RV · Originally published February 12, 2015 · Updated November 2026
Walking an RV show or dealer lot can make every floor plan look like the one. Before you fall for a kitchen island or an outdoor TV, step back and think about how you'll actually use it. Here is a practical way to narrow the field, along with what each type means for insurance.
A motorhome has its own engine, so it is a motor vehicle that needs its own policy.
Many motorhome owners also tow a small car behind them to get around once they're parked.
A towable has no engine. You need a truck or SUV that can handle it.
For insurance, your tow vehicle's auto policy generally provides liability while the trailer is hitched, but it does not pay for damage to the trailer itself. That takes a separate trailer policy with comprehensive and collision. Some trailer policies also add liability for when the trailer is parked at your campsite. Our guide to travel trailer insurance and towing explains how the pieces fit.
Every vehicle and RV has weight ratings. A trailer's GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is the most it can safely weigh fully loaded, and your truck has a towing capacity and a payload limit of its own. Compare the trailer's loaded weight, not the brochure's dry weight, against what your truck is rated for. Then be honest about what size you're comfortable backing into a campsite or driving down a steep, curvy Ozarks highway.
A used RV can be a good value, but inspect it carefully or pay a qualified inspector. Look for soft spots in the floor and roof, water stains, musty smells and cracked sealant. Water damage is expensive and is generally treated as wear and tear, not an insurance claim.
If you buy new, ask how your policy would value the RV after a total loss. Some policies offer replacement or purchase-price options in the early years. See RV total loss and replacement coverage.
Insurance costs differ by RV type, value and how you'll use it. A quick quote on two or three models can help you compare the true cost of ownership.
Call us at 417.865.4800 or request a quote below, and we'll price RV insurance on the models you're considering.
It depends on value and use, but a motorhome needs its own liability coverage as a motor vehicle, while a towable mainly needs physical damage coverage. A quote on the specific models is the only way to compare.
License rules depend on your state and the vehicle's weight. Check with your state's driver licensing office before buying a very large coach.
Or send your details and an agent will call you back with options from the companies we work with.