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.

Travel Trailer Insurance

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Having this form of insurance is more useful than people may realize. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions are the single most common type of crash and account for roughly 29% of all incidents. This means that trailers are exposed to a high degree of risk, especially when drivers can't effectively see vehicles in the lane behind them.

As a driver, you want to keep your vehicles and passengers safe. There's only so much you can do to prevent a collision, but with the right coverage plan, you can ensure that you're not going to find yourself paying out of pocket if a problem occurs.

Trailers Covered By Insurance

Most trailers can be insured, regardless of whether they're being used for private or commercial purposes. Exceptions to this are rare, and are generally limited to trailers that are considered too high-risk to insure. If you're unsure whether your trailer qualifies for coverage, call our agency and ask for more information.

Trailer types that are usually covered include:

• Horse trailers
• Camping trailers
• Car trailers
• Boat trailers
• Cargo trailers
• Bicycle trailers
• Semi-trailers
• ...and many others

What's Covered

Most plans for trailer insurance include, but do not require, all of the following:

• Liability Coverage: This form of insurance covers costs associated with property damage or bodily injury done to other people. Your existing vehicle liability coverage may or may not extend to your trailer—if not, this will need to be purchased separately or added to the main coverage.
• Collision Coverage: If your trailer is damaged during a collision, this policy can help pay for repairs (regardless of whether or not you're at fault).
• Comprehensive Coverage: This part of trailer insurance deals with damage to the trailer. Damage can come from many different sources. Fire, severe weather, vandalism, and water damage are among the most common uses for this coverage.
• Contents Coverage: If your trailer is being used to carry and store personal items (clothes, furniture, etc.), this policy can help replace them in the event they're stolen, damaged, or destroyed. For especially large shipments, you might consider cargo and freight insurance.

Please be aware that trailer insurance is not the same as commercial trailer insurance, which is designed for vehicles being used for business purposes (including the transport of products) and covers different liabilities.

If you have a trailer that needs insurance, call our agency today to find out the specifics of the coverage and begin protecting your investment.