. Ask rental companies or your own insurer for short-term coverage for a rental or borrowed motorhome.
• Does my insurance cover me in Mexico or Canada? Sometimes. Always ask before your trip; international coverage rules are tricky. Many US policies exclude Mexico unless you buy extra protection.
• How can I prove what is inside my RV? Take photos and keep a list of valuables. If you ever file a claim, you will need proof of what was lost or damaged.

Insurance can feel annoying, but it only takes one claim for it to pay off many times over. I think skipping coverage rarely works out well in the long run.