The Basics of RV Insurance

Our homes can be a sanctuary, and being able to take that sanctuary with us as a traveler can be a gift from the adventure gods. Motorhomes and RVs can be a wonderful investment for glampers (campers who well, enjoy camping just minus the dirt), for those who want to save a little on lodging but maybe most importantly they are a great investment for travel addicts the world over. Motorhomes are also often a popular traveling vehicle, especially with families and older couples.

Insuring your first RV

Unlike other vehicles, your RV or motorhome nearly combines your car and your home into one, which is why there is a separate category for RV insurance entirely. With an RV or motorhome, you need things covered in your insurance that wouldn’t generally be covered on just a car, and you need things covered that aren’t generally covered on a home. Thankfully, insurance companies know this and have stepped up the game in insuring the fine points of your car + home.

What Does RV Insurance Cover?

RV Insurance covers anything from a motorhome to camper vans or even bus conversions and is organized in classes (A, B, or C). Unlike car insurance, RV insurance depends upon the class, whether you live in it full time, how much you use it, and more.

Generally, RV insurance will include collision, comprehensive and liability coverage just as auto insurance does. On top of this, you can add on protection for any personal items on board and attached accessories and equipment (awnings, satellite dishes, etc.). Other additional coverage can include emergency expenses, towing and roadside coverage, campsite and vacation coverage, total loss replacement, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and full-time coverage — this is if your motorhome is your full time residence.

How Does RV Insurance Work?

Similar to auto insurance, RV insurance will protect you from out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident. It can also provide protection in the event of natural damage — such as an animal or hail storm — or if your RV is stolen. Also like auto insurance, if you invest in uninsured/underinsured coverage, if a driver crashes into you but isn’t insured or their insurance won’t cover all expenses your insurance company with pay for the damages. This is the same for liability coverage.

Similar to comprehensive insurance with an automobile or home, if you get comprehensive coverage for your recreational vehicle, this will provide coverage for any losses due to animal damage or theft. The campsite and vacation coverage can provide coverage for lodging expenses if your motorhome is damaged while traveling and you need a place to stay. It is important to cover all situations and possibilities with your insurance company so that you are aware of any instances where you aren’t covered where you thought were.

How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

RV insurance policies will vary just as homeowner’s insurance or auto insurance. Generally speaking, a Class A policy may cost around $2,000 a year. This if for a luxury or motor coach, or even a converted bus. These Class A vehicles can be up to 75 feet long and generally the most expensive coverage. For a Class B vehicle, the policy can be almost half of this ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. But again, this depends upon the coverage, additional protection and so many more factors (just like auto insurance how well you drive can even affect your policy). Some places will even allow you to suspend your insurance coverage during the months you may not be using your motorhome.

The best way to gauge just how much you will be spending on RV insurance a year is to get a good comparison quote and do your research.

How Much RV Insurance Do I Need?

Again, like auto insurance, there are state requirements for RV insurances so be sure to check there first. After the requirements it will depend on what class of vehicle you have, if it is leased or financed, and how often you use it. If you only use your vehicle for half of the year, it would be wise to get an auto insurance quote comparison between companies that offer the possibility to suspend the coverage during the other half of the year.

If you own a larger recreational vehicle, you may want to get a larger policy as your vehicle could cause some very high damages to other vehicles. As with any insurance policy, be sure to take the time to do some research and use a good auto insurance quote comparison tool to make sure you’re spending the right amount for the right amount of coverage.

Article reprinted from:

http://www.everything-about-rving.com/insuring-your-rv.html

Identifying Different RV Classes

The different RV Classes – A Class, B Class, and C Class

To the untrained eye or when discussing motorhomes with friends one might not always know of or understand the differences in RV classes. There are three classes of motorhomes, and through this article we will teach the reader how to easily spot the differences and provide a detailed list as to how to select the right RV for your needs. The first step to making your selection is to understand the differences between the three classes.

A Class (left) | B Class (Mid) | Class (right)

Class A Motorhomes

The first thing to know about class A motorhomes is that they are ideal for large families and individuals who intend to use their motorhome as a primary home (i.e. for sleeping and working). Due to their large size and target audience, class A motorhomes are the most expensive class on the market. They are usually between 20% – 50% more expensive than a class B or C motorhome.

Class A motorhomes are large, usually starting around 24 feet in length, and tend to stick to a rectangular shape. These vehicles come equipped with a large bed space, a living space, and a hefty amount of storage. Because of this convenient and expansive design, RVers can enjoy productive and comfortable working while in the vehicle. Class A motorhomes also sit the highest on the road, come standard with tall and extended windows,  and offer a beautiful panoramic view of the scenery when driving through the mountains. Also, if you are around 6 feet or taller, the A class motorhomes will be your only shot of not hitting your head daily on the doorways or ceiling.

The A class motorhome is a great option for families or individuals who plan to spend an extended time in their vehicle or who enjoy the added luxury.

 

Class B Motorhomes

What drives most consumers to purchasing a Class B motorhomes is the affordable gas mileage. In most cases, the class B RV will have the best gas mileage compared to both a class A and class B RV. The main drawback to the gas mileage is the overall size of the class B motorhome.

A class B RV is the most compact of the three designs, often resembling that of a full sized van with a slightly raised ceiling. Most people say that these are just large vans, and they would be correct considering the majority of class B motorhome manufacturers use prefabricated van chassis. This means that they will be slightly longer than a standard full sized van, but still built off of the same frame. Their compact design offers minimal space for the luxuries associated with the class A vehicles.

Another overlooked benefit of a class B is the rear towing hitch, which can be used to haul trailers, boats, or vehicles.

The class B motorhome is an excellent starting RV due to the similarity to a standard car or full sized van. Passengers ride in the back, and the RV comes equipped with standard safety belts, turn signals, high beams, radio, and other standard features found in cars.

If you are looking for a start RV and are looking to accommodate 3-4 people maximum, then a class B RV may be a great starting point.

 

Class C Motorhomes

A class C RV is a good stepping stone between a Class B and C motorhomes. The main feature of a class C motorhome is the sleeping area located directly over the driver cockpit. These are slightly larger than class B RVs in terms of height as well as length offering a middleground between a class A and a standard car.

This is by far the top selling motorhome class, offering a balance between storage space, living area, and other luxuries such as a bathroom and shower space and capacity. Most RV manufacturers offer multiple interior layouts offering the buyer a choice between larger living space, sleeping space, and bathroom / shower space.

A major drawback to the class C motorhome is the fuel economy that comes with the added size and luxury options. These use a larger chassis than a full size van and a larger motor as well. These are also a smiilar height as a class A motorhome, but usually 30% shorter in length. For this reason, many campgrounds prefer a class C due to the more economical space it takes up on a camping ground, however you may find it difficult to fit into a standard garage.

 

Conclusion

The most important decision to make before purchasing a motorhome is to understand what your desired uses are. From there ask yourself how many people you will be transporting and what type of luxuries are required. Finally, will this fit at the final destination.