Instead of booking flights, dealing with rental cars and reserving hotel rooms, especially with the unknown easing of COVID restrictions, this summer many people are thinking of hitting the road in a recreational vehicle for their vacation. So if you are taking to the road you need to know that Florida law requires insurance on any motorized RV you drive. There are no insurance requirements for trailers that are towed behind your vehicle.
So since an RV is both a home and a vehicle, the question arises - is it covered under your homeowner's policy or under your auto policy? Unfortunately, there is no a simple answer and both policies can come into play, at least with partial coverage.
RV Parked At Your Home
When your RV is in your driveway or garage, it is usually covered by your homeowner's policy, that is, if you list the RV on your homeowner's content list. If the vehicle or your possessions in the RV are damaged, you should be covered. But not all homeowner's insurance will cover RVs. So you need to check with your J.P. Perry Insurance agent.
Your RV On The Road
When you are actually traveling with your RV, your auto policy will usually cover another party's expenses, both bodily injury liability and property damage, if you are found at fault. But most of the time, your auto insurance won't cover damage to your own RV or contents. So most likely you will only have limited coverage under your existing auto policy.
Your RV Parked At The Campgrounds
When you park at your vacation spot, your RV then is considered a rental home. At this point, generally neither your homeowner's or auto policy covers your liability, for problems such as vandalism and theft.
RV Insurance
While your homeowner's and auto policies might help cover basic liability costs for an RV, it usually will not be enough. That's where you need to consider purchasing a separate RV insurance policy. This policy is similar to a full auto policy in that it covers liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured, towing, roadside and emergency. It gives you higher liability limits that you could ever receive as a subset of your auto policy. In addition, if you are getting a loan, financing or renting an RV, lenders will require you to purchase separate RV insurance.
Before you hit the road this summer, get with your J.P.Perry Insurance agent to review your current homeowner's and auto coverage regarding an RV and to determine any additional coverage you should have to protect your vacation travel.