Travel Trailer Insurance Requirements- Find Out What Coverage You Need

If you own a camper (also called a travel trailer), you may be wondering if you’re required to insure it. Let’s go over what sort of coverage you will likely need for your own peace of mind, and what’s typically required. 

Since a travel trailer isn’t a motorized vehicle, travel trailer liability coverage isn't required for it. Instead, the vehicle towing the  trailer will need to have a liability policy. That policy typically covers your trailer while attached. This means that if you accidentally back your trailer into a parked car at a campsite, your auto policy’s liability coverage can cover the damage and any  medical bills you caused for others. What it won’t cover, however, is damage to your own trailer. For that, you’ll need a  separate travel trailer insurance policy. While not legally required, you can think of travel trailer insurance as protection for  your investment. And if you happen to be financing or leasing your trailer, chances are the lender will require you to have  comprehensive and collision coverage anyway. Even if it isn’t required in your case, getting it is a smart move if you want to  protect your camper. 

In addition to comprehensive and collision coverage, there are other optional coverages which may provide more personalized  and reliable protection. Here is short list and general description of coverage options for you to consider: 

Comprehensive coverage: Can protect you against damages that are outside of your control and aren’t vehicle-collision related.  For example, hail, lightning, flooding, fallen trees, theft, animal collisions, and vandalism. 

Collision coverage: Can pay for damage to your travel trailer from collisions with vehicles or objects. If your RV is damaged, your  policy may be able to repair or replace your RV, less the amount of your deductible. 

Vacation liability coverage: If you plan on parking at a campsite, you may want this type of coverage for your travel trailer to  protect you in case you are liable for property damage or injuries to others while you’re camping there.  

Personal effects coverage: This may pay for replacement of personal items in your RV that resulted from a covered loss. 

Roadside assistance: Most travel trailer policies include roadside assistance specifically tailored toward RVs. This means they  understand the unique difficulties of towing a large trailer. They can assist with tire changes, emergency towing to an RV friendly facility, or temporary RV rental if circumstances are preventing you from residing in yours for a while.