Insuring Your Camper: Mobile Home Insurance Options

can a camper be insured as a mobile home

If you're planning to live in your camper or recreational vehicle (RV) full-time, you'll need to insure it. While some states don't require camper insurance, you may be expected to carry insurance on your camper, especially if it's self-propelled. Even if your camper is not self-propelled, you'll still need insurance if you plan to drive it on the road. Camper insurance covers many of the same risks as auto insurance, including collision, comprehensive, and liability coverage. You can also get additional protection for your personal belongings, equipment, and attached accessories such as awnings and satellite dishes. When choosing an insurance company, it's important to consider the level of coverage you need and compare the deals offered by different providers.

Characteristics Values
Camper insurance requirements Vary from state to state
Camper insurance coverage Liability insurance, bodily injury insurance, property damage insurance, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, personal effects coverage, roof protection plus, full-time RV coverage
Camper insurance companies Progressive, Nationwide Insurance, The Hartford Company, National General Insurance, Good Sam, State Farm, Roamly, AAA, Allstate, Geico
Camper insurance cost Depends on age, driving history, frequency of RV travel, specific coverages and limits selected
Camper insurance discounts Multi-policy, original owner, quote in advance, claim-free renewal
Camper insurance considerations Whether the camper is a motorhome or trailer-type RV, whether it is professionally or DIY converted, whether it is registered as a motorhome, whether it is parked on private property or a campground

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Insuring a camper van conversion

If you've converted a van or purchased a converted van, you may have found it frustrating to get it insured as a camper. This is a common issue, with many people receiving confusing or contradictory information from insurance companies.

Insuring a DIY conversion

If your camper van is a DIY conversion, it can be more difficult to insure. Some companies may refuse to insure converted vans, and you may find that your current insurance company drops you if you ask them to switch your policy to a camper van/RV/motorhome policy. This is because modifications to the vehicle may increase its value, and insurance companies may not want to cover a vehicle that they believe to be worth more than its original value.

However, some companies do offer insurance for DIY camper van conversions. These include:

  • State Farm: This company has insured DIY camper van conversions in the past, and you may have more success by speaking to a local agent rather than someone on the main company line.
  • Roamly: This company specifically states that they insure DIY van builds, although they don't offer insurance in every state.

Insuring a professionally-converted van

If your van has been professionally converted into a camper, it may be easier to insure. Some companies that offer this type of insurance include:

  • AAA
  • Allstate
  • Geico

Things to consider when insuring a camper van conversion

  • Be prepared to provide a post-conversion value for your van. This will include the base purchase price and the cost of the conversion.
  • Have some nice interior and exterior photos of your van ready to send to the insurance agent. These photos may be used to assess the value of the van and the extent of the conversion work.
  • Be aware of the regulations and insurance requirements in your state. For example, a full, self-propelled RV always needs insurance as a vehicle, while a towed camper may not require its own policy.
  • Consider bundling your camper van insurance with other insurance products, such as homeowners insurance or policies on other recreational vehicles or boats. This can often result in generous discounts.
  • If your camper van is financed, your lender may require you to have full-coverage RV insurance to protect their investment.

Types of insurance coverage for camper vans

There are several types of insurance coverage that are relevant to camper vans, including:

  • Liability insurance: This covers damage you cause to others and is usually required by law for vehicles that are driven on the road.
  • Comprehensive coverage: This protects your camper van against damage from outside forces like natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.
  • Collision coverage: This covers damages to your camper van when it's involved in an accident with another vehicle or object.
  • Personal effects coverage: This covers the personal property inside your camper van, such as cell phones, laptops, cooking equipment, and sporting gear.
  • Full-time RV coverage: This is for people who use their camper van as their primary residence and live in it for more than six months a year. It includes a mix of coverages found in traditional RV policies and homeowners or renters insurance policies.
  • Vacation liability: This covers bodily injury and property damage that occurs while the camper van is used as a temporary vacation residence.

Cost of camper van insurance

The cost of camper van insurance will depend on various factors, including your age, driving history, and how often you travel in your camper van. Additionally, the specific coverages and limits you select will impact the price. Bundling your camper van insurance with other policies, such as auto or homeowners insurance, can often result in discounts.

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Camper insurance requirements by state

While the specifics of camper insurance requirements differ from state to state, most states require, at a minimum, camper liability insurance for recreational vehicles that have a motor and are self-powered. Campers without a motor, on the other hand, are often covered under the towing vehicle's liability policy.

In addition, camper insurance is often required whether you live in it part-time or full-time, but you might need more coverage if you live in it year-round.

  • Florida: $10,000 (PD) $10,000 (PIP)
  • Kansas: $25,000 in bodily injury (BI) per person, $50,000 in total bodily injury (BI) per accident, $25,000 in property damage (PD) per accident, and $25,000 in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UMBI) to one person and $50,000 in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UMBI) per accident.
  • New Hampshire and Virginia: These two states do not require RV insurance. However, in New Hampshire, you must assume financial responsibility if you are at fault in an accident. In Virginia, you must pay the uninsured motorist (UM) fee to the DMV to drive without insurance.

It is important to note that the coverage varies per state, and it is recommended to check with your specific state's requirements to ensure you have the necessary insurance for your camper.

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Camper insurance and car insurance

A camper is considered a recreational vehicle (RV) and, as such, must be insured under an auto policy because RVs are driven on the road. Most states require, at a minimum, RV liability insurance for recreational vehicles that have a motor and are self-powered.

If you own an RV camper and already have homeowner’s insurance, your camper may be covered under your homeowner's insurance policy as long as it’s parked or stored on your property. It will be listed under "personal possessions", so if any natural damage occurs, it will be paid out as part of your homeowner's insurance personal property coverage. However, the personal belongings inside your camper will also be subject to this coverage limit.

Even when not required by law, RV insurance offers many benefits to the owner. Some coverages are similar to an auto policy but cover your RV specifically, such as liability insurance, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage. Other coverages are designed specifically for the needs of RV owners, including replacement cost/personal effects, roof protection, and full-time RV coverage.

If you have a van that has been converted into a camper, you may find it challenging to get it insured as a camper. Some insurance companies may refuse to insure converted vans, while others may drop you if they know you've made modifications to the vehicle. It may be helpful to speak with a local insurance agent, who may be more knowledgeable and motivated to help you figure out your options.

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Camper insurance and homeowner's insurance

Camper Insurance and Homeowners Insurance

A camper is considered a recreational vehicle (RV) and, as such, must be insured under an auto policy because RVs are operated on the roadways. Most states require, at a minimum, RV liability insurance for recreational vehicles that have a motor and are self-powered. However, the specifics of RV insurance requirements differ from state to state.

If you own an RV camper and have homeowner's insurance, your camper is covered under your homeowner's insurance policy as long as it's parked or stored on your property. It will be listed under "personal possessions", so if any natural damage occurs, it will be covered by your homeowner's insurance. The personal belongings inside your camper will also be covered, but the coverage will usually max out at 10% of your overall personal property damage per claim.

However, if you're actively driving a motorhome, RV insurance is a requirement to be on the road. If your RV is financed, most lenders will also require you to have full-coverage RV insurance to protect their investment.

If you have a van that has been converted into a camper, you may find it challenging to get it insured as a camper. Some insurance companies may refuse to insure converted vans, while others may be willing to provide coverage, albeit with certain conditions and requirements. It is important to note that if you try to switch your insurance policy to a camper van/RV/motorhome coverage post-conversion, you may be dropped by your current insurance company.

When it comes to insurance for campers and RVs, there are several companies that offer specialised policies. These include Progressive Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, The Hartford Company, and National General Insurance, among others. These companies provide various coverage options, such as liability insurance, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and personal effects coverage.

In addition to specialised RV insurance, some insurance companies offer bundles that allow you to insure both your camper and your car, home, or other recreational vehicles with generous discounts. It is recommended to look into the insurance laws and requirements in your state before purchasing a camper and to comparison shop among insurance providers to find the best coverage for your needs.

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Camper insurance companies

Yes, a camper can be insured as a mobile home. However, it is important to note that insurance requirements and regulations vary from state to state. Most states require, at a minimum, RV liability insurance for recreational vehicles with a motor.

Progressive

Progressive offers RV insurance for both motorhomes and travel trailers. Their annual RV insurance liability policies start at $125 per year. They also offer a range of discounts, such as multi-policy bundles, original owner discounts, and claim-free renewal discounts. Progressive also provides specialised coverage for custom trailers and allows you to personalise your policy to fit your needs.

GEICO

GEICO provides RV insurance for a variety of recreational vehicles, including campers and motorhomes. They offer a range of specialty coverage options and discounts, such as defensive driver discounts and good student discounts. GEICO also provides flexible payment plans and the ability to manage your policy and file claims through their app.

The Hartford

The Hartford offers RV insurance, including motorhome and trailer insurance. Their policies can be customised with different types of coverage, such as medical payments, collision damage, bodily injury, and property damage. They also offer additional benefits, such as total loss settlement, emergency expense coverage, and full-timer liability coverage. The Hartford's rates vary depending on factors like the value of your motor home and your driving record.

State Farm

State Farm provides insurance for campers and DIY van conversions. They offer conventional comprehensive coverage for as little as $414 for a year. According to a personal account, State Farm was willing to insure a DIY van conversion as a Class B camper without requiring registration as a motorhome.

Roamly

Roamly is an insurance company that specifically caters to DIY van builds. They are owned by Outdoorsy, one of the largest online marketplaces for RVs and rentals, and are partnered with established insurance companies like Allstate and Safeco. However, according to a customer comment, Roamly only insures vans for part-time use, up to five months, and requires the van to have a sink with piped water.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, camper insurance is available from a variety of providers.

Camper insurance covers direct and accidental physical damage to a motor home, including permanently installed accessories such as awnings, antennas, and satellite dishes. It also covers risks such as collision, lightning, flooding, landslides, wind, hail, wild animals, fire, smoke, vandalism, and theft.

There are several types of camper insurance, including liability insurance, bodily injury insurance, and property damage insurance. Some providers also offer optional coverages such as replacement cost/personal effects coverage, roof protection plus coverage, and full-time RV coverage.

The cost of camper insurance varies depending on factors such as the age of the insured, driving history, how often they travel in their camper, and the specific coverages and limits selected.

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