Progressive RV Insurance: Coverage and Discounts (2022)

For most people needing coverage on a recreational vehicle (RV), two factors matter the most: coverage and cost. In our industry-wide study, we at the Home Media reviews team found that Progressive RV insurance offers a compelling combination of both.

Our reviewers took an in-depth look at Progressive to see how its camper coverage compares to the best RV insurance providers on the market. As it turns out, Progressive RV insurance outscored all other options and won our 2022 Editor’s Choice award.

We give Progressive 9.1 out of 10.0 stars and name it the best RV insurer in the United States. Progressive scored well across all categories, but it particularly excels with its many coverage options and wide selection of discounts.

*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team. Learn more about our scoring methodology below.

What Makes Progressive RV Insurance Stand Out?

There are a few elements that really stood out about Progressive RV insurance to our reviews team:

• Accident forgiveness programs: Progressive offers accident forgiveness for both small claims and larger claims if drivers spend a certain period of time without getting involved in an accident. This incentivizes RVers to follow responsible behaviors while on the road.
• Variety of discounts: Progressive offers one of the largest selections of discounts among the providers in our study, including several that you won’t find elsewhere.
• Roof protection available: The roof of an RV is one of the most common places for problems to occur, but it’s often excluded from coverage. Progressive offers an add-on called Roof Protection Plus^Ⓡ that will cover damage to your camper’s roof.

Progressive RV Insurance Pros and Cons/h3>

Founded: 1937
Headquarters: Mayfield Village, Ohio

AM Best rating: A+
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: F

Progressive has always done things somewhat differently than other insurance companies. For example, the insurer claims to be the first one to have a website used to sell policies. So it should come as no surprise that the company is a highly rated provider of specialty coverage such as RV and boat insurance.

Progressive is one of the industry’s largest insurance companies. According to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Progressive claims nearly 6% of the total insurance market in the U.S., writing over $47 billion in insurance claims in 2021.

RV Types Covered by Progressive

While Progressive does have limits on the value of the campers it covers, the company will insure almost any type of RV. In general, camper styles break down into either towables or motorhomes.

What Is a Towable RV?

A towable RV is, as you might expect, an RV that can’t be driven on its own and requires a towing vehicle to pull it. The main types of towables include:

• Travel trailers: The most common type of RV, there’s a tremendous range among travel trailers in terms of trim, features and amenities.
• Teardrop trailers: Named for their shape, these campers are relatively affordable and come with a surprising number of amenities.
• Pop-up campers: While they are full-sized campers when stationary, these RVs pack down to be more aerodynamic for easier towing. 
• Toy haulers: These trailers feature storage space for surfboards, skis, fishing equipment and other outdoor recreational items.
• Fifth-wheel trailers: Named for the special trailer hitch that’s used to tow them, fifth-wheelers are typically the largest RVs of the towable category and can pack in an extremely wide range of features.
• Cargo and horse trailers: Progressive also offers coverage for trailers that carry horses and various personal belongings.

What Is an RV Motorhome?

Also called self-propelled RVs, motorhome campers are built onto the chassis of a car, truck or bus and can be driven on their own. There are three main types of drivable RVs:

• Class A motorhomes: These models are the largest of the drivable category and typically have a broad range of features and amenities.
• Class B motorhomes: While the name may suggest otherwise, these RVs are the smallest of the drivable group. They’re often called camper vans because they are built atop a cargo or passenger van chassis.
• Class C motorhomes: These motorhomes are a little smaller and more maneuverable than Class A RVs, but offer more space and features than most Class B RVs.

The average Progressive RV insurance policy stood at $502 annually for towable RVs and $848 per year for motorhomes in 2020, according to the company’s website. More up-to-date numbers haven’t been released by Progressive yet.

Our research places the industry-wide average cost of RV insurance at around $1,500 per year. There’s a huge range when it comes to the cost of camper insurance, however. Expect to pay a different rate than the numbers above based on various factors about you and your RV.

What Factors Affect RV Insurance Costs?

Insurance premiums change so much because there are several variables used to calculate rates. Here are some of the key factors that can affect your Progressive RV insurance premium:

• Driving history: Whether you tow or drive an RV, your driving record is a factor because you’ll be taking the camper on the road when moving it from place to place.
• RV value: The more expensive your camper is, the pricier it likely will be to insure. That’s because your provider would have to give a higher payout after a total loss.
• Type of RV: The type of camper that you own also plays a role. Travel trailer insurance, for example, is typically cheaper than motorhome insurance.
• Usage: The amount of time you spend in your RV will also play a role in your premiums. Some insurers offer lower rates if you store your vehicle most of the time, and full-time RVers will almost always pay more for coverage.
• RV driving experience: Towing or operating an RV takes skills beyond those needed to drive a standard vehicle. As a result, insurers may adjust your rates based on how much experience you have piloting an RV and not just driving a car.
• Location: Different state regulations and the risk factors within those states mean that you’ll see different rates depending on where you and your RV call home.
• Credit score: All but a few states allow insurers to use your credit score as a factor in calculating your insurance rates, with lower scores leading to pricier coverage.
• Coverage types: Your types of coverage and the limits you set will greatly influence the overall cost of your Progressive RV insurance policy.

Progressive RV Insurance Discounts

Progressive has one of the larger selections of discounts on RV coverage among the providers in our study. The company’s discounts include:

• Claim-free renewal discount: Renew after having no at-fault claims
• Continuous insurance discount: Start a policy with no lapse in coverage after leaving your previous provider
• Homeowners discount: For those who don’t live full-time in their RVs
• Multi-policy discount: Progressive is one of a few insurers that allows you to bundle RV coverage with other policies such as auto, life or renters insurance
• Original owner discount: If you’re the first and only owner of your camper, you can get a discount if your policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage
• Paperless discount: Receive your bills and other correspondence digitally
• Pay in full discount: Pay upfront rather than through monthly payments
• Prompt payment discount: Make all of your Progressive RV insurance payments on time
• Quote in advance discount: Get a quote from Progressive more than a day before your policy starts
• Responsible driver discount: If you haven’t had any auto accidents or traffic violations in the last three years
• Disappearing deductible: Covering an increasing portion of your deductible each year you go without a claim, this can eventually bring your RV deductible down to zero

Once you satisfy any minimum coverage requirements from your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV), you can build out your Progressive RV insurance policy in nearly any way. The company offers standard personal liability and property coverage as well as add-ons designed especially for campers.

Standard RV Insurance Coverage Types

The standard RV policy options you’ll find from Progressive are pretty much the same as those for auto insurance. They include the following:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: Covers medical expenses, lost wages and other injury-related costs for other parties involved in an accident that you caused.
• Property damage liability insurance: Covers physical damage to other vehicles and property in an accident for which you’re found to be at fault.
• Collision coverage: Covers damages to your camper from a covered accident, regardless of who caused it.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers damages to your RV from nonaccident sources such as fires, instances of vandalism and severe weather events.
• Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist: Covers your medical expenses and property damages if an at-fault driver doesn’t have sufficient insurance to pay for them.
• Medical payments (MedPay): Covers your and your parties’ medical costs but not lost wages following an accident, no matter whose actions led to it.

Progressive RV Coverage Add-Ons

One of the main reasons Progressive won our Editor’s Choice award in our 2022 RV insurance study is that the company has an immense selection of useful policy add-ons. These can help cover some of the other costs and risks associated with RVing and include:

• Emergency expense coverage: Covers food costs, lodging and other travel expenses if your RV breaks down while you’re on the road.
• Full-timer’s liability: Covers liability claims against your RV while it is stationary if you use it as your permanent residence, similar to how homeowners insurance works.
• Loss assessment: Covers fees assessed by your RV association, such as collective input for community repairs following a storm.
• Pest damage protection: Covers potential damages to your camper caused by rodents, insects and other pests.
• Pet injury coverage: Covers medical expenses for your pets if they’re injured in a covered loss involving your RV.
• Replacement cost and personal effects: Covers the full replacement cost of personal belongings that get damaged, destroyed or stolen in a covered loss.
• Roadside assistance: Covers towing, flat-tire repairs, fuel delivery and other emergency roadside services in the event of a breakdown.
• Roof Protection Plus: Covers damage to your RV’s roof, including malfunctioning equipment and wear and tear, after you pay a $250 deductible.
• Vacation liability: Covers liability claims against your camper while it’s parked when you are away from home.

Total Loss Replacement Coverage

Progressive also offers total loss replacement coverage, a system which uses nonstandard methods to value your camper after a total loss. The default for most policies is known as actual cash value coverage, which bases payments on the value of your RV at the time of the loss.

Total loss replacement coverage, on the other hand, pays out the purchase price of an RV of the same model year or later with the same trim level. This amount is likely to be far greater than whatever an actual cash value policy would pay out.

Progressive offers this coverage for RVs that are less than five years old. Coverage for older models will follow an agreed value policy, which means that the payout is based on an amount that you and Progressive both agree to.

Progressive RV Insurance Benefits

Progressive offers a few perks to its RV policyholders. These include:

• Small accident forgiveness: Progressive includes this program, which means that your rates won’t go up after an RV claim of less than $500.
• Large accident forgiveness: If you’ve been a Progressive customer for four or more years and have been accident-free for at least three, your rates won’t increase following a covered accident.

There are very few reviews online for Progressive RV insurance or for camper coverage from other companies. However, how Progressive treats its customers with one insurance product can provide insights into how it treats those with other coverage types.

Among customers on the BBB, Progressive has an average rating of just 1.1 out of 5.0 stars. This is a low score, but it’s relatively average compared to other major insurers. People tend to report issues to the BBB, so they’re unlikely to give positive ratings when they’re there.

Positive feedback for Progressive tended to mention an efficient claims process and excellent experiences with customer service. When customers left negative reviews for Progressive, they centered largely around communications issues, particularly with the company’s adjusters.

Our team reached out for comment on these Progressive insurance reviews but has yet to receive a response.

If you have any type of a motorhome, you’ll need RV insurance that at least meets your state’s minimum insurance requirements. Unless your RV association, neighborhood or lender requires it, you are typically not required to have insurance on a towable RV or a trailer.

Given the cost to purchase a camper and the large number of potential risks, it’s usually worthwhile to get coverage for either a towable RV or a motorhome.

Possible Sources of RV Damage

Owners have a lot of potential issues to consider when it comes to protecting their RVs. Motorhomes and trailer campers often combine the risks faced by automobiles and homes. Here are some of the most common sources of damage to an RV:

• Severe weather: Campers are always at risk of damage from extreme weather events like tornadoes, floods and hurricanes.
• Leaks: It’s normal for seals around windows and roof components to come loose over time in an RV. When that happens, water can get in and damage your model’s interior. Fixtures such as faucets and toilets can also leak, causing water damage.
• Traffic accidents: Crashes are one of the most common ways for RVs to get damaged.
• Trees: Branches and entire trees falling down pose great risks for RVers, especially those who spend a lot of time camped out in wooded areas.
• Theft: Although it isn’t common, RV theft does happen. Even an attempted theft can significantly damage a camper.

RV Traffic Accident Statistics

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that the number of traffic accidents has been on the rise in recent years, so the risk of an accident for you and your RV is also on the rise. Although the most recent NHTSA report indicates that the number of accidents decreased in 2020, these numbers coincide with a dramatic drop in vehicular traffic during that year. Since this is a statistical outlier, we removed it from our analysis.

Motorhomes are legally required to carry an adequate level of liability coverage. If you leave protection off of your towable model, you’ll run the risk of having your RV severely damaged without any insurance coverage to cover potential repairs or replacement.

RV Fire Statistics

Fires are another common cause of loss for RV owners. Data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shows that there were an average of 4,200 RV fires across the U.S. per year between 2018 and 2020. Across that time period, RV fires resulted in an average of 15 deaths and 125 injuries annually.

The study also found that fires in RVs typically cause sizable amounts of property damage. Annual property damages from camper fires totalled more than $60 million across the country, with each fire leading to an average damage cost of $15,350.

Progressive provides just about everything an RVer could want in terms of coverage, and it also comes with plenty of discount opportunities. These factors and the company’s reputation were enough to earn Progressive our Editor’s Choice award for RV insurance.

Progressive RV Insurance: Recommended Alternatives

While our team recommends Progressive RV insurance, it’s always good practice to shop around. Getting multiple RV insurance quotes allows you to compare the range of costs of RV insurance and coverage plans to see which provider suits your needs.

State Farm: Best for Local Service

State Farm offers the country’s largest network of insurance agents, claiming to have more than 19,000 representatives across the U.S. That means you’ll likely be close to in-person service whenever and wherever you may need it. State Farm offers a roadside assistance package for many RVs for added support while you’re away from home.

Allstate: Good Coverage Selection

If options are what you’re looking for in a travel trailer policy, Allstate is a great place to look. The company offers a wide range of helpful policy add-ons like emergency expenses coverage. Allstate also includes pet coverage and the repair or replacement of your tow bar as standard pieces of every policy.

Keep reading: Allstate RV insurance review

Progressive RV Insurance: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about Progressive RV insurance plans.

Our Methodology

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best RV insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of camper insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, and the insurers that scored the most points top our list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Reputation (15% of total score): Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
• Availability (15% of total score): Recreational vehicle insurance companies with greater state-by-state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
• Coverage (30% of total score): RVers can benefit from a wide variety of specialized coverage options. We evaluated companies based on the amount and diversity of coverage add-ons they offer for camper insurance.
• Cost (20% of total score): As RV insurance costs are highly variable, our research team mainly considered the availability of policy discounts.
• Customer Experience (20% of total score): Our research team took into account companies’ industry reputations with organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as well as the ease and availability of in-person, over-the-phone and online services.

*Data accurate at time of publication.