When you purchase an RV you should immediately be considering a couple other purchases as well: RV insurance and an extended warranty. Neither is required with the purchase of a recreational vehicle, but both are smart moves that go a long way toward protecting what is typically a pretty big investment. When considering purchasing RV insurance to protect the investment you’ve made in your new RV there are always a lot of questions. Some of the most obvious (and frequently asked) questions are:
1. Where do I get RV insurance? Some general insurance companies offer RV coverage, but working with a company that deals specifically in RV insurance means you’ll be able to work with plans and coverages specific to RVs. Reputable dealerships will be able to refer you to a insurance company you can work with or you can easily find and request a quote online from a variety of RV insurance companies. You’ll need to provide basic vehicular information (i.e. make, model and year as well as purchase price). Most online quotes are processed immediately.
2. Why can’t I just add the RV to my auto insurance policy? The answer to this one is a bit dicey…you can, but it’s not typically recommended. A motorized RV can be added to regular automobile insurance (towables and campers are not eligible for traditional auto insurance coverage), but any parts of the RV that are exclusive to the recreational vehicle won’t be covered (for instance slideouts and awnings). Working with a reputable RV insurance company means you’ll have insurance coverage that actually covers the whole deal; your entire RV from front to back. It also provides the necessary coverage that takes care of the necessities if there is an injury involving your RV.
3. How long does it take to get RV insurance set up? It depends who you work with, but online applications (as mentioned previously) are very fast. Quotes are typically received in less than a minute and full applications can easily be processed in minutes.
4. How do I know how much and what kind of coverage to purchase? We recommend working with a company that offers full coverage; that way you’re covered no matter what occurs. Also look into the cost of adding total replacement coverage. With total replacement coverage new RVs (less than 5 years old and still in the hands of the original owner) are replaced with another new, comparable RV. Total replacement coverage also works with used RV purchases depending upon an agreed upon value to be used for coverage in the case of a total loss.
5. Which types of RV are insurable? RV insurance companies will ensure your RV…no matter what type of RV you own.
6. What’s the difference between RV insurance and an extended warranty? Extended warranties cover mechanical problems, issues with included appliances and such…things that aren’t covered by insurance. Time periods for extended warranties can range from 1 to 7 years. Extended warranties work in tandem with RV insurance to ensure that your vehicle is fully covered and you won’t have to deal with any crushing, surprise expenses.
