Cost of RV Insurance: What To Expect (2022)

According to Progressive, one of our recommended RV insurance providers, the average RV policy costs around $1,500 per year, or about $125 per month. However, this average doesn’t necessarily reflect the true range of the cost of RV insurance.

Campers themselves can range in cost from just a few thousand dollars to well over a million. That means you’re going to see a wide range of insurance costs based on that factor alone.

RV Insurance Cost Factors

Beyond the cost of your RV, several other variables play a role in your premiums. These are the ones that have the greatest impact:

Type of RV

Different types of RVs have varying features and amenities that can factor into the cost of your coverage. For example, Class A motorhomes aren’t just generally more expensive than other types of RVs — they also tend to have a higher number of motorized and electrical parts that can cause problems.

Driving History

Whether you tow your RV or drive it, you have to pilot it to get it from one place to the next. That means your driving record will be an important factor in the cost of your coverage.

As you’d expect, drivers with a clean record will have access to the lowest RV premiums. If you have any violations or at-fault accidents on your record, you can expect to pay more.

Usage

How much time you spend in your RV factors into the cost of your premium. Insurance for full-time RVers is typically more expensive than coverage for part-time campers.

RV Driving Experience

When it comes to your RV insurance premiums, insurance agencies consider not only your experience behind the wheel of a car but also your experience piloting an RV. That’s because driving a motorcoach or towing a camper are fundamentally different from driving a car. Typically, insurers offer lower rates to drivers who have a history of driving or towing RVs.

Credit Score

California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, Utah and Washington all have laws that restrict insurance companies’ ability to use your credit score as a factor in your premiums to varying degrees. However, in every other state, your credit score could play a role in what you pay.

As you might expect, people with good credit scores get access to lower rates for RV insurance. Depending on where you live and your insurer, it could have a major impact.

Deductible

Just like with other forms of insurance, you’ll have some choice over your RV policy deductible. The lower you set your out-of-pocket expenses, the higher you can expect your premiums to be.

Location

Where you consider your RV’s home base to be contributes to your insurance premium. Insurers adjust rates between states to account for different regulations and risk factors. Rates can also vary within the same state based on variables such as population density and crime rates.

Reimbursement Model

Some RV insurance companies offer different loss reimbursement models. Actual cash value coverage, for example, only pays out the amount the RV is worth at the time of the loss, depreciation included. This is typically the more affordable option.

Agreed value coverage reimburses you based on an amount you set with your insurer at the beginning of your policy. You may also be able to get total loss replacement coverage, which pays out based on the cost to replace your camper.

Coverage

The types of insurance coverage you include in your policy and the coverage limits you set impact your premiums. In general, the cheapest RV insurance policies are ones that meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements. Adding coverage and raising your limits will make your policy more expensive.

Types of RVs

A big part of the cost of RV insurance is the type of camper you want to insure. Each type of RV has its own unique features, amenities and price range, all of which contribute to your premium. Most RVs fall into one of two major categories.

Towables

Towable campers require a vehicle to pull them and can’t move on their own, meaning they have fewer mechanical systems than motorhomes. For that reason, they’re typically cheaper to insure on average. On Progressive’s website, for example, the company states that its average towable RV policy cost was $502 per year in 2020.

These are the main types of towable campers you can insure:

• Teardrop campers: Typically the smallest and least expensive RVs, teardrops can range in the amenities they offer. Some are little more than a bed that converts to a seating area, while others may have built-in bathrooms.
• Pop-up campers: These RVs get their name from their functionality. While they pack down for easy, aerodynamic towing, they “pop up” to offer the experience of a full-size camper when you reach your destination.
• Travel trailers: One of the most popular types of RVs, travel trailers range from minimally outfitted campers to luxury suites on wheels.
• Toy haulers: These campers are meant for people who like to include outdoor sports as part of their camping trips. They feature plenty of space to store items like surfboards, fishing gear or even a motorcycle or ATV.Fifth-wheel RVs: Named for their need to be connected to the bed of a truck, fifth-wheelers are the largest and typically most well-appointed towables.

Motorhomes

Motorized RVs are typically more expensive to insure than towables. Progressive says on its website that its average motorhome insurance policy cost was $848 per year in 2020, 69% more expensive than its average towable policy. 

Self-propelled RVs generally fall into one of three categories:

• Class A motorhomes: The largest and usually most luxurious motorhomes, Class A RVs are often built onto a bus chassis and can cost well over a million dollars to purchase. According to data from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the average Class A RV insurance policy costs between $1,000 and $1,300 per year, based on 140 days of usage.
• Class B motorhomes: Usually built on a van chassis, Class B RVs tend to be the smallest of the three classes. These highly maneuverable camper vans have become more popular in recent years. Insurance for a Class B RV typically costs between $300 and $1,000 per year.
• Class C motorhomes: Larger than Class B but smaller than Class A, Class C RVs are a popular choice for families who need more space but still want a vehicle that maneuvers easily. According to NADA data, the average premium for these RVs is between $600 and $1,000 per year.

Types of RV Insurance

The types of coverage and limits you choose for your RV insurance policy are among the key factors that determine your rates. Just as with top car insurance providers, most reputable insurers offer both standard coverages and add-ons tailored to the needs of RV owners.

Standard RV Coverage

The standard coverage types you’ll find for RV insurance are practically identical to those offered for car insurance. These include:

• Bodily injury liability insurance: Covers medical costs and lost wages for other parties injured in an accident for which you are found at fault.
• Property damage liability insurance: Covers the cost of damages to other vehicles and personal property resulting from an accident you cause. 
• Collision coverage: Covers damages to your RV regardless of who is found at fault for an accident.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers damages to your RV from sources other than accidents, such as fire, vandalism or weather.
• Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist: Covers your medical expenses and property damages if an at-fault driver doesn’t have sufficient coverage.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers your and your party’s medical expenses and lost wages if you’re injured in an accident, no matter who is found at fault.
• Medical payments coverage (MedPay): Covers your and your party’s medical bills but not lost wages if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

Optional RV Coverage

Policy add-ons can help you cover some of the other costs associated with RVing. These coverages vary by provider and sometimes by area. The most common additional coverage options for RV insurance include:

• Rental reimbursement: Covers the cost of renting a car or, in some cases, an RV if your camper breaks down. 
• Full-timer liability: Covers damages or injuries caused by your RV similar to a homeowners insurance policy.
• Towing and labor: Covers the cost of on-site repair work and towing if your RV breaks down.
• Safety glass: Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield, which is typically not included in most standard policies. 
• International coverage: Covers your RV while you’re taking it to another country.
• Roadside assistance: Covers some or all of the cost of emergency roadside services like fuel delivery, tire repair and towing.
• Vacation liability: Covers liability claims against your RV while it’s parked when you are using it on vacation. This kind of liability is typically not covered by a standard policy.
• Pet injury coverage: Covers your pet’s medical bills if they are injured in a covered accident.
• Emergency expense coverage: Covers food, lodging and other travel expenses if your RV breaks down and takes time to be repaired.
• Sound system: Covers the audio equipment in your camper if it’s damaged or stolen.

RV Insurance Discounts

Discounts are also a factor in your camper insurance rates as they lower the cost of coverage. The actual discounts offered vary between companies. They sometimes depend on where you live and what kind of RV you have.

These are some of the more common discounts you’ll find on RV insurance:

• Association: You can get a discount from some insurers if you’re a member of certain RV or camping organizations.
• Military: Some insurance companies offer discounts to active-duty service members, veterans and their families.
• Multi-policy: You can often get a discount on your RV policy if you combine it with other policies like homeowners insurance, renters insurance or life insurance.
• Private passenger: Slightly different from a multi-policy discount, some insurers lower your premium if you combine your RV policy with your auto policy specifically.
• Multi-vehicle: If you insure multiple campers under the same policy, some insurers will give you a discount.
• Storage: Similar to a discount for boat insurance, some companies allow you to establish a storage period when your RV is not in use. This will lower your overall premium, but your RV won’t be covered in most cases during this time. 
• Claim-free: If you go an extended amount of time without filing an insurance claim, some companies offer a discount.
• Responsible driver: You can get a discount from some insurers if you don’t get into any accidents or have any violations for a certain period of time. 
• Paid in full: Some insurers offer a discount if you pay for your policy up front rather than by monthly payments.
• Safety course: Many insurers will lower your premium if you complete an approved RV safety course.