Be they weekend warriors in pop top campers or full timers in rigs worth several hundred thousand dollars, RV insurance rates are one issue that all who participate in the RV community must consider.  Shopping for coverage for your home on wheels, whether on line or at an agent’s office, is every bit as important as finding the escape vehicle of your dreams.

Full time RV owners, those that have exchanged a brick and mortar home for one on wheels will find their insurance needs to be more like a home owners policy.  These RV insurance policies include personal liability coverage on injuries and property damage that can happen while parked, as well as when in transit.

RV insurance policies can also vary with the age of your rig.  Some companies offer total loss replacement coverage for usually the first five model years and for older rigs guarantee payout of the original purchase price to be used towards a replacement vehicle. Shop around for RV insurance rates that includes coverage for accessories such as awnings, air conditioning units and satellite TV dishes. These items are easily damaged and expensive to replace.

Since your home on wheels is also your means of transportation, some type of roadside assistance insurance is a must. The inconvenience of a flat tire or a mechanical breakdown on your car is stressful enough; on an RV it can be compounded by the sheer size of the vehicle and the need for special equipment and knowledge. Towing an RV is not the same as towing the family sedan. Make sure that the roadside assistance insurance firm you choose contracts out to tow firms and mechanics that are familiar with RV’s. It is also a good idea to make sure roadside service is available in the part of the country you plan on visiting.

Suppose your RV does have to spend time in a mechanic’s shop due to an accident. There are RV emergency expense policies that cover hotel stays and rental cars while your vehicle is being repaired. Most policies have stipulations that the accident must occur more than 50 miles from your home base. Though this type of policy is geared more toward vacationers, it is possible to find coverage for full timers.

The weather has a mind of its own and travelers can find themselves victims of floods, fires or windstorms. If you’ve ever driven through a storm complete with driving rain and gusty winds and found it difficult to keep your car on the road, imagine trying the same drive with an RV, taller, boxier and much more susceptible to sudden gusts. Wind damage can be sustained even while parked. Awnings can blow off, satellite dishes can be ripped from roofs and trees can drop branches on your rig in a storm. RV insurance does exist for these eventualities, covering damages to both your rig and the contents.

Price plays a big factor in the search for a RV insurance rate. In addition to the full timer verses vacation issue, insurance companies pay attention to deductibles, credit ratings, driving records and RV experience. Age has its benefits with RV insurance as well. One of the perks of getting older, and hopefully wiser, is a discount on your policy so it really pays to shop around for the best rv quote.

Another huge factor in RV insurance costs is the type of rig you are trying to insure. Class A motor homes are the largest; some are as big as buses. Many are so elaborately built they have every modern convenience that can be found in a brick and mortar home and can be priced at over half a million dollars. Class C motor homes, mostly built on truck chassis, can be every bit as decadent, but are smaller, more compact and less expensive. The difference in insurance premiums can be staggering. Doing advanced research on the premium cost for the rigs you are considering is a wise move.

Joining an RV club is one way to help bring your RV insurance cost down. Many clubs offer special rates to its members and it does pay to investigate this option. Something else to consider when getting insurance from an RV club is that the companies they contract with to provide the service really do know RV’s.

Other factors that can determine your policy premiums are your insurance claims history, marital status and where you store your RV in the off season. Storing your rig in the southern US during hurricane season will logically increase your policy price. Some areas also have a higher crime rate, which also increases policy premiums. It may be cost effective to consult with an RV insurance agent on storage at an alternate location.

The RV lifestyle is embraced and cherished by many. Researching and negotiating RV insurance rates is one of the most important steps in joining the millions who take to the road just to discover what’s just beyond the horizon.