Travel trailer enthusiasts cherish the freedom of the open road and the comfort of a home on wheels. However, like any valuable asset, travel trailers require insurance protection. Travel trailer insurance is specifically designed to safeguard these towable recreational vehicles. This article delves into the details of travel trailer insurance cost calculators and ways to save money, all with the help of a travel trailer insurance cost calculator.
What is Travel Trailer Insurance?
Travel trailer insurance is a specialized coverage designed to protect your recreational trailer, which you tow behind your car or truck. It’s sometimes bundled as RV insurance or offered as an add-on to your standard auto insurance policy.
How Much Does Travel Trailer Insurance Cost?
The cost of travel trailer insurance is influenced by several factors, including the trailer’s size, usage frequency, intended purpose, and the coverage options you select. Each person’s insurance premium can vary significantly due to these factors.
In general, the more your travel trailer is worth, and the more you use it, the higher the coverage you’ll want to have. With increased coverage comes a higher premium.
Customized travel trailers, such as toy haulers, can cost up to $500 a year to insure, especially if comprehensive coverage is chosen. Opting for liability coverage alone will be much less expensive, typically costing only a few hundred dollars annually. Some insurance companies may even allow you to include a small trailer under your standard automotive policy at no additional cost.
Travel trailer insurance costs, like standard car insurance, vary based on several factors. These factors include your driving history, the type of travel trailer you own, and the insurance company you choose. Here are some cost examples:
- USAA offers insurance for pop-up campers for as little as $125 per year, with costs increasing for larger and more expensive trailers.
- In 2020, the average cost of travel trailer insurance through Progressive was $502 per year.
Also Read: Stationary Travel Trailer Insurance of 2023
Tips to Save Money on Travel Trailer Insurance
Saving on travel trailer insurance is possible through various strategies:
1. Compare Quotes
Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies ensures you get the best rate.
2. Explore Discounts
Many insurers offer discounts, including employer group discounts, customer loyalty discounts, and good driver discounts. Take advantage of these savings opportunities.
3. Bundle Your Policies
Purchasing multiple coverages from the same insurer, such as home, auto, and travel trailer coverage, may qualify you for a bundling discount.
What Does Travel Trailer Insurance Cover?
Travel trailer insurance, much like auto insurance, consists of different types of coverage to protect you and your trailer comprehensively. Here’s a breakdown of the key coverage types:
1. Liability Coverage
When towing, your travel trailer is covered under your auto insurance’s liability coverage for damages you may cause to other drivers or their vehicles.
2. Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your travel trailer when it’s not being towed. This includes protection against fire, wind, theft, vandalism, hail, flood, and other extreme weather events. It also covers collisions with animals.
3. Collision Coverage
Collision insurance covers damage to your travel trailer resulting from accidents or collisions, regardless of fault. Whether you misjudge the trailer’s size and bump into an obstacle, collision coverage pays for repairs.
4. Emergency Expense Coverage
This coverage provides for lodging and transportation if your travel trailer becomes unusable more than a certain distance from your home after an accident.
5. Campsite/Vacation Liability
Covers bodily injury and property damage that occurs in and around your travel trailer during your vacation.
6. Roadside Assistance
Similar to regular car insurance, this coverage includes services like towing, tire changes, fuel delivery, jumpstarts, and locksmith assistance.
7. Replacement Cost Coverage
Covers the loss of personal items within your travel trailer, such as appliances or electronics, if they are stolen or damaged.
8. Total Loss Replacement Coverage
If your travel trailer is totaled, this coverage pays for a replacement, which can be crucial for owners of newer or expensive trailers.
9. Full-Timer Coverage
For those who use their travel trailer as their permanent home, this coverage provides protection similar to a homeowner’s policy.
Do You Need Travel Trailer Insurance?
Yes, you likely do. Your car insurance will cover liability when towing your trailer, but that’s just one part of the insurance puzzle. To safeguard the trailer itself from damage in accidents or while parked, additional insurance is necessary. Travel trailer insurance steps in to provide coverage for situations such as fire, vandalism, accidents, and more. If you financed your travel trailer, you may be required to have insurance as part of your loan agreement, given the extended loan terms common in the RV and travel trailer industry.
Which Companies Offer Travel Trailer Insurance?
Several insurance companies provide coverage for travel trailers. Here are some of the top insurance companies that offer travel trailer insurance:
Is Travel Trailer Insurance Different from RV Insurance?
Yes, travel trailer insurance differs from RV insurance. Travel trailer insurance covers trailers that must be hooked up to a vehicle for towing. RV insurance, on the other hand, typically applies to motorhomes. Some insurance companies bundle RV and travel trailer insurance into one product, but they may ask you to specify whether your RV is a motorhome or a towable travel trailer during the application process.
Conclusion
Travel trailer insurance is a crucial investment to protect your valuable travel trailer and ensure peace of mind during your adventures. By understanding the coverage options, cost factors, and money-saving strategies, you can make informed decisions and secure the right insurance for your travel trailer. Utilizing a travel trailer insurance cost calculator can help you estimate your insurance expenses accurately and find the coverage that suits your needs and budget.
Also Read: Do Trailers Need Insurance in California
