{"id":6091,"date":"2022-05-09T12:19:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T19:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/?p=6091"},"modified":"2022-12-23T23:54:41","modified_gmt":"2022-12-23T23:54:41","slug":"does-your-auto-insurance-cover-your-rv-or-trailer-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/does-your-auto-insurance-cover-your-rv-or-trailer-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Your Auto Insurance Cover Your RV or Trailer in California?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It depends on whether or not that additional vehicle is motorized. If it is, then most likely not. Insurance companies base this decision on whether or not your RV or trailer is considered a self-contained vehicle or a towed object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take it a step at a time and figure out what your existing auto insurance policy covers and the possible benefits of obtaining a separate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/insurance-solutions-california\/motor-home\/\">insurance policy for your RV or trailer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First, What Do We Mean by RV and Trailer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The distinction is generally between motorized and non-motorized vehicles: those that can be driven vs. those that must be towed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RV stands for recreation vehicle, and that definition from an insurance standpoint might encompass more than you might expect. Sure, it\u2019s those big self-contained vehicles and temporary homes you see lumbering down the road all summer long. But the category also includes a wider range of self-contained motorized vehicles that you don\u2019t tow. Camper vans, mini motor homes, and even converted buses, among other forms of transport, fall into this group. We\u2019ll refer to the coverage associated with these vehicles as motorhome\/RV insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Non-motorized vehicles, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/buying-a-used-camper\/\"><u>campers<\/u><\/a> and small trailer homes, must be towed. As a further distinction, this post will only address trailers pulling non-motorized homes, not those that tow boats, motorcycles, or other personal or commercial items. This coverage is called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/insurance-solutions-california\/travel-trailer\/\">travel trailer insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Motorized RVs and trailers are treated quite differently when it comes to insurance, so let\u2019s look at them one at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You Need Motorhome\/RV Insurance for Your Motorized Vehicle in CA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can\u2019t add your motorized recreational vehicle to your existing auto insurance policy. Special motorhome\/RV insurance is mandatory in every US state except New Hampshire and Virginia. Those are the two states that also don\u2019t demand auto insurance coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But with the high cost of RVs and the relative difficulty in driving them, it would be unwise to not have motorhome\/RV insurance even in the non-mandatory states. Besides, if your vehicle is financed, your lender will almost certainly make this coverage a condition of obtaining the loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Determining the rates you pay for your motorhome\/RV insurance coverage starts with a lot of back and forth between you and your agent, as well as being a smart consumer and doing some comparison shopping for RV insurance. That\u2019s because an RV is both a home and transportation, so you should determine how it will be primarily used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Will it be taken out only for the occasional long weekend or week\u2019s vacation? Or are you planning on living in your RV? This is one big factor that will determine what you pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/CUL-Auto-Insurance-For-RV2.jpg\" alt=\"Camper being towed on a highway\" class=\"wp-image-6094\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Does RV\/Motorhome Insurance Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It works much like regular auto insurance, with insurance types and amounts agreed upon by you and your insurer. It\u2019s one thing if you suffer a fender bender while on the road and quite another if your RV is broken into and a large-screen television is taken. Let your insurance agent ask the questions that will help you determine your premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much like your auto insurance, you\u2019ll have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/advisor\/car-insurance\/rv-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>coverage options<\/u><\/a> that will include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Liability<\/strong> pays for the damage incurred on others if your accident is your fault (unless your accident takes place in a no-fault state).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collision<\/strong> covers on-road damage caused by collision with other vehicles or with stationary objects such as walls, fences, or trees. (Remember, you\u2019re likely driving a large and perhaps unfamiliar vehicle, so the risk of such an event might be higher than when you drive a smaller vehicle.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comprehensive<\/strong> covers off-road accidents and incidents. This can include theft and vandalism, fire, flooding, or other non-driving misadventures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Uninsured\/underinsured motorist or hit and run<\/strong> kicks in when the accident is caused by an irresponsible party who either has no insurance or an inadequate level of coverage to pay for your damages or when the driver doesn\u2019t stop and is never identified.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RV Towing<\/strong> represents a major difference between your standard auto insurance policy and coverage for your recreational vehicle. That\u2019s because it\u2019s a much more involved and costly process to tow an RV than a car.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your mandatory level of coverage will be determined by where you live. If you\u2019re in a state that allows liability as a minimum auto insurance coverage level, the same regulations will apply to your RV insurance. However, when you consider the high cost of your RV investment, it might make you insist on more than minimum coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also consider your deductible, which works exactly the same way as with your auto insurance policy. The deductible is the amount you\u2019ll be responsible for before your RV insurance covers the rest. So if you have a $1,000 deductible, that\u2019s the amount you\u2019ll pay out of pocket if you suffer $3,000 in damages. Your insurer will pay the remaining $2,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since a higher deductible results in your insurer not having to pay as high a settlement cost, you\u2019ll pay less in premiums. Just make sure that you can pay your deductible amount if needed, so it won\u2019t hold up repairs if your RV is damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever you decide on all of these coverage options, it all starts with that in-depth discussion with your agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can My Travel Trailer Be Added to My Existing Auto Insurance Policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Since it\u2019s a non-motorized vehicle that must be towed, your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/your-guide-to-buying-a-travel-trailer\/\"><u>travel trailer<\/u><\/a> is not treated like a separate vehicle. Therefore, you can easily add it to your auto insurance policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it\u2019s also possible \u2014 and perhaps wise \u2014 to explore additional travel trailer insurance coverage that adds another level of protection to your trailer home. This should be another point of discussion with your insurance agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find Affordable RV and Motorhome Insurance in California Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thinking of buying an RV or trailer? You\u2019ll want to discuss your motorhome\/RV insurance or travel trailer insurance options with an independent agent who can show you affordable coverage from major carriers. Our Cost-U-Less agents specialize in finding the right coverage for you at a price you can afford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Call Cost-U-Less at <a href=\"tel:(800)%20390-4071\">(800) 390-4071<\/a>, or get a fast and free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/\">RV insurance quote online<\/a>. We also invite you to find a Cost-U-Less <a href=\"https:\/\/locations.costulessdirect.com\/\"><u>location near you<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/\" style=\"color:#ffffff\">Get a Quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:800-390-4071\">Call Us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/locations.costulessdirect.com\/\">Find Your Office<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It depends on whether or not that additional vehicle is motorized. If it is, then most likely not. Insurance companies base this decision on whether or not your RV or trailer is considered a self-contained vehicle or a towed object. Let\u2019s take it a step at a time and figure out what your existing auto [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6803,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,733],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6091"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6091"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6804,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6091\/revisions\/6804"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}