It’s always smart to look into your obligations for insuring a rental vehicle before you get the keys in your hand. You might not realize that you need to purchase special insurance if you plan to rent an RV for a trip.
This aspect of preparing for a trip definitely isn’t as exciting as marking attractions on your map or planning what type of snack to bring on the road. However, it’s important that you look into getting RV renters insurance for the duration of your rental period if you want to do things the right way and be protected.
The first step is always to contact your auto insurance company if you already own a car. Your existing policy may actually offer some type of coverage that extends to rental RVs and motorhomes. However, it’s very likely that you’ll have to purchase some type of RV rental insurance rider through the company you’re using to rent an RV. You may be able to get a discount if you happen to use your existing auto insurance company.
How Much Does RV Rental Insurance Cost?
You’re probably wondering how much RV rental insurance coverage is going to set you back if you’re planning to use an RV for an upcoming trip. Luckily, you’ll likely be able to obtain insurance for just a few dollars per day during your vacation. You can typically sign up for a short-term policy that costs around $20 per day. Of course, factors like your personal driving record and the age of the RV you’ll be renting also contribute to the total cost you’ll end up paying for temporary coverage.
You’re probably going to be required to obtain two types of coverage when renting an RV. The first type of coverage you’ll need to look into is standard RV rental insurance. This will cover you in a way that’s very similar to how regular car insurance covers you. You can use the coverage provided by an insurance binder in the event that you get into an accident or your rented RV somehow gets damaged while you’re in possession of it.
You may also require liability coverage. This type of coverage will protect you if someone gets hurt because of the RV you’re driving. It can also provide coverage if property is damaged as a result of the RV.
How to Get RV Rental Insurance
Most RV rental companies will be able to provide you with resources for obtaining rental insurance that meets the necessary requirements for getting on the road legally. This usually involves steering you toward a reputable RV rental insurance company. You’ll probably be able to obtain temporary insurance coverage relatively quickly with very little paperwork. Another option is to reach out to your own home or auto insurance company to see if you can purchase some type of supplemental coverage.
RV Rental Insurance Requirements
The level of insurance you actually need will depend on where you’re renting your RV and where your journey will take you. Some states require RV rental policies to include liability coverage. You may need to obtain this type of coverage even if the state you live in does not require it if you’ll be passing through several states. Of course, the contract created by the rental agency or individual owner you rent an RV from will ultimately decide the level of insurance you actually need to obtain before you can take temporary possession of a rental vehicle.
You can also reach out to a reputable company like MBA RV Insurance to inquire about policies that offer commercial RV rental insurance and policies that are available for motorhomes. A company like this should be able to provide you with an RV rental insurance quote once you know the type of RV you’ll be renting and the route you’ll be following during your rental period.
Going above and beyond what a rental company requires you to obtain for insurance may not be a bad idea if you’re worried about getting stuck with a bill for damage if an accident does occur. Doing this can help you to avoid the potential scenario of having to pay a high deductible cost because you unknowingly didn’t have enough coverage at the time of an accident. In addition, paying for a comprehensive temporary policy could help you cover unexpected costs resulting from the loss of personal belongings or towing. It’s definitely worth purchasing additional coverage if you plan to bring a lot of valuable personal items or expensive outdoor sporting equipment with you while you’re traveling to a vacation spot.
How to Get RV Insurance Quickly
You might be wondering what the process is for obtaining rental insurance without going through the hassle of getting a quote or speaking with agents. The good news is that you may be able to cut through the red tape quickly if you decide to rent an RV directly from an owner using a peer-to-peer platform. It’s actually sometimes possible for an RV owner to allow you to go on their insurance policy for a small fee during your rental period.
What You Need to Know About Temporary RV Insurance
The biggest thing to know about temporary RV insurance is that you definitely need it if you’ll be renting an RV for your next vacation. Obtaining a policy or verifying that your current policy will extend to cover you when you rent an RV is extremely important whether you’re renting through a large RV company or connecting with an RV owner using a peer-to-peer rental platform.
While you can get daily coverage rates for as low as $15 in many cases, it’s always worth spending a few extra dollars a day to ensure that you have a level of coverage that truly protects you. Be prepared for higher coverage costs if you’re renting a large RV model or you’re obtaining a policy in a state with rates that are higher than average.
The bottom line is that the road will simply feel smoother under your feet when you know you have a level of coverage that will protect you if something should go wrong when you’re traveling. The affordability of using a rental RV instead of booking flights and hotel rooms means you have some room to be extra diligent when it comes to purchasing a solid policy.