Recreational Vehicle
Insurance
Recreational vehicles do more than just carry you from one place to another; they transport you with an eye toward maximum fun and/or comfort along the way. Just because some of these vehicles are associated with playtime, that doesn’t mean they don’t need the same insurance protection as any other piece of expensive property you own. In fact, they may need more insurance since they also create a potential for liabilities.
Liability Insurance for Recreational Vehicles
Your recreational vehicle is, just like an automobile, a moving vehicle that can cause bodily injury and property damage to others. In order to help pay for any damage you inadvertently inflict, you should secure liability insurance. This policy can also help cover the cost of environmental cleanup after an accident that causes the spillage of a toxic chemical or other pollutant.
Liability coverage will have limits that work on both a per-incident and per-policy basis. They may also have a deductible that requires an out-of-pocket contribution for each incident or year.
Property Coverage
After you’ve considered the potential liabilities you are exposed to while operating a recreational vehicle, it’s time to secure coverage for the value of the vehicle itself. Recreational vehicle coverage can include financial compensation in the event of physical damage, vandalism, theft and collision. In addition, your policy may allow for reimbursement of personal effects stored on a vehicle such as an RV, boat or snowmobile.
In some cases, you may want to consider adding specialized coverage for additional risks including the loss or damage of awnings and custom equipment. If you have an RV that you live in part or full time, you may need extended protection so be sure to discuss that with your agent.
and Every Adventure
Recreational vehicle insurance provides essential protection for your motorhome, camper, or travel trailer. Whether you’re traveling cross-country or parked at a campsite, the right coverage helps safeguard your vehicle, personal belongings, and liability risks. RV insurance offers peace of mind so you can explore with confidence and enjoy every mile of the journey.
events, or unexpected on-the-road incidents.
stored inside your RV while traveling.
or injuries occur at a campsite or on the road.
fit both full-time and seasonal RV lifestyles.
California RV Insurance: What You Need to Know
Is RV insurance required in California?
It depends on the type of RV. A motorhome (Class A, B or C) is a motor vehicle, so California requires it to carry at least the state minimum auto liability coverage: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for injuries, plus $15,000 for property damage. Most owners choose much higher limits, because a motorhome can do far more damage than a car.
A travel trailer, fifth wheel or toy hauler generally gets its liability coverage from the auto policy on the vehicle towing it. That auto policy usually does not pay to repair or replace the trailer itself, so you need a separate RV policy to protect your trailer and what is inside it. Motorhomes and trailers must also be registered with the California DMV, and lenders require physical damage coverage on financed RVs.
RVs we insure
- Class A motorhomes and diesel pushers
- Class B camper vans
- Class C motorhomes
- Travel trailers, fifth wheels and toy haulers
- Pop-up campers and truck campers
What RV insurance covers
- Liability for injuries and property damage you cause while driving your motorhome.
- Collision and comprehensive for damage from accidents, theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, hail and wind.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage if a driver without enough insurance hits you.
- Medical payments for you and your passengers.
- Personal effects for belongings you keep in the RV, like electronics, cookware, bikes and camping gear.
- Attached accessories such as awnings, satellite dishes, solar panels and leveling jacks.
- Emergency expenses for lodging, meals and transportation if an accident or covered loss strands you far from home.
- Roadside assistance and towing sized for large RVs, which many standard auto roadside plans cannot handle.
- Vacation or campsite liability if a guest is injured at your campsite while the RV is parked.
- Total loss replacement, offered by some insurers on newer RVs, which can pay for a new RV instead of a depreciated value.
Full-time RVers
If you live in your RV for most of the year, a standard RV policy may not be enough. Full-timer coverage adds protection similar to a homeowners policy, including personal liability and more coverage for your belongings. Tell your agent if the RV is your main home so the policy matches how you use it.
Storage and seasonal use
If your RV sits in storage for part of the year, some insurers let you lower your premium during that time by keeping comprehensive coverage (theft, fire and weather) while suspending driving coverages. Ask your agent which insurers offer this.
Renting out your RV
Personal RV policies usually exclude coverage while the RV is rented to someone else. If you list your RV on a peer-to-peer rental site, check what insurance the platform provides during the rental and talk to your agent before your first booking.
What affects the price of RV insurance
- The type, age and value of the RV
- How many days a year you use it, and whether you live in it full time
- Your driving record and claims history
- Where the RV is stored and garaged
- The limits, deductibles and optional coverages you choose
Discounts may be available for bundling with your auto or home policy, a clean driving record, paying in full or completing a safety course, depending on the insurer.
Why buy RV insurance through MIS
MIS Insurance Services is an independent, licensed broker (CA License #0G55496) serving California since 2009. Our agents shop insurers that write RV coverage, including carriers like Progressive and Foremost, and show you the lowest rate for the coverage you need, in writing. A live, licensed agent answers at (800) 726-0640, Monday to Friday, 8 to 6, and our Spanish-speaking agents can help in Spanish. You can also request an RV insurance quote online.
RV Insurance FAQs
Is RV insurance required in California?
Motorhomes must carry at least California minimum auto liability coverage of $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 for property damage. Travel trailers generally get liability coverage from the tow vehicle’s auto policy, but that policy usually does not cover damage to the trailer itself.
Does my auto insurance cover my travel trailer?
Your auto policy usually extends liability to a trailer while it is attached to your vehicle, but it typically does not pay to repair or replace the trailer or your belongings inside it. A separate RV policy covers that.
What is full-timer RV insurance?
Full-timer coverage is for people who live in their RV most of the year. It adds protection similar to a homeowners policy, including personal liability and broader coverage for belongings.
Does RV insurance cover my personal belongings?
Many RV policies include or offer personal effects coverage for items kept in the RV, such as electronics, cookware, bikes and camping gear. Limits vary by insurer.
Is my RV covered if I rent it out?
Usually not. Personal RV policies typically exclude rental use. If you rent your RV through a peer-to-peer site, check the platform’s coverage and talk to your agent first.
Can I lower my premium while my RV is in storage?
Some insurers let you keep comprehensive coverage for theft, fire and weather while suspending driving coverages during storage, which can lower your premium.
How much does RV insurance cost in California?
It depends on the type and value of the RV, how often you use it, your driving record, where it is stored and the coverage you choose. MIS agents compare multiple insurers to find you the lowest rate.
How do I get an RV insurance quote?
Call MIS Insurance Services at (800) 726-0640, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., to talk with a live, licensed agent, or request a quote online.
MIS Insurance provides recreational vehicle insurance in all cities in California including: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, Stockton, Chula Vista, Irvine, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Fontana, Oxnard, Moreno Valley, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Oceanside, Garden Grove, Rancho Cucamonga, Santa Rosa, Ontario, Elk Grove