Now that summer is in full swing, you may be ready to hit the road in your RV. Maybe you’re finally ready to buy the recreational vehicle of your dreams. Either way, one detail can’t be overlooked as you prepare to get behind the wheel — the importance of RV insurance.
Here’s what you need to know about RV insurance in North Carolina.
RV Insurance is Required
In North Carolina, all types of RVs — from luxury coaches to trailers hitched to your vehicle are required to purchase liability and uninsured motorist coverage. This is to protect you and anyone who may be involved in an accident with you. Your minimum liability coverage should be $30,000/$60,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. However, the minimum amount won’t cover a major accident. It’s important to purchase as much as coverage as you can afford.
Liability and uninsured motorist coverage aren’t the only options available for RV owners, though. The other types of insurance protection you can purchase depend on the type of RV you have.
RV Classes
Recreational vehicles and cargo vans are separated into different classes. The class your RV is in will determine the types of insurance coverage you can purchase.
- Class A: These are RVs up to 75 feet in length: luxury coaches, converted buses, and motor coaches.
- Class B: This is the smallest class of RVs and include vehicles that don’t have a cab-over: cargo van without the cab-over, travel trailers, and camper vans.
- Class C: These are your standard cargo vans and fifth wheel vehicles.
Basic Insurance for RVs
The insurance available for your RV depends on how you’re using it and what class it falls in. RVs that are towed by your vehicle may have some coverage under your auto insurance. Always check with your insurance agent to find out what additional insurance coverage you can or should purchase. The basic protection for your RV in North Carolina includes:
- Bodily injury and property damage liability
- Insured motorist and personal injury protection
- Limited property damage coverage
- Property protection
- Comprehensive and collision coverage
Specialized Coverage for RVs
Depending on how you use your RV and how often you take it on the road, basic coverage may be all that you need. But if you’ve customized your RV or you spend a lot of time in it, you’ll want to consider other specialized forms of insurance coverage.
Total Loss Replacement: This is only available for brand-new RVs with only one owner. Older RVs receive actual cash value replacement instead. Total loss replacement means that you’ll receive the full amount to replace your RV if it’s totaled.
Custom Equipment: If you’ve upgraded your RV, inside or out, you may want to consider this additional coverage. A standard policy includes about $1000 of coverage. Many customizations are worth much more, and a special rider or add-on is necessary to offer better protection.
Vacation Liability: Vacation liability coverage is commonly available for RV owners who only occasionally use their RVs, in or out of North Carolina. This coverage is usually included automatically if you choose comprehensive and collision coverage. It offers additional liability protection while you’re using your RV as a vacation space.
Roadside Assistance: Roadside assistance provides towing for a disabled RV and transports you to the closest qualified repair shop. It also covers the labor costs of covered issues:
- Electrical or mechanical failure
- Dead battery
- Flat tired
- Locked out
- Insufficient fluids — gas, oil, water, etc.
- Entrapment in snow, mud, sand, or water — as long as your RV is within 100 feet of the roadway
How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?
A lot of factors determine the cost of any insurance policy, including RV insurance:
- The class of your RV: class A is most expensive and class C is least expensive
- Whether you’re using your RV as a vacation residence or living in it full-time
- Your driving history
- Your claims history
- The limits and deductibles you choose for your policy
- Any additional riders or speciality coverage you add-on to your basic coverage
To find the right RV insurance policy for your needs and to get the best price available, contact Charlotte Insurance today. We’re happy to talk to you about your options and give you a free quote!