RV insurance protects you, as a recreational vehicle owner, from excessive out of pocket costs in the event of a loss or if you are at fault in an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage. It can also provide compensation for your costs if you have a roadside breakdown.
Recreational vehicles, or RVs, include a wide range of motorhomes, from camper vans to bus conversions, organized by classes: Class A, B and C. Your RV insurance will depend on the class of your vehicle, how much you use it, whether you live in it full time and other factors.
The classes of RV include:
Class A: This class includes models such as the luxury coach, converted bus and motor coach. These vehicles can be up to 75 feet long.
Class B: This is the smallest class of recreational vehicles. These vehicles do not have a cab-over, and can also include cargo van type designs, travel trailers and camper vans.
Class C: This group includes vehicles that use a standard cargo van as the driving portion of the RV and the camper portion extends over the cab area. This class covers fifth wheel vehicles.
RV insurance covers many of the similar risks that auto insurance does, including collision, comprehensive and liability coverage. You can also get additional protection for your personal belongings on board, equipment and attached accessories such as awnings and satellite dishes. Depending on the insurance company you choose, your additional coverage options may include:
Total loss replacement coverage
Campsite and vacation coverage
Emergency expenses
Towing and roadside coverage
Full-timer coverage if your RV is your full time residence
Uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage
RV insurance protects you, as a recreational vehicle owner, from excessive out of pocket costs in the event of a loss or if you are at fault in an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage. It can also provide compensation for your costs if you have a roadside breakdown.
As an example of how RV insurance works, let’s consider some accidents or trouble you could encounter with your motorhome on a vacation. Your RV insurance would potentially cover you in the following ways:
If you have uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage and another driver collides with you but is not insured, your insurance company will pay for your damages. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the amount of damage, your deductible amount, and the limits set on your policy.
If you are at fault for an accident, the other driver will file a claim with your insurance company. Your insurer will pay the claim up to the limits of your liability policy. You will pay the costs of any damages, injuries, legal fees or judgments out of pocket beyond the limits set on your policy.
If your RV is disabled after a crash and has to be towed, your insurance will cover some or all of the costs of towing.
If your RV is stolen, an animal causes damage to your RV, or it is damaged in a hail storm, your comprehensive insurance would provide coverage for your losses, after your deductible and up to the limits you’ve selected in your policy.
The amount of RV insurance you need will depend on several factors, such as:
The requirements of the state in which you reside
The class of motorhome you own
Where you will be traveling, and whether you will cross state and country borders
Whether you are using it part time or living in it full time
Whether you have custom features on your motorhome, which can result in higher repair costs
Additionally, the amount of RV coverage you need will depend upon the assets you want to protect in the event of a liability claim or lawsuit.
Boat insurance covers you in the event of a loss or damage to your boat. It covers most watercraft with motors, including fishing boats, pontoon boats, paddle boats, leisure crafts and yachts. Boat insurance does not usually cover canoes, kayaks or personal watercrafts (PWCs).
For small watercrafts, you may find some limited coverage under your homeowner’s policy. You may also be able to add a special endorsement or buy separate coverage. Contact us for assistance with all of your boat coverage.
Your boat insurance policy may include the following:
Collision damage: Includes repair or replacement of your boat, but may or may not include clean-up of wreckage unless you purchase optional additional coverage.
Property damage liability: Covers damage you might cause to someone else’s boat, a dock, or other property or structures.
Bodily injury liability: Covers injury you might cause someone while using your boat; includes medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and legal expenses.
Comprehensive: Provides compensation if your boat is vandalized, stolen, or damaged in an incident other than a collision.
Additional coverage options: Coverage for medical payments, fishing equipment, oil spills, personal property and roadside assistance, as well as damages and injuries from accidents caused by boaters who are uninsured or underinsured.
The amount of compensation you receive for a claim depends on a few things, including your deductibles, limits and whether your boater’s insurance covers your boat’s actual cash value, replacement cost or agreed upon value.
When you buy boat insurance, you must decide on the amount of coverage you need for your boat, the deductible (maximum out of pocket expense per claim) and the types of coverage you need. In the event that you have an accident, experience a theft, or have another loss that is covered under your policy, you can file a claim and receive a payment covering the loss.
As an example, if you were in an accident with another boat that caused serious damage to your vessel, one of the following things would most likely occur, depending upon the insurance coverage you and the other boater own and the laws in your state:
If you were at fault, your boat liability insurance would cover the damage up to the limits of the policy.
If the other boater was at fault, his coverage would pay for your damages, up to the limits of his policy.
If the other boater was at fault, but did not have boat insurance, or did not have enough to cover your expenses, uninsured/underinsured boaters coverage could cover the damages (if you have that coverage in place).
Boaters often want to know whether they have to carry boat insurance to enjoy the water. The answer is that boat insurance can be required for a variety of reasons. For example, some states require that you have liability coverage. Marinas may require you to have boat insurance in order to dock your boat there. Additionally, if you take out a loan to buy a boat, the lender will most likely require that you purchase boaters insurance.
The amount of boat insurance you need depends on a number of factors, including the boat’s value, motor size, age, and how you use it. For example, if you have a brand new high performance speed boat, you will need more coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability than if you buy a pleasure cruiser.
Insurance professionals recommend buying at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance, and even more if you have a fast, powerful boat that is both riskier and can cause more damage.
For uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage, a typical minimum is $10,000. However, the amount you purchase should reflect the potential injuries and damages you may need to cover if you or one of your passengers is seriously hurt, or your vessel is damaged.
Your other coverage amounts, including collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, should be based specifically on the value of your boat.
ATV insurance can protect your finances in the event of loss, damage, an accident, injury or theft of your vehicle. Here are some details:
Liability coverage will cover the costs of bodily injury and property damage up to a determined amount if you cause an accident. It will also cover the cost of your legal fees if you are sued.
Collision coverage will pay for repairs to your damaged ATV after an accident.
Comprehensive coverage is optional, and will provide protection if your ATV is stolen, damaged by fire, vandalism, or severe weather.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, also optional, will help cover your costs if another rider causes and accident, and does not have the insurance to pay for your expenses.
The best way to get a sense of your need for these types of insurance and the cost of premiums is to meet with an independent agent in the Trusted Choice® network to review details of your situation. Your agent can shop for quotes to give you a better idea of the best coverage for your needs.
ATV insurance works similarly to auto insurance. Because ATVs can be risky – for the riders, passengers and those around them – your ATV insurance is designed to help cover the costs associated with a mishap or incident, as well as theft. ATV insurance helps you recover financially so that the cost of repairs, injuries and even lawsuits do not end up costing you more than you can manage out of pocket.
If you are in an accident that results in injuries or damages, your insurance agent can help you get compensation and start the claims process. First, supply any available documentation or photos of what occurred. An adjuster will review the damage and determine your compensation based on the amount of coverage, the type of loss, and your deductible.
Unlike auto insurance, not all states require that you carry insurance on your ATV. However, many states do require some coverage if you are using your ATV on public land, in state parks or in public parks. Additionally, you may be required to purchase certain coverage if you are financing your all-terrain vehicle.
Be sure to check if the state where you live and the locations where you plan to use your vehicle require ATV insurance. Be aware that if you are uninsured and get into an accident, you may be liable for all damages and/or injuries incurred. So while ATV insurance is often not required, it can be a wise investment.
There are many factors that go into determining how much ATV insurance is adequate. Every ATV is different, and every driver is different. How you use your vehicle is a good indicator of how much ATV insurance you should have – for example, whether you use it for dune riding where visibility is good, or back woods riding where trees and hillsides can obstruct your view. Additionally, the value of your ATV, the value of the assets you want to protect in case of a liability claim against you, and how much risk you take while riding can all be indicators of how much ATV insurance you need.
Motorcycle insurance provides financial protection in the event of a motorcycle accident, loss, theft or damage. Motorcycle insurance includes liability coverage in case you are responsible for another person’s injuries or property damage. These policies provide coverage for motorcycles, choppers, fast street bikes or “crotch rockets,” mopeds, and even Segways.
If you have just purchased a motorcycle, or have owned one for a while and are considering changing insurance providers, you may have several questions. Do you wonder what motorcycle insurance will cover, and what financial risks you face in the event of an accident? You can get your questions answered by a local professional who understands the requirements of your state, and will get to know you and your coverage needs. Simply contact a local independent agent in the Trusted Choice® network who can help choose the right policy for you.
A standard motorcycle insurance policy will cover some portion of the costs associated with damage to your bike. It will also provide compensation in the event that you cause harm another person or their property or have legal fees to pay an accident. Known as “bodily injury and property damage liability,” your motorcycle liability insurance covers the cost of liability claims and legal fees, up to the limits of your policy, if are at fault in an accident.
You can customize your policy to cover the following:
Full replacement cost of your bike, in the event that it is totaled
Comprehensive coverage, which will pay for loss or damage due to causes “other than collision.” This includes hail and other weather damage, damage from animals, and most importantly motorcycle theft
Medical payments, in the event that you require hospitalization or medical care
Uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage, in the event that another driver is at fault in an accident and does not have adequate insurance to pay your costs
Damage or loss to your gear and upgrades, such as transport trailers, sidecars, custom exhaust equipment, and safety apparel like chaps and helmets
When you choose what you want your motorcycle insurance to cover, find a balance between protecting yourself against the risks you face and what you can budget for coverage. The good news is that there are many ways to save on your motorcycle insurance if you are a safe rider with a good driving record.
The amount of motorcycle insurance that you need depends on the type of bike you own and how you plan to use it. For example, if you ride a fast bike such as a racing bike or a super sport motorcycle (also known as a “crotch rocket”) your bike will be costlier to insure. Additionally, you may want to increase the amount of motorcycle liability insurance as well as your coverage for hospital and medical care.
Any bike with an extremely high horsepower-to-weight ratio is designed for speed and maneuverability, meaning riders tend to ride faster and weave between cars. These riders have a greater risk of serious injuries as well as potential incidents that cause injury to others.
If you plan on racing dirt bikes for fun, you may want to consider increasing your coverage as well. The close-quarters racing and crowded tracks can put you at greater risk of injury, damage to your bike, and an increased risk of causing injury to a competitor or damaging someone else’s equipment.
Motorcycle insurance requirements vary by state, so be sure to work with a local insurance agent who can help you craft a motorcycle policy that best protects you and your financial well-being.
Motorcycle insurance works in the same way that car insurance works. For example, if you have bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, any damage you cause to someone’s property is covered by your insurance policy, up to the limits of your policy.
Your liability coverage will also cover some portion of your legal costs, if an injured party files a lawsuit against you. Again, the amount your insurance will cover depends upon the limits you choose when you buy your policy. If the cost of the claim is beyond the limits of your policy, you will be responsible for paying any costs out of pocket for the other party’s injuries or damages.
Depending on the amount and type of coverage you have, your policy may also cover medical or hospital costs for you and your passengers. Uninsured/underinsured motorists insurance will pay for the costs of an accident if a driver caused the accident who was not adequately insured.
If you have comprehensive insurance, you will be covered for losses not by a collision. For example, comprehensive covers motorcycle theft of your bike, or parts of it. After a loss, you will file an insurance claim and receive compensation up to the limit of your policy, after your deductible amount is subtracted. For example, if you have a $500 deductible, and you suffer $1,300 dollars in damages during a collision, you are responsible for the first $500, and the insurance policy will pay the additional $800 to complete repairs. If the damage amount is less than the deductible amount, you would not receive compensation for the claim.
Most carriers allow you to adjust the amount of your deductible. The lower the deductible, the more you will pay for premiums. If you pay a higher deductible your premiums will be lower, but you will have more to pay out of pocket at the time of a claim.
If you work with an independent agent, you can customize a policy to protect against the threats you are most concerned about, such as theft, property damage, vandalism or weather damage. You can even insure yourself against the bike breaking down and ruining your vacation.
To find the right RV coverage for your motorhome or camper, contact with us. We can help you compare several different RV insurance quotes and find the right coverage for your needs.
