How can I get the best RV insurance deal? AUG 13 Written by: Tanushree Bubna 08/13/2010 10:50 AM

August Outdoor Living Newsletter

Getting the right insurance coverage is key to protecting your RV

We recently bought a Class A Motorhome and are looking to get it insured. How can I get the best insurance deal for my RV?

Dear RVer,

Welcome to the RVing lifestyle. We know that the insurance jungle can get a bit confusing. Here are some tips on getting the best insurance deal for your RV.

1. Build insurance cost into the cost of purchasing an RV. Although you have already bought your motorhome, we suggest that when you are budgeting for an RV you include the insurance cost in that budget. Do your research before you buy so you get a clearer financial perspective of how much the RV will truly cost you.
2. Go for specialized RV insurance. To save on costs, you may be tempted to go in for auto insurance for your RV, rather than specialized RV insurance. How different can they be anyway, right? Very different in fact. RV insurance covers many more risks specific to a motor home that are not included in auto insurance. Some examples are total replacement coverage, personal belongings coverage (e.g. your furniture and appliances), coverage for full-timers and so on (these are described in more detail later in this article). Moreover you have specialized RV claims agents who know RVs, as opposed to auto-adjusters who don't really understand them. You don't want to be stuck in a situation where your policy does not cover your loss and you end up paying much more than what you were trying to save.
3. Compare insurance quotes. Insurance rates are dependent on many variables. Selecting insurance coverage based solely on price is not recommended. Instead, you can get free quotes from multiple companies online, compare their policies and pick the policy that offers you maximum coverage at the best price.
   
   Here is a list of insurance companies for you to consider that provide specialized RV insurance:
   • AARP
   • Foremost
   • GMAC Insurance
   • Good Sam VIP Insurance
   • MBA insurance
   • Nationwide
   • Progressive RV Insurance
   • Twin Peaks Insurance
4. Buy through an agent. If you are a first-timer and wish to avoid navigating through the insurance maze yourself, you can buy an insurance policy through an independent agent. They offer you competitive policies from various companies and so cut down on your research time. Here are some agents for you to consider:
   • Explorer RV
   • Happy Trails Insurance Services
   • PoliSeek
   • RV America Insurance
   • RV Insurance Professionals
5. Consider getting your insurance through your dealership or an RV association. If you buy a motorhome from a dealership they can often offer you insurance as an option. However, it's still worth getting quotes of your own to compare against their offer. Also if you belong to an RV association they sometimes have formal referral relationships with insurance agents or companies so you can obtain insurance.
6. Play up positive variables for discounts. A number of factors affect the insurance rate. Some of them are:
   • RV type and model
   • The state in which the policy is issued (insurance laws vary by state)
   • Amount of coverage desired, etc.
   • Where and how the RV will be stored
   • How the RV will be used or its primary purpose
   • RV ownership history
   • Current insurance policies with the company
   • Insurance claims history
   • Age, marital status and whether you own a home
   • Associations or memberships that offer discounts
   • Credit score
   
   So if you are a married homeowner, have a high credit score, low claims history and have previously owned an RV, be sure to tell your agent as you are eligible to receive discounts on your policy.
7. Get the policy that best suits your lifestyle. If you are a full-timer, get a policy that works like a homeowner's policy with Full Timers Coverage. If you only use the RV for vacations or a couple of months each year, suspend your coverage when the RV is not in use. This helps bring costs down.
8. Two important coverages you should not miss. There are two important coverages that specialty RV insurers offer that you absolutely must get. One is the Full coverage - replacement of your RV if it is less than 5 years old and has been completely damaged in an accident, or if your RV is more than 5 years old then you will be reimbursed the purchase price of the RV. The other is Personal Belongings coverage. Your RV, much like your home and unlike your car, has expensive items such as furniture and electronics. It is crucial to have these possessions covered under the Personal Belongings coverage which insures such items up to a certain value.

Once you do your homework, it is possible to get a great deal on your RV insurance. Educate yourself, ask questions and ensure you get the best coverage at the lowest cost.

Copyright ©2010 Camping Road Trip, LLC

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