Insuring Diy Dreams: Camper Trailer Tiny Houses

If you're thinking of building your own camper trailer tiny house, you may be wondering about insurance. While it's not a legal requirement to insure a trailer, it's still important to consider. Trailers are typically covered by the liability insurance of the tow vehicle, but this may not include physical damage to the trailer itself. If you're building a DIY camper, finding insurance can be tricky, and not all insurance companies will cover them. However, some companies, like State Farm and Roamly, have been known to insure DIY conversions. When insuring a DIY camper, it's a good idea to have photos and receipts to prove the value of your conversion.

Camper van insurance requirements

Much like a car, camper vans are required by law to have liability insurance coverage. This provides financial protection from damages or injuries you cause while driving. However, most people opt for additional coverage for things like theft, storm damage, flat tires, etc.

Basic RV insurance coverage

A basic policy for Class B RVs and camper vans is called liability coverage. It covers someone or their property in the event of an accident. This type of insurance policy doesn’t cover damage to your RV following an accident or damage caused by severe weather.

Comprehensive RV insurance

Comprehensive RV insurance, also known as “other than collision” coverage, provides protection against non-collision events that can cause damage to your RV. While comprehensive insurance is optional in many states, it can protect you from lawsuits arising from accidents or premises liability injury claims from visitors.

An RV insurance policy is a requirement if any of the following are true:

• Your RV is a Class A or Class B motorhome (liability insurance, at least)
• You’re financing your RV (generally, full coverage is required)
• You’re planning on driving a rental RV

Separate insurance coverage on your RV may be optional if:

• Your RV is a Class C (towable, not drivable)
• You’re not financing your RV and you live in a state where RV insurance isn’t required by law

When it comes to insurance premiums, the final costs are influenced by variables such as the age of the RV, whether you're a full-time or part-time RV-er, your driving history, your credit score, and more.

Insurance add-ons help cover additional costs that standard RV insurance doesn’t cover. Many RV owners prefer custom coverage options, so this is why most add-ons exist. Some of the most common add-ons include rental reimbursement, full-timer liability, towing and labor, international coverage, and emergency expenses.

To lower the cost of your RV insurance, you can shop around for quotes, bundle your insurance policies, raise your deductible, take a defensive driving course, install safety devices, and reduce your coverage during the off-season.

Camper trailer insurance options

If you own a camper trailer, you may be wondering about the insurance requirements for your vehicle. In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about camper trailer insurance options.

Firstly, it is important to distinguish between trailers and motorhomes, as they have different insurance requirements. Motorhomes, being motorized vehicles, must abide by the same insurance requirements as other vehicles on the road, which typically includes a certain level of liability insurance coverage.

On the other hand, travel trailers are not motorized and therefore are not legally required to have their own insurance policy. The liability coverage on your tow vehicle may extend to any trailer that you pull behind you. However, it is always recommended to carry a separate travel trailer insurance policy to ensure you are fully protected.

The only time that insurance is required for a travel trailer is not based on the law but by your financing contract. If your trailer is being financed, the lender will likely stipulate in the loan agreement that you must have comprehensive and collision coverage until the full balance is paid off. This is because the trailer is considered the bank's property until it is paid off, and they want to protect their asset.

Now, let's explore the different insurance options available for your camper trailer:

• Liability Protection: This is the most basic and affordable insurance option. It protects you if you are at fault in an accident, covering damages caused to another person's property or their medical expenses if they are injured.
• Comprehensive Coverage: This type of coverage insures your trailer against damages caused by events other than collisions, such as weather events, theft, or vandalism.
• Collision Coverage: This covers damages to your trailer in a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault. Comprehensive and collision coverage are often sold together as a package deal.
• Medical Payments Coverage: This option covers medical payments for you and your passengers in the event of an accident. This applies when the trailer is parked on campsites or rented property, as passengers typically won't be in the trailer while it is moving.
• Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This policy ensures that damages and medical bills are covered if you are in an accident where the other driver is at fault but does not have sufficient insurance.
• Roadside Assistance: Some policies offer roadside assistance, which can be useful if you find yourself stranded with a flat tire or other issues.
• Personal Property Coverage: This type of coverage protects your personal belongings inside the trailer if they are damaged, destroyed, or stolen.

When considering insurance for your camper trailer, be sure to consult with an insurance agent to discuss your specific needs and requirements. They can help you navigate the different options and ensure you have the necessary coverage for your trailer.

Camper trailer insurance costs

The cost of insuring a camper trailer varies depending on several factors. Firstly, it depends on the type of trailer you own. Camper trailers are generally cheaper to insure than motorhomes, as they are not driven and do not require the same level of liability coverage. Within the category of camper trailers, there are also different types, such as conventional trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, pop-up tent trailers, and truck campers, each of which may have different insurance costs.

The second factor that affects insurance costs is the level of coverage you choose. The most basic and affordable option is liability coverage, which protects you if you are at fault in an accident and need to pay for damages to another person's property or their medical expenses. More comprehensive coverage includes protection against damages caused by events outside of collisions, such as natural disasters or vandalism, as well as collisions with stationary objects. Comprehensive and collision coverage are often sold together and may be required by lenders if your trailer is still under financing. You can also add extra coverages like roadside assistance, vacation liability, and total loss replacement, but these will increase your premium.

The third factor is the value of your camper trailer. Larger and more luxurious trailers will be more expensive to insure, as they are more costly to repair or replace.

The fourth factor is whether you are a full-time or part-time RV user. If you live in your trailer for more than six months a year, you may need additional coverages, such as personal liability, medical payments, and loss assessment coverage, which will increase your insurance costs.

The fifth factor is your location. If you keep your trailer in an area with a high population, the risk of accidents is higher, which will increase your premium. Similarly, if you live in an area prone to natural disasters, theft, or vandalism, your insurance rates may be higher.

Other personal factors, such as your driving record and credit score, can also influence your insurance costs. A history of collisions or a low credit score may result in higher rates.

To save money on your camper trailer insurance, you can shop around for the best rates, avoid unnecessary coverage options, combine policies with the same provider, pay your premium upfront, and raise your deductible.

In summary, the cost of insuring a camper trailer can vary significantly depending on the type of trailer, the level of coverage, the value of the trailer, the frequency of use, and your location. By choosing the right coverage options and comparing rates, you can find an affordable insurance plan that provides adequate protection for your camper trailer.

Camper trailer insurance companies

If you're looking to insure a camper trailer, there are several insurance companies that can help. Here are some options to consider:

Progressive

Progressive offers RV insurance for various types of recreational vehicles, including conventional trailers, travel trailers, and fifth-wheel trailers. They provide comprehensive and collision coverage, as well as liability protection. They also have a wide range of discounts available, and their annual RV insurance liability policies start as low as $125. Progressive is known for its affordable protection and has been in the business of covering motor vehicles for over 85 years.

Good Sam

Good Sam is an insurance agency that connects you with some of the best RV insurance companies. They offer a variety of standard coverage options and collaborate with well-known insurance providers like Progressive, Foremost, Safeco, and National General. Good Sam also provides tailored add-ons for cross-border travel to Mexico and offers a storage discount, allowing you to reduce premiums when your RV is not in use.

National General

National General stands out for its full replacement cost coverage, which is typically only available during an RV's first model year. With National General, you can get this coverage within the first five model years of your RV. They also offer the flexibility to pause coverage during storage, protecting your RV from theft, fires, and weather damage while saving on premiums.

Nationwide

Nationwide Insurance offers a wide range of discounts for RV insurance, including bundling home and auto policies, taking safety courses, and joining RV organizations. They provide coverage for various types of RVs, including motorhomes, travel trailers, pop-ups, and campers. Their customer service representatives can help you navigate the different discounts available, as not all are listed on their website.

Roamly

Roamly specializes in insurance for full-time RVers and is a great option if you plan to rent out your RV. They provide coverage for emergency expenses, adjacent structures, debris removal, and loss assessment for HOA fees. Roamly's policies are underwritten by companies like Allstate, Safeco, Foremost, and National General, and they offer insurance in all states except Hawaii.

These are just a few of the many insurance companies that offer camper trailer insurance. When choosing an insurance provider, be sure to shop around, compare quotes, and consider the specific coverage options and discounts that best suit your needs.

Camper trailer insurance claims

• Liability protection: This is the most basic and least expensive insurance option for your travel trailer. It protects you in the event that you are at fault in any sort of accident. A liability policy covers any damages caused to the other party's property and any medical expenses they incur due to injuries you caused.
• Comprehensive coverage: This type of insurance covers your travel trailer against damages caused by incidents other than collisions, such as natural disasters, theft, or vandalism. Comprehensive coverage is often required by lenders if you are financing or leasing your travel trailer.
• Collision coverage: This covers damage to your travel trailer if you collide with an object or another vehicle, regardless of fault. Collision coverage is also typically required by lenders for financed or leased trailers.
• Medical payments coverage: This covers medical payments for you and your passengers in the event of an accident while the trailer is parked on campsites or rented property.
• Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage: This type of insurance comes in handy when you are in an accident where the other driver is at fault but does not have sufficient insurance to cover the damages and medical bills.
• Personal property coverage: This covers any personal belongings inside your camper trailer that may be damaged or destroyed in a collision or stolen or vandalized.

When making an insurance claim for your camper trailer, be sure to review your policy carefully to understand what is covered and what steps you need to take to file a claim. Contact your insurance provider for guidance on the specific process and documentation required for your particular situation.

Frequently asked questions