5 Tips for Purchasing RV Insurance Affordably
The best time to keep RV insurance affordable is before you buy the RV. These five steps help you set up the right policy from day one.
RV · Originally published September 9, 2015 · Updated November 2026
If you're shopping for an RV or setting up a policy for one you just bought, a few smart choices now can save you money for years and keep you from paying for the wrong coverage. Here is a five-step checklist for the buying stage. If you already have a policy, a review at renewal is the place to look for savings.
1. Get insurance quotes before you choose the RV
Two RVs at similar prices can cost noticeably different amounts to insure, depending on type, value, size and how they're used. Before you sign at the dealer, call for quotes on your top choices. It takes a few minutes and gives you the real monthly cost of ownership, not just the loan payment.
2. Know what your type of RV actually needs
This is where many people overpay or end up underinsured.
- Motorhome (Class A, B or C): It's a motor vehicle, so it needs its own policy, including liability that meets your state's requirements, plus comprehensive and collision if you want the coach itself protected.
- Travel trailer or fifth wheel: Your tow vehicle's auto policy generally provides liability while you're towing, but it does not cover damage to the trailer. You need a trailer policy for physical damage. Our article on travel trailer insurance and towing explains what's covered where.
Knowing this helps you avoid paying for duplicate liability on a trailer, or skipping coverage a motorhome needs.
3. Choose a valuation that fits the RV
How your policy pays after a total loss is one of the biggest decisions you'll make.
- Actual cash value pays what the RV was worth at the time of the loss, after depreciation. The premium is usually lower, but you may get much less than you paid.
- Agreed value sets the amount ahead of time, which can suit older or customized RVs.
- Total loss replacement or purchase price options, offered by some companies on newer RVs, can help you replace a new unit.
For a new RV with a loan, a lower premium today could mean owing more than the insurance pays after a total loss. Read RV total loss and replacement coverage before you decide.
4. Set the policy up smart
- Bundle where it makes sense. Putting your RV, tow vehicle and home or boat with one company often earns a discount and can make a claim involving both truck and trailer simpler.
- Pick a sensible deductible. Higher deductibles lower premiums, but choose an amount you could pay.
- Pay in full or use autopay if your company rewards it.
- Rate the use honestly. Part-time camping and full-time living are rated differently, and getting it wrong can cause problems at claim time. See full-time RV insurance.
5. Compare equal coverage, not just prices
A lower quote is only a better deal if it covers the same things. When you compare, line up:
- Liability limits (for motorhomes)
- Comprehensive and collision deductibles
- Valuation method
- Personal belongings coverage
- Emergency expense, roadside assistance and campsite liability, if offered
An independent agency can quote several companies with the same coverage so the comparison is fair.
What not to cut
Saving money shouldn't mean skipping protection you'd regret. Keep liability strong on a motorhome, keep physical damage coverage on anything with a loan, and make sure your personal belongings inside the RV are accounted for. If you plan to camp at Table Rock Lake or elsewhere in the Ozarks, ask about coverage for when you're parked at the campsite.
Talk to a local agent
Call us at 417.865.4800 or request a quote below, and we'll compare RV insurance options for the RV you're considering.
Common questions
Do I need RV insurance before I drive it off the lot?
For a motorhome, yes, because it's a motor vehicle that must be insured to drive. For a towable, your tow vehicle's liability generally applies, but you'll want physical damage coverage on the trailer before you leave, and a lender will usually require it.
Is actual cash value coverage a bad idea on an RV?
Not always. It can make sense on an older, paid-off RV, but on a new or financed unit it may leave a gap after a total loss.
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Written by Auto Insurance Express. Reviewed by Philip Edwards, founder. Philip has run independent insurance agencies in southwest Missouri since 1997. More about the agency.
General information, not advice about your specific policy. Coverage, exclusions and eligibility are determined by the policy forms and endorsements your insurer issues, and state rules change. Confirm details with us before you rely on them.
