How Much Does RV Insurance Cost? What Buyers Should Know Before Buying

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Published February 13, 2019 | Last updated September 4, 2026

One of the easiest RV expenses to underestimate is insurance.

Our old Class C cost us about $500 a year to insure. Our current Class A costs about $1,900 a year.

That is a big enough difference that I would tell any RV buyer to get an insurance quote on the exact RV before signing the purchase agreement.

And I would not shop insurance on price alone.

The better question is: What exactly happens if this RV is badly damaged or totaled?

How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

There is no single useful national price that tells you what your RV insurance will cost.

Your premium can change based on the RV’s value, whether it is a motorhome or towable, where you live, how you use it, your driving and claims history, the coverage limits you choose, your deductible, and the insurer’s rating rules.

That is why I would use other people’s premiums only as examples—not as a budget.

Our own numbers prove the point. We have insured both RVs through Nationwide, but our Class A costs nearly four times what our Class C did.

Our Real RV Insurance Costs

Our Class C was roughly $500 per year to insure.

Our current Thor Challenger Class A runs about $1,900 per year.

Both policies were through Nationwide.

The Class A is worth much more, and our coverage is stronger because the coach itself is only part of what we have invested in it.

We have about $24,000 in LiquidSpring suspension, roughly $20,000 in solar equipment, and increased contents coverage because we travel so often.

Those details matter.

Get an Insurance Quote Before You Buy the RV

I would do this before delivery day, not after.

Once you know the exact year, make, model, and purchase price, call your insurer and at least one or two competitors.

Ask for quotes using similar limits and deductibles so you are comparing coverage—not just premiums.

If one company is $400 cheaper but pays a very different amount after a total loss, that may not be the better deal.

Motorhome Insurance and Travel Trailer Insurance Are Not the Same

A motorhome is a motor vehicle, so it generally needs the liability coverage required by the state where it is registered, just like other road vehicles.

A travel trailer or fifth wheel is different because it is towed rather than driven.

Liability from the tow vehicle may extend to certain incidents involving the trailer while it is being towed, but that does not mean the trailer itself is automatically protected against collision, theft, storm damage, fire, or other losses.

If the RV is financed, the lender may also require physical-damage coverage.

Insurance requirements and policy language vary by state and insurer, so confirm the exact coverage with a licensed agent.

The Most Important Question: How Is a Total Loss Paid?

This is where I would spend most of my time when comparing policies.

Depending on the insurer and policy, a total loss might be settled using terms such as actual cash value, agreed value, replacement cost, purchase-price replacement, or total-loss replacement.

Those terms do not all mean the same thing.

Our current Class A policy includes replacement-cost/total-loss replacement coverage.

That matters to us because RVs depreciate and because we have a lot invested beyond the original coach.

I would ask the agent to explain, in plain English, exactly what check you would receive if the RV were totaled tomorrow.

Make Sure Expensive RV Upgrades Are Actually Covered

This is a big one for us.

Our Class A has major aftermarket upgrades, including our LiquidSpring suspension and solar system.

I would not assume expensive additions are automatically covered for their full value just because they are bolted to the RV.

Tell the insurer what has been added and ask how permanently installed equipment, custom equipment, and aftermarket accessories are valued under the policy.

Keep receipts, photos, installation invoices, and any documentation that establishes what those upgrades cost.

Do You Have Enough Personal Contents Coverage?

This can be easy to overlook if you spend a lot of time in the RV.

We carry increased contents coverage because we travel so often and have more personal property with us than someone using an RV for an occasional weekend.

Think about laptops, cameras, electronics, clothing, camping gear, tools, kitchen equipment, and everything else you carry.

Ask what the policy covers, what limits apply, whether certain items have sublimits, and what deductible would apply after a loss.

Our Class A Windshield Claim Was Easy

We have had one actual insurance claim on our Class A for the windshield.

The experience was easy for us.

That matters because motorhome windshields can be large, expensive, and more complicated to replace than the windshield in a normal car.

Price matters when choosing an insurer, but the claims experience matters too.

What Coverage Should an RV Buyer Ask About?

I would not try to build your policy from a generic internet checklist because the right coverage depends on the RV and your situation.

But I would ask your agent about liability limits, collision, comprehensive, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage where applicable, medical or personal injury coverage where applicable, total-loss settlement, personal contents, custom equipment, roadside assistance, vacation liability, emergency expense coverage, and full-timer coverage if the RV will be your primary residence.

Not every coverage is available or necessary in every state or policy.

What Makes RV Insurance More Expensive?

The exact rating formula belongs to the insurer, but the quote may be affected by things such as the RV’s value and type, where it is garaged, how it is used, who drives it, driving and claims history, deductibles, coverage limits, annual usage, and other rating factors allowed in your state.

Rather than guessing which factor will move your premium the most, I would get several quotes on the same coverage structure.

Do Not Confuse RV Insurance With an Extended Warranty

These protect against different problems.

RV insurance is generally there for covered losses such as accidents, theft, fire, weather damage, liability claims, and other insured events.

An extended warranty or service contract is designed around eligible mechanical or component failures under its contract terms.

You may want one, both, or neither beyond legally or lender-required insurance coverage, but they are not interchangeable.

How I Would Shop for RV Insurance Before Buying

First, get the VIN and exact RV information.

Second, get multiple quotes using similar limits and deductibles.

Third, ask exactly how a total loss would be settled.

Fourth, disclose expensive aftermarket equipment and upgrades.

Fifth, make sure your personal contents limit matches how you actually travel.

Finally, ask about claims service, deductibles, exclusions, and any lender requirements before choosing the cheapest premium.

My Bottom Line

RV insurance should be part of your buying budget before you ever bring the RV home.

Our own experience went from around $500 a year on our Class C to around $1,900 a year on our Class A.

But I would not choose a policy based on price alone.

I want to know how the RV is valued, whether our major upgrades are protected, whether we have enough contents coverage, and what happens when we actually file a claim.

Get the insurance quote before you buy the RV, and make sure you understand what you are buying—not just what it costs.

Insurance laws, policy forms, and available coverages vary by state and company. We are sharing our experience, not giving insurance advice, so review your specific needs with a licensed insurance professional.

Related Reading

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How Much Does a Motorhome Really Cost to Own Each Year?

RV Warranty Coverage: What It Does and Does Not Cover