How do you insure an RV?
Insuring a recreational vehicle (RV) is different from insuring a car. There’s the basic coverage you’re required to take out, and then there’s optional coverage that’s still pretty essential. We’ll walk you through it to ensure your RV is properly covered. We’ll also look at travel insurance and accident insurance to make sure you’ve got all the coverage you need.
ecreational vehicle insurance
Recreational vehicle insurance is neither auto nor home insurance. It is specific insurance for this type of vehicle. n’est ni une assurance auto ni une assurance habitation. Il s’agit d’une assurance spécifique pour ce type de véhicule.
Liability insurance: Required for recreational vehicles
RV owners are required by law to have at least $50,000 in liability insurance.
This covers you in Canada and the United States for:
- Damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident where you are not at fault
- Property damage or bodily injury caused to others and not covered by SAAQ that occurs during an accident where you are at fault
However, $50,000 in liability insurance can quickly prove insufficient, for example if more than one vehicle or street furniture is involved. That’s why insurers actually recommend $1 million, and $2 million if you’re thinking of leaving Quebec.
Insurance for RV owners
Once you’ve taken care of your civil liability, you need to consider the risks that apply to your RV and insure it accordingly. Insurers will offer a variety of options ranging from all-risk coverage (with exceptions) to simple fire, theft, or vandalism insurance.
Some insurance specifically for RVs provides coverage for items inside the vehicle and even outside it for seasonal campers. Ask your insurer about the extent of the coverage. It may be worthwhile for you.
Here are some additional coverage options:
- Endorsement 20A – Travel expenses (broad form): If your recreational vehicle breaks down and can’t be driven, this endorsement will cover rental car expenses so you can continue your trip, or the cost of a hotel room, for example.
- Endorsement 43A and D: Similar to replacement cost coverage, this endorsement provides compensation without depreciation that covers the value of your trailer or motorhome in the event of a partial or total loss. This means that if you’re in an accident, you can replace your vehicle’s broken parts with new ones (regardless of the RV’s depreciation), buy a new vehicle equivalent to the old one in the event of a total loss, or get a cheque for the amount you paid for your RV.
- Travel trailer repatriation coverage: This covers the cost of bringing your trailer home in the event of theft or total loss due to an accident with the vehicle towing it.
Insurance for RV rentals
Renting an RV for your trip? It’s important to have good coverage for the rental vehicle. Carefully check the coverage provided by your own auto insurance or by the credit card you use to rent the vehicle. You may already have sufficient coverage. You may not need to add the insurance offered by the rental company. Be aware, however, that sometimes rental companies require you to buy their insurance. If this is the case, the prepaid option is often cheaper. Also check to see if you can have some options that you don’t need removed to lower the rate.
Seasonal RV insurance
Some campgrounds offer year-round site rental. This type of campground allows you to become a seasonal camper and set up your RV at a campground for an entire year on a more “permanent” basis. Trailers or fifth wheels used for this type of rental can be insured as a home or a vehicle, depending on your needs. Auto insurance has the advantage of protecting your vehicle against flooding. This is useful if you’re at a campground near a river. Home insurance, on the other hand, protects your valuables both inside and outside the camper. Talk to your insurer about it.
Insurance for converting a vehicle to an RV (vanlife)
RVs in the middle of the conversion process are covered by your home insurance. If you need to file a claim, your home insurance may pay you up to 10% of the insurance amount provided in your policy for property outside your home (which is inside your RV). Plan to increase your coverage amount if the value of the property in your RV exceeds 10%, or insure the RV separately.
How much does RV insurance cost?
The price of RV insurance varies based on a number of factors:
- Vehicle make, model, class, and year
- Price paid or market value (do your homework—you can challenge the amount the insurer comes up with)
- Use of the RV (for driving or permanent installation at a campground)
- Driver’s driving record
Note that the minimum deductibles are usually higher than for a car (about $500). Insurers generally don’t give a storage credit since rates already reflect the vehicle’s seasonal use (like motorcycles). That said, you should make sure your RV is protected against theft, fire, vandalism, and even building cave-ins during winter storage.
Insurance for you and your loved ones—and even your pets!
You not only need to insure your RV properly, you also need to protect yourself and your family. Here are some coverages that could spare you a lot of worry.
Travel insurance for trips outside Quebec
When you travel outside the province of Quebec in an RV or using any other mode of transportation, it is recommended that you get travel insurance before departure. Depending on the coverage you choose, it will cover emergency medical expenses (including those related to COVID-19), expenses paid before departure in the event of trip cancellation, or the cost of seeing a doctor (without having to travel) for a minor health problem. And since RAMQ does not fully reimburse out-of-province health services, travel insurance is a must even if you’re travelling within Canada. Going to the Maritimes or taking a road trip to western Canada? Avoid unpleasant surprises and unexpected costs by ensuring you’re adequately protected.
Accident insurance: For sports and outdoor activities
RV owners are often outdoor enthusiasts. But no one is immune to misfortune when hiking, biking, or camping. In the event of an injury, accident insurance can reimburse certain paramedical expenses, such as the services of health specialists (chiropractors and physiotherapists) to help you recover from your misadventure, equipment such as crutches, and even ambulance transportation.
Insurance for your pet travelling with you
Some travel insurance covers the cost of veterinary care if your dog or cat gets injured while travelling with you.
Pet insurance may also cover some of the costs of cancelling your trip if your pet needs emergency medical care. Learn more!
Recreational vehicle roadside assistance and maintenance
While insurance covers you in case of an accident, roadside assistance for your recreational vehicle is also essential. You never know what can happen to you on a road trip—engine failure, flat tire, getting stuck. The RV option, available with CAA Plus® and CAA Premier® cards, guarantees four service calls just for your RV.
Of course, you also need to maintain your RV to avoid any headaches. The CAA-Quebec Approved Auto Repair Services network includes shops for recreational vehicles. Have questions about maintaining your RV? Our Automotive Advisory Services can answer them.