From lush forests and rushing rivers, to deep, rocky canyons and majestic mountain ranges, the United States has no shortage of beautiful areas that showcase the incredible diversity of the natural world. And for outdoors enthusiasts who can’t wait to see these sights, there may be no better way to explore than to pack up supplies in an RV and head out for an unforgettable getaway.
Even the best-planned trips can run afoul of the unexpected, however, and you may wonder what to do if your RV has a problem when you’re out on the road. Given the size and complexity of these homes on wheels, repairs can be complicated — and expensive. In many cases, your regular auto insurance doesn’t extend past the bumper of your pickup. That’s where fifth wheel insurance comes in to keep you protected.
What Is Fifth Wheel Insurance?
Fifth wheel insurance is a specific kind of insurance that offers protection for fifth wheel RVs and campers. Unlike standalone RVs and campers that are vehicles themselves, fifth wheel RVs are towed behind your vehicle, which is why they likely aren’t covered under your regular auto insurance. Depending on where you live and where you plan to visit, this kind of insurance might be an essential already. But in some circumstances, and with more expensive rates, you may want to take the time to consider how much you’ll spend on this protection.
Fifth wheel insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the state you’re in and the type of RV you have. There are several categories of fifth wheel campers, and, generally, the more expensive the RV was to purchase, the more expensive it’ll be to protect. Likewise, states such as Michigan, with more road hazards, may charge more. The Wandering RV reveals that a survey on rates varied between $860 per year (North Carolina) and $4,490 per year (Michigan) in 2022.
What Fifth Wheel Insurance Covers
Fifth wheel insurance is generally an optional form of protection, which means you may have more freedom in purchasing a policy that’s suited to your needs. Basic RV policies often cover events like collisions with cars and stationary objects; damage from natural events such as hail, lightning, and incidents with wildlife; and general threats such as theft and vandalism. Additionally, many fifth wheel insurance policies protect you against depreciation, which can come in handy if you ever plan to resell or upgrade your RV.
There are supplementary forms of coverage that you can purchase with your policy, too. If your RV has various add-ons, they may not be covered under the most basic form of fifth wheel insurance, so these supplements can be helpful. Fifth wheel insurance can further provide protection against property damage both inside and outside the RV, bodily injury, comprehensive protection against road hazards, and even compensation for lodging expenses in emergency situations.
How Fifth Wheel Insurance Differs From Regular Auto Insurance
While most states mandate auto insurance to legally drive a car on the road, this requirement is not always the same for towed campers. As mentioned above, this flexibility allows you to customize a policy much more than you usually can with auto insurance, as there may be no state minimum coverage requirements. You can build your policy around the type of driving that you do and the types of threats that you anticipate.
Some providers, such as Farmers, allow you to choose between seasonal “on-road” coverage and year-round “stationary” coverage. This can help you save money during the months that you don’t anticipate using your RV much or at all. Due to the fact that fifth wheel coverage is a separate policy from your auto insurance, you may also be able to secure a discount by using your current auto insurance provider to cover your RV. Bundling your policies this way may result in additional savings as well.
Resource Links
“Fifth Wheel Insurance” via Farmers Insurance
“How Much Does RV Insurance Cost? Average RV Insurance Rates in 2023” via The Wandering RV
“My Camper Stays at a Seasonal Campground Year-Round. What Type of Insurance Do I Need?” via The Zebra